Lutron Caseta Smart Start Kit, Dimmer Switch with Smart Bridge and Wall Mount Pico Adapter, Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and the Google Assistant | P-BDG-PKG1W-A | White

and, despite a few hiccups, we're overjoyed. We were updating our electrical while renovating our attic home office. I looked at a lot of smart home products and decided against anything that required special bulbs (Hue) or wasn't compatible with Homekit. What are the benefits of using Homekit? Because the information isn't stored in the cloud, it can't be sold, and it has to be encrypted according to Apple's guidelines. Using the Homekit app on our phone is a nice benefit, but we use the Lutron app 99% of the time. br>br>Once installed and connected to the hub, the switches are as simple to use as regular dimmers with large buttons, so even Grandma will be pleased. It's also simple to set preset dim levels, so most of the time it's just a single touch on and off - already better than 99% of non-accredited accredited accredited accredited accredited a There are a variety of intelligent dimmer switches available. Pricey - yes - But, as they say, you get what you pay for. We purchased this starter kit in order to obtain the hub, as well as individual switches. Standard GFI wall plates were used by my electrician, and the Lutrons take up about the same amount of space to install as a traditional dimmer switch - There isn't a lot of depth to it, and it doesn't require any special installation. The hub is simple to use - We have it downstairs with our router, and it feeds all of the switches in the house, as well as anything else we want (I'm thinking about compatible shades for some of the rooms that get a lot of light). It's not a big place - a single Ethernet cable to our router's back, and a small plug into an outlet I have a rudimentary email account that I never use to access our Lutron system - just as I do for our TV and 99% of other smart products (there are even sites that give you a 10 minute email account that is purged then - at no cost). br>br>The hiccup - Some of the "open box" Amazon orders I placed were missing parts. Switches with corroded wires were found in some of the units. Because this was part of a renovation, I didn't notice the issues until after the 30-day return period had passed, so I had to contact Lutron's customer service, who arranged for replacements under the 5-year warranty. Some switches also worked, but they couldn't connect to the hub despite being placed next to other working switches, despite system resets and Lutron's excellent technical support (dubbed "pro"). br>br>The app is excellent. The app makes it simple to set up your account. At the top of the app screen, there's a kill switch that turns off all Lutron-connected devices. At the same time, there are multiple connected devices in the room - When my children forget to turn off the lights, this comes in handy. The switch will automatically be added to Homekit once it is connected to the app. If you're working with low-cost materials, keep this in mind. If the lights are in total darkness (many spot lights are ELV), Lutron makes a special ELV dimmer that must be used. We don't use the remote because it's only connected to one switch, and we have a lot of them - Lutron Casetas, on the other hand, are being added to other rooms that require three-way lighting. Connection of two poles (two light switches) - As a result, you'll need a standard Caseta and a Pico remote with a wall mount (included) and a magnetic cover (optional). Super- easy. br>br>I waited 4 months to write this review to see how the system would handle wifi outages, power outages, lightning storms, and other issues, and it has worked flawlessly. When wifi is down, the switches function as regular dimmers. Nothing needs to be reset when it comes back on (which I can't say about other systems I've tried, such as Wemo). br>br>Lutron Casetas are pricey, but they're dependable, simple to install (just keep an eye on the open boxes and ELV fixtures), and the LIVE tech support is excellent. Each switch comes with instructions and diagrams for setting it up and connecting it to the hub. I wish they had more Pro items because these are fantastic.

