In recent years, an increasing number of people realized that smart home technology does not have to be expensive. It has now become more affordable to own even the most advanced smart home gadgets. So if you’re planning on making your home smart and efficient, you should consider lighting equipment that adjusts automatically to your needs.
In this article, we’ve made your task of choosing a suitable smart lighting solution much simpler and easier. We’ve compared the Leviton Decora Smart series and Lutron Caseta Wireless, the two most affordable and convenient products available in the current market.
The Leviton Decora Smart offers three different types of smart home light solutions, namely:
- DW-Series (Decora Smart™ with Wi-Fi Technology)
- DH-Series (Decora Smart with HomeKit™ Technology)
- DZ-Series (Decora Smart™ with Z-Wave Plus Technology)
Each Leviton Decora Series has its own advantages, and we’ll compare them to the Lutron Caseta Wireless System.
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Decora Smart Leviton Vs. Lutron Caseta Wireless: Comparison Chart
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Here’s a comparison chart which enlists the major advantages of one system over the other.
| Product | Leviton Decora Smart DW-Series | Leviton Decora Smart DH-Series | Levita Decora Smart DZ-Series | Lutron Caseta Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hub | Not required | Not required | Required | Requires Smart Bridge Pro |
| Technology | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Z-wave | Clear connect |
| Google Assistant | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Siri HomeKit | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Amazon Alexa | Yes | No | Yes (3rd party hub) | Yes |
| Smart Home Integration | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty period | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 1 Year ( can extend to 2 years) |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Differences
While both the Leviton Smart series and Lutron make for a welcome addition to your smart home, there are some aspects to both systems which are noteworthy. We’ve listed some of the major differences between them to give you a better idea of which system better suits your smart home needs.
1. Hub
A hub is one of the basic considerations to keep in mind for a smart home. It is a central method of controlling your home. There are many smart home controllers such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, or the Apple HomeKit.
No hub is required for the Leviton DW-Series and the DH-Series. They work on their own, which is good news if you’re looking for a quick and easy smart lighting option.
On the other hand, the DZ-Series does require a hub, like Wink or SmartThings. In this case, DZ-Series would be a suitable option if you’re looking to expand your smart home with more smart gadgets. With the aid of the hub, you can connect hundreds of other smart home products.
Lutron is similar to the DZ-Series in that it does require a central controller. But instead of a hub, it makes use of the Lutron Smart Bridge or Smart Bridge Pro. One limitation is that the Smart Bridge only works with a small number of smart products, but it’s a start to build your own smart home establishment. For more information regarding the Lutron Caseta Wireless system integration, refer to the Lutron Compatibility Guide.
You have other options to pair the Lutron Caseta Wireless dimmers; take, for example, the Wink Hub or Wink hub 2. In this case, you can completely omit the Smart Bridge/Smart Bridge Pro. These hubs are equipped with Clear Connect Technology to support the dimmers. For more detailed compatibility information, refer to the Wink website.
2. Technology
You should keep in mind that your device must work well each time you use it. There are major differences in these dimmers’ functionality, making some products work better than the rest.
Take, for example, the DZ-Series, which uses Z-wave technology to connect to the hubs. In this case, the working is much stable and efficient. On the other hand, the DW-Series and the DH-Series use Wi-Fi for their control, which can sometimes be unreliable and slow.
The Lutron comparatively, is ahead in this aspect. It is patented with Clear Connect Technology, which sets the bar high for reliable wireless performance. Thus, you can rest assured that your wireless dimmers won’t be affected by any other wireless products. The plain work every time!
3. Voice Control
The products also vary in the way they deal with voice control. The Leviton DW-Series works only with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It does not require a hub for its functionality. Similarly, the DH-Series only works with Siri HomeKit and does not require a hub. Sadly, Leviton makes you choose between Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant vs. Apple HomeKit.
The DZ-Series works only with Amazon Alexa and accepts voice commands through a third-party hub. A huge plus with using Lutron, on the other hand, is that it has no problems working with all three voice controllers. With the Lutron Smart Bridge, you can control lighting at home via Google Home, HomeKit, and Alexa.
4. Collection Of Products
Leviton has the advantage in that it supports dimmers, switches, plug-in, and in-wall outlets. Lutron Caseta Wireless only offers switches and in-wall and plug-in dimmers. The in-wall dimmers are equipped with a Pico remote, an additional control option, but it does not make up for the lack of outlets.
5. Color
Although not the most important consideration, the color of these devices is worth mentioning. The Leviton Decora Smart Collection comes in white, but you can change the dimmer color with the Smart Switch Color Change Kit. The kit offers 5 different colors: black, brown, ivory, grey, light almond, and white.
The Lutron Caseta Wireless dimmers come in white, light almond, ivory, and black. However, the kit usually comes only with white dimmers. So you will have to buy all parts of the kit separately if you’re looking for a different color.
6. Warranty
There’s a big difference when it comes to warranty concerning the two brands. This might be an important consideration for you based on the confidence you place in these products.
Leviton has a 5 year warranty period. Caseta Wireless products, on the other hand, cover only have 1 year limited warranty period. However, you can extend this period to 2 years by completing the Caseta Wireless Customer Feedback Questionnaire. But this still falls short in comparison to the 5 year warranty period offered by Leviton.
7. Price
The price is one of the primary concerns when buying any new technology for your home. There are a few minor differences between the two products in this case. Overall, the Lutron Caseta is slightly more expensive than Leviton. Although the difference isn’t huge, it can start to get quite expensive if you’re buying dimmers, plugs, and switches to fully outfit your home.
