A tiny robotic switch-flipper has become one writer’s secret weapon against cockroaches. The SwitchBot Bot Rechargeable costs $33.99 and attaches to any physical switch with adhesive. Its little robotic arm pushes or pulls buttons for you.
You can automate pretty much anything with a physical power button. Coffee makers, light switches, garage door openers, laundry machines. Pair it with a SwitchBot Hub and you get voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant, plus remote access from outside your home.
The rechargeable model is the newer version. It has a USB-C battery that lasts up to six months per charge (if you trigger it once a day). The original model lasts 600 days on disposables, but not having to buy batteries is a nice tradeoff.
Installation takes more patience than you’d expect. The arm needs precise positioning to reach the switch, push it, and pull back. There’s a plastic attachment that loops around the arm and sticks to your switch. Figuring out where it goes took a few tries — the written instructions are vague, but the video helps.
Once it’s set up, it works great. Reliable response across the apartment, never missed a scheduled action.
Is it worth it? If your house is already full of smart bulbs and plugs, probably not. But most of us have at least one switch we’d love to automate. The SwitchBot is a clever, cheap solution. Installation needs patience, and it’s a bit chunky, but the automation works like a charm.
And yes — being able to turn on the lights before walking into a dark room means fewer cockroach encounters. That alone might be worth $34.
