The Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta are two of the best light dimmer switches in the market. This is because they both come with Alexa support, are very easy to install and come with a mobile application which makes customization extremely easy. The Wemo dimmer does not require a neutral wire, comes with WiFi technology and allows you to create schedules while the Lutron Caseta comes with 3 way support, Apple Home Kit support and allows you to use a remote with it. Which device offers a better bang for the buck? We will give a head to head to head comparison of the two light dimmer switches and this will help you make a judgment as to which device is better suited to cater for your unique needs.
Alternatively, just skip to either the Wemo Dimmer or the Lutron Caseta on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table Wemo Dimmer vs. Lutron Caseta
| Wemo Dimmer | Lutron Caseta | |
| Image |  |  |
| Alexa Support | Yes | Yes |
| Neutral Wire Needed? | Yes | No |
| 3 way support? | No | Yes |
| Hub required? | No | Yes |
| Apple HomeKit Support | No | Yes |
| Mobile Application | Yes | Yes |
| Easy to Install? | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Technology | Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 a/b/g/n) | Lutron Clear Connect |
| Light Rating | 400 W Incandescent single-gang, 250 W Incandescent multi-gang, 150 W CFL/LED single or multi-gang. | 150W dimmable LED/CFL or 600W INC/HAL; |
| Remote Control? | No | Yes – Pico remote |
| Create Schedules? | Yes | Yes, but only if you have the bridge (hub) |
| Google Home and IFTTT compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Metal Face Plate compatible? | No | No |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Key Similarities between the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta:
- Mobile Application
- Easy to install
- Alexa Support
- Google Home and IFTTT compatibility
- Not metal face compatible
Key Differences between the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta:
- Wireless technology
- Remote
- Light ratings
- Apple HomeKit support
- Hub
- Neutral wire requirement
A Comprehensive Comparison between the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta
1. Mobile Application
The introduction of portable computing devices led to the widespread adoption of technology. This was because the devices did not need to have a full room dedicated to them. The early computing devices needed a lot of space for storage and they also needed complicated cooling systems. These new portable devices also resulted in the creation of mobile operating systems. These mobile operating systems allowed for simple applications to be installed. These allowed manufacturers to create simple applications that can be used to help the user install and setup the computing device. In addition, they allow for the user to gain control and customize the computing device. The Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta both come with mobile applications that allow for control and customization.
2. Ease of Installation
Technology is analogous to writing. Not everybody is literate. There are some people who struggle with simple operations such as taking a screenshot and even saving a file to a USB flash drive. In order to cater for such people, technological devices are now made in such a way that the average non tech-literate user can install and set them up with great ease. This is achieved through the use of simple, easy to follow instructions in the mobile applications as well as designing the setup process in such a way that the user has to do as little as possible as most of the settings will come pre-configured. Both the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta are quite easy to install and setup.
3. Alexa Support
The introduction of voice assistants completely changed the home automation industry. In the past, one would need to worry about standing up and moving to where the device is and manually pressing the buttons present on the Human-Machine Interface (HMI). The introduction of remotes made this process a bit better, but remotes can be easily misplaced. Voice assistants allow for you to control your devices using your voice. Now that is convenience at its best. Both the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta support the Alexa voice assistant.
4. Smart System Support
Various smart systems have been introduced in the home. Such systems include the Google Home system and IFTTT. The Google Home smart system allows for you to use Google products to make your life more convenient. IFTTT is a service that allows for you to automate tasks such as automatically switching lights on when you get home. Both the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta support smart systems such as the Google Home system as well as IFTTT.
5. Metal Face Compatibility
Dimmers have different mounting options. Some use metal faces, and some do not use metal faces. Both the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta use wireless technology. This technology usually has challenges when there is a metal present that needs to be penetrated. As a result the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta are not compatible with metal faces.
6. Wireless Technology
Both the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta use wireless technology. The difference comes with the type of wireless technology used. The Wemo Dimmer uses the highly popular Wi-Fi technology. The exact version is Wi-Fi 4. This technology is widely used, but it comes with a few disadvantages. It uses the heavily congested 2.4 GHz spectrum which is used by a wide variety of devices such as cordless phones, ZigBee, microwaves and other Wi-Fi devices. This causes it to be susceptible to interference. The Lutron Caseta uses Lutron Caseta Clear Connect technology. In this technology, they use radio frequency signals in the 400 MHz band. This lower band offers a greater signal range and it is less congested than the 2.4 GHz frequency band used by Wi-Fi. In addition, since it is proprietary, the hardware is specially designed to work flawlessly. This means the Lutron Caseta is more reliable than the Wemo Dimmer.
7. Remote
Remotes allow for you to control compatible electronic devices from a distance. This means that you do not need to get up each time you need to perform a basic action e.g. turn on a light or turn it off. The Lutron Caseta allows you to use a dedicated remote which can control the lights without the use of any sort of hub. This is a feature that is absent in the Wemo Dimmer. This means the Lutron Caseta is superior to the Wemo Dimmer.
8. Apple HomeKit Support
Apple has become one of the most prestigious technology companies. This is because of the aesthetically pleasing devices that they produce as well as due to the way their devices are made to be very simple to use. The Lutron Caseta is compatible with the Apple HomeKit. This makes it easy to control the lights if you use Apple products. The Wemo Dimmer has no such support and this is a feature that Apple lovers may find to be a deal breaker. This means the Lutron Caseta is more versatile than the Wemo Dimmer.
9. Neutral Wire Requirement
The Lutron Caseta is light years ahead of the Wemo Dimmer in this regard. Older houses in this country do not usually have neutral wires. This means that you will have to make a very complicated workaround if you want to use devices that need a neutral wire. The Lutron Caseta does not need you to have a neutral wire which makes it perfect for use in both old and new homes. The Wemo Dimmer needs a neutral wire so if you have an old house, this dimmer is not for you.
10. Hub Requirement
The Wemo Dimmer is better and cheaper to use in this regard. The Wemo Dimmer does not require you to purchase a Hub. This means that you can use it as it is. You do not need to worry yourself with getting money to purchase a Hub. The Lutron Caseta needs you to buy a Lutron Caseta Bridge (Hub) for you to gain access to all the features. Without a Hub, you will not be able to fully utilize all the features the device comes with.
11. Light Ratings
The Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta have different light ratings. That means that they can support different types of lights. The Wemo Dimmer can support 400 W Incandescent single-gang, 250 W Incandescent (INC) multi-gang, 150 W Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) / Light Emitting Diode (LED) single or multi-gang. The Lutron Caseta on the other hand can support 150W dimmable LED/CFL or 600W INC / Halogen (HAL). As a result, the Lutron Caseta is more powerful than the Wemo Dimmer as it can support a greater load of Incandescent lights.
Our Pick
We fell in love with the Lutron Caseta. This is because of the host of features it comes with together with the fact that it is a company that is known for making high quality devices. It is able to support a greater Incandescent light load, it does not need you to have a neutral wire – a feature that customers with older homes will definitely love and it comes with support for the Apple HomeKit. It also has extra features such as the ability for you to use a remote control with it which is quite handy when your smartphone has completely run out of juice. It also comes with 3 way support.
Why Do You Need a Smart Dimmer?
Voice Control
The smart dimmers allow for you to integrate them with voice assistants. This will allow you to use your voice to control the dimers. You cannot lose your voice in the same manner that you can lose a remote, and you do not need to point your voice in the same manner that you need to point a remote at an appliance
Compatibility with Other Smart Home Automation Systems
Smart dimmers are usually compatible with other smart home automation systems. It is quite often that you see smart dimmers allowing you to connect them to your smart hub and other smart products e.g. the Google Home System.
Ease of Use
Smart dimmers are quite easy to use. You can set scenes that change the lighting according to the season or the time of day. In addition, it is very easy to control the dimmers using a remote or mobile application.
Factors to Consider When Choosing between the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta
1. Neutral Wire Support
You first need to check your home’s electrical system. Does it come with a neutral wire? If it does have one then any of the two smart dimmers will be a good option. If you live in a house that does not come with a neutral wire, then it may be a good idea to opt for the Lutron Caseta that can be used in houses that do not have a neutral wire.
2. Hub Support
The Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta differ in this regard. The Wemo Dimmer works out of the box and you can use all of the features without a hub. The Lutron Caseta needs you to have a hub for you to utilize all of its features. If you do not want to buy an additional hub then go for the Wemo Dimmer.
3. Apple HomeKit Support
This is another place where the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta greatly differ. The Lutron Caseta is compatible with the Apple HomeKit. This means that if you are an Apple user, you can take advantage of all the perks that come with being part of the Apple ecosystem.
4. 3 Way Support
Different home owners have different requirements. Some want 1 way switches, others want 3 way switches. The Lutron offers 3 way support. The Wemo Dimmer does not come with this feature. If you care about 3 way support, then it may be a very good idea for you to choose the Lutron.
5. Remote
Phone batteries run out of juice. It happens quite often that your battery gets low and you are too distracted to get yourself a charger before it is too late. There is nothing more annoying than having to wait for your phone to get charged for you to do something as basic as turning your lights on. The Lutron comes with a remote to avoid that. The Wemo does not.
Wemo Dimmer vs. Lutron Caseta FAQs
Can the Dimmer Switch Fade lights On and off?
Yes you can definitely do that.
Can I use 220V?
Unfortunately, no. Try looking for products that are compatible with this voltage
Do they Support Z-Wave?
No. Unfortunately, they do not.
Can I Control the Lights from my Phone?
Yes. If you have a Lutron, you need a bridge and it needs to be connected to your router.
Can I Use a Metal Face Plate?
No. It will interfere with the wireless signals.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored the similarities and differences that exist between the Wemo Dimmer and the Lutron Caseta. We declared the winner to be the Lutron Caseta. This is because of its compatibility with the Apple HomeKit, the ability for you to use it with the 3 way configuration, it comes with a remote and it can be used in homes with no neutral wires. These made it quite irresistible to us and we highly recommend that you purchase it.
We included a comprehensive list of features that you will need to consider when choosing between the two smart dimmers. This will help you to choose which device will best suit your needs for your particular application.
Check out the best smart dimmer, the Lutron Caseta on Amazon.
