Introduction:
In the dynamic landscape of Smart Home technology, the demand for intuitive and simple devices continues to grow. Smart buttons have become essential tools for simplifying daily tasks from controlling your smart lights to triggering complex routines. As we analyze the digital landscape of 2023, several smart buttons have distinguished themselves.
Factors to consider:
When selecting the ideal Smart Button, a multitude of factors come into play. These include compatibility with existing smart home platforms, functionality, ease of setup and use, design, and customization.
Explore the top Smart Buttons of the year:
As the creators of the original Flic Smart button and the dimmer Flic Twist, we will show how various intuitive and versatile smart buttons compare to each other in the smart home market.
The all-time favorite of our users, the Flic Button ❤️
Since 2019 in the market, the Flic Smart Button has stood out as an exceptional addition to any smart home ecosystem.
Highlights:
The Flic Smart Button, also called Flic 2, seamlessly integrates with major smart-home ecosystems, including HomeKit, Alexa, Homey, SmartThings, and HomeAssistant, or via an HTTP request and MQTT. The device extends its compatibility to well-known smart home players such as Phillips Hue, Sonos, Nanoleaf, and many others. Additionally, Matter compatibility is on the way, being our best estimate for release in Q2 of 2024.
This wireless smart button is not just limited to controlling your lights; it’s a versatile solution that can trigger scenes for blinds, play music and sounds on speakers, control your robot vacuums, and much more. The Flic button, once paired in the Flic App, can be used independently. While it works on its own, we recommend using any type of Flic Hub for an extended range and increase in accessibility. The main benefit of utilizing the Flic Hub is that your setup remains operational at all times, irrespective of the presence of your smartphone. With the optional IR Blaster accessory, Flic extends its reach to your IR-enabled devices, like TVs or AC systems. Additionally, with the Flic Hub and Hub LR SDK, you can write your logic and put it straight on the Flic Hub and Hub LR. This enables you to create custom integrations and solutions that were simply not possible before!
Setup and customization:
Setting up Flic is a breeze, and the device’s user-friendly design ensures intuitive use. It can be easily stuck to almost any surface. You can even personalize your Flic buttons with our sticker sheet, allowing you to label each button for easy identification. The customization options don’t stop there – Flic comes in a sleek white design, with special editions in black during specific periods, such as Black Friday.
⚪️ One Flic Button is $30. Additionally, the Hub LR is $100, while the Hub Mini is $40.
Best Suited For:
- Any smart home user due to its simplicity, ease of use, and variety of integrations.
- Users looking for more advanced features. Our SDK will allow you to create custom integrations. Discover more here.
Limitations:
- Slightly higher price point compared to existing solutions. But this is due to the in-house design, development, and sustainable logistics, ensuring a high-quality and reliable product. ❤️
By the way, this 2023 we have released our new Smart Dimmer, Flic Twist, which takes smart home control to the next level. Discover more here.
Aqara Wireless Mini Switch
Aqara has gained recognition for its innovative smart home products and the Aqara Wireless Mini Switch is no exception. It is Zigbee compatible and has 2 years of battery life. It works with major smart home platforms such as Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit.
The setup is simple and it can be configured to trigger diverse actions. One of the standout features of the Aqara Wireless Mini Switch is its compatibility with a variety of smart home platforms. However, it requires an Aqara Hub for operation, incurring an additional cost for users who haven’t already invested in the Aqara ecosystem.
⚪️ One Aqara Wireless Mini Switch is $15 + Hub is $60.
Best Suited For:
- Smart home enthusiasts seeking simple solutions that are interested in a curated selection of smart home products that align with the Zigbee protocol.
Limitations
- No customization through stickers is possible.
- Non-programmable – Lacks an open SDK
- Limited indoors range: 30m.
- Hub is required.
Philips Hue Smart Button
The Philips Hue Smart Button is a wireless, compact, and beautifully designed smart lighting switch. It seamlessly integrates with the Philips Hue ecosystem. While it’s easy to set up and use, the functionality is pretty limited, it can only be used to dim lights, enable a preset, and turn on or off the lights.
