GE 3 way Switches are no longer available. What is a good alternative?

[Ckarsanac (Christopher Karsanac)]

On Amazon, the GE z-wave 3 way light switch (which comes with 2 switches) is no longer available. Can I just use 2 of the regular switches for the lights or are “3 way switches” special in some way. I just started switching over my entire house and would hate to have 2 different looking switches. (I am just replacing old/dumb 3 way switches, so the wires are all there in place). Thanks!!

[JDRoberts]

@Ckarsanac

On Amazon, the GE z-wave 3 way light switch (which comes with 2 switches) is no longer available. Can I just use 2 of regular switches to for the lights or are “3 way switches” special in some way. I just started switching over my entire house and would hate to have 2 different looking switches. (I am just replacing old/dumb 3 way switches, so the wires are all there in place). Thanks!!

GE is updating their model line to zwave plus. The new model should be available shortly on Amazon if they aren’t now. You can also buy them from the manufacturer site (the GE zwave switches are made by Jasco).

http://www.ezzwave.com

As far as mixing switches, no, you cannot do that. You have to use an auxiliary switch which was specifically designed to work with the master.

FAQ: Zwave Switches 101 for Noobie (What's an Add-on Switch for and Do You Have to Replace All the Switches in a 3-Way?)

Brand new to Smartthings and trying to get some areas of the house “connected” ASAP. Most of the devices available are intuitive enough to figure out, but one area that seems to be a bit confusing is the on/off light/scene/etc. switchs that are available. I am mainly confused with the 3/4-way options, the add on switches and how these inter-operate with existing switches (if at all). My initial understanding is that I can replace a single pole switch with something like the GE Z-Wave Wireless Lighting Control On/Off Switch, if I want it to be able to dim the lights I need one that supporting dimming. If I have a 3/4 way lighting setup I need to get a zwave/wireless switch that is capable of supporting 3/4 way. However does this mean I can just replace one of the existing switches with…

[jkp]

What about this with the add on switch JD mentioned below…

GE Z-Wave Plus Wireless Smart Lighting Control Smart Switch, On/Off, In-Wall, Includes White & Light Almond Paddles, Works with Amazon Alexa (Hub Required), 14291 - - Amazon.com

[JDRoberts]

The auxiliary switch is the same model whether you have the Z wave classic switches or the new zwave plus switches. Shop around, as prices vary a lot. Home Depot and Lowe’s should both carry these as well as Amazon and other specialty Home automation retailers.

12723 for the rocker

GE Add-On Switch for GE Z-Wave, GE ZigBee and GE Bluetooth Wireless Smart Lighting Controls, NOT A STANDALONE SWITCH, Incl. White & Light Almond Paddles, Works with Amazon Alexa (Hub Required), 12723 - - Amazon.com

12728 for the toggle

GE Add-On Toggle Style Switch for GE Z-Wave, GE ZigBee and GE Bluetooth Wireless Smart Lighting Controls, White, NOT A STANDALONE SWITCH, Works with Amazon Alexa (Hub Required), 12728 - - Amazon.com

The current generation of master switches will start with a 12. The newer model line with Z wave plus will start with a 14.

[Automated_House (Jimmy)]

yeah, they don’t have a combo pack any more. You buy a regular switch and then an add-on switch separately.

[sithlrd (Daniel Milroy)]

I have come to the realization, that with smarthings and amazon echo, the
three way switch really isn’t as useful as pre-home automation. IE: I am
forgoing the three way switches when I upgrade with a HA switch, just
disconnect the wires from the ‘add-on’ switch.

[Ckarsanac (Christopher Karsanac)]

Thank you! Found the newer 14 switches.

[michael2 (Michael)]

I wish it were that simple for all…the WAF goes down way too much when a switch isn’t available on the wall. It gets even worse when family stay with us.