Our Verdict for leviton decora smart switches
In this article we will talk about features, Pros & cons of leviton decora smart switch and dimmer.
Designed to control your smart lighting directly from the switch level, these smart Wi-Fi devices are easy to install, versatile, and have simple controls. They’re compatible with your current voice assistant and don’t require an additional hub or bridge. Control them directly from your mobile device.
Although a crude form of geofencing is available, you should look at other smart lighting switch and dimmer options if using geofencing to turn your lights on and off while away from home is a major concern.
What We Like in Leviton Decora Smart Switch
- Easy to install
- Wide range of protocol options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HomeKit, Z-Wave)
- Compatible with voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, Siri, etc)
- Away/Vacation Mode to randomize lights
- Reasonably priced
Flaws in leviton smart switch
- Requires a neutral wire
- Leviton logo visible on switch face
- Crude geofencing (must manually operate)
Before You Buy leviton smart dimmer
- Make sure you have a neutral wire in your switch’s electrical box
- Confirm you don’t need robust geofencing
- Check for LED compatibility with Leviton Dimmers
Alternatives:
- You may want to check out Lutron Caseta Switches/Dimmers if you don’t have a neutral wire
- Wemo Switches/Dimmers are a good option if you have a neutral wire
- Kasa Switches/Dimmers are also a good option if you have a neutral
Decora smart switches Details
Simple, easy controls are at the forefront of what the Leviton Decora Smart Switch and Dimmer offer.
You’re able to control your home’s smart lighting in a number of ways, including the Leviton app as well as via voice control. These smart devices are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Assistant, and Nest as well as IFTTT applets.
These smart switches and dimmers are operated over Wi-Fi so they don’t require an additional bridge or hub to connect to your home system.
Both the light switch and dimmer are rocker-style. They’re compatible with all standard rocker-style cover plates. Although the smart switch and dimmer are both stylish and functional, they are a little flimsy feeling. As Wi-Fi-controlled devices, it’s important to note that the cover plate must be plastic to enable the wireless internet signal to reach the internal components.
Like many wireless smart switches and dimmers, these Leviton Decora models require a neutral wire (also known as a third wire) for installation. Make sure that your home has a neutral wire in the switch box before purchasing. You can find out more in our article about neutral wires.
Leviton Decora Smart Switches
Leviton was one of the first companies to enter the smart lighting space. Although these years of experience translate into highly-refined products, it also means that Leviton has an expansive product line with a huge number of options to sort through.
In addition to universal Wi-Fi options, Leviton also makes Decora smart switches that operate on Bluetooth, HomeKit, Z-Wave, and more.
The company’s smart Wi-Fi light switches have been fine-tuned and updated over the past several years into highly affordable but still very functional and versatile products.
All Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Switches utilize popular stylings for a modern look. The switches are available in white out of the box. Color change kits are also available if you prefer black, brown, gray, ivory, or light almond instead.
These smart switches operate manually with basic rocker action, the same way as a typical light switch. Of course, most users operate these switches over Wi-Fi with their smartphones.
Although Leviton Decora Smart Switches are compatible with most traditional rocker-style cover plates, the company does recommend their Leviton screwless wall plate for a more seamless, stylish aesthetic.
Unlike some models by other companies, none of the Leviton Decora Smart Switches have lights, Wi-Fi indicators, power buttons, or any other buttons on the device itself – just the plain and simple rocker-style switch is all.
The measurements are 2.1” x 1.4” x 4.1”, quite a bit larger than a traditional light switch, so make sure that your switch box is large enough to accommodate this. Extra-depth inside the electrical box is needed.
This light switch works with just about any light bulb. It can also be used to as part of a larger home smart system to control other small appliances, such as ceiling fans.
Wi-fi support
Among their most popular Wi-Fi models are the DW15S-1BZ Smart Switch, DZ15S-1BZ Smart Switch, DH15S-1BZ Smart Switch, and DD0SR-1Z Smart Switch.
The DW15S-1BZ is a universal Wi-Fi smart switch. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It supports LED and CFL up to 600 watts as well as incandescent up to 1800 watts. It’s a single-pole switch but can be used as part of a three-way system with a coordinating or matching switch remote.