Similarities
1. Remote Control
Both the brands offer remote control technology, and settings can be adjusted from pretty much any part of the home. This is a very convenient feature since you can dim the lights from your couch or completely switch them off before hopping into bed. This feature is one of the most primary benefits of these smart lighting technologies.
2. App Control
In addition to remote control, you can manage the lighting systems via smartphone apps as well. Though you’ll use different apps, their function is fundamentally the same in letting you adjust lights from wherever you are at home.
3. DIY Smart Lighting Solution
Many of the lighting systems in the market require professional installation and can be pretty expensive. But this is not the case with Smart Leviton and Caseta Wireless systems. Both the systems are straightforward to set up on your own with minimal assistance. In addition to this, there is no requirement for additional wiring.
4. Saves Energy
You might probably be considering smart lighting systems due to their convenience, but in addition to this, you can actually save a significant amount of electricity. This is not only good for the environment but also your wallet. There are discounts/rebates you can receive as a reward for your energy efficiency in many places. A bonus indeed!
Features & Technical Specifications Of Decora Smart Leviton
1. DW-Series (Decora Smart™ with Wi-Fi Technology)
The DW-Series does not require a central hub and runs on Wi-Fi. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant but not Siri HomeKit. It can be controlled via the remote as well as a smartphone app. It has a warranty period of 5 years.
2. DH-Series (Decora Smart with HomeKit™ Technology)
The DH-Series also does not require a central hub and runs on Wi-Fi. It is only compatible with Siri HomeKit and does not support Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Like the DW-Series, it can be controlled via an app on your smartphone as well as a remote. It also has a warranty period of 5 years. If you love Apple products, the DH-Series might be the perfect fit to take your lighting to a whole new level.
3. DZ-Series (Decora Smart™ with Z-Wave Plus Technology)
The DZ-Series requires a hub and runs on Z-wave technology. It supports Amazon Alexa via a 3rd party hub but does not support Google Assistant or Siri HomeKit. It supports smart home integration allowing you to add new devices to your smart home. It comes with a warranty period of 5 years.
Features & Technical Specification Of Lutron Caseta Wireless
The Lutron Caseta Wireless requires a Smart Bridge Pro/Wink Hub and runs on Clear Connect technology. It is compatible with all the three smart controllers- Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, as well as Siri HomeKit. Smart Home Integration is also possible to add new devices to your home. Its only downside is that the warranty period is only 1 year.
FAQs
1. Is it possible to change the LED color on control?
Each request for an LED color change must be evaluated on a case by case basis. The electrical circuits for each control need to be analyzed to check whether they support the requested LED color.
2. Is it possible to dim all CFL or LED bulbs?
No, some standard CFL or LED screw-in replacement bulbs are not dimmable. You need to use a bulb that was designed for dimming. You can find out this on the bulb’s package or on the bulb itself.Bulbs which cannot be used on a dimmer will have the caution statement “Not for use with dimmers” marked on the bulb.
3. Why do dimmers get warm and is it safe?
Dimmers do generate heat during their normal operation. The more the wattage of a dimmer, the warmer it will feel. However, this is normal and perfectly safe. To be on the safe side, use dimmers which are designed keeping in mind the strict UL safety standards
4. How do dimmers save electricity?
A dimmer’s triac component turns a light on and off very quickly at the rate of 120 times/second. So when the light is off, no energy is used. The longer the triac is off, the lower the output of light and the greater the electricity saved.
5. How should I clean my dimmers?
Clean your dimmers using only a soft damp cloth. Chemical cleaners can damage plastic.
Bottom Line
We highly recommend the Lutron Caseta Wireless as a clever choice for smart home lighting as it works well with other smart devices. The fact that it is compatible with all the three smart controllers Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant is a big plus. It gives you much more flexibility in choosing your smart home system without limiting your choices.
While the Leviton Decora does cover a lot of ground, the fact remains that it is split into three different series. This means it is difficult to get everything you’re looking for and hugely limits your options.
Although we’ve made our choice very clear from the above facts, choosing the best device is largely a personal choice. We hope this article gives you a clear picture about our take on Leviton vs. Lutron. For more, You can check Lutreon vs maestro.
Leviton Decora Smart DW-Series- Editor's Choice
Summary
The DW-Series does not require a central hub and runs on Wi-Fi. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant but not Siri HomeKit. It can be controlled via the remote as well as a smartphone app. It has a warranty period of 5 years. No hub is required for the Leviton DW-Series . They work on their own, which is good news if you’re looking for a quick and easy smart lighting option.
Three comments:
1. You may need additional wiring for the Leviton Wi-Fi models. (Don’t know about their hub supported products.) The WiFi models need a neutral wire to work. Not all homes have this available in their switch boxes. Lutron does not need a neutral wire, and in fact for 3 way switches, require a less complex installation.
2. No mention is made of the range for the hubs. Lutron has advertised a 30 foot range, but can be extended another 30 feet with an additional extender. In February of 2020, Lutron will be offering a 60 foot extender. Don’t know about the Leviton products.
3. It is very easy to create a three way switch where only a one way switch physically exists with Lutron. Don’t know if this possible or easy to do with Leviton.
There are three basic consumers who consider any of these devices: 1) the younger generation who absolutely wants and believes in latest technology and cant do without it; 2) the older generation who only wants specific functions, like turning on lights to walk into a room at night when sleepy, and dont mind turning on and off wall switches; 3) the in-between who dont want to spend allot of money on gadgets but some functionality to brag to their friends they have a “smart home”. LOL.