Shop Now
Start yourself: DIY smart lighting
No electrician required for most of these. The big question is whether your switch boxes have a neutral wire — if not, stick with Lutron Caséta.
Lutron
Caséta Smart Dimmer Starter Kit
The easiest way to start with smart lighting that actually works every time. One kit gets you the hub, an in-wall dimmer and a handheld Pico remote — expand room by room from there.
No neutral wire needed · Clear Connect RF · Alexa, Google, Apple Home · Up to 75 devices
About $100
Lutron
Caséta Diva Smart Dimmer
The classic paddle-style dimmer, made smart. Fits older homes without a neutral wire and handles three-way switch setups.
No neutral · 2- and 3-way · Uses the Caséta hub for app and remote control
About $90–$101
Lutron
Pico Wireless Remote
A battery-powered remote that mounts to the wall like a real switch — add a switch anywhere without cutting drywall.
No wiring · Pairs with Caséta dimmers · Wall or tabletop mount
See current price
Philips Hue
Hue Bridge Pro
The new, faster brain for a Hue smart bulb setup, with motion-sensing features the original bridge can’t run. Best if you’re going the smart-bulb route.
Up to 150 lights and 50 accessories · MotionAware and SpatialAware
About $140
Leviton
Decora Smart Wi-Fi Dimmer (2nd Gen)
A no-hub smart dimmer for homes with neutral wires, with a big range of matching switches and fan controls.
Wi-Fi, no hub · Neutral required · Alexa, Google, Siri · Schedules and scenes
About $45–$72
TP-Link Kasa
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch
The budget pick for basic on/off control and schedules in a single room.
Wi-Fi, no hub · Neutral required · Dimmer and 3-way versions sold separately
About $20–$40
Lutron
Aurora Smart Bulb Dimmer
Snaps over an existing toggle switch so Hue bulbs never lose power, and adds a dimming knob. Ideal for renters.
No wiring · Works only with Philips Hue
See current price
Not sure which way to go?
Tell us about your home. We’ll send a specialist to walk the property and recommend DIY gear or a full system.
For Installers
Become a Featured Installer
Put your company in front of homeowners planning smart lighting projects in your area. Featured spots are limited to a few pros per region.
By Consultation
Whole-home lighting systems
Dealer-designed systems with real keypads, scenes and shade control — sold and installed through certified installers, not a checkout link.
Lutron
RadioRA 3
Whole-home lighting and shade control without a wiring overhaul. A strong fit for finished homes and renovations that want real keypads and scenes.
Wireless · Up to 7,500 sq ft and 400 devices · Sunnata and Maestro keypads · 20+ colors
Designed, installed and programmed by a certified dealer. Priced per project.
Lutron
HomeWorks QSX
Lutron’s top residential system, built for large custom homes where every light, shade and keypad works as one. Plan it during design, not after drywall.
Wired and wireless · Up to 50,000 sq ft · 50+ finishes · Works with Ketra
Designed, installed and programmed by a certified dealer. Priced per project.
Lutron
Palladiom Keypads
The architectural keypad line: slim metal or glass faces with engraved buttons that read like jewelry on the wall.
Available on HomeWorks QSX · Also controls Ketra lighting
Designed, installed and programmed by a certified dealer. Priced per project.
Lutron
Ketra Natural Light
Lighting that follows the sun — cool and bright midday, warm and amber at night — plus full color for art and entertaining.
Tunable white and 16.7 million colors · Dims to 0.1% · Works with HomeWorks · Indoor only
Designed, installed and programmed by a certified dealer. Priced per project.
Control4
Lux by Control4
Control4’s luxury keypads and dimmers with solid metal faces that attach with magnets. The natural pick for homes already running Control4.
Wired and wireless · LED loads up to 600 W · Custom finishes and engraving
Designed, installed and programmed by a certified dealer. Priced per project.
Real Installs
See these systems in finished homes
Project walkthroughs and photos from real luxury installs are coming to the Journal.
Compare
Every option at a glance
| Product | Install | Neutral wire | Hub | Works with | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caséta Starter Kit | DIY | Not needed | Included | Alexa, Google, Apple | About $100 |
| Caséta Diva Dimmer | DIY | Not needed | Caséta hub | Alexa, Google, Apple | $90–$101 |
| Pico Remote | DIY | No wiring | Caséta hub | Caséta | See price |
| Hue Bridge Pro | DIY (bulbs) | Not needed | Is the hub | Hue, Alexa, Google, Apple | About $140 |
| Leviton Decora Smart Dimmer | DIY | Required | None | Alexa, Google, Siri | $45–$72 |
| Kasa Smart Switch | DIY | Required | None | Alexa, Google | $20–$40 |
| Lutron Aurora | DIY | No wiring | Hue bridge | Philips Hue | See price |
| RadioRA 3 | Pro | — | Processor | Most major systems | Quoted |
| HomeWorks QSX | Pro | — | Processor | Most major systems | Quoted |
| Ketra | Pro | — | HomeWorks | HomeWorks, Apple, Google, Alexa | Quoted |
| Lux by Control4 | Pro | — | Control4 | Control4 | Quoted |
Prices are typical online prices and change often. Pro systems are quoted per project.
Explainer
RadioRA 3 vs. HomeWorks: which one fits your home?
Both are Lutron’s professional systems, and both give you engraved keypads, scenes, shade control and app control. The difference is scale and when you plan it.
RadioRA 3
Best for: finished homes and renovations
Size: up to 7,500 sq ft and 400 devices
How it installs: wireless — devices mostly replace existing switches, so there’s little new wiring
Keypads: Sunnata and Maestro, 20+ colors
HomeWorks QSX
Best for: new custom builds and major renovations
Size: up to 50,000 sq ft
How it installs: wired and wireless, planned during design before drywall
Keypads: Palladiom, Alisse and more, 50+ finishes; works with Ketra lighting
Rule of thumb: building new or gutting the house? Talk to a HomeWorks dealer during design. Upgrading a finished home? RadioRA 3 gets you most of the experience with far less disruption.
FAQ
Smart lighting questions
Do I need a neutral wire for a smart switch?
Many Wi-Fi smart switches, including Leviton Decora Smart and Kasa, require one. Lutron Caséta dimmers don’t, which is why they’re the go-to choice for older homes. If you’re not sure what’s in your switch box, have an electrician check before you buy.
Smart bulbs or smart switches — which is better?
Smart switches control whatever bulbs are already in the fixture and keep the wall switch working normally. Smart bulbs (like Philips Hue) add color and tunable white, but they need constant power, so the wall switch has to stay on — a Lutron Aurora solves that for toggle switches.
Do I need a hub?
Caséta uses its own hub for app control, remotes and voice assistants. Wi-Fi switches from Leviton and Kasa connect straight to your router. Philips Hue uses the Hue Bridge. Pro systems like RadioRA 3 and HomeWorks use a dedicated processor installed by your dealer.
Can a whole-home system be added to a house I already live in?
Yes. Lutron RadioRA 3 is wireless and mostly replaces existing switches, so it’s well suited to finished homes. HomeWorks is best planned during a new build or major renovation.
What does a professional lighting system cost?
It depends on the number of rooms, keypads, shades and fixtures, so dealers quote each project. Request a consultation and a specialist will walk the property and scope it.
Planning a whole-home lighting project?
Tell us about the house. We’ll send a specialist to walk the property and match you with the right installer.