With each review I write, my goal is to write a post of moderate length, detailing features of a product and how I feel about them. The thing is that this time, with Switchmate, I can tell you why I love it and why you need it one sentence: I am laying in bed and my husband just left for night work so I clicked my dining room light out. I did that from here, you guys, from my bed. Alright, if you’re not already off ordering some for yourself, I’ll elaborate.
Switchmate is a light switch plate cover which allows you to remotely turn your lights on and off. There is no installation process. You put two AA batteries inside and clip it right onto your switch plate. To begin controlling the light remotely, you need to download the Switchmate app. It can quickly take you through the setup tutorial but it really wasn’t necessary, it’s easy peasy.
With Switchmate, you can label the lights so that you know which rooms each button controls. I received one toggle Switchmate and one rocker (basically, the classical light switch or that flat one that, well, rocks) so I placed one in my dining room and one in my bedroom. My husband is the closest to the light switch in our bedroom and he was always complaining about having to get back up to shut off the light while he waited for me to get settled with the baby. He’s pretty thrilled that now I just do it myself from my phone when I’m ready, usually while the baby is already nursing and falling asleep!
You can set up your Switchmate to automatically turn on with a timer or once you come within range of it. I tested out this feature and it works well, I don’t have a need for it but I might start using it to coax me into going to bed earlier. Lights out at 10 o’clock at night sounds good, right?!
Currently, Switchmate operates off of Bluetooth technology, so it can only be controlled within the range of your light switch but they are working to upgrade so that you will be able to control them from anywhere that you have Internet connection. Be sure to follow them on social media so that you can see when this transition happens!
I’ve seen products similar to this in the past but none have been as affordable as the Switchmate, which means that you can get one for every switch in the house without breaking the bank. Turn off the lights once you’re safely in your bed, no tripping over things trying to navigate in the pitch black of night. I always have my phone charging by the bed anyway so for me, this is incredibly convenient and extremely worth it. I give it five stars for convenience, price, and easy use and installation.
BUY:
You can purchase a Switchmate for your toggle or rocker switches at $39.99 each on myswitchmate.com.
