HO
“The Shelly Plus 1 is a worthy successor to the successful original Shelly 1 — you should not hesitate to buy it for behind-the-switch automation.”
Is the Shelly Plus 1 worth it?
The Shelly Plus 1 ($15-$19) is recommended with a 8.3/10 consensus score across 9 expert reviews. Experts highlight sub-$20 price per relay is the lowest cost-per-device in smart switching and fits behind existing wall switches — keeps original switch plates. HomeTechHacker says: "The Shelly Plus 1 is a worthy successor to the successful original Shelly 1 — yo..." Best for: DIY home automation, Home Assistant users, Behind-switch installations.
Recommended9 Expert Reviews
Price Range
Check Price on Amazon →$15-$19
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Shelly Plus 1
NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner
Smart Relays
SHE ScoreGood
SmartHomeExplorer proprietary rating
7.3/10
9 expert sources
Compatibility Breadth5.4/10
Setup Ease6.2/10
Reliability6.9/10
Value Rating9.8/10
Future-Proofing8/10
The Shelly Plus 1 earns a SHE Score of 7.3/10, driven by strong value (9.8/10) with room to improve in compatibility breadth (5.4/10). Based on 9 expert sources and SmartHomeExplorer compatibility analysis.
How we calculate the SHE Score →Expert Consensus: 8.3/10 across 9 sources
Updated 1 month ago“The Shelly Plus 1 is a worthy successor to the successful original Shelly 1 — you should not hesitate to buy it for behind-the-switch automation.”
Key Features
- ✓ 16A relay
- ✓ Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
- ✓ REST API
- ✓ MQTT
- ✓ No hub required
Best For
DIY home automationHome Assistant usersBehind-switch installations
What Experts Agree On
What Experts Love
- ✓ Sub-$20 price per relay is the lowest cost-per-device in smart switching
- ✓ Fits behind existing wall switches — keeps original switch plates
- ✓ Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth with no hub required
- ✓ Full REST API and MQTT for Home Assistant and custom automations
- ✓ 16A capacity handles high-load circuits including space heaters
Common Criticisms
- ✗ Installation requires electrical wiring knowledge — not renter-friendly
- ✗ No Zigbee or Thread — relies on Wi-Fi which can strain mesh networks at scale
- ✗ Physical size may not fit all European-depth junction boxes in US homes
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What The Experts Say
TH
“Shelly relays are the gold standard for DIY smart home automation — local API, no cloud requirement, and under $20 per switch.”
Featured in these buying guides
See how the Shelly Plus 1 ranks against the full field in our Automation buying guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Shelly Plus 1 worth it?
The Shelly Plus 1 earns a 8.3/10 consensus score across 9 expert sources and is rated "Recommended". At $15-$19, it is best for DIY home automation. HomeTechHacker notes: "The Shelly Plus 1 is a worthy successor to the successful original Shelly 1 — you should not hesitate to buy it for behind-the-swi..."
How much does the Shelly Plus 1 cost?
The Shelly Plus 1 is priced at $15-$19. With a 8.3/10 score from 9 expert reviews and a "Recommended" rating, that price represents fair value relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Automation products. Prices shift often, so check the live figure before buying.
Who is the Shelly Plus 1 best for?
The Shelly Plus 1 is best for DIY home automation, Home Assistant users, Behind-switch installations. Experts rate it "Recommended" with a 8.3/10 consensus across 9 sources.
How does the Shelly Plus 1 compare to other Automation options?
Among the Automation products we have aggregated, the Shelly Plus 1 ranks above average with a 8.3/10 score. The Smart Home Hookup adds: "Shelly relays are the gold standard for DIY smart home automation — local API, no cloud requirement, and under $20 per switch."
What smart home systems does the Shelly Plus 1 work with?
The Shelly Plus 1 works with major smart home platforms. Check the compatibility notes above for any hub dependencies or setup requirements before you buy.
Does the Shelly Plus 1 need a hub or a subscription?
No separate hub is required — it connects over Wi-Fi or your existing network, so there is no extra box to buy.
What are the best alternatives to the Shelly Plus 1?
If the Shelly Plus 1 ($15-$19, 8.3/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Automation are Sonoff Mini R4, SwitchBot Bot, Inovelli Blue Switch. Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.
What are the pros and cons of the Shelly Plus 1?
The main strengths of the Shelly Plus 1 are sub-$20 price per relay is the lowest cost-per-device in smart switching and fits behind existing wall switches — keeps original switch plates. The most-cited downside is installation requires electrical wiring knowledge — not renter-friendly. Overall, 9 expert sources rate it "Recommended" with a 8.3/10 consensus score.
Sources & Methