EFTM Smart Home: Control your lights & power points on your smartphone with Belkin Wemo

The idea of home automation seems a bit far-fetched, especially for those of us who aren’t in a position to or don’t have the money to build a whole new house.  Belkin WEMO is a system you can buy off the shelf and add an impressive level of remote control to several areas of your home.

Yep, the ability to turn on the lights in my home from anywhere in the world is cool – it’s something worth showing off at times.  But there is a practical reason for it too.

Belkin WEMO Light Switch alongside our fan controller

Belkin WEMO is an off the shelf system you can buy at Dick Smith Electronics and in some cases literally plug and play, and in others a simple installation and you’re running.

Belkin WEMO Switch

WEMO Switch is like a chunky adaptor for your power point.  Plug it in and it creates its own little WiFi network.  On your smartphone you connect to that network, then open the WEMO app.  You then configure the switch, give it a name, connect it to your home WiFi network then you’re ready to rock.

The new device appears in your WEMO list and with the tap of a screen – the power point is on.  In our home we’ve got one connected to a lamp in the lounge room, and we’ve even hooked the Christmas tree lights up to it.

Belkin WEMO Light Switch up close

WEMO Light Switch takes it one step further with true integration.  In this case you replace your existing light switch entirely with the WEMO light Switch and after following the same procedure as with the plug-in switch – you’re ready to turn the lights on and off from your phone.

This is not all about outside the home too.  After a bit of reading or TV in bed, just reach for the smartphone and press a button – lights out!  And not just the room you are in, you can switch off all the lights.

Then consider the times you’ve left the home and left lights on – with WEMO you can check and then turn them off.   If you’re prone to leaving the iron on, use a WEMO switch in that spot and just turn it off remotely.

Perhaps the hidden gem is the schedule.  With the WEMO app you can schedule switches and lights to be on at certain times, off at certain times on or off with sunset or even – if you add the WEMO sensor, you can turn the WEMO Switch on and off with movement.

Belkin WEMO App

Overall the system is fantastic.  The fully integrated Light Switch is the star of the show at $69.95 being totally integrated, however you will need a sparky to put it in, and it does require a “neutral” connection – and if you don’t know much about wiring and electrical, ask the question before you buy it.

The Light Switch is something different for users, it’s not a normal “switch” as you may be used to – its more of a button which has a small light on it to tell you when it’s on and off – so be sure that the family knows what it’s like before installing!

The Switch alone is $59.95 and the switch with sensor is $119.95.

I love the idea of this system, and in practice in our home it’s proving a worthwhile investment.

I can’t wait to see the future for this technology, with perhaps a smaller or fully integrated “Switch” module, and goodness knows what else!

[schema type=”review” rev_name=”Belkin WEMO Switch and Light Switch” rev_body=”A simple to use and simple to install home automation system allowing programming and remote access to your switches and lights” author=”Trevor Long” pubdate=”2013-12-15″ user_review=”5″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”5″ ]

Recent Posts

  • Tech

Microsoft revamps Xbox Game Pass plans offering more but with a price jump

Ahead of the launch of their XBox ROG ALLY handhelds later this month, Microsoft have…

20 hours ago
  • Tech

NBA Bounce is the fun-filled basketball game for the whole family

Basketball is incredibly popular among kids of all ages, but for many, the more advanced…

23 hours ago
  • Tech

Google announces new Gemini-first home devices including Nest Cameras, Google Home speaker & improvements to Home app

Google has announced an updated range of Nest devices overnight, including new cameras, doorbell and…

1 day ago
  • Tech

Beats unveil the evolution of their fitness earbuds with the new Powerbeats Fit

Beats has today introduced the Powerbeats Fit, the next generation of the Beats Fit Pro…

2 days ago
  • Lifestyle

NBA 2K26 is bringing the ‘House of 2K’ to Melbourne Park this weekend as part of the NBAxNBL Melbourne series

Basketball, the NBA and the NBL are rocking Melbourne this weekend with Zion Williamson's New…

2 days ago
  • Motoring

Drivers are distracted – How, why and are they willing to change?

AAMI have recently commissioned consumer research into why Aussies are driving distracted. It’s a case…

2 days ago