Making Dumb Switches Smart: Two Affordable Methods
Creating a smart home doesn’t have to break the bank. Here, we’ll explore two ways to make your dumb switches smart using affordable products that cost less than £25 each.
1. SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher
The SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher is the most versatile option in this article, priced at £25 but requiring zero wiring. This little bot connects to your phone via Bluetooth and allows you to set timers and remotely control its little arm from your phone.
It can be used with pretty much anything that has a button and even works with on/off switches thanks to its accessory and switch mode. For voice control and out-of-home control, you’ll need to purchase the Hub Mini. We love these bots because they’re simple to install, have a great app, and incredible battery life. However, they may struggle with stiffer switches in switch mode.
2. SONOFF Mini
The SONOFF Mini is the most affordable option at just £12 (or as cheap as £8.70 each if you buy a 3-pack). This device requires some wiring and sits between your live supply and your device, making it surprisingly small.
Once connected to your home Wi-Fi using your phone, the SONOFF Mini offers app control, support for voice assistants like Alexa, and IFTTT support (for $10 a year). If you use Homebridge on a Raspberry Pi, you can even get Apple HomeKit support. We like these devices because they’re cheap and work well, but keep in mind that you’ll need to consider where you have space for them within your home wiring.
Making Your “Dumb” Switches Smart
With the two items mentioned above, you can make virtually any electrical device smart, from your coffee machine to your bathroom extractor fan. We love making dumb things smart because it saves on waste and saves you money.
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