# Device advice! NEWBIE **URL:** \ **Category:** Projects & Stories\ **Created:** [August 30, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/device-advice-newbie/97352 "2017-08-30T12:09:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![smurfy1989](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7c8e57/32.png) [@smurfy1989](https://community.smartthings.com/u/smurfy1989)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/device-advice-newbie/97352/1 "2017-08-30T12:09:12Z")
Hey Everyone, I’m new to home automation and trying to decide how to begin. The wife isn’t too keen on a solution which she can see (or more importantly others!) so doesnt want seperate plugs etc. What do you recommend for integrate switches (power and lighting?) I’m looking to change out most of the switches etc. and change the thermostat/TRV’s (in the future may also look at blinds etc) Thanks everyone! ---
**Author:** ![rontalley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@rontalley](https://community.smartthings.com/u/rontalley)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2017, 12:20pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/device-advice-newbie/97352/2 "2017-08-30T12:20:46Z")
There are a TON of devices that work with ST. It really all depends on what “look” you are going for in regards to switches. I typically recommend the GE Z-Wave Plus Switches and Dimmers as they run locally, are affordable and pretty much well work great. They also have extra features that come in handy such as double tap which is like getting a free button do assign to other HA task. For motions and contacts, I typically recommend IRIS motions and dimmers. They are fuss free, run local and have solid battery life. I DO NOT RECOMMEND SMART BULBS unless you do not have a means of installing a Smart Switch that typically need a neutral wire in the electrical box to work. Therms, you can go with a simple Honeywell Z-Wave or go all out on something like the Ecobee. Finally, for rules I recommend using webCoRE to cook up your own rules and SmartLighting for quick and simple automations as SmartLighting runs locally. Take you time, do your research and shop wisely in order to avoid buying redundant devices such as temp sensors. One last thing, Amazon Alexa devices ROCK! Control you HA with Voice. Too Cool! Only $50 for a Dot and even cheaper if you find them on sale. ---
**Author:** ![JDRoberts](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/jdroberts/32/56577_2.png) [@JDRoberts](https://community.smartthings.com/u/JDRoberts)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2017, 12:27pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/device-advice-newbie/97352/3 "2017-08-30T12:27:50Z")
Welcome! 🕶 First things first: what country are you in? The Device selection does vary from region to region. If you’re in the US or Canada, you have quite a few choices. The following thread covers US/Canada light switches starting around post 40. ( this is a clickable link) > [@Bulbs, switches and sensors, oh my....what to buy (device class features FAQ)](https://community.smartthings.com/t/bulbs-switches-and-sensors-oh-my-what-to-buy-device-class-features/33955): > > So, I’m pretty new to this internet of things world. Originally bought 2 OSRAM tunable LED bulbs with the Wemo Hub and a WEMO insight switch, now I’ve “upgraded” the hub to the SmartThings hub, and looking at ditching the WEMO insight switch for the SmartThings plug, just so I have have support now and not have to wait or deal with adding custom code to the IDE. I’m on Amazon and etc pretty much every day trying to decide what I want to play around with next, or what’s better, etc. I’m here to see what your opinons/preferences are for plugs bulbs sensors: motion, open/close and temp It’s a confusing world out there…Just for bulbs I’m finding LIFX, WEMO, OSRAM, GE Link, Phillips Hue, Cree. For plugs I’m finding WEMO, SmartThings, Aeon Labs, GE…etc It’s hard to decide which is the way… If you’re in the UK, unfortunately at the present time there are no in wall sockets that work with SmartThings. I suggest you wait until November and revisit the issue, as Lightwave RF is coming out with their generation 2 shortly and it may change the options available. LightwaveRF also has UK light switches, so again, you might want to wait until November. Or you can look at the other alternatives available now by starting in the following thread: > [@VFAQ: Lighting Control Options for UK SmartThings](https://community.smartthings.com/t/vfaq-lighting-control-options-for-uk-smartthings/26252): > > There are many forum discussions of possible lighting control options for the UK. Before we get too theoretical, I just wanted to do a quick recap of the options that are available right now for those in the UK. 1) Choose one of the inside-the-wall micro relays from the official compatibility list and have it installed on the circuit where there is a third wire. Even if there isn’t a third wire in the switchbox itself, there’s still one on the circuit somewhere. It may be at the ceiling fitting, it may be somewhere else in the wall, but it is there. [https://www.smartthings.com/uk/compatible-products](https://www.smartthings.com/uk/compatible-products) If you want to add a new faceplate to create a push button “momentary switch,” you can modify many switches to work with the in wall relay. Plastic button front plates are quite…