The accompanying app is equipped to recognize the time of day, automatically configuring the optimal lighting for a seamless and intuitive user experience. For added personalization, users have the flexibility to customize their lighting.
⚪️ One Philips Hue Smart Button is $22 + Hub is around $60.
Best Suited For:
- Users looking for a straightforward way to centrally control lighting.
Limitations
- No customization is possible.
- Requires a Hub.
- Limited integrations, it works with HomeKit but it is not compatible with other light bulbs, only Philips Hue bulbs.
- No other smart home device control (blinds, music, etc.)
- Non-programmable – Lacks an open SDK
- Connect only up to 10 Controllers to one bridge.
- Forced private data sharing to the cloud through the Philips Hue app.
Lutron Caseta Smart Dimmer Switch
Lutron Caseta has long been synonymous with cutting-edge lighting solutions and its Smart Button seamlessly integrates with its ecosystem. The Lutron Caseta Smart Button offers more than just lighting control, such as adjusting the thermostat or triggering specific scenes. It comes in different colors: white, ivory, light almond, and black.
The functionality is satisfactory, as it seamlessly integrates with popular smart home platforms such as Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home, SmartThings, and others.
⚪️ One Lutron Caseta Smart Dimmer Switch is around $64 + Hub is around $80.
Best Suited For:
- The Lutron Caseta Smart Dimmer Switch is an ideal choice for users aspiring to control their entire smart home effortlessly.
Limitations
- It can control up to 17 bulbs.
- Non-programmable, – Lacks an open SDK.
- Not compatible with Matter.
TP-LINK Tapo S200B
The TP-Link Tapo S200B Smart Button is an easy-to-use smart lighting switch that integrates seamlessly with the TP-Link Tapo ecosystem. It provides comprehensive control over your lights through single, and double taps, as well as rotation gestures. The intuitive Tapo app allows for advanced customization and scheduling, while the battery ensures reliable performance. Moreover, you can also use the Tapo S200B Smart Button as an emergency button. As for its integrations, the most popular ones are Alexa and Matter.
⚪️ One TP-Link Tapo S200B is $14.99 + Hub $19.99.
Best Suited For:
- Users seeking an easy-to-use and versatile smart lighting solution.
- Families with children who need emergency assistance, but also elder people.
Limitations
- It requires a Tapo Hub.
- Non-programmable – Lacks an open SDK.
- Non customisable.
- Not compatible with Matter.
Ikea Trådfri Smart Button
Over the past few years, Ikea’s Smart Home section has increased its popularity. The Ikea Trådfri Smart Button allows you to create smarter routines with lighting, speakers, blinds, and air-quality products. In order to use it, an Ikea Dirigera Hub is required. Additionally, the Ikea Trådfri seamlessly integrates with Alexa and HomeKit through a TRÅDFRI Gateway, while also boasting compatibility with ZigBee-certified products, including Philips Hue Bridge when used alongside a TRÅDFRI Gateway.
⚪️ One Ikea Trådfri Smart Button is around $10 + Hub $77.
Best Suited For:
- Users looking for a simple controller for their Smart Home automation.
Limitations
- It requires an Ikea Dirigera Hub.
- It can only control lights, speakers, blinds, and air quality products.
- Non-programmable – Lacks an open SDK.
- Customisable, but with limited stickers.
- Not compatible with Matter yet.
Now, let’s delve into a comprehensive comparison based on the key features of each smart button.
(Release in 2024)
(+ Hub = $60.00 USD)
(+ Hub = $60.00 USD)
(+ Hub = $19.99 USD)
(+ Hub = $77.00 USD)
In conclusion, the best smart button for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether it’s the versatile Flic Smart Button, Aqara’s Zigbee-compatible solution, the simplicity of Philips Hue, the versatility of Lutron Caseta, the family-friendly choice of TP-Link Tapo S200B, or seamless integration with IKEA’s smart home ecosystem in the IKEA Trådfri Smart Button, there’s a smart button to elevate your smart home experience in 2023. Choose wisely based on your priorities and enjoy a more streamlined and efficient smart home.
Elevate your smart home experience – add some Flic buttons to your home today: flic.io/shop