Skip to main content

Smart Home

Smart Home Devices

What is a Smart Relay?

TestA contentrelay is an electrical switch controlled by electricity instead of your finger. A smart relay adds WiFi, Zigbee, or Matter so you can control lights and appliances from your phone, voice assistants, or automations.

Can It Make Dumb Lights Smart?

Yes. You install it behind your existing wall switch or inside the light fixture's junction box. Your existing "dumb" bulb stays the same, but the power to it becomes smart. You keep your wall switch — it still works manually. But now you can also say "Hey Google, turn off the living room lights" or set a timer from bed.

Other Devices That Make a Dumb House Smart

Smart Plugs

Plug into your existing wall outlet, then plug any appliance into it. No wiring needed. Makes lamps, fans, coffee makers smart instantly.

Smart Bulbs

Replace existing bulbs. Can dim, change color, or turn RGB. Downside: if someone flips the wall switch off, they lose power and become "dumb" again. Best paired with a smart relay.

Smart Wall Switches

Replace the physical wall switch plate with a WiFi/Zigbee version. Unlike smart relays (hidden), these replace what you see on the wall.

Smart TRVs / Radiator Thermostats

Replace the manual knob on your radiator. Opens/closes hot water automatically to maintain temperature per room. Schedule heating remotely. About half the price of Homematic IP.

Smart Locks

Replace your door lock. Unlock with phone, PIN, fingerprint, or NFC. Auto-lock when you leave.

Motion / Door / Window Sensors

Battery-powered sensors that trigger automations: turn on lights when you enter a room, alert if a door is left open, detect water leaks.

Smart Blinds / Curtains

Motorized controllers for existing blinds or curtains. Schedule them to close during peak sun and open at sunset.

IR Blasters

Device that sends infrared signals like a TV remote. Makes your "dumb" TV, AC, or fan controllable from your phone or voice.

Smart Garage Controllers

Wires into your existing garage door motor. Open/close/check status from your phone.

Smart Smoke / CO Detectors

Send phone alerts, tell you which room triggered, and self-test.

Smart Water Valve Shutoffs

Clamps onto your main water pipe. Automatically shuts off water if a leak sensor detects water.

Energy Monitors

Track exactly how much power your AC, fridge, or gaming PC uses. Essential where electricity is expensive.

Understanding Smart Relay Models

Both Shelly and SONOFF have dozens of models. They differ across five main dimensions:

1. Protocol: WiFi vs Zigbee vs Matter

WiFiNo hub needed. Works with any router.Uses WiFi bandwidth; can be laggy if router is far. Best for 1–5 relays. ZigbeeFast, local, low power. Creates mesh network.Needs a Zigbee hub (Home Assistant SkyConnect, SONOFF ZBBridge, Echo 4th gen). Best for 10+ devices. MatterNew universal standard. Works with Apple, Google, Home Assistant.Still new. Good for future-proofing. BluetoothVery cheap; no hub.Short range; slow; unreliable. Not recommended for relays.

2. Size: Mini vs Standard

Mini~40mm × 40mm × 20mmFits inside a standard wall box behind the switch. Essential for Philippines where wall boxes are small. Standard~90mm × 40mm × 25mmNeeds more space; usually goes inside the ceiling junction box.

3. Amperage: 10A vs 16A

10ALED lights, ceiling fans, exhaust fansNot for aircons or water heaters 16AMost lights, outlets, small appliancesSafe for window-type ACs (5–10A draw) 25A+Water heaters, pumps, main circuitsHeavy-duty loads

4. Channels: 1-Gang vs 2-Gang vs 4-Gang

1-gangControls 1 light circuitSimple wiring 2-gangControls 2 circuits independentlyFor 2 lights in one switch box 4-gangControls 4 circuitsComplex; usually ceiling box install

5. Special Features

Power MonitoringMeasures real-time wattage and kWh. Essential where electricity is expensive. DimmingControls brightness of compatible dimmable LEDs. Dry ContactSwitches low-voltage signals (doorbells, gate motors) without passing mains power. Roller Shutter ModeControls up/down motors for blinds, curtains, projector screens.

Quick Reference: "If You Need X, Buy Y"

Make 1 light smart, WiFi, no frillsSONOFF MINIR4 or Shelly 1 Mini Make 1 light smart, Zigbee, reliableSONOFF ZBMINIR2 or Shelly Plus 1 (ZB) Control 2 lights from 1 switch boxSONOFF MINI DUO or Shelly 2.5 Monitor how much power an outlet usesShelly 1PM or SONOFF POWR316 Dimmable LED lightsSONOFF MINI-D or Shelly Dimmer 2 Control roller shutters / curtainsShelly 2.5 or SONOFF DUALR3 Trigger a gate motor (dry contact)Shelly 1 or Shelly 1 Mini Heavy load (water heater, pump)Shelly Plus 1 (16A) or SONOFF POW Elite Future-proof, works with everythingSONOFF MINIR4M (Matter)

Philippines-Specific Smart Home Setup

Given small wall boxes, hot weather, expensive electricity, and Type A/B plugs:

Priority 1: Air Conditioner Control

Most Filipino homes use split-type or window-type ACs with IR remotes.

