Single pole switches are the most basic types of switches available and probably the most used ones.
If you need a switch for controlling a single circuit from a single location, you could easily go for a single-pole switch.
However, even after deciding to buy a single-pole switch, it’s not easy to choose the best one for yourself since there are hundreds of them available in the market.
In this article, however, I will help you through that process by dropping the top 10 picks for the best single pole switch so you can find the most suitable one for yourself in the least time possible.
Moreover, I’ll be dropping a buyer’s guide at the end, which will help you decide amongst the top products. Make sure you give it a read, too, if you’re a beginner.
Top 10 Single Pole Switch Reviews
I have gone through some of the best and most highly rated switches available in the market, and after comparing them to one another, here are the top 10 picks, in my opinion.
I will also mention the pros and cons of each product so it may become easier for you to choose.
1. Pass & Seymour TM870WCP6 Switch
Looking to upgrade your switches concerning style? Well, look no further.
Even though this switch comes in packs of 10, no compromises are made on the quality or the looks. It can easily upgrade any switch, no matter how old it is.
While it can also match other wall plates, it specifically matches the plates and devices manufactured by Legrand. The paddle action is smooth and feels premium.
When it comes to the build quality, it’s nylon plus thermoplastic build, so there should be no doubts about it lasting long.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very stylish looks
- Durable construction
- Smooth operation
- Easy to install
Cons
- Can get similar quality in a cheaper price tag
- Not as quiet as advertised
2. GE Grounding Paddle Rocker Switch
This is a great rocker-style single pole switch form GE. It’s very easy to use a beginner-friendly device with all the instructions one needs to get going.
Even if you have never installed a switch before, you won’t face any difficulty with this one. Available in white and light almond, it sits well with almost all kinds of wall-plates.
The terminal screws need 12 AWG copper or lower, while the pressure lock requires 14 AWG solid copper wire only.
Lastly, the copper build is durable, and I didn’t face any durability issues with it.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Compliments most wall plates
- High value for money
Cons
- Loud
3. Leviton 5601-2WM Single Pole Switch
Leviton is a very known brand when it comes to electrical appliances such as switches.
This single-pole switch by Leviton is a great value for money product that comes in white color. It sits well with most designs in your room unless the theme is dark.
The style is a rocker, and the motor capacity is 80% of the switch capacity. The terminal screws are accepted up to 12 AGW, while the terminals accept 14 AWG copper wire only.
Lastly, the switch is completely dust-resistant, which is my favorite thing about them.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Dust resistant
- High value for money
- Full-rated current capacity
- Sturdy build
Cons
- The packaging isn’t great
- Only available in whit
4. ENERLITES Decorator Light Switch
This single-pole rocker style switch is a bit more expensive choice than the other products we have seen before, but it justifies the price it comes at as well.
The partial metal construction is great when we see it in the long term, and the few plastic parts are also not so bad and do the job just fine.
The design of the overall body is quite shallow and easily fits most junction boxes out there.
While you can use the switch with any wall plates, it is recommended to use them with ENERLITES wall plates for the best matching and appearance.
Lastly, the package comes with all the wiring instructions you would need, so no need to worry about that.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Impact-resistant
- It easily fits standard junction boxes
- Easy to install
Cons
- It doesn’t suit with all the wall plates
5. Leviton 1451-2WM Single-Pole Switch
This is one of the most inexpensive devices by Leviton you will ever see. However, don’t be tricked by the price tag because the performance doesn’t go too bad.
It comes with a fast installation since there’s a good combination of side and quick push-in wiring.
So, even if you’ve never wired switches before, it won’t take you long, and you certainly wouldn’t need to call an electrician to help.
Moreover, the material is thermoplastic, which helps in impact resistance, and the frame doesn’t crack easily.
The wall plate doesn’t come in the package, and if you need that as well, you will have to buy it separately.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Very easy and quick to install
- Impact-resistant and durable material
Cons
- Not so sheer
- Feel a bit squishy
6. Legrand 660WSLGCC10 Single Pole Switch
If you’re looking for something top of the shelf and have a bit higher budget as well, make sure not to skip this one.
First off, this has an amazing build quality, and the impact resistance I’ve seen here is a whole lot better than other affordable switches out there.
The side wire is 12 AWG, while the push wire needs to be 14 AWG. With a maximum current rating of 15amps, it can easily fulfill all your needs.
There are various color options available, so you can easily match it with your existing decoration.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very easy to install
- Great impact resistance
- It comes in various colors
- Has a light on the switch to see it in dark
Cons
- The light on switch is always on
- A bit pricier than others
7. Lutron Maestro Motion Sensor Switch
Lutron Maestro switch is amongst the most appealing switches you would find on this list.
