When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This 2nd-gen dimmer (model D2MSD) connects directly to Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a bridge, with the option of wired or even wireless 3-way control. Leviton's updated motion-sensing dimmer pulls out all the stops with wired (or wireless) 3-way circuit support and impressive customization options. With both dimming and motion sensing built in; plus, support for 3-way wiring setups, Leviton's 2-gen Decora Smart Motion Sensing Dimmer (model D2MSD) in-wall smart switch has just about everything you could ask for. As its name explicitly states, this is an update to an earlier model, the main additions being improved compatibility with third-party ecosystems and support for Leviton's wireless remote control companion, which I'll delve into in a bit.

Leviton, one of the biggest electrical component manufacturers in the world, makes high-quality products and offers a comprehensive collection of Z-Wave-compatible devices in addition to this Z-Wave 800 dimmer and switch. Smart lighting controls that operate over Wi-Fi are great, because they don't require a hub; they connect directly to your router. The downside is that they must compete with all the other clients on your home network: Your computers, gaming consoles, media streamers, smart speakers, home security cameras, smart plugs, and many, many more. I live in a very small home--less than 800 square feet--but there are still more than 80 devices connected to the Eero 6 router in my Ring Alarm Pro. Given that the Eero 6's practical limit is 128 clients, there just isn't a lot of room for light switches and dimmers.

Leviton has been one of the most reliable names in Wi-Fi smart plugs, and for years I relied on one of its first-generation Wi-Fi plugs to power my living-room lights. With this second generation, Leviton brings a streamlined setup process and HomeKit support to the party. Leviton's model D215P is a three-prong on/off switch; model D23LP is a two-prong model with a dimmer feature. Let's start with the specs, which should be unsurprising. The D215P looks identical to the first-generation Wi-Fi plug, with the familiar horizontal brick design and a single three-prong outlet on the face.

Leviton is expanding its range of smart home switches and outlets with a new Wi-Fi dimmer switch with Amazon Alexa built in. The Decora Voice Dimmer will allow home owners to control their lights with their voice, and it works with all the other things that Amazon Alexa supports. For example, users will be able to say "Alexa, dim the lights to 60 percent," or "Alexa, turn off the kitchen light." Updated to provide links to our hands-on reviews of the Leviton Decora Voice Dimmer, the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi 4-Button Controller, and the Leviton Decora Smart Fan Speed Controller. Leviton already sells Wi-Fi light switches in the Decora range and the new dimmer can be integrated into routines and schedules through the My Leviton control app.

Leviton is expanding its range of smart home switches and outlets with a new Wi-Fi dimmer switch with Amazon Alexa built in. The Decora Voice Dimmer will allow home owners to control their lights with their voice, and it works with all the other things that Amazon Alexa supports. For example, users will be able to say "Alexa, dim the lights to 60 percent," or "Alexa, turn off the kitchen light." Leviton already sells Wi-Fi light switches in the Decora range and the new dimmer can be integrated into routines and schedules through the My Leviton control app. Because the switches are all networked, it's also possible to issue a single command--"Alexa, turn off the lights"--to control all the lights in every room connected through a Wi-Fi Decora switch.

Leviton is no stranger to the light switch, and it was an early mover into the smart home space. That kind of maturity is good news for those seeking product stability, but it also means shoppers face a daunting, complex market, as Leviton now sells more than a dozen smart switch products based on Bluetooth, HomeKit, Z-Wave, and--in this case--Wi-Fi protocols. We looked several models in Leviton's Decora Smart Wi-Fi lineup earlier, but largely found them wanting because of their limited options: You could control them with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands (or by manipulating the devices themselves), and that was about it. Leviton has since updated this product line to add compatibility with IFTTT (If This Then That) and some Nest devices (specifically, Nest Learning Thermostats, Nest Cams, and the Nest Protect smoke/carbon-monoxide detector). The Leviton app has also been updated with home and away occupancy modes.

If you're interested in smart lighting and you want to do it right, you've got to go with a smart dimmer switch. Unlike smart bulbs, which become dumb with the flick of a switch, these dimmers always stay powered since they have a direct power line. After all of our testing, it was clear that Lutron's Caséta Wireless system was the best dimmer around. While dimmers, and even smart dimmers, have been around for decades, these new models are taking off thanks to the promise of anywhere smartphone control, as well as voice control via Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google Home. Even though pretty much all dimmers work the same, there can be big differences in the quality of their app-connected smarts. That's why we found the most popular dimmer switches on the market and put them to the test to find the very best for you and your smart home ecosystem of choice.

If you want to smarten up your home, one of the easiest ways to do it is through smart switches. You can use them for lights (although you might want smart dimmers for that), bathroom fans, ceiling fans, garbage disposals, outlets, heck, even electric fireplaces! But unlike their dumb brethren invented in the 1800's, not all smart switches are the same. While all of the switches we tested pass the basic test of turning things on and off (phew!), they do vary in how they perform thanks to their apps and integrations. So we put them to the test, comparing their setup processes, apps, and integrations with popular platforms like Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home, to find you the very best switches you can buy. Unfortunately, all of the smart switches currently on the market seem to require a neutral wire.

Leviton is the latest connected lighting company to loosen its dependence on the hub, and it's about time. Leviton's Decora Smart Wi-Fi dimmers and switches connect directly to your wireless network, letting you control the lights with a smartphone app or with a digital assistant (the Amazon Echo and Google Home are both supported). By sticking with plain old Wi-Fi instead of smart home-specific protocols such as ZigBee or Z-Wave, Leviton's in-wall and plug-in modules eliminate the need for a hub or bridge. But while ditching the hub reduces the cost and complexity of smart home lighting, it also means Leviton must work harder to connect with other smart home ecosystems. Right now, the Decora Smart Wi-Fi series is currently detached from nearly all of them, severely limiting how you can control your lights.