Eve Releases First Thread-Enabled Smart Light Switch

Tuesday April 20, 2021 4:57 am PDT by Hartley Charlton

Eve has today released a new version of the smart home connected Eve Light Switch featuring support for Thread, in what seems to be the first Thread-enabled light switch for any smart platform (via HomeKit News).

eve light switch with thread nw fi
The Eve Light Switch, which is designed for the European market, can use both Thread and Bluetooth to connect to a smart home network, depending on which is available. It requires a neutral wire and is not compatible with existing switch plates, meaning that the only option is to use the one that comes with the Eve Switch itself.

Until now, Eve's popular smart home devices have mostly been Bluetooth-based, which attempted to avoid the occasional reliability issues of Wi-Fi networks, but came at the cost of slower response times. Thread technology is now proliferating through Eve's smart home products. The new Eve Switch is constantly powered, allowing it to expand the Thread network in a user's home as a Thread Router.

Eve Light Switch supports Bluetooth and Thread, and joins your Thread network automatically. As a router node, Eve Light Switch relays other Thread accessories' data packets and enhances the stability and reach of your smart home. Thread is also a pillar of CHIP – the smart home standard of the future.

Apple has begun looking toward open standards in the smart home space, working with other companies such as Google and Amazon to develop a universal standard for smart home products. Apple's commitment to open standards and Thread within HomeKit was demonstrated by the launch of the HomePod mini last year, which is the first Thread-enabled Apple device.

Although the HomePod mini supports thread, it only serves as a Border Router, unlike the Eve Light Switch, which works as an entire Thread Router. Thread accessories do not need a proprietary bridge to communicate with each other, instead only needing a Border Router like the ‌HomePod mini‌. The new Eve Light Switch puts the company center-stage with the advancement of Thread in conjunction with ‌HomeKit‌.

The Eve Light Switch is priced at €99.95 and is available now from the Eve website.

Tags: Eve, HomeKit Guide

Popular Stories

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...

• 148 comments

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover

In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...

• 154 comments

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol

While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...

• 37 comments

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by Hartley Charlton

The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

• 107 comments

Top Rated Comments

Havalo

63 months ago

'Hey Siri, is Eve turned on?'

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

return2sendai

63 months ago

$100 for a light switch! The world is insane. I’d only buy it if, when I turn it on, I get a better idea of what I should have done with my ridiculous amount of disposable income and take it back to the shop.?

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

beanbaguk

63 months ago

Thanks but I think I'll stick to a Philips Hue switch which probably has bags more functionality and costs €16 on Amazon.....

I see this flopping.

ETA: I used to love Elgato Eve products. I have a number of them throughout my home, but lost faith in their longevity. It's almost like they are designed to fail after the warranty expires.

I had the original Eve Weather. That died, 1 year and 11 months after I purchased it. I live in Europe and after a lengthy debate regarding EU law, they eventually conceded and gave me a new unit. The barometer on that one died one year and 10 months after getting it. They are yet again refusing to replace the unit (as they said the new one is not under the same 2 year warranty we get under EU law), so once again I'm battling it out with them.

Ultimately, the product quality is pretty crappy and I'm reluctant to buy more of their products, which is a shame as when they work, they are excellent.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

JKAussieSkater

63 months ago

I've never heard of "Thread" before; shouldn't emerging technologies and terminologies be defined within the news article itself?

I guess I'm off to search the web for an answer now ?

Edit: And after a quick search, I find a wonderful comprehensive answer: Thread smart home explained ('https://www.the-ambient.com/guides/what-is-thread-smart-home-2410')

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

BJMRamage

63 months ago

wow, that's good to see more thread gadgets!

this is a good start but....dang that seems a touch pricey for a switch...guess I am good with my single bluetooth switch and manual switches for now...let the market prices drop (hopefully)

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)