Lutron Smart Bridge vs. Smart Bridge Pro

So, what’s the difference between the Lutron Smart Bridge and the Lutron Smart Bridge Pro? The short answer: about a $40 difference and two additional features. But, with the right accessories, the two additional features can pack quite a punch. To save you some time, we’ll tell you our conclusion now: both are great products but we recommend the Lutron Smart Bridge Pro — the differences below will explain why.

Lutron Smart Bridge vs. Smart Bridge Pro — Differences

  • Difference #1: The Smart Bridge Pro supports and select styles of Sivoia QS Wireless shades; the Lutron Smart Bridge doesn’t have this option at all. However, let us clarify — the Smart Bridge Pro can control the shades mentioned above except for venetian and horizontal sheer blinds, which are apparently not supported.
    The Takeaway: You can control a few more wireless devices with the Smart Bridge Pro than with the Smart Bridge.

  • Difference #2: The Smart Bridge Pro can be integrated with select A/V and security systems, which includes the following brands: ELK, Alarm.com, Control4, RTI, PRO Control, BitWise Controls, iRule, Key Digital, Bang & Olufsen, Savant, URC, and Crestron Electronics.
    The Takeaway: If you already have one of the system brands listed above in your home, or are planning on getting one, then Smart Bridge Pro would be, without a doubt, a better choice for you.

Now, if you aren’t familiar with all of the Smart Bridge / Smart Bridge Pro features, we’ve got a table that sums them up below.


Lutron Smart Bridge vs. Smart Bridge Pro — Full chart of features

Smart Bridge Smart Bridge Pro
Designed to support up to 50 wireless devices such as Caséta Wireless dimmers, plug-in dimmers and switches, wireless shades, Pico remote controls) Yes Yes
Can be programmed via the Lutron App (available for iOS® and Android) Yes Yes
Scene control via the Lutron App Yes Yes
Timeclock scheduling of daily events via the Lutron App Yes Yes
Connects to Wi-Fi router via Ethernet Yes Yes
Local device operation will continue to function if internet connection is lost or the Smart Bridge/Smart Bridge PRO is powered down or not communicating Yes Yes
System access from anywhere in the world using the Lutron App Yes Yes
Supports Caséta Wireless devices, Serena shades, and Pico remote controls Yes Yes
Control outside the app via widgets (iOS and Android) Yes Yes
Supports Geofencing from the Lutron App Yes Yes
Control from Apple Watch Yes Yes
Supports Siri and Apple HomeKit technology Yes Yes
Supports Sivoia QS Triathlon and select Sivoia QS Wireless shades No Yes
Integration with select A/V and security systems No Yes

Lutron Smart Bridge vs. Smart Bridge Pro — The Bottom Line

All in all, by spending about an extra $40 on the Lutron Smart Bridge Pro, you get access to having more control over more wireless devices, such as the Lutron Sivoia QS/Triathlon shades and select A/V and security systems. However, if you’re not really interested in having control over shades, A/V systems, or security systems, or you already have a preferred controls over those devices, then the Lutron Smart Bridge is the better choice for you.


Learn about a better way to use lighting in your home with the Lutron Smart Bridge Pro | Smart Home Lighting Automation with the Lutron Smart Bridge Pro.


Last update on 2024-03-29 at 10:56 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

12 thoughts on “Lutron Smart Bridge vs. Smart Bridge Pro”

  1. Thanks you! I’ve been looking for a nice simple comparison of the two devices and this was exactly what I needed to help make my decision.

    Reply
  2. There’s an important feature which neither Bridge model offers, and that is WiFi connectivity to the router that ‘connects’ controlling devices such as your phone running the app. This is significant; most homes have good flexibility for the position of an electrical outlet, while few have the same flexibility for data-drops in the home. As it stands, the bridge must be permanently connected, and be in close proximity to the router via the provided Cat5 cable. A WiFi-connected Bridge would be a helpful development for the Lutron technology.

    Reply
  3. Wanted to add a missing difference… Pro also allows the use of multi button lighting scene picos which makes the system a more functional lighting control system.

    Reply
  4. I wish I had known that this device can ONLY control 50 devices. Hard limit. That means if you have a 2 or 3 way light switch in your master bedroom thats 2-3 devices. So in a medium sized house, that is designed with modern sectioning 2 light switches in a for different items, or 2 ways in your house for your family room etc.. can basically leave you with approximately 1/3 of your house uncontrolled. Adding blinds to this equation or plugs etc… will mean you need 2 Lutron devices, not 1. And you can’t use the lutron app to control them as you would have to log in and out of hub to use the devices on the other hub. Instead you need to use apple home kit and add the Lutron hubs, which adds a couple of second delay when you are tuning on and off the lights.

    So if you have less than 50 total devices, this is an awesome system. If you are above 50 like me sadly, then there are WAY better solutions that have 100 or unlimited devices that can be controlled for the same price.

    Reply
    • If you need to go over the 50 device limit, you could get another hub and put shades on the other hub and use HomeKit to unify them. Or if your house has levels, put one floor on one hub and one on the other. Contrary to the poster above, HomeKit does not add a two second delay compared to the Lutron app. (I should say that in my experience there’s no delay, but perhaps the other user was using an iPad as their HomeKit hub? I don’t know if that’s slower or not . But in my experience with an Apple TV and HomePod acting as hubs, control with the HomeKit app is a fraction of a second. Now, Siri can take a second or two. If you have HomeKit and an Apple TV or HomePod acting as a HomeKit hub, you really only need the Lutron app for setup and to add and remove devices.

      Reply
    • You would only be using one hard wired switch or dimmer to control a 3 or 4 way switch.. you’d replace the other locations with pico remotes and not need to add them to your system for bridge access.

      Reply
  5. The pro also has telnet access, which allows for custom software to make calls to the bridge.
    Ex. I wrote a plugin for my music software to change my Philips Hue lights colors based on album art. I can’t control my lutron lights without the pro bridge.

    Reply
  6. Great article !
    Why? Because you told the reader up front which product you prefer. You didnt write 400 words of intro text about the history of the internet hah.

    Reply

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