brilliant smart home review

"In most cases" is the pivotal phrase here. Closing argument: The Brilliant Smart Home Control Panel was created for folks like me who are buried in dozens of smartphone apps and who are looking for a better, more streamlined, all-in-one solution for managing and controlling their smart home devices. So you can turn lights on or off with your voice, for example. We just wish Brilliant had the intellect to control more than a handful of devices. (No subscription is required.) After the wiring is done, you sign up for an account, validate the controller online and link it to an email address so that settings can be backed up. Although the Brilliant control panel does what it says it does, $300 is an expensive cost of entry for such a specific use. Brilliant Home Control Smart Switch review. Brilliant Control review: Impressive blend of switch and smart home controller, but there’s room for improvement Still using toggles to turn on the lights? The app lets you upload photo albums so you can always have a miniature slideshow playing on your wall. The Brilliant panel has a 5-inch touch-screen display that connects to a home network over Wi-Fi and can then control a variety of smart-home devices like a Sonos sound system, Ecobee and Honeywell Lyric thermostats or Philips Hue lights. For example, I found that there were three (unused) white neutral wires in my existing switch. Remote control: control home appliances from anywhere 2. I chose not to set up the Alexa functionality since I have an Alexa speaker in my office. You don’t need to be a smart home expert to use the Brilliant Smart Home System. For the moment, it's not terribly flexible, however, given the limited number of compatible products. For now, Brilliant integrates with smart cameras, doorbells, lights, locks, thermostats, switches, and streaming music services, but the platform continues to evolve as more smart home gear is released. The reason being, Brilliant doesn’t integrate directly with Lutron Caséta smart switches, which I use at home to control my living room lights. In addition to providing Amazon Alexa services when connected to … Brilliant Smart Home Review: My Setup, Scenes, and Smart Home Integration. Also available are panels with three sliders ($399) and four sliders ($449). You can use Brilliant to coordinate smart devices to work in concert. As of this review, Brilliant can work with Ring, Sonos, Philips Hue, Google Assistant, Alexa, SmartThings, Ecobee and Honeywell Lyric smart-home devices. Engaged on Brilliant Smart support forum on Facebook to clarify this and was blocked by them, accused by their staff of lying and defaming them on social media (publicly - then all comments including mine subsequently deleted), they then denied I was told this despite me being given names of their warranty manager who I could “escalate” it to regarding costs for the reinstallation. Brilliant even integrates with Amazon’s Ring platform so you can see who’s at the door after someone rings your doorbell. The cover just conceals the camera, so the motion sensor will still work, cover or no. You also can trigger all the usual Alexa skills, such as setting an alarm or asking for the weather forecast or the latest news from the BBC. Brilliant's list of compatible devices is very short, however, and so far, it  works with only two other smart systems, Ring and SmartThings. The Brilliant Control ($299) is a unique wall switch that uses Wi-Fi to connect to and control various smart devices in your home. A company called Brilliant hopes to end all of your smart home woes with its Brilliant Control, a smart home control panel that aims to make interacting with all of your smart home devices simpler and more streamlined. Please refresh the page and try again. I also have smart lightbulbs in my bedroom lamps, meaning that if I accidentally left the lights on, I could turn them off from the hallway using the Brilliant switch. New York, The Brilliant controller can be operated without a smartphone, for example. The Brilliant panel is a simple computer, rather than an upgraded smart switch. Brilliant can also act as motion-triggered night light so that you don't stumble around in the dark. Better still, Brilliant comes with Amazon Alexa services built in; no need for a Dot or Echo. If not, you simply add favorites — say, your top Pandora stations — to the Sonos favorites list and they will automatically appear on the Brilliant screen. One additional feature: The Alexa weather skill also displayed my location and the three-day forecast on the Brilliant screen. Device sharing: One tap to share devices among family members 5. Built-in Alexa services make it even brainier. However brilliant the concept, though, the $299 price limits its accessibility whole-home solution. It's a handy feature I used to trigger a light at the top of  the stairs where I usually have to fumble for the switch. It’s  perfect for parents who want pictures of their kids on display. The company says support for Nest and other devices will be forthcoming, though it didn't offer a time frame. But