The DZ15S-1BZ is a universal Z-Wave smart switch. It’s compatible with SmartThings, Wink, and a variety of other Z-Wave systems. It supports LED and CFL up to 600 watts as well as incandescent up to 1800 watts. It’s a single-pole switch but can be used as part of a three-way system with a coordinating or matching switch remote.
The DH15S-1BZ is a Wi-Fi smart switch that utilizes HomeKit technology. It’s compatible with Apple HomeKit on Siri-enabled devices including iPhones, iPad, and iPod touch. It’s single-pole or three-way compatible.
The DD0SR-1Z is a coordinating switch remote that can be used with the Leviton Decora Smart Switch, including the DW15S-1BZ and DZ15S-1BZ, as part of a three-way system. It’s only compatible with 120VAC applications.
Leviton Decora Smart Dimmers
Leviton also has a wide range of smart dimmers in addition to their extensive collection of smart switches.
Like their smart switches, all Leviton Decora Smart Dimmers boast a simple and straightforward aesthetic that looks much like a standard rocker switch. There are no lights, extra buttons, indicators, or any other bells and whistles. There is the main rocker light switch rocker plus a small dimmer bar on the right-hand side of the switch.
The measurements of these smart dimmers are 2.1” x 1.4” x 4.1”. This means that they are compatible with the majority of switch boxes, even though the device is slightly larger than a typical light dimmer.
As with the regular Leviton Decora smart switch, the smart dimmer is available out of the box in white, but color change kits are available for black, brown, gray, ivory, and light almond. The dimmer is compatible with your normal switch plate, but the company recommends using their Leviton screwless wall plate for a more seamless appearance.
Most Leviton Decora Smart Dimmers are compatible with CFL and LED light bulbs up to 300 watts as well as incandescent bulbs up to 6000 watts. LED dimming can cause flickering problems so be sure to review Leviton’s LED Compatibility Selector Tool when choosing LED bulbs for your dimmers.
These smart dimmers are completely customizable to your needs and preferences. For instance, you have the ability to schedule lights to turn on/off to create the illusion that you’re at home if you’re on vacation or otherwise away from home.
Multiple versions of Leviton Dimmers
Multiple versions of the Leviton Decora Smart Dimmer are available. The most popular include the DW6HD-1BZ and DW1KD-1BZ, DZ6HD-1BZ and DZ1KD-1BZ, DH6HD-1BZ and DH1KD-1BZ, and DD00R-DLZ.
The DW6HD-1BZ and DW1KD-1BZ are universal Wi-Fi smart dimmers. They are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant without an additional hub or bridge. The devices can be integrated with IFTTT for even more control over your smart home.
The DZ6HD-1BZ and DH1KD-1BZ are universal Z-Wave smart dimmers. They are compatible with SmartThings, and Wink, plus other Z-Wave hubs. These devices can be used in a three-way system with the proper coordinating or matching switch.
The DH6HD-1BZ and DH1KD-1BZ are Wi-Fi dimmer switches that utilize Apple HomeKit technology. They are compatible with all Siri-enabled Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Three-way dimming is available with the use of an additional coordinating or matching switch.
The DD00R-DLZ is a smart dimming remote. It’s used to coordinate multiple devices into a three-way system. Like all Leviton Decora smart switches and dimmers, it requires a neutral wire.
Also Read
How does a light dimmer work?
Features Comparison
This table describes and compares the main features of the standard Leviton Decora Smart Switch and the standard Leviton Decora Smart Dimmer.