Being an automatic motion sensor switch, it doesn’t require you to turn on the lights every time you walk into the room.
Rather, the lights go on by themselves, thanks to the motion sensor installed in them. It can work with any type of bulbs up to 250 watts, and the XCT sensing technology used in it works great for detecting motion.
The best thing, however, is the ability of the switch to be programmed. You can set the lights-out time yourself from 1 to 30 minutes, according to your needs.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- It comes with an automatic motion sensor to control lights.
- It doesn’t turn on in enough daylight to save energy.
- The Time-out of lights can be altered.
- A lot of colors available
Cons
- Expensive
- Some claims that it malfunctions and never goes off
8. Meross Smart Light Switch
Meross smart light switch is a push-button styled switch coming with an SPST terminal type.
The maximum current rating is 15 amps, and it features remote control as well as voice commands. However, you strictly need to use the meross app for controlling the switch this way.
So, wherever you are, turn the light on or off with a single click, as long as you have WiFi.
The installation process doesn’t take more than half an hour, even less if you have some experience. Overall, it’s a great switch with a justified value for money.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Can control from anywhere using WiFi
- Can schedule power on and off timing
- Quick installation
- Reliable construction
Cons
- Wifi only works with the meross app
9. Gosund Smart Light Switch
Gosund is a kind of product that is second to none regarding top-notch features such as providing support for Alexa.
You can integrate it with your home assistant and give commands to it for controlling the switches. The gosund app can also be downloaded to control the lights from miles away, using WiFi.
The great thing is that customer support is flawless, so you don’t get stuck in intro problems even if you face them, and they’re resolved quite quickly.
However, the switch is available at a much higher price than the competitors providing almost the same specs.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very convenient timer function
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Very intuitive app
- Reliable
Cons
- It can be hard to reset if the power goes off
- Very expensive
10. Kasa Smart HS200 Light Switch by TP-Link
Just like the previous smart light switch we saw from Gosund, this one also provides you seamless support of Alexa and can be controlled using voice commands.
However, this one provides almost the same features but in a very lower price range.
There are all the smart functions available such as timer setting and count-down, making it a very attractive device at this price.
The only catch is that it’s made from plastic only, so it might not be the most long-lasting, but I found it above par.
More photos & price on amazon.com
Pros
- Very high value for money
- Seamless integration with Alexa
- Timer and countdown features
- Easy installation
Cons
- Build quality isn’t the best
Buyer’s Guide
There are some important points about single pole switches which need to be kept in mind if you want the most suitable one for yourself.
So, I will be mentioning those points here. Make sure you don’t miss any.
Build Quality
Even though the build quality is important to keep in mind when you’re buying anything and not just switches, it especially needs to be investigated in the case of switches.
Since you will always turn the switches on or off unless they’re automatic, the quality matters a lot. The cheap ones will snap in no time.
Always make sure you completely analyze the material the switch is made from. Also, fully check by toggling it a few times if it feels sturdy.
There should not be very loud clicky sounds when doing so as it’s often a sign of cheap materials.
Current Rating
The current rating tells you how much maximum current a switch is capable of handling.
Mostly, 15 amp switches should work fine for home usages but if you have to power heavy devices such as irons, which draw more current than usual, make sure the current rating is more according to the usage nature. Otherwise, the switch may melt or fuse.
Features
There are a lot of additional features available in switches. Nowadays, smart switches provide you app control, and you can turn the lights on or off while sitting miles away from your home.
Some of them are also compatible with voice assistants, which makes the task further easy.
So, always take such features into consideration as they highly affect the price and make your life easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a single and double pole switch?
A double pole switch has two poles and can control two different circuits, while the single-pole one can only control a single circuit.
Can I use a double pole switch as a single pole?
Yes, you can. You have to use one side instead of two, and your double pole switch will act as a single-pole one.
Can I use a single-pole switch for a 3 way?
No, you cannot use a single-pole switch as a 3-way switch. However, it can go the other way around.
How do you know if my switch is the single pole?
Single pole switches’ identity can be guessed from two brass terminal screws. They also have a grounding screw and are labeled ON and OFF.
Does it matter how you wire a single pole switch?
No, there are only two terminals. One provides the power while the other goes to the light, so you cannot really plug it in a different way.
Conclusion
So, that’s it. We have gone through some of the best single-pole switches you can get your hands on.
The top picks were carefully compared to each other before choosing, so don’t worry about anything. Each one of them has amazing quality and functioning.
Just keep your requirements in mind and pick whatever you suits best.
However, make sure you go through the buyer’s guide first as it’ll help you choose the best one for you.
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