Lutron Caseta Starter Kits: Dimmers vs Switches

Best for
Paddle-style dimming with the hub included

The Lutron Caseta Diva Smart Dimmer Starter kit is the one to pick if you like the look of a traditional paddle switch. According to the listing, it bundles a Diva smart dimmer, the Lutron Smart Hub and a Pico remote, and the dimmer uses the classic Diva paddle design rather than the push-button face of the original Caseta dimmer. The spec sheet lists an ON-DIM-OFF operation mode and a paddle actuator, which is exactly what you want for a room where guests will reach for the wall and expect it to behave like a normal switch.

For a home theater, the Pico is the useful part: you can keep it on a side table next to the controller and dim the room without getting up. The listing says the Pico can also be mounted flush on a wall, over a junction box, or in a j-box with a Pico adapter kit. The description mentions LED+ advanced dimming technology and says the dimmer can work as a 3-way setup with a Pico or Claro accessory switches. If you want a deeper look at dimming options across the range, our guide to the Lutron smart dimmer lineup covers more models.

• Hub works without Wi-Fi, per the listing
• Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home and Ring
• No neutral wire required, installs in about 15 minutes
• Scenes, schedules, geofencing, smart-away and timers in the Lutron app

Best for
Hub owners adding patio or porch switching

Best for
Adding a dimmer to an existing hub

The Lutron Caseta 3-Way Smart Dimmer Kit is an expansion kit. The title lists an LED dimmer, a wireless remote and a bracket, and the features repeatedly say “Lutron Hub required” for app control and voice assistants. The hub is not named in the kit contents, so plan on this for a home that already has one. Note that the description also calls the tabletop pedestal and wall plate bracket “sold separately”, while the title lists a bracket, so check the box contents on the listing before you order.

There is another inconsistency worth flagging: the spec sheet gives the operation mode as ON-OFF, yet the product is sold and described as a dimmer with automated light adjustment for movie night lighting. We would trust the product title and features here, but the listing does not settle it cleanly. For a gamer who already runs Caseta in the living room, this is the simplest way to put the stairwell or the game room on the same scenes, since the Pico fits a standard wallplate and the dimmer needs no neutral wire.

• Caseta original push-button design
• No neutral wire required
• Pico fits in a standard wallplate
• One dimmer can control multiple fixtures with existing bulbs

Best for
On-off control for fans and porch lights

Best for
Dimming two rooms from day one

The Lutron Caseta Deluxe Smart Dimmer Starter kit doubles the hardware: two smart dimmers, the hub and Pico remotes, per the listing title and description. That makes it the most complete Lutron Caseta deluxe kit for dimming, and it suits a buyer who wants the theater room and one more space, such as the hallway leading to it, working together from the start.

The listing states flicker-free dimming of 150W of dimmable LEDs to low light levels, which is the spec that matters when you want a projector room dark but not pitch black. It also mentions automatic adjustment for spring and fall time changes and personalized schedules. If you only need one room, the single-dimmer Smart Dimmer Starter Kit below covers the same ground with less hardware.

• Two dimmers in one box
• Flicker-free dimming of 150W dimmable LEDs
• Voice control through Alexa and Siri, per the description
• No neutral wire required

Best for
One home theater dimming setup

The Lutron Caseta Smart Dimmer Starter Kit is the straightforward Lutron Caseta starter kit: one original-style dimmer, a Pico remote, a bracket and the Caseta Smart Hub. For a single dedicated media room, that is all the hardware you need to set a “movie” scene, a “gaming” scene and an “all on” scene, then trigger them from the Pico or your voice assistant.

The feature list says the Pico can create a wireless switch or a 3-way smart switch controlled from up to 10 locations, and that the hub connects with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Ring and Sonos. It shares the same flicker-free 150W LED dimming claim as the Deluxe kit. One oddity: the spec sheet lists the switch type as push button and the operation mode as ON-OFF, which undersells what the rest of the listing describes as a dimmer. Choose the Deluxe version instead if you know you will want a second dimmer soon.

• Hub, dimmer, Pico and bracket
• Pico control from up to 10 locations
• Sonos integration listed through the hub
• In-wall mounting per spec sheet

The Lutron Caseta Deluxe Smart Switch Kit is the switch counterpart to the Deluxe dimmer kit, and it is the one to buy when dimming is not the goal. The listing includes two switches, the hub, a remote and a wallplate. These are on-off switches, so they suit porch lights, bathroom fans or any load you only want to turn on and off on a schedule.

The big difference from every dimmer in this article: the listing says a neutral wire is required. Older homes often lack one in the switch box, so check before buying. In exchange, the spec sheet lists a 5 A current rating versus 1.25 A on the dimmers. The description leans on outdoor use, such as porch lights that turn on at dusk and geofencing that shuts lights off when you leave. If your plan also involves automatic room lighting, see our notes on the Lutron occupancy sensor switch as a companion option.

• Two switches plus hub and wallplate
• 5 A current rating
• Pico can build 3-way setups with up to 10 devices
• Neutral wire required

The Lutron Caseta 3-Way Smart Switch Kit is the switch-side add-on. The listing spells out the contents clearly: one Caseta smart switch (on-off only), one remote (on-off only), a wall plate adapter and a white wall plate. It also states that the Caseta Smart Hub is required for schedules, geofencing and smart home connections, and the hub is not in the box.

The technical details are the most complete in this group: up to 600W incandescent, halogen, ELC or MLV, 5 A of LED or CFL, or 3 A of ceiling or exhaust fans, with a neutral wire required. That makes it a solid pick for a patio, deck or a game room exhaust fan. The spec sheet lists “Countdown Timer” as the operation mode, which does not match the on-off description, so treat that field with caution. If you want to dim, look at the 3-Way Smart Dimmer Kit instead.