|
|
Neutral Wire
Required
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Neutral Wire
Required
|
Dimming
No
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Dimming
Yes
|
Three-Way
|
Three-Way
Achieved with DD00R-DLZ
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Communications
Wi-Fi – DW15S-1BZ
Z-Wave – DZ15S-1BZ
HomeKit – DH15S-1BZ
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Communications
Z-Wave – DZ6HD-1BZ
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Compatible Bulbs
Incandescent, CFL, LED
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Compatible Bulbs
Incandescent, Dimmable CFL, Dimmable LED
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Vacation Mode
Yes
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Vacation Mode
Yes
|
Color
White, Almond
Color Change Kit for Black, Gray, Brown, Ivory
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Color
White, Almond
Color Change Kit for Black, Gray, Brown, Ivory
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Price (October 2019)
$40 to $50
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Price (October 2019)
$45 to $55
|
Buy Leviton Smart Light Switches at Amazon | Buy Leviton Smart Dimmers at Amazon |
Neutral Wire Requirements
Both the Leviton Decora Smart Switch and the Leviton Decora Smart Dimmer require a neutral wire for use.
The purpose of the neutral wire is to provide a constant stream of power to the smart switch or dimmer so that it can remain connected to your wireless Internet or smart home hub.
Although most new homes have a neutral wire, many older homes with their original lighting and electrical do not. Our guide to neutral wires for smart switches will help you identify if your home has a neutral wire or not.
Those without a neutral wire might prefer a smart switch model, like the Lutron Caseta Smart Switch and Dimmer, which does not require a neutral wire to function.
How to Add a 3-Way Switch to the Leviton System
Leviton Decora Smart Switches and Dimmers are single-pole devices that are not compatible with a three-way system right out of the box.
To add a three-way switch to your Leviton smart lighting system, you’ll need to invest in an additional coordinating or matching switch with the purpose of creating such a system.
Your Leviton Decora options include the DD0SR-1Z and the Leviton Decora DD00R-DLZ.
Vacation Mode
Both the smart switch and smart dimmer have a home and away modes.
The away mode acts like a vacation mode. Set your switch/dimmer to this before leaving the house and the system will turn lights on and off at random to create the appearance that you’re at home.
The intuitive app allows you to set your preferred times and dates for the lights to turn on and off automatically.
Geofencing
Built-in geofencing is not available with these Leviton Decora smart switches and dimmers.
However, a crude version of geofencing can be manually engaged. It enables you to turn the lights on and off while you’re away from home.
Still, though, this feature fails to miss the key benefit of geofencing: turning your lights on automatically when the system senses your smartphone is close to home and automatically turning them off when you leave.
IFTTT – If This, Then That
IFTTT allows you to create your own IFTTT applets.
This free web service is designed so that you can link a variety of different devices and apps together into a single system. For example, using geofencing to automatically turn your lights on when you’re close to home is an example of a common IFTTT application.
Here is an excellent resource on IFTTT for Leviton devices.
Leviton smart switch Installation
WARNING: Always turn off power to the lighting circuit (and test it to make sure it’s actually off) before installing a smart switch or dimmer.
Leviton provides a thorough breakdown on how to install a single pole light switch by yourself as a DIY project. If you don’t feel comfortable working around electricity, there’s no shame in hiring a professional.
Remember that all Leviton Decora smart switches and smart dimmers require a neutral wire.
My Leviton App
The free Leviton app is simple and straightforward.
Its intuitive design makes it easy to control your lights from anywhere without an additional hub or bridge required. Just download the app for free on Android or iOS. All Leviton Decora smart switches and dimmers are compatible with a number of voice assistant services.
All of your Leviton switches/dimmers appear on the app’s home page. Here, you can select them individually to turn them on/off, create schedules and set timers, and select from the home/away occupancy modes.
Security and Privacy
Leviton Decora smart switches and dimmers boast a strong reputation for security and privacy.
Numerous years of experience have allowed the company to finetune their products, including the security and privacy side, to greatly limit vulnerabilities.
Review the Leviton privacy policy for more detailed information.
About the Manufacturer
Leviton has a long history of engineering a variety of electrical, lighting, and networking products.
In fact, they are one of the largest electrical wiring equipment manufacturers in the United States. In addition to their expansive product line of smart switches and smart dimmers, Leviton also manufactures a variety of other homes, commercial, and industrial solutions.
Additional Leviton home/residential products include humidity sensors, fan controls, GFCI/AFCI, security systems, motion sensors, and so much more.
We hope now you know everything about Leviton Decora Smart Switch and Dimmer and take your decision accordingly.