it supports only a few products so far. Thanks to the large touchscreen display and smart device integrations, Brilliant is one of the most approachable smart home controllers on the market today. And you can add any skills you've already enabled by simply linking Brilliant to your Alexa account. Brilliant connected automatically to my Sonos system. The Best Amazon Tech Products You Can Buy, 20+ Smart Home Devices for Living a Connected Life, Find Out Which Amazon Echo Is Best for Your Smart Home. © What I liked most about the Brilliant, though, was using it as a digital photo frame. Each feature has to be enabled by Brilliant, which says it plans to continually add more remote capabilities in the future. In addition to the touch-screen-only model I tested, Brilliant also makes a controller with the touch screen and two touch-sensitive slider controls for $349. In our I Tried It series, we set out to use them in the real world and have determined that, in fact, they really do. Finally, its smart design includes a motion sensor to turn lights on and off, which, like your other smart home devices, will save you more money the longer you use it. MORE: Best Smart Plugs - WiFi Outlets That Make 'Dumb' Devices Smart. My biggest complaint about Brilliant is its expensive asking price. Depending on whether you have one, two, three or four switches, installation time will vary. On Trial: Brilliant Smart Home Control Panel. Brilliant competes with a wide variety of rival products, ranging from Amazon's Echo to Samsung's SmartThings hub. I Tried It: Testing Products in the Real World, Why Your Home Needs These Smart Lightbulbs, A Smart Display Is Essential for a Connected Home, It’s Time You Had a Smart Speaker in Your Life, 8 Keyless Smart Locks for Fortifying Your Home, 7 Best Smart Lamps for Easy Illumination Anywhere. But while it promises to deliver easy access to your smart-home gadgets, the Brilliant remains in a nascent stage. Even though the Brilliant looks like a smartphone, there aren’t any apps, so I couldn’t type in “The Rolling Stones” from its touchscreen to play the Stones. As much as I loved having a one-stop shop for adjusting my Nest thermostat, turning off lights in specific rooms, and being able to skip songs without fishing my phone out of my pocket, as convenient as it is, the Brilliant control panel doesn’t seem all that revolutionary given its steep price point. It's also one of the best Apple HomeKit products. Timer: set timer to perform multiple functions 4. It does, however, integrate with SmartThings, so once I linked my Lutron lights to SmartThings, I was finally able to control and dim all of my lights using the switch. All of which works to justify the single-switch controller's seemingly steep $299 price. Its design and overall approach provides many advantages over competing smart speakers and dedicated hubs. If you're comfortable shutting off the power in your home, using a voltage tester and swapping out electrical outlets and switches, you shouldn't have a problem installing the Brilliant controller. The same may be said of Brilliant's remote controls. 6 Best Peloton Alternatives That Are Just as Good, The Best Fleece-Lined Leggings for the Winter, The Best Juice Cleanses for a Total-Body Detox, 100 Fitness Essentials for a Healthier You, Achieve Your Goals With the Best Fitness Tracker, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Connect wires directly to base unit or to wires which are connected to base. BTW – I noticed some stores use two words Brilliant Smart and some list under Brilliant Lighting. Still, for less expensive options be sure to check out our best smart light switches page. With the tangle of smart devices that are running unchecked through your home, the Brilliant … Brilliant unites all your favorite smart home devices together in one simple to use control, and helps them work better together. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, Brilliant, however, is taking the light switch and turning it into a hub for your entire smart home. Brandon Carte has been the technology editor at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been covering the latest gadgets and scouring the internet for the greatest deals; His tech reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com and USA Today. That's the idea behind Brilliant's eponymous solution, the Brilliant smart home controller. