Smart relays vs smart switches: which Is right for you?
If you're looking for a new smart home lighting solution, the answer isn't as straightforward as you might think.
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There are many ways to create smart lighting. The simplest route is to swap out a bulb or two, but if you want to connect all the lights in your smart home, it's better to replace your light switches instead. You've probably seen a smart light switch at a big box store, but there's another lesser-known option that is in some ways even better. You can instead opt for smart relays to install behind your existing light switches.
So let's dig into the differences between smart relays and smart switches to see when you might want to consider each one.
Smart relays
A smart relay is a small device that serves as a middle man between your light switch and your light bulb. Wiring flows from your light switch to the relay, which then sends power onward to the bulb.
A Matter-compatible relay connects to your hub, allowing you to "flip the switch" remotely and enabling many of the same features enabled by smart switches. There are a few advantages to this approach.
Work with existing switches
Smart switches don't always blend in with your existing switches, especially if you don't have rocker-style switches on your walls. Smart relays go behind your existing hardware, allowing you to keep your home's current look.
Athom Matter Mini DIY WiFi Relay Switch
A compact, Matter-enabled relay switch with cross-platform compatibility, LAN-based control, voice commands, and scheduling for seamless home automation.
Require the least adjustment
With smart relays, you don't have to acclimate family members or roommates to new switches. Everything continues to work as it already did, so their muscle memory can remain the same. This contrasts with smart switches, which are often just buttons in the shape of switches.
Cheaper than most smart switches
In the US, many smart switches can cost around $50 per switch, especially if you want an option that supports dimming or 3-way setups (controlling one light from multiple switches on the wall). Smart relays tend to cost half as much.
Smart switches
A smart switch is a replacement light switch with smart functionality baked in. You install them by pulling your existing switch out of the wall and installing this one in is place, likely with a new wall plate around the switch as well.
Easier to set up
While replacing the entire light switch might sound like more work, it actually isn't. You have to already remove your exist light switch to install a smart relay, then rewire your old light switch to the relay. That ends up being twice as many cables you have to connect to things as simply trading out one switch for another.
More networking options
Among Matter-compatible smart relays, most support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There is the odd exception, such as Aqara's smart relay that relies on ZigBee and happens to be one of the best Matter-compatible smart relays.
Aqara T2 Dual Relay Module
The T2 Dual Relay Module add smart control to to your non-smart appliances.
With smart switches, you have more options. Eve switches, for example, support Matter-over-Thread, not just WiFi. Likewise, if you have the budget, you can go with Lutron switches, which use their own private spectrum.
Eve Dimmer Switch (U.S. & Canada)
The Eve Dimmer Switch uses Thread technology to provide precise, flicker-free lighting control with voice commands, automation, and seamless smart home integration.
Better Matter support
For the time being, there are more Matter-compatible smart switches to pick from than smart relays.
Which is better?
I've personally opted to go with smart switches, since I recently snagged Tapo switches like the excellent Tapo 505 on sale for prices lower than smart relays, and I can upgrade my existing light switches from single pole to dimmers in the process. But that's my situation—what's yours?
Do you have existing switches you wish to preserve? Do you want to be able to use any light switches without that impacting your Matter connectivity? Do you want to save money when companies like TP-Link don't have doorbuster sales going on? Then smart relays may just be the way to go.
About the Author
Bertel King
Staff Writer
A lifelong storyteller and gadget nerd, Bertel has spent his entire adult career immersed in consumer tech. He covered news for Android Police during the wild smartphone boom years of 2013-2016, helped readers make use of technology at none other than MakeUseOf from 2014-2025, and continues to write passionately about our digital tools and companions over at How-To Geek. Matter gave him the confidence to build a smart home of his own, and he's happy to share that enthusiam as part of the Matter Alpha team. When not writing about tech, you can find him playing board games with family and friends, binge reading graphic novels, or enjoying leisurely meditations out in the woods.
TP -Link Tapo S505 Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch
The Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch S505 enables control of lights and ceiling fans through the Tapo app, supports voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant, and can be automated with Tapo sensors, without the need for an internet connection.
Aqara T2 Dual Relay Module
The T2 Dual Relay Module add smart control to to your non-smart appliances.
Eve Dimmer Switch (U.S. & Canada)
The Eve Dimmer Switch uses Thread technology to provide precise, flicker-free lighting control with voice commands, automation, and seamless smart home integration.