Amazon Basics smart dimmer switch and remote
ZDNET's key takeaways
- The Amazon Basics smart dimmer switch and remote is available for $20.
- This remote controls smart home and Echo devices, runs Alexa routines, and is capable of having up to eight actions at once.
- Keep in mind that it's only compatible with Alexa.
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Having a remote for smart home devices may seem redundant. I always get asked, “Why not just use a regular light switch?” And I respond by saying that smart remotes can do more than just flipping the light switch. A single button on a smart remote can control multiple devices with different settings, like running a bedtime routine or switching on all devices in a room.
The Amazon Basics smart dimmer switch and remote is an Alexa-compatible smart remote that can do almost everything Alexa can, except for answering your questions and creating recipes.
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Although it retails for $20, I bought it a few days ago for half off, as it's frequently on sale. Setup was a breeze: switching it on prompted a notification from the Amazon Alexa app on my phone to continue setting it up. Following the prompts helped me set up my remote within a minute.
I added the smart dimmer switch to the app and chose actions for each button. Instead of simply turning a light on or off with each one, I added routines to all four buttons. The remote is battery-powered, so you can leave it in one place or carry it around at home.
It also connects to your Echo device and can control the rest of your compatible devices through it. Think of it like giving Alexa a silent prompt without having to speak or pull out your phone.
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I set the first button to run a routine that turns off all the downstairs lights, including the backyard string lights. This is a routine we run each night when we head upstairs, but I like keeping it separate from the lights in my bedroom. Since I may go to bed at different times depending on the day, I also don't like having the routine on a schedule. Instead, I just prompt Alexa each night to run it.
The two smaller buttons are set to run routines in two of the kids' rooms. These routines don't involve simply turning on lights, each one also controls the air purifiers, sets string lights to a certain brightness and color, turns on a projector, and switches on white noise machines.
I set up the last button to run my bedtime routine, which prompts Alexa to turn off the lights in my room, turn on a pedestal fan that's plugged into a smart plug, and say, “Sleep tight, my darlings.” You can create single-press and long-press actions, so four buttons can handle eight actions.
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If you need to make changes to a routine programmed into one of the remote's buttons, you can do so in the Alexa app, and you don't have to worry about reprogramming the button. The button includes a magnetic wallplate that you can install on a wall to hold it, but this is purely out of convenience, so you don't have to wire anything.
ZDNET's buying advice
The Amazon Basics smart dimmer switch and remote (which is a mouthful, I know) lets me and anyone else in my home control my Alexa-compatible devices without speaking to the virtual assistant or using my phone. I can already imagine putting one in the living room or setting one up in the guest room so my visitors can control the smart devices in their room. Some reviewers suggest adding labels to each button to indicate the action it performs.
At $20, this adds a lot of value to a smart home, especially one where Alexa devices are prominent. Beyond smart home control, you can have your remote perform other Alexa routines around lifestyle, information, and entertainment, like playing music on a specific device.