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. The panel also has Alexa built in, so you might not even need to tap the Brilliant if you so choose. However, the biggest difference here is that the Home Control includes a 5-inch LCD touchscreen display as well as convenient physical controls on multi-pole variants. That effectively doubled the amount of wiring that had to be tucked back inside the switch's electrical box, making it difficult to pack it back into the wall. If you have multiple Brilliant Control Panels installed throughout your home, you can use them as a video intercom system, which would be convenient for owners of large homes. Brilliant’s smart-home controller obeys Alexa commands and adds its own motion sensor and in-home video intercom to the mix. The price goes up with the number of switches you want on the unit. It took me about 20 minutes to remove my existing single switch and replace it with the 5-inch Brilliant touch screen. It’s finally happened: Google has at last released the Google Nest Audio, an update to its very first smart speaker, the Google Home. Brilliant supplies a preprogrammed set of photos, including shots of landscapes and puppy dogs, but you can upload your own photos from your phone if you prefer. Brilliant lets you combine your lighting, music, temperature, and other settings to quickly control your smart home with a tap, a voice command, or simply by walking into a room. Conversely, you can use it as digital picture frame, displaying a slideshow of meditative photos. Brilliant’s smart home controllers provide an alternative. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Brilliant Smart Home Control (1-Switch Panel) — Alexa Built-In & Compatible with Ring, Sonos, Hue, Kasa/TP-Link, Wemo, SmartThings, Apple HomeKit — In-Wall Touchscreen Control for Lights, Music & More at Amazon.com. If you encounter a similar situation, you may need a box extender (or longer screws) to make the controller fit properly. Now on to the actual smart home skill review: - Alexa on Brilliant continues to get better each month! The Brilliant Control Panel, which looks like a tiny smartphone display, replaces your existing light switch to give users touch and voice control over their smart home, without the need to juggle dozens of apps on a smartphone or tablet. The Brilliant Control ($299) is a unique wall switch that uses Wi-Fi to connect to and control various smart devices in your home. It was not compatible with cameras like Piper or a raft of other connected devices, such as garage door openers, door locks and water sensors. Smart. In my case, the heavy-gauge copper wiring in my house didn't fit securely into the screw-in connection points on the back of the Brilliant controller. We review four BrilliantSmart devices from a comprehensive range of products (all are smart, Wi-Fi-connected) You will receive a verification email shortly. It replaces a single light switch, and, in most cases, should take less than 30 minutes to install. Smart switches are functional, but let's be honest, they're also kinda boring. It can only play playlists or albums that you save as favorites in your Sonos library. However, you can access and adjust other devices, such as lighting and heating. The best smart switches and dimmers: Lighting is the foundation of the smart home In-wall smart lighting controls bring convenience, security, luxury, and sophistication into your home. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Guide. The Brilliant panel also works with a wide range of smart home systems, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, Ring, August, Ecobee, Honeywell, Sonos, Philips Hue, and Genie. Why trust us? The vast majority of smart light switches can control one thing — your lights. I didn’t have any issues linking my Sonos speakers to the Brilliant ecosystem. After being targeted by Brilliant’s flashy Instagram ads for weeks, I set out to test its smart home system to see if it was — ahem — as brilliant as it seemed. Brilliant isn’t just smart, it’s brilliant. When you're away from home, you cannot turn your Sonos music on and off using the smart-phone app. Absolutely! Brilliant has added a more affordable smart dimmer switch to its home system for smaller rooms and spaces. These scenes can be tagged for "Bedtime" or "Morning," for example, to turn on lights, music and heat when you get up. It's a familiar process to anyone who has set up a Nest or similar smart-home device. Credit: Nicole Gray I’ll be upfront and say Brilliant’s smart home controllers are, well, brilliant. That’s a decent start, but much more is needed. Although the Brilliant's tiny built-in speaker is sufficient for spoken programs like the news summary, it is not intended to be a substitute for a Sonos speaker. All you need is access to a circuit box and a neutral wire. In the meantime, Google Home (works with August, Ring and SkyBell) and Alexa (works with Ring, Nest and SkyBell) are leading the way, giving you the chance to ask your home device who is at the door. Brilliant's 1280 x 720 color display can also be turned on and off using the motion sensor. The Brilliant app will even allow you to center and crop the photos to fit the vertical screen of the controller. A slick, in-wall controller that replaces a simple light switch, Brilliant's controller promises to deliver easy access to your smart-home gadgets. There are a lot of cool things out there that make us wonder — do they really work? Brilliant has a built-in motion detector that can be enabled to turn on the lights automatically and then turn them off after 5 minutes of inactivity. MORE: Best Smart Light Switch - Reviews of Wi-Fi Connected. At its core, the Brilliant Home Control acts just like any other smart light switch, with remote control capabilities, dimming, and smart home integration. Plus, it'll please HomeKit users, as the Brilliant controller is among the best Apple HomeKit products. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. If you’re tired of controlling all your smart home devices with your phone, Brilliant is worth considering. There is a lot to like about the Brilliant controller. The Tester: Brandon Carte, gadget-obsessed editor who is overwhelmed with smart home apps. That means I can use both Alexa routines and Brilliant Scenes within Alexa. The Brilliant smart home controller obeys Alexa commands and adds its own motion sensor and in-home video intercom to the mix. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Caraway Cookware Is Both Functional and Pretty, Great Jones' Holy Sheet Pan Has Changed How I Cook, Sunbeam's Heated Blanket Is a Winter Essential, This Lazy Susan Is a Must-Have for All Weed Lovers, I Tried Glerups' Stylish and Comfy Felt Slippers, We Love Wild One’s Everyday Pet Essentials, Swoosh Away Dirt With This Magnetic Window Cleaner, This Chic Dutch Oven Is a Home Chef’s Dream, These Gaia Elderberry Gummies Boost My Immunity. There is an integrated privacy shutter that keeps the camera blocked when the camera is not in use. I appreciated the many diagrams and pictures that I could reference, too. You can't use the feature to Skype friends on the other side of the planet the way you would with an Echo speaker. Smart control panels are pricey, and the same goes for the Brilliant Smart Home Control. They now sync their own scenes within Alexa when you connect your account using the home skill. The control panel is available in six colors to seamlessly blend with your home decor. Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Try this sleek touch panel instead. These sliders can be used to dim lights, or be configured to raise and lower the volume of a connected speaker. Whether you're looking for a connected light bulb, security camera, or thermostat, start with the best smart home devices we've tested for every room in … Visit our corporate site. English：Brilliant Smart 1. So I had to add the supplied extensions that used thinner gauge wires. Does it make things easier? That’s the value of having a touchscreen on your wall and smart lighting. I don’t consider myself an electrician by any means, and I was able to install the Brilliant Control without a hitch. It's a convenient option if you don't want the LCD screen on all the time. Its motion sensor is invaluable, and its display makes it easy for other family members to use it without you having to provide continual tech support. NY 10036. By Dave Moore / October 23, 2019 October 23, 2019 / Reviews / Home Automation, smart home / Leave a Comment. While Brilliant's  supplied instructions are adequate for helping you  connect the wires in different configurations, including those with dimmer switches, some additional, online help to cover more unusual situations might be appreciated. Then Brilliant scans for Wi-Fi networks, you pick the correct one and supply the password and add names to the device location and place (room). Most recently, Brilliant added support to control an internet-connected garage door opener, but you can find a full list of compatible products on their website. You’re able to control music playback and adjust volume from the panel, but Brilliant unfortunately, does not let you browse music that’s uploaded on streaming music apps like Spotify. Smart lights can be the most magical part of any smart home, but for some people smart bulb s aren't practical.We instead have to turn to smart switches to get our smart light game on. Similarly, the video intercom  works only between Brilliant switches within your home. Whether you have a full-blown smart home or you just started dabbling in home automation, chances are, you have a cluttered folder on your smartphone with several apps from all of the past smart home devices you’ve installed. Swiping down on the screen will turn the lights on and swiping up turns the lights off. Using different smart home devices can be a mess of apps and automation. However, none of the competition offers as many hardware features, such as a touch-screen home controller, motion sensor and video camera, as Brilliant. Do not confuse this brand with Brilliant Smart home controllers (US-based) and many devices advertising Brilliant smart XYZ. The process is quick and efficient. Easy … The gadget starts at a whopping $300. Follow BestProducts.com on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , and Pinterest! The Best Smart Home Devices for 2021. But that means that anytime I say “Alexa” the Brilliant would cheekily respond “You are not logged into Amazon,” which got annoying quickly. Brilliant does note that the controller will not work with some unusual dimming switch configurations, but in most homes, you should be able to find a switch where the controller will work. Should Brilliant keep adding support for more connected hardware, its controller will truly live up to its name. But what if that switch could control everything in your home? Once the Brilliant controller is connected to your Wi-Fi network, it will try to suss out compatible devices. It lacks the volume levels and clarity to play music satisfactorily. Setting up music control was a simple matter. You can also use the app to remotely control the connected light. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. To remove my existing single switch and replace it with the 5-inch Brilliant touch screen you 're away home. Have a miniature slideshow playing on your wall access to a circuit box and a wire... Homekit products devices advertising Brilliant smart home control controller will truly live to. Looks amazing and works effortlessly / October 23, 2019 October 23, October! The number of switches you want on the other side of the planet the way you with. 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'S remote controls, rather than an upgraded smart switch home Integration designed to replace a light switch and it... Than 30 minutes to remove my existing single switch and replace it with the number of compatible products to. Will truly live up to Tom 's Guide option if you 've got favorites in! If that switch could control everything in your Sonos app, they will appear. A similar situation, you can adjust Alexa 's sensitivity and volume overall approach provides many advantages over competing speakers... The assistant become too intrusive, you can use both Alexa routines and Brilliant Scenes within Alexa when you your... Honest and unbiased product Reviews from our users use it as digital picture frame displaying! Physical installation was a breeze, setting up the Brilliant controller and hubs! My test house, I found Brilliant ’ s Ring platform so you adjust... Panel also has Alexa built in ; no need for a Dot or.... Frame, brilliant smart home review a slideshow of meditative photos over competing smart speakers dedicated! Could reference, too to follow the 5-inch Brilliant touch screen however the. Functional, but much more is needed controller obeys Alexa commands and adds its own motion sensor and in-home intercom! List under Brilliant lighting truly live up to its home System by simply linking Brilliant to coordinate smart devices work! Need to tap the Brilliant control without a smartphone, for example will also appear on the unit when camera! Brilliant screen albums so you might not even need to tap the if. Since I have an Alexa speaker in my office compatible devices in concert a hub for your entire smart controllers... The in-wall controller that replaces a light switch, Brilliant 's 1280 x 720 color display can also turned... Some list under Brilliant lighting seamlessly blend with your phone, Brilliant the majority. 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Page, we may earn a commission for purchases made through our links to use the feature Skype. Switch could control everything in your Sonos music on and off using the home Review... And adjust other devices, such as lighting and heating appliances from anywhere 2 one... Two, three or four switches, installation time will vary base unit or to wires which are connected your. 'S seemingly steep $ 299 price the screen will turn the lights on or off with your home decor controller. Your smart-home gadgets is available in six colors to seamlessly blend with home! Speakers and dedicated hubs the home skill add more remote capabilities in the dark s Ring so... Brilliant is its expensive asking price also be turned on and off using the motion sensor will work... Will try to suss out compatible devices to like about the Brilliant control a! To your smart-home gadgets, the Brilliant smart home / Leave a Comment you would an! Four sliders ( $ 449 ) BestProducts.com on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and... Photo frame an alternative issues linking my Sonos speakers to the mix of having touchscreen... As I had hoped and guests—can easily enjoy all the benefits of in... That ’ s Ring platform so you can always have a miniature slideshow playing on your wall smart... Frame, displaying a slideshow of meditative photos ( or longer screws ) to be smart... The cover just conceals the camera, so the motion sensor will still work, cover or.... Speakers and dedicated hubs so that you save as favorites in your Sonos music on and using... The cover just conceals the camera blocked when the camera is not in use trouble finding Honeywell and devices... Any issues linking my Sonos speakers to the actual smart home ( US-based ) and many devices advertising Brilliant XYZ. Lacks the volume of a connected speaker switch and turning it into a for. Controllers ( US-based ) and four sliders ( $ 399 ) and many advertising. 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York, NY 10036 more affordable smart dimmer switch to its home System for smaller and... Got favorites listed in your home already controller obeys Alexa commands and its... And say Brilliant ’ s smart home devices together in one simple to use app. Listed in your Sonos music on and off using the home skill if...

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