Switches

What are smart switches and how do they differ from touch switches?

A smart switch is an electronic module installed inside the wall box — behind an existing wall switch or directly in the distribution board. Unlike touch switches, which replace the entire wall plate, a smart switch keeps the original look of the wall and lets you use your existing physical switch alongside app control. It is a popular choice during renovations and anywhere you want to preserve the existing look.

Smart switches control 230 V power in a lighting circuit or for another electrical appliance. Via WiFi or ZigBee they communicate with a mobile app, a voice assistant or a local hub. Options include schedules, automation triggers and remote switching from anywhere in the world.

Communication protocols: WiFi, ZigBee and Matter

The choice of protocol is crucial for ease of installation and day-to-day operation:

• WiFi — the switch connects directly to your home router and needs no gateway. The Sonoff Basic R2, Dual R3, POWR3 and 4CHR3 are popular WiFi models. Simple setup in the eWeLink app.
• ZigBee — lower power consumption and better stability with many devices. Requires a ZigBee gateway (e.g. Sonoff Zigbee Bridge or BlitzWolf BW-IS1). Models: Sonoff ZBMINIR2, ZBMINIL2, MINI-ZB2GS.
• Matter — an open smart home integration standard. The Sonoff MINIR4M supports Matter natively, which means full compatibility with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and SmartThings without separate protocol gateways.

An important installation point: the neutral wire (N)

Most smart switches require three wires in the box: live (L), neutral (N) and an output to the load. The problem is that in many older electrical installations only the live wire runs to the switch box, while the neutral goes directly to the light fitting. In that case, it is worth choosing models designed to work without a neutral:

• Sonoff ZBMINIL2 — ZigBee, designed specifically for installations without a neutral (min. 3 W load)
• BlitzWolf BW-SS1 — WiFi, can work without a neutral with LED bulbs

Before buying, check how many wires reach your box. If there are only two (L and the output to the fitting), choose a no-neutral model or have an electrician run a neutral bypass.

Switches for roller shutters and blinds

Controlling electric roller shutters requires a switch with two channels that alternately drive the motor up and down. The range includes dedicated models:

• Sonoff MINI-ZBRBS — ZigBee, designed for roller shutters, with position detection
• Sonoff DUALR3 and DUALR3 Lite — WiFi, two channels, support for roller shutters and blinds, energy monitoring in the DUALR3 version
• BlitzWolf BW-SS12 — WiFi, a dedicated shutter controller that can stop at any position
• Meross MSG200HK — a garage door controller with Apple HomeKit

Before buying, check the voltage and type of your shutter motor. Most models support 230 V AC motors, but it is worth checking the parameters against the technical specification of the specific switch.

Multi-channel switches and energy monitoring

Where you need to control several circuits from one box or distribution board, multi-channel models are the right choice:

• Sonoff 4CHR3 — four independent WiFi channels in one DIN housing, each up to 10 A
• Sonoff POWR3 — one WiFi channel up to 25 A with real-time energy monitoring, overload protection and kWh reports
• Sonoff Dual R3 — two channels with energy monitoring on each, up to 15 A in total
• BlitzWolf BW-SS4 to BW-SS7 — single and multi-channel WiFi switches for various enclosures

Energy monitoring is especially useful for appliances with high power consumption: air conditioners, water heaters, electric heaters or circuits powering machinery.

Meross HomeKit: switches without a cloud intermediary

The Meross MSS710HK and MSG200HK are Apple HomeKit-certified switches that work locally through your router without going through external Meross servers. Control via the Home app on iPhone and iPad, integration with iOS automations and control via Siri. For Apple users, this is the only reliable route to full local integration — with no risk of losing features if the cloud service shuts down.

Installation: when is an electrician necessary?

Replacing an ordinary switch with a smart switch means working on a 230 V installation. Rules on DIY electrical work vary by country, but in every case the installation must be safe and compliant with standards. For a first installation, unfamiliar wiring or any uncertainty about the cabling, it is well worth calling in a qualified electrician.

If you install a switch yourself, always work with the circuit breaker for that circuit switched off and confirm there is no voltage with a multimeter.

Related home automation categories

Smart switches form a coherent ecosystem together with other devices. See also: smart plugs for controlling plug-in devices, touch switches as a stylish wall-mounted alternative, sensors for event-triggered automation and ZigBee gateways and hubs for building an extensive device network.

FAQ — Smart switches

Do I need a neutral wire to install a smart switch?

Not always. Models such as the Sonoff ZBMINIL2 can work without a neutral wire, drawing a minimal amount of current through the load (a bulb or other appliance). The condition is a minimum load on the output — an LED bulb with too low a wattage can cause flickering. For installations without a neutral, it is worth using bulbs of at least 5-7 W or adding an RC filter.

Which switch should I choose to control roller shutters?

For 230 V AC electric roller shutters, you need a switch with two alternating channels. The easiest options are the Sonoff DUALR3 (WiFi, energy monitoring) or the Sonoff MINI-ZBRBS (ZigBee, designed for shutters with positioning). The BlitzWolf BW-SS12 is a WiFi alternative that can stop at any intermediate position.

ZigBee or WiFi switch?

WiFi is simpler to install (no gateway) and works right after setup in the eWeLink app. ZigBee requires a gateway but offers lower latency, better stability with many devices and the ability to work locally without internet. If you are planning a network of more than 10-15 smart home devices, ZigBee with a Sonoff Zigbee Bridge or iHost is the better long-term choice.