GE Bluetooth Smart Switch vs iHome iSP5

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is one of the few smart switches which are small enough to not block surrounding plugs. That means that you still have access to all of your plugs, which is very important especially in older homes where accessible wall plugs can be limited.

While the other smart switches clearly look like an internet-connected product (read: eyesore), the iHome iSP5 doesn't share the same ugliness. It is compact and sleek looking, without extra buttons and a bunch of flashing lights. It has a single small LED, a white front, and a grey band running around its sides.

HomeKit is Apple's smart home ecosystem, with deep integration with Siri. Controlling the switch is as easy as saying "Her Siri, turn the living room lamp on" as you're approaching your house. You can also group together different products which will all jump into action together: once configured, saying "Hey Siri, go to bed" can turn off all the lights, enable the security system, lock the doors, and turn down the thermostat with just the single command.

Wink is an ecosystem that has compatibility with many products. Buying a Wink-compatible device means you have a wide selection of other devices that it will work with.

Alexa is an always listening voice assistant baked into Amazon's Echo series of products. These devices were all very well received, and can pick up voice actions from surprising distances. They will also allow anybody to control the lights (or whatever else might be plugged into this switch) without the need to setup an app on their phone.