The U-tec Smart Dimmer Switch is a smart home device that brings connectivity to traditional lighting fixtures. Designed exclusively for lighting, it replaces your standard wall switch and features a dimmer slider and integrated Wi-Fi so you can control your ceiling fixture with a swipe, a voice command, or from a mobile app. It's easy to install as long as you're OK with basic wiring, and it serves as a Wi-Fi range extender for other U-tec devices. With support for Alexa, Google, IFTTT, and SmartThings, this is one of the most versatile smart switches we’ve come across, and at $19.99, it’s also one of the most reasonably priced. That makes it an Editors’ Choice award winner for smart switches.

Design and Features: A Wired Wall Switch With Wi-Fi

The U-tec Smart Dimmer can be used as a single-pole switch that controls one fixture or in a three-way configuration that uses two switches in different locations. It’s a 120-volt AC dimmable switch with a maximum load rating of 250 watts for CFL and LED bulbs and 450 watts for incandescent bulbs. It is not recommended for use with smart bulbs.

The front of the switch has an on/off button with a built-in capacitive touch slider for dimming. The slider has seven small LED indicators that represent each brightness level. Swipe up to make the light brighter and down to dim it. An LED strip along the bottom of the switch glows solid green when the switch is on, solid white when it is off, slowly flashes green when in configuration mode, and quickly flashes green when connecting to Wi-Fi.

Around the back are five wires. Red is for load, black is for line, white is for neutral, green is for ground, and blue is for connecting to another switch in a three-way configuration. Unlike the GE Cync 3-Wire Smart Switch ($44.99), the U-tec switch requires a neutral wire, so if your home was built before 1985, you’ll want to make sure it's compatible with your electrical wiring.

The switch comes with a white snap-on faceplate, mounting screws, wiring nuts, and wire labels. It uses built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) radios to connect to your home network and to communicate with your phone. As is the case with the U-tec Bright A19 Color and the U-tec Smart Plug, it serves as a Wi-Fi extender for other installed U-tec devices.

The switch works with other U-tec devices and integrates seamlessly into the Alexa, Google, and SmartThings ecosystems. It also works with lots of third-party smart home devices using IFTTT applets. However, it does not support Apple HomeKit. It uses the same U home mobile app (available for Android and iOS) as other U-tec devices and appears in its own panel on the My Devices screen.

The panel contains an on/off button and a slider for adjusting the brightness level. When you tap the panel, it opens a screen with the same controls, along with Schedule, Timer, and Runtime buttons at the bottom of the screen. The Schedule button opens a screen where you can create schedules to have the switch turn on and off at specific times of the day, and the Timer button lets you set a timer (for up to 12 hours) to have the switch turn on or off. Lastly, the Runtime button opens a screen where you can view daily, weekly, and monthly usage statistics.

Tapping the gear icon in the upper right corner gives you access to the Device Settings screen where you can enable Away mode (to have the switch turn on and off at random times to make it look like somebody is home), configure Wi-Fi settings, share access with other users, and update the firmware.

Installation and Performance: Basic Electrical Work, Flawless Controls

Installing the U-tec switch is just as easy as installing any wall switch but requires working with high-voltage wiring, so if you’re not comfortable with that, you should hire a professional. I started by turning off the power to the wall switch at my breaker panel, labeled each wire, and removed the old switch. I connected the house wires to the switch using the included wiring nuts (black to line, white to neutral, green to ground, and red to load), tucked everything away into the junction box, and screwed the switch into the box before restoring power to the circuit.

I already had the U home app installed (you’ll have to download it and create an account if this is your first U-tec device), so I tapped the plus icon on the My Devices screen, tapped Add Device, and selected Dimmer Switch in the switches menu. I pressed the power button for five seconds to put the switch in pairing mode, and the app immediately recognized it. I selected it, entered my Wi-Fi credentials, and gave it a name to complete the setup. Since I already had the U home app linked with Amazon Alexa, the switch automatically connected with the virtual assistant during setup.

The switch performed wonderfully in testing. The touch slider and on/off button worked well, and the switch instantly responded to app and voice commands to turn on and off and to change the brightness level. It also followed my schedules without issue. I created an automation in the U home app to have the switch turn on when an Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Lock was unlocked, and this, too, worked flawlessly.

Verdict: A Simple Swap for Smarter Light Fixtures

If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to smarten your light fixtures, look no further than the U-tec Smart Dimmer Switch. For under $20, you get a wall switch with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and a capacitive touch dimmer. It allows for convenient mobile app and voice control, and interacts with lots of other smart home devices. Apple HomeKit support and power usage reporting would be welcome additions, but the Smart Dimmer Switch is still an excellent value and worthy of our Editors’ Choice award.

The Bottom Line

The U-tec Smart Dimmer Switch is a Wi-Fi-enabled wall switch that lets you control traditional light fixtures with your phone, voice, and other smart home devices.