Mixing switches and bulbs is definitely the way to go, especially if you’re trying to balance cost and convenience. I’ve run into the same headache with smart bulbs outside—one goes out, and suddenly you’re hunting for a replacement that matches the rest, or worse, dealing with some weird compatibility issue. Plus, outdoor-rated smart bulbs are still pricier than they should be.
Switches just make more sense for most yard setups. You get to keep your existing fixtures (which is way less wasteful), and you’re not locked into a specific bulb brand or ecosystem. If you ever want to swap out for LEDs or something more efficient down the line, it’s no big deal. The only downside I’ve hit is with multi-way switches—sometimes the wiring gets tricky, but once it’s sorted, it’s set-and-forget.
Labeling switches is a must in my house too... otherwise guests end up turning off the WiFi router instead of the porch light. Not ideal.
Totally get what you mean about the multi-way switches—those can be a pain if your wiring’s older or not labeled right. I’ve had to trace wires through crawlspaces more than once just to get a smart switch working. One thing I’ve noticed: some smart switches don’t play nice with certain LED bulbs, especially dimmable ones. Ever run into flickering or buzzing? Swapping out the bulb usually fixes it, but it’s annoying. Still, I’d rather deal with that than hunt down a matching smart bulb every time one burns out.
Smart Switches in the Yard: My Lessons Learned
Had a similar headache last fall—installed smart switches for my backyard lights, thinking it’d be a breeze. Ended up crawling under the deck twice because I mixed up traveler wires. And yeah, the flickering with certain LEDs drove me nuts until I realized some brands just don’t get along with smart dimmers. Swapping bulbs fixed it, but honestly, I’d rather swap a bulb than rewire a fixture or deal with a finicky app every time. For outdoor stuff, I lean toward switches—less hassle when you’ve got multiple fixtures or want to keep things simple for guests.
Honestly, I’ve run into the same LED flicker issue—some bulbs just refuse to play nice with smart switches. I usually recommend sticking with switches for outdoor setups too, especially if you’ve got guests or family who aren’t into tech. Curious, did you ever try smart bulbs outside, or just stick with switches?
I usually recommend sticking with switches for outdoor setups too, especially if you’ve got guests or family who aren’t into tech.
Ha, yeah—nothing like watching your uncle try to yell at a light bulb to turn it on at a BBQ. I did try smart bulbs outside once, but honestly, the weather didn’t play nice. Ended up with one bulb that glowed like a haunted lantern and another that just… didn’t. Anyone else have luck with those outdoor-rated smart bulbs, or is it just me getting the duds?
