The new Lutron Caséta Diva smart dimmer switch doesn’t require a neutral wire – The Verge
Lutron Caséta has added two new smart switches to its lineup. The switches are modeled on its existing non-smart “Diva” paddle switch style, giving its distinctive smart switch line a more traditional look. Lutron Caséta is probably one of the most reliable DIY smart lighting systems available today; it uses a proprietary protocol powered by Lutron’s smart hub rather than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
The new $69.95 Diva smart dimmer is a wired paddle switch with a toggle slider for dimming, and the $59.95 Claro smart switch is a standard wired on-off switch. Both products look like traditional paddle switches, and other than a small LED light, there’s nothing to single them out as “smart.” As with the existing Caseta smart dimmer, the new Diva smart dimmer won’t need a neutral wire. (Though the Claro switch will.)
The switches are available today, September 12th, at The Home Depot. Lutron is also selling a Diva Smart Starter Kit for $119.95, which includes the dimmer, a Lutron Smart Hub, a wireless Pico remote, and a matching faceplate.
The Lutron Caséta Diva smart dimmer is modeled on the traditional paddle dimmer Lutron has sold for many years.
Image: Lutron
A new old look
The look of the new devices is more in line with what most of Lutron’s competitors are doing in this space; Eve and Leviton recently launched new switches that stick with a more traditional look.
Both switches will work with wired three-way and multi-location switches
Lutron says the reason for the new design is to fit better into most homes, where paddle switches are common. “Some folks find the existing Caséta aesthetic too contrasting to their existing switches,” Adam Mack, Caséta product manager, told The Verge. “We wanted to give homeowners another option.” Mack says Lutron is not discontinuing its existing Caséta style, however, and will continue to develop it.
The current Caséta design has distinctive icons on the switches and multiple buttons, plus a press and hold function that can confuse people unfamiliar with them. The Diva dimmer uses the more traditional paddle design for on-off, plus you can press and hold the paddle to slowly dim to off or use the slider for precise dimming. An LED light bar shows the dimming level, and there’s a preset function to return the light to where it was previously.
The new Lutron Caséta switches (left) alongside the current design.
Image: Lutron
Most noteworthy, however, is that both new switches will work with wired three-way and multi-location switches, something existing Caséta switches don’t do unless you add a wireless Pico remote. This means you can replace one wired switch with a Diva smart dimmer or Claro smart switch, and the existing mechanical switch (or switches) will continue to work …….