Vivienne Ross

| Dec 06, 2021

the Hub from Lutron Wifi switches that aren't connected to the internet I used to be a Caseta newbie - However, that is no longer the case, and I hope this information is useful to you. This is the first item you'll need to get started with Lutron's system. For future switch purchases, you won't need any more kits once you have the hub. Up to 75 switches can be managed by a single hub (including the Hub, I believe). br>br>Some customers complain about having to use an ethernet cable to connect Lutron's hub to their network. A wired network connection, on the other hand, is unbeatable in terms of speed and reliability. This is a non-negotiable given that Lutron’s product works reliably and is 100% responsive all of the time, this is a non-negotiable given that Lutron’s product is For me, this is an issue. br>br>Since I installed the first few Casetas, we've grown to appreciate them and have begun replacing switches throughout the house. This raises another point. I could potentially add a much larger number of connected devices to my network if I had chosen WiFi connected switches (which I did briefly for limited use in limited locations, more on that later). If your WiFi isn't very good to begin with, this is a good place to start. Consider routers at the entry level. This may have an impact on network performance as well as your switch connectivity. That is simply unacceptable to me. I'm hoping that my WiFi will be adequate for the tasks that require it. br>br>The Lutron Switches' Advantages: br>br>Setting up the switches is simple and quick, and the process always works as expected. I can't say the same for other non-IP switches. Lutron WiFi products are available. br>br>Are you having trouble setting them up, or is a switch not working properly? Lutron's customer service is second to none. They've aided me on several occasions, and each time they've been fantastic. br>br>Both in person and via the app, the switches are extremely responsive. When it comes to turning things on and off, there are no delays. The ceiling fan switch is especially useful for our old ceiling fan - it's a lifesaver. There's no need to get out of bed to adjust things or stand on the bed to pull strings. br>br>Lutron and Ring collaborated on some camera integrations, allowing movement and/or doorbell pushes to activate lights. It's a good feature, but it's a little hidden in the Lutron app. Added value – In addition, after 15 minutes, the integration will turn off lights. br>br>About the app (and this is a biggie)br>br>Purchasing good hardware is one thing, but having an app that you can only use after you buy the hardware is insane. But, since that appears to be the world of smart switches, here's the lowdown on Lutron - as well as the apps for a couple of other systems I experimented with. br>br>The Lutron app is well-designed and user-friendly, allowing you to quickly add new devices, set up schedules, and create scenes. The app also connects to my Lennox thermostat to show the current temperature in the house (using Apple's Home (home kit) app on a dedicated iPad that never leaves the house). The integration of the Ring cam is also excellent. br>br>Having used the WeMo and Leviton WiFi connected switches apps, I find them to be incredibly clumsy. This appears to be a mistake, especially since you'll be interacting with the app rather than the switch for the majority of your time. br>br>Because I also use Apple's Home app with my family, whenever a switch is added to the Lutron hub, it appears in Apple Home automatically. This is, without a doubt, magically fantastic. Because I didn't want to add another app to the mix for my wife and family, it's great that there have been no problems with cross-platform integration; everything works perfectly. br>br>The Lutron App also has a geofence feature that turns lights on and off when you enter and exit the house. I haven't put it to use yet, but it's a good idea. Another perk is that Lutron's app includes an Apple Watch app for controlling lights and fans. The disadvantages are: br>br> br>br>Revised - For some reason, the Caseta hub didn't come with built-in auto-off timers. The addition of their motion sensor product, on the other hand, effectively solves this problem. If you have Ring cameras, you can enable Caseta integration, which will allow a motion or doorbell to turn on lights and turn them off after 15 minutes. This is an excellent solution. Other ideas: br>br> br>br>Revised - Before Ring and Lutron added their cam integration as a trigger to turn on/off lights, I used IFTTT (If This Then This). IFTTT works, but there is always a slight lag when using it to turn on lights. It also didn't work if your internet was down. br>br>Prior to the Ring integration, I used a couple of WeMo switches for my outdoor lighting because they had auto-on and auto-off features. timers are turned off Their setup and app, on the other hand, were extremely inefficient. I'm relieved that they're no longer present. br>br>Now that software support is becoming more important for app-driven switches, choosing a switch from a company that will be around for a long time is more important than it used to be. It would be terrible if your phone's operating system required app updates and your smart switch maker went missing. br>br>Side note - Changes in Wifi forced me to individually reconnect all switches to it for the two years I had WeMo switches, and it was a nightmare getting them all re-connected. WiFi is included. Lutron has never had this problem because it is networked. br>br>When one of the switches I bought from Amazon's warehouse (open box) had issues with setup, Lutron's customer service was fantastic. They were extremely prompt in sending a replacement switch and were extremely courteous in doing so. br>br>In conclusion - Lutron is the way to go; it's a fantastic system.

Jamie KAY

| Feb 02, 2021

I installed a Lutron Caseta wall switch in each of my two homes after reading that it was highly rated and could be controlled by Alexa. To add a second Lutron and control it via Wi-Fi, follow the steps below. If I had to create a new account after consulting with Lutron, I would. It's not an issue. Then I discovered that because I was already paired with the first Lutron account, I couldn't pair the Caseta with Alexa in the second house. I contacted Lutron, who informed me that they were unable to assist me and recommended that I contact Amazon. I was told by Amazon tech support that I couldn't connect my Alexa to two different Lutron Casetas. They advised me to create two separate Alexa accounts, which would be extremely confusing for my family in the long run. I sent an email to Lutron, requesting that they contact me because this should be a simple problem to solve in a smart home. (I have six smart plugs from the same brand in each of my two homes, which I can easily control using my Alexa app. ) ) For a company that wants their products in smart homes, this is a very disappointing product and service! "It works seamlessly with Alexa, but only in one location," Amazon should probably state on this product's page.

Axl Hughes

| Nov 09, 2021