# Remote 3-way light switch that looks like a normal light switch? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 20, 2020, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-3-way-light-switch-that-looks-like-a-normal-light-switch/915795 "2020-07-20T04:19:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-3-way-light-switch-that-looks-like-a-normal-light-switch/915795/1 "2020-07-20T04:19:19Z")
The light switch in one of our bathrooms is in a really dumb place. There are two doors to the bathroom, but the switch isn’t near the one that most people use, and while you can reach it from the other door, it’s _around the corner_, so unless you know it’s there, you wouldn’t find it. Rewiring would be expensive. But I just learned about wireless 3-way switches. Basically, you replace a switch with a special switch that’s also a radio receiver and then you can add a new switch anywhere because it’s just a little transmitter that runs off a button battery. Change the battery every few years and good enough. But they all look… weird. Like, here’s [one that Amazon seems to think is good.](https://www.amazon.com/SK-8-Wireless-Anywhere-Lighting-Control/dp/B0052ROEB2/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=wireless+3-way+switch&qid=1595218490&sr=8-5) The remote switch looks like a normal switch. The main receiver switch looks… weird. Is there one where they both just look like normal light switches? Note that I want a dumb radio-controlled thing, not a “smart” device. I don’t really care if it has smart features as long as it will work if I don’t let it on my wifi network. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-3-way-light-switch-that-looks-like-a-normal-light-switch/915795/2 "2020-07-20T16:18:16Z")
Something like [this remote](https://www.smarthome.com/collections/smart-lighting-remote-controls/products/insteon-2342-242-mini-remote-switch) controlling [this dimmer](https://www.smarthome.com/collections/smart-switches/products/switchlinc-dimmer-insteon-2477d-remote-control-dimmer-dual-band-white)? They are “smart” devices, but do not use wifi. Note that they don’t come “paired” out of the box - there is some work to be done after installation (from the devices themselves, no computer needed). ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2020, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-3-way-light-switch-that-looks-like-a-normal-light-switch/915795/3 "2020-07-20T16:44:49Z")
Yes! Thank you. I knew it must exist. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-3-way-light-switch-that-looks-like-a-normal-light-switch/915795/4 "2020-07-30T14:40:17Z")
Some sort of motion detector switch might be an option as well. The one I have installed in my basement will turn on even as you approach the door (around the corner) and you can adjust the time it stays on to make sure it is on long enough for the typical bathroom visit. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remote-3-way-light-switch-that-looks-like-a-normal-light-switch/915795/5 "2020-08-04T17:57:36Z")
That is an option but not one I want to use.