Ecobee Shift+ review

If you’re asking yourself, ‘why would I ever need an Amazon Alexa speaker in my light switch?’ — you’re not alone.

As we replaced one of our test home wall switches with the new Ecobee Switch+, we found ourselves wondering the same thing. Is this device — a light switch that is also an Amazon Alexa speaker — necessary? And does the $99 Switch+, now available for pre-order and in stores on March 26, satisfy the smart home junkie and Amazon Alexa fan?

What is the Switch+, exactly?

The Ecobee Switch+ is a light switch, but it’s also an Amazon Alexa speaker and a motion and temperature sensor, all rolled into one. It’s the latest smart home offering from the Toronto-based company known for popular smart thermostats like the Ecobee4.

Kim Wetzel/Digital Trends

Kim Wetzel/Digital Trends

While the Switch+ detects motion, it won’t work as a thermometer until a firmware update is pushed out later this year. When it does go live, though, you’ll be able to see temperature information on the room where it’s installed. If you already have an Ecobee thermostat, you’ll be able to control both devices through the same app. We’ll update this review when we get a chance to review the sensor technology.

We thought we’d feel funny talking to the wall, but we got over it quickly.

The switch is also an Amazon Alexa speaker. It doesn’t just work with Alexa. It is Alexa. You can talk to it just like you would an Amazon Echo. In other words, you could consider buying this device instead of an Echo Dot.

Inclusion of Alexa is makes it unique. While Alexa integration is becoming more common in smart devices that aren’t speakers, there’s a difference between those and devices that are Alexa voice assistants in their own right. A few smart home devices can boast such a thing — the Sonos One speaker, LG’s new InstaView fridge, and Kohler’s Verdera smart mirror are a few recent examples. This, however, is Alexa’s first appearance in a light switch.

We thought we’d feel funny talking to the wall, but we got over it. We’ve been talking to smart speakers for a while, and often, speaking in the speaker’s direction isn’t required. Talking to the Ecobee Switch+ isn’t any different than conversing with Amazon’s Echo.

How easy is it to install?

Ecobee provided us with tutorial videos and a small pamphlet of installation diagrams. It’s foolproof, even for people who might be squeamish about exposed wires sticking out of their wall. The first thing you’ll need to do is shut off the electricity and grab a screwdriver. Second, you’ll need to remove your existing switch. Third, using the videos or diagram provided, you connect the new switch. Last, you add the faceplate, and viola! You’re done. It took us about 15 minutes.

Kim Wetzel/Digital Trends

You’ll need to download the Ecobee app. From there, you follow set-up instructions for getting the app to recognize your Switch+. Once set up, you can add the Alexa skill and also set up your preferences. For example, you can set up the switch so that the overhead light automatically turns on when you enter the room, or automatically turns off when it detects no one is near.

The Switch+ looks like a typical push button light switch, but with a small microphone and speaker and tiny on/off button, across the top. You can push the main button to turn on the light or set it to operate automatically when you enter the room. The smaller button turns off the Alexa microphone if you want some privacy.

Does it work as promised?

The Ecobee Switch+ works well as a light switch. We appreciated that we had several ways to control the lighting, whether it be manually pushing the light button, using our voice, or relying on motion sensor control. The motion sensors worked without flaw, quickly turning the light on when we entered the room. We also liked that it detected when we weren’t around and turned the light off. That’s important when kids are running around, leaving lights on.

We would’ve been happy with this switch if it was only that. The fact it’s an Alexa speaker and will soon feature temperature sensor technology gives this little guy an edge over anything else we’ve seen on the market.

Alexa works great on the Ecobee Switch+. She was able to hear and respond to our commands from every corner of the room, and even from the nearest hallway, though no further. We played music, asked her the time, set up an alarm, asked for a flash briefing, and more. Alexa worked about 90 percent of the time without a hitch — the other 10 percent of the time she didn’t hear us due to loud music. The Switch+ has all the capabilities of Alexa, and you can read more about Amazon’s voice assistant in our helpful guide if you need details on what that means.

If you want to play music from the Switch+, expect modest sound quality, as the speaker only measures about an inch in width and a few millimeters in height across the top. However, we were surprised with how loud the tiny device could become. We should note that with most Alexa devices, you can choose between a volume level of one through 10, but the Switch+ only seems to have a volume level of low, medium, and high. But that’s not the point of the Switch+ anyway, though. It’s a switch first, and an Alexa-powered speaker second.

This device can, however, connect to another speaker that works with Alexa via the Alexa Skill.

Warranty information

The Switch+ comes with a one-year warranty.

Our Take

The Ecobee Switch+ combines seemingly random features into a useful device. Excellent app integration and Alexa inclusion puts it a notch above its competitors.

Is there a better alternative?

While there are smart switches out there that feature Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant skills and can be controlled with your voice, none of them work as an Alexa speaker as well as a switch. There’s nothing available right now that rolls a smart switch, motion and temperature detector, and voice assistant speaker into one.

How long will it last?

The quality of the Switch+ is solid. We found both the device and the faceplate were well-designed, with thoughtful detail. The fact that Ecobee has had success in the smart home space with their thermostats, and that they’re known for quality products, makes us think they’re in it for the long haul. We think this device will withstand wear and tear.

Should you buy it?

If you’re in the market for a smart switch and sensor, buy the Ecobee Switch+. You’ll find it’s ease-of-use, built in voice assistant, and practicality make it worth the $100 price tag.