Belkin ships three-way, HomeKit-ready Wemo Smart Light Switch

Belkin on Monday shipped the new Wemo Smart Light Switch, compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

The Wemo 3-Way Smart Light Switch works with single-pole and three-way connections, and can control both lights and ceiling fans, Belkin said. Significantly the product also works with existing single-, double-, and multi-switch rocker plates, and has its own 2.4-gigahertz Wi-Fi radio, so it can be managed remotely without a router hub.

The product turns conventional lights and fans into "smart" ones, intergrated into groups, scenes, and automations. This includes not just HomeKit, Alexa, and Assistant, but Web-based IFTTT applets and the Wemo iPhone app.

The switch further offers a 2-second long-press for turning everything on or off, and a proprietary "Away Mode" that will randomly turn gear on and off for security purposes.

Belkin first teased the 3-Way Smart Light Switch earlier this year. The accessory costs $49.99, and is shipping today from retailers like Amazon.

8 Comments

eightzero 3148 comments · 14 Years

About 5 years ago

Very interesting, and very welcome. I may put this to use. The problem I immediately see is this will not fit in the 3 way switch housings I have. As with all the smart home stuff, it makes the most sense in new construction. Much of it simply isn't suitable for retrofitting existing houses without professional help.

space2001 44 comments · 10 Years

eightzero said:

Very interesting, and very welcome. I may put this to use. The problem I immediately see is this will not fit in the 3 way switch housings I have. As with all the smart home stuff, it makes the most sense in new construction. Much of it simply isn't suitable for retrofitting existing houses without professional help.

Note that I thought it wouldn't fit my existing older home, but the large outer plate is removable/optional. So just the protruding inner section needs to fit. Having said that, there isn't much clearance for the wiring behind the box. I have the older 2 way switch, which appears identical in appearance to this one, so be sure you get the 3 way vs the 2 way if you decided to buy.

sflocal 6138 comments · 16 Years

eightzero said:

Very interesting, and very welcome. I may put this to use. The problem I immediately see is this will not fit in the 3 way switch housings I have. As with all the smart home stuff, it makes the most sense in new construction. Much of it simply isn't suitable for retrofitting existing houses without professional help.

What do you mean a 3-way switch "housing"? I grew up restoring (and living in) San Francisco Victorians. I haven't seen Wemo's switch in person, but I would think it's not any bigger than say a dimmable switch which is pretty fat. I've come across some original, iron wall-gangs from the early years of SF constructions that barely fit dimmable switches but they do fit.

Can you be a bit more specific?

AppleZulu 2205 comments · 8 Years

eightzero said:

Very interesting, and very welcome. I may put this to use. The problem I immediately see is this will not fit in the 3 way switch housings I have. As with all the smart home stuff, it makes the most sense in new construction. Much of it simply isn't suitable for retrofitting existing houses without professional help.

I've installed a bunch of the previous versions of these things in my existing house. These fit in standard switch boxes just fine. You do need a neutral wire in there, however. Also, metal switch boxes and faceplates will block the WiFi signal.

P.S. In case there is confusion over what a "3-way switch" is, that's simply a wiring setup where two switches operate a single light, like you would have for a stairwell. One switch at the top, one switch at the bottom, and a light in the stairwell. A "three-way switch" is not three switches on the wall side-by-side that operate three different light circuits. Maybe you already knew that, but just in case, there you go.

ivanh 596 comments · 12 Years

Is it 110V-240V compatible?
Any surge protection?
No dimmer for light and speed control?
it seems that every time before I turn on the Philips Hue ambiance / color lightbulb, I’ll need to check if Belkin Wemo is turned on.