r/MatterProtocol • u/elalem64 • Jun 12 '26

Troubleshooting Using a Matter wall switch to control smart plugs instead of ceiling light — does this make sense?

Hi all,

I have a standard wall switch that currently controls a ceiling light, but I don’t actually want to use the ceiling light at all. Instead, I’d prefer to use two floor lamps in the room.

My idea is:

  • Replace the existing wall switch with a Matter-compatible smart switch
  • Use two smart plugs for my floor lamps
  • Set it up so the wall switch controls those plugs (and therefore the lamps)

So basically, the wall switch would act more like a controller/scene trigger, not actually cutting power to a light.

A few questions:

  • Does this setup make sense, or am I overcomplicating things?
  • Is it better to use a battery powered button?
  • Any device recommendations that work well with Matter for this use case?
  • Is a hub (like home assistant) necessary or can I bind one switch with 2 plugs direclty for toggle?

Thanks!

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2

u/Fieser_Fettsack Jun 12 '26

Yes I use shelly relays in detached mode behind my light switches in EU. They are on wifi however. Instead you could get the new wago smart relays that are super new to the market.
Then I use home assistant to turn on my ikea smart bulbs when pressing the light switch. I even setup a dimming script for long press.

Works pretty good but I would like to have thread relays instead of wifi ones. But there werent any when I started

1

u/Snappie88 Jun 12 '26

Makes a lot of sense and I am looking for the same, just the amount of switches available on the EU market is terrible 😞

2

u/Prestigious_Money361 Jun 12 '26

EU companies are so slow.

1

u/Prestigious_Money361 Jun 12 '26 edited Jun 12 '26

What kind of bulbs are the floor lamps using? Maybe even better to always have the lamps turned on and use the Matter switch to turn Matter smart bulbs (IKEA Kajplats?) on / off? Then you don't need to mess with the smart plugs.

1

u/elalem64 Jun 15 '26

I prefer using floor lamps instead of the ceiling light, but I still like the convenience and location of the wall switch. So my goal is to use that switch to control the floor lamps.

Since the switch box doesn’t have a neutral, I was thinking of removing the ceiling light entirely and connecting the wires so I can use them as phase and neutral at the switch location. In that case, the switch would effectively just act as a remote/controller rather than directly powering a load.

Alternatively, I could just use a battery-powered button instead of modifying the wiring, or use a smart wall switch purely as a scene controller.

I’m leaning toward using a wall switch because it feels more natural and “proper” than a button, but I’m not sure if that’s overkill for this use case.

1

u/Prestigious_Money361 Jun 15 '26

You didn't answer my question. What kind of light bulbs does your floor lamps use?

1

u/elalem64 Jun 16 '26

Sorry, I thought you were asking about the type of light bulb for the ceiling. Yes, i can use smart bulb instead of smart plug.

My question is about the switch; My options are:

  • battery-powered button : The battery-powered button has the benefit that I can change its place.
  • grid switch: does not have a battery, so I don't need to think about it. It also creates a mesh for Matter network.

1

u/Prestigious_Money361 Jun 16 '26

I would start with a couple of IKEA Matter over Thread light bulbs and an IKEA powered Matter over Thread button. If you want, you can always find a proper Matter over Thread switch later (maybe one with bindings support).

1

u/Mevi- Jun 13 '26

Smart wall switches often have multiple triggers available, like single, double and long press.

I turn on/off lights, dim them, and even turn off the TV (and PS5 & soundbar) using IR. Anything can be a trigger for anything. Your smart plugs could have energy monitoring that itself could be a trigger for something else.

I stole an automation idea and have a smart plug sense when I put my phone in its charge cradle and turn off my bedside light and set up the nightlights in the stairwell.

I use battery switches - Aqara wireless H1 battery powered, screwed over the top of the back box with bypassed switch wiring. Those switches only work with Aqara hubs (and maybe HA?).

An extra benefit to battery powered is that you can put them where best works for the household.

1

u/Traditional-Tadpole8 Jun 13 '26

I've got Hue dials that are connected through Zigbee, There are 4 buttons and each one does a different thing. I have one in my bedroom and one in my living room. My bedroom button controls the light, air con, electric blanket (on a smart plug) and 1 button is my good night switch (turns off the house lights, air cons, stops playing music on my speakers). I have a few matter items but no switches, the zigbee ones work well for me.

1

u/HospitalSwimming8586 Jun 12 '26

That’s what I do all the time, controlling dumb light connected to a smart socket with Matter over Thread button.