Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch HS220: A Budget-Friendly Way to Add Smarts to Your Lighting
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ScoredMost smart lighting upgrades force a choice: replace every bulb in the house with pricier smart bulbs, or buy into a hub-based ecosystem you don't actually need. The Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch HS220 skips both. It swaps in for your existing wall switch, keeps the bulbs you already own, and adds app and voice control without a hub or a subscription.
What It Is
The HS220 is an in-wall smart dimmer switch that replaces your existing single-pole (or compatible three-way) light switch. Instead of putting the smarts in the bulb, it puts them in the switch, so it works with the regular bulbs already in your fixtures. Once wired in, you control it through the Kasa app, at the wall, or by voice through Alexa or Google Assistant. No hub required — it connects straight to your home Wi-Fi.
Who It's For
This is a solid pick for:
- Renters and homeowners on a budget who want smart lighting without replacing every bulb in the house
- Anyone with existing dumb bulbs they'd rather keep than swap out for pricier smart bulbs
- People comfortable with basic electrical work (or willing to hire an electrician for a quick install) — this is a wired switch replacement, not a plug-and-play gadget
- Smart home beginners who want one or two rooms on smart control before committing to a bigger ecosystem
If you want color-changing bulbs or granular scene control, a smart bulb setup will suit you better. For straightforward dimming with scheduling and voice control, this is the simpler, cheaper route.
Key Features & Specs
- Standard wiring required: needs a neutral wire in the switch box (common in most homes built after the mid-1990s, less common in older homes)
- Works with dimmable LED, incandescent, and halogen bulbs
- App control via the Kasa Smart app: scheduling, remote access, dimming levels, away mode
- Voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- No hub needed — connects directly to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
- Physical wall control stays intact, so it works normally even if the app or Wi-Fi is down
- Three-way compatible with an additional companion switch (sold separately) if you want smart control from two locations
Pros
- Priced at the affordable end of the smart home category
- No hub or subscription required
- Keeps your existing bulbs, so no need to re-buy lighting
- Physical switch still works like a normal dimmer, which matters if guests or family aren't into apps
- Voice assistant support covers the two biggest ecosystems
Cons
- Requires a neutral wire, which some older homes lack
- Installation means working with your home's wiring — not ideal if you're not comfortable with that (or you'll need an electrician)
- Only works with dimmable bulbs, so double-check what's currently installed
- No Apple HomeKit support out of the box, which matters if you're in that ecosystem
The Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch HS220 gets the balance right: real smart lighting control without buying new bulbs or a hub-based system. At under $20, it's one of the cheapest entry points into smart home control, and it covers what most people actually want — app control, voice integration, and scheduling. The only real gatekeeper is wiring: you need a neutral wire in the switch box. If you have one, this is an easy call. If you don't, or you're not comfortable working with switch wiring, price in an electrician before you buy, since installation is the one part of this product that isn't beginner-proof.
Ready to swap out that basic switch? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG6G2SGZ?tag=thebenchtest-20&tag=thebenchtest-20
