When comparing GE Bluetooth Smart Switch vs WeMo Insight, the Slant community recommends WeMo Insight for most people. In the question“What are the best smart switches?” WeMo Insight is ranked 1st while GE Bluetooth Smart Switch is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose WeMo Insight is:
IFTTT (if this then that) allows you to set up conditional automations. So you can turn on or off devices attached to the switch based on conditions like time of day, your location or any trigger from 300+ services.
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Pros
Pro Adjustable output for any situation
Through the app you can adjust the output of this switch. This will allow lamps and other lights to be dimmed, although not all small appliances will work well with less than normal power.
Pro Supports scheduling
You can schedule your lights to turn on and of when you please. It can also be set to turn lights on and off on a repeated timer when you are away on vacation to deter burgles.
Pro Single connection to your device
There isn't any Wi-Fi in this product to set up, meaning the setup process will be as easy as pairing a new Bluetooth speaker. Also, even while you are having internet troubles this switch will still work with your phone. Some users have even plugged their Wi-Fi router into this, turning it off when they are at work and sleeping.
Pro Can track energy usage
Tracking energy usage can help you determine where you can cut energy costs. The first step is recognizing where excess energy is being used, and the GE Smart Switch helps with this.
Pro Very configurable thanks to IFTTT
IFTTT (if this then that) allows you to set up conditional automations. So you can turn on or off devices attached to the switch based on conditions like time of day, your location or any trigger from 300+ services.
Pro App has a simple button widget
Pro Integrates with Google Home
Pro Easy installation
The installation instructions are fairly basic - just connect to the switch's Wi-Fi, go into the WeMo app, make the connection, and then swap over to your regular Wi-Fi (if it works the first time).
Pro Get notified when the switch is activated
You can set up the Insight to send you app notifications when the switch is turned on or off based on set rules. So you can, for example, get notified only between 9am and 5pm while you are at work, and turn off notifications while you are at home.
Pro Good companion app
The WeMo app is simple to use, and provides quite a bit of information at a glance as well. There's a large power button to open/close the switch, as well as a timer which indicates how long the switch has been on for. It also shows data such as average on time each day, average cost and more.
Pro Can send reports about energy usage
You can get on demand reports of energy usage as well as set up Insight to email daily, weekly or monthly reports of energy usage.
Pro Scheduling allows switch to operate automatically
Scheduling can be done on either a weekly basis (same schedule for the whole week) or you can configure each day individually (e.g., the weekend can have a different schedule than the weekdays).
Pro Integrates with Alexa
Through Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa (found on the Amazon Echo ling of products) you can control the switch via voice.
Pro Third party hardware integration
WeMo is one of the leading Internet of Things ecosystems, and can integrate with a wide variety of other products that also support the WeMo standard.
Pro Support for rules
Rules determine when your lights are on and off (think of it like scheduling for events instead of times).
Cons
Con Doesn't integrate with other smart home systems
Most other smart home systems utilize Wi-Fi. This device won't play well with any of those.
Con Bluetooth limits the range and situations in which the device can be used
Bluetooth has an effective range of about 20 feet, depending on variables. You won't be able to adjust this switch through the internet like you will with most of the other switches available today. If you left the lights on after you left for a vacation, you'll be much too far to turn them off.
Con Poor Android app
The in-app performance is poor - it lags and studders. Performing any actions takes a couple seconds to register, and the overall experience is bad. This could be due to the Wi-Fi connection, or it could just be a poorly optimized app.
Con Buggy setup
The setup process sounds simple enough - connect to the switch's Wi-Fi network to pair, and then swap back to your regular Wi-Fi. In practice, the connection is spontaneous. It takes a number of tries to set up the connection successfully.
Con Power button can be distracting
When the switch is on it illuminates the power button which can be distracting. Especially at night or when watching a movie. And there's no way to turn off the power button without turning off the switch.
Con Blocks other plugs
This switch is compact as far as smart switches go, however it is still large enough to block the other outlet on a typical 2 slot wall outlet.
Con Works only with devices that use more than 2 watts of power
Con No yet compatible with SmartThings hub
SmartThings is Samsung's smart home ecosystem. The WeMo Insight isn't compatible with Samsung's software.