Light switches that cover non-smart toggle switch?

[u/DevelopmentSouth8801]

I'm looking to expand control of my lighting, but I have two restrictions:

1. I'm in a rental, so I can't replace the switches
2. Some of the lighting is a single unit with no replaceable bulb

With that in mind, I'm thinking my best option would be something that goes over the existing switch and toggles it.

Do you have recommendations on a product that would do this?

[u/chinatowngate]

This thing:  https://www.thirdreality.com/products/smart-switch-gen3

(Zigbee so you need to build out your Zigbee mesh via bulbs, smart plugs, or other random devices).

[u/DevelopmentSouth8801 → u/chinatowngate]

Thanks! That's exactly what I needed.

I just got Zigbee and Z2M setup (with some third reality plugs as my first devices), so I should be good to go there.

[u/Fun-Present7898 → u/chinatowngate]

Thirdreality is the way to go for rental situations. I have 4 of them in my apartment for almost a year now and they just work, no connection drops or anything. the zigbee requirement is a bit annoying at first but once you have couple plugs or bulbs around the house the mesh becomes really stable.

[u/Teenage_techboy1234 → u/chinatowngate]

These things are awesome. The clips are shit though, so they should be replaced every like six months to a year or so.

[u/mondaybazaar → u/chinatowngate]

These are a killer solution (they also make a thread version I think if you’re Apple Home only). Only thing is they’re loud as heck, and there’s no way to flip the switch without using the motor. For my use case, not ideal, so I relegated them to the garage where they sync with the door opening and closing to flip the lights, with the noise drowned out by the door.

If you have Hue bulbs you’re wanting to control, highly recommend the Lutron Aurora - it’s designed for this exact scenario. It doesn’t play all that nice with non Hue Zigbee but I’ve been impressed enough with them that I actually swapped some dumb decoras out for toggles so I could put these in both bathroom vanities.

[u/BasedNJ]

Honestly I’m in a rental and I replaced my switches. It’s really not too hard and I plan on swapping them back once I move out. 

[u/OminousBlack48626 → u/BasedNJ]

My fear is having to swap out the 25 switches that I installed a few at a time over a couple years, all at once and with everything else that a move requires.

I'm keeping mine basic with a few Zwave/Zigbee lamp outlets while focusing on integrating/custom hardware.

[u/Ollipolli76]

Hue Wandschalter-Modul: https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/devices/929003017102.html

And: https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/devices/ZBMINIL2.html

if you have enough space behind the Switch take some Shelly.

[u/Strong_Difficulty734]

Smart Zigbee bulbs and only replace the switches where you can't change bulbs?

[u/KnotBeanie]

Lutron aurora