The best smart light switches that don't require a neutral wire

Best answer: Smart light switches without a neutral wire are rare, but Lutron Caseta and Insteon both sell varieties that'll work for your home. However, they do require purchasing a second bridge or hub to get them "active" on your smart home network. But with the hub, you'll avoid having to rewire your home to add a neutral wire.

Smart switches never sleep

Many homes were wired before the National Electric Code required every light switch junction box have a neutral wire. If you own such a home, many of the best smart switches won't work for you. Every smart switch needs a neutral wire attached because they need to stay powered all the time.

Without a neutral wire, there is a single circuit between the bulb, power source (or junction box), and light switch. If you switch off the lights, the electric current is broken because no power is passing through the bulb. That's why you typically need a neutral wire, which directly connects the power source to the switch: If you turn off the lights, the circuit still breaks, but the neutral wire gives the switch its own persistent source of power.

There's a reason why almost every smart switch needs a neutral wire attached.

If your house doesn't have neutral wires, your options are to rewire your home to add neutral wires, buy and add microcontrollers inside the switches to smarten them up, or buy smart light switches that work without a neutral wire or microcontroller. We recommend you consult with an electrician before pulling out switches or starting any rewiring in your home. There's always the potential to get hurt, so be safe instead of sorry.

The easiest option is to simply buy compatible smart switches, but keep in mind that these only work by connecting through a compatible bridge or hub, which stores programming data like your wireless network details and login. These hubs won't cost as much as an electrician, but they're still fairly costly.

Our two favorite smart light switches without a neutral wire are the Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch and Insteon Smart Dimmer. Of these two, the best switch for your home depends on what else you might want to make "smart" in your home.

Lutron's smart switches and hub cost more, but are compatible with more smart home tech. Insteon switches are best served for dimming bulbs.

Lutron's Caseta system is more expensive, but its SmartBridge Pro hub connects with things like powered window blinds, ceiling fan controllers, wireless "pico" switches that you carry around, and even motion sensors. So if you plan to use any other Lutron equipment, the extra cost is worth it because you won't need another bridge.

If you only want smart switches, or you already have the rest of your house wired up, you can save a bit of money by going with the Insteon system. Its Central Controller Hub is about half the price of the SmartBridge Pro, while the Insteon and Lutron Caseta smart switches cost the same.

Both choices work with Amazon Alexa, have smartphone apps, and work with almost any light fixture you have in your home. The biggest difference is the price.

Otherwise, if you decide that smart switches and hubs aren't worth the hassle, keep in mind that most smart bulbs don't require a hub, and they're fully compatible with any power outlet regardless of the neutral wire.

The best alternative for your neutral wire-less smart home is to check out the best smart bulbs or best Alexa-controlled light bulbs instead. They're generally more expensive per bulb but save money by not requiring a hub, and they also offer app controls and Alexa voice commands.

Our pick

Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch

$60 at Amazon $60 at Best Buy $65 at Home Depot

Part of a larger system

Lutron's Caseta system is built for more than just light switches, and the extra cost can be worth it if you plan to make the rest of your home smart, too.

Also required

Lutron Caseta SmartBridge Pro

$160 at Amazon

Bridging things together

Lutron's Caseta system requires its own bridge to connect everything to your larger smart home network. it's easy to program through your phone and works with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit.

Starting simple

Insteon Smart Dimmer

$65 at Amazon $60 at Best Buy

Value option

Insteon offers a great smart lighting solution with its smart switches and hub. You can use your phone, a keychain remote, and even your voice through Alexa to control your lights.

Also required

Insteon Central Controller Hub

$80 at Best Buy $80 at Lowe's

Smart Hub

Insteon's Central Controller must use Insteon smart switches and communicate via power lines in Insteon's own proprietary mesh network solution. It's also easy to set up and use, and all your switches will work with Amazon Alexa.