Product Review: The Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch

Bringing smart technology into the home is all about convenience and simplicity, so why do many product makers miss the mark?

That is a debate for another day, but facts are facts – smart technology can be disconcertingly difficult to get to grips with. Something that rings true with most smart lighting systems, which have a tendency to share the same issues:

  • They are difficult and expensive to install in the first place
  • You need a neutral wire in your home to run them
  • The resulting user experience isn’t at what you’d call ‘friendly’

Hence, it is easy to see why some choose to give the whole thing a miss. After all, where is the sense in making things more complicated than they already are?

A fair question, but the truth of the matter is that smart home automation does not have to be complicated. A point Evvr set out to prove with its all-new In-Wall Relay Switch, which they claim turns the tide on overly-convoluted smart lighting controllers.

The question is – does the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch deliver on its promise?  If so, what can you realistically expect from a smart light switch that retails for just $42.00?

What is the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch?

Like most of its closest comparable counterparts, the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch is designed to bring smart lighting control and automation into the modern home. But what makes Evvr’s IRS different is its near-comprehensive compatibility with almost all types of properties.

Billed as “the most compatible no-neutral smart relay switch” on the market, Evvr’s is designed to operate independently of a neutral wire. If you’re not familiar with what this means, most homes built before the mid-1980s do not feature a neutral wire in their electrical setup.

As a result, millions of older homes are entirely incompatible with most smart lighting systems. Shy of having a neutral wire installed – a costly and disruptive process – anything that needs a neutral wire to run is not going to work.

This instantly gives the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch a major edge, as it can be installed in almost any home or business property of any age. With no neutral wire needed, the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch can be installed as quickly and easily as swapping out any conventional light switch.

It is a two-piece kit (a switch and a relay) which translates to a two-part installation process, but it’s a small price to pay for something you at least know is compatible with your home.

What Does the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch Do?

Once installed – which may or may not call for the services of an electrician – the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch brings full smart lighting control and automation into the home. Importantly, Evvr’s IRS (unlike some) has been designed to work with properties’ existing light bulbs and switches.

What this means is that you do not have to upgrade any of your existing components or hardware, helping keep costs to the bare minimum. The Evvr IRS is compatible with most types of bulbs – Incandescent, Halogen, Fluorescent, and LEDs – and works with all types of switch panels: momentary push button (rebound switch), toggle switch (rocker switch) etc.

The IRS is therefore the only thing you need to buy to upgrade to smart lighting at home.

After which, you can connect your Evvr IRS with just about any iOS device, to interact with its various features and functions. The IRS is HomeKit-enabled, which means you do not need to set up a bridge or hub to connect to it. There’s the option of using your HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV as a home hub (or using Amazon Alexa, SmartThings or Google Assistant), but the easier option is to use your preferred iOS device.

The Evvr App provides access to a long list of features – some hugely practical, others more for entertainment purposes.  You can set up your preferred scenes to activate at a touch, you can set up real-time notifications to alert you when something unusual happens, and you can share control of your lighting system with your family and more.

There is even the option of using voice commands to interact with your lights.  For example, you could say “Siri, turn off all the lights upstairs” or “Siri, activate movie night theme” and the system will do just that.

Broad Compatibility with Other Smart Devices

Best of all, the fun with the Evvr IRS does not stop with lighting automation. The system has been designed for quick and easy integration with an extensive range of Zigbee 3.0 and Z-Wave hubs, and other Apple devices.

This means that with your Evvr IRS up and running, you can branch out into other areas of smart home automation; Smart thermostats, smart doorbells, smart security devices, smart kitchen appliances – just a few of the endless options to explore, with the added bonus of no requirement for a neutral wire, extending the compatibility of this In-Wall Relay Switch to most homes and businesses.

Final Verdict – Is the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch Worth Buying?

Without beating around the bush, the Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch is an absolute steal at $42.00. It is by far one of the simplest entry points to the world of smart home automation, which sidesteps the risk of compatibility issues almost entirely.

Easy to install, fun to play with and packed with features, it is hard to see how you could expect more from a $42.00 smart light switch.

Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch Pros:

  • Easy to set up and activate
  • Does not need a neutral wire to operate
  • Suitable for almost any type of property
  • Apple HomeKit enabled (no bridge or hub needed)
  • Intuitive and user-friendly app
  • Supports voice commands from several popular hubs
  • Compatible with countless Zigbee 3.0 and Z-Wave devices
  • Outstanding value for money at $42.00

Evvr In-Wall Relay Switch Cons:

  • Two-piece system requires two-part installation process

Final Score = 4.5 out of 5

For more information, head over to evvr.io or the In-Wall Relay Switch product page.

Craig Upton
 

Craig Upton supports UK businesses by increasing sales growth using various revenue streams online. Creating strategic partnerships and keen focus to detail, Craig equips websites with the right tools to increase traffic. Craig is also the CEO of iCONQUER, a UK based SEO agency and has been working in the digital marketing arena for over a decade. A trusted SEO consultant and trainer, Craig has worked with British brands such as FT.com, DJKit, UK Property Finance, Serimax, Bridging Finance and has also supported UK doctors, solicitors, builders, jewellers, to mention a few, to gain more exposure online. Craig has gained a wealth of knowledge within the digital marketing space and is committed to creating new opportunities working with UK companies.