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Having a remote for smart home devices may seem redundant. I always get asked, "Why not just use a regular light switch?" And I respond by saying that smart remotes can do more than just flipping the light switch. A single button on a smart remote can control multiple devices with different settings, like running a bedtime routine or switching on all devices in a room.
The Amazon Basics smart dimmer switch and remote is an Alexa-compatible smart remote that can do almost everything Alexa can, except for answering your questions and creating recipes.
Also: I spent weeks with Alexa on the Echo Show 11, and it was awesome (until I started fact-checking)
Although it retails for $20, I bought it a few days ago for half off, as it's frequently on sale. Setup was a breeze: switching it on prompted a notification from the Amazon Alexa app on my phone to continue setting it up. Following the prompts helped me set up my remote within a minute.
I added the smart dimmer switch to the app and chose actions for each button. Instead of simply turning a light on or off with each one, I added routines to all four buttons. The remote is battery-powered, so you can leave it in one place or carry it around at home.
It also connects to your Echo device and can control the rest of your compatible devices through it. Think of it like giving Alexa a silent prompt without having to speak or pull out your phone.
Also: I switched to this Eufy security camera and can't go back to grainy night vision
I set the first button to run a routine that turns off all the downstairs lights, including the backyard string lights. This is a routine we run each night when we head upstairs, but I like keeping it separate from the lights in my bedroom. Since I may go to bed at different times depending on the day, I also don't like having the routine on a schedule. Instead, I just prompt Alexa each night to run it.
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