    Smart IR Blaster (Broadlink RM4 Mini, Tuya IR Hub): Control AC from your phone, schedule cooling before you arrive. Smart AC Controllers (Sensibo Air, Tado): More advanced, with built-in temperature/humidity sensors and automatic temperature maintenance.

    Priority 2: Fan / Appliance Automation

    Use Type A/B smart plugs for electric fans, air coolers, and dehumidifiers. No wiring needed.

    Important: Most cheap smart plugs on AliExpress are Type F (Schuko). Make sure you buy Type A/B smart plugs, or use a safe adapter.

    Priority 3: Lighting

    Smart relays behind switches for outdoor lights, gate lights, security lights. Pair with motion sensors.

    Priority 4: Sensors for Tropical Living

    Motion SensorAuto-lights for CR, kitchen, hallways Door/Window SensorAlerts if gates/doors left open; trigger AC off if window opens Water Leak SensorEssential during typhoon season — place under sinks, near drains Humidity SensorTrigger exhaust fans or dehumidifiers when humidity spikes Temperature SensorTrigger fans or AC when room gets too hot

    Priority 5: Security and Gate

      IP Camera facing gate/street Smart doorbell Smart relay for gate motor — open/close automatic gate from phone

      Priority 6: Energy Monitoring

      Electricity in the Philippines is expensive (Meralco rates among highest in Asia).

        Smart plugs with energy monitoring — see exactly how much your AC or gaming PC costs per month Whole-home energy monitors (TONGOU 63A breaker) — track total household usage in real time

        Priority 7: Brownout / Power Outage

          Use relays with power-loss memory — resume last state when power returns Add a UPS to your router + smart home hub so automations still work during brief brownouts Smart sensors can send phone alerts when power goes out (if WiFi is on battery backup)

          Typical "Pinoy Starter" Smart Home Kit

          DevicePurposeEst. Price (AliExpress) Broadlink RM4 Mini or Tuya IR BlasterControl AC, TV, fan remotely~400 – 800 PHP Type A Smart Plugs x3Fan, air cooler, lamp~300 – 600 PHP each Smart Relay x2Gate light, outdoor security light~400 – 700 PHP each Door/Window Sensors x2Gate + main door alerts~200 – 400 PHP each Motion Sensor x2CR + kitchen auto-lights~200 – 400 PHP each Water Leak Sensor x2Under kitchen sink + near drain~200 – 400 PHP each Temperature/Humidity SensorTrigger fans/AC~200 – 400 PHP IP Camera x1Gate/front door~600 – 1,500 PHP

          Total starter budget: roughly 3,000 – 6,000 PHP (about 50 – 100 EUR)

          AliExpress Cheaper Alternatives to Shelly / Homematic IP

          These were found live on AliExpress with good reviews and tens of thousands of sales:

          Alternatives to Shelly (Smart Relays)

          ProductTypeApprox. PriceRatingSold SONOFF ZBMINIR2 Extreme ZigbeeZigbee relay~13 – 26 EUR4.82,100+ SONOFF MINIR4M MatterMatter/WiFi relay~18 – 35 EUR4.81,000+ SONOFF MINI-D WiFiWiFi relay~12 – 23 EUR4.91,100+ GIRIER Tuya ZigBee 3.0 10A relayZigbee 1-4ch module~7 – 13 EUR4.834,000+ Aubess Zigbee switchZigbee wall switch / relay~6 EUR4.73,400+ TONGOU TO-Q-SY1 WiFi 63AWiFi main breaker / switch~13 – 23 EUR4.813,600+

          Alternatives to Homematic IP (Radiator Thermostats / TRVs)

          ProductProtocolApprox. PriceRatingSold MOES ZigBee TRVZigbee 3.0~23 – 31 EUR4.6 – 4.71,800 – 2,600+ MOES Tuya ZigBee TRV (packs)Zigbee 3.0~24 – 31 EUR4.6700+ Generic Tuya ZigBee TRVZigbee 3.0~24 EUR4.580+ Qiumi HY368 Tuya TRVTuya / Zigbee~14 EUR4.024+

          Bottom line: Basic Zigbee or WiFi relays cost roughly 50–70% less than comparable Shelly modules. MOES TRVs are about half the price of Homematic IP with strong reviews.

          Back to top