Lutron’s Caséta line is the go-to recommendation for reliable smart lighting, especially in older homes. This dimmer’s key advantage is that it doesn’t require a neutral wire, a common hurdle in houses built before the 1980s. That makes it a practical, often essential, upgrade path to smart lighting where other switches simply won’t work.

Installation is straightforward if you’re comfortable with basic wiring. Once set up, the dimming performance is smooth and flicker-free with compatible bulbs, handling up to 150 watts of dimmable LED. The physical switch offers a satisfying, tactile rocker for direct control. For true convenience, you’ll want the separate Pico remote, which lets you create a three-way switch or control lights from across the room without needing an app.

The system operates on Lutron’s proprietary Clear Connect RF, which is exceptionally reliable and doesn’t clutter your Wi-Fi. Just know that to enable remote control via your phone, a separate Caséta Smart Bridge is required. This dimmer excels at one job: delivering Lutron’s signature reliability for basic, local light control in wiring situations that stymie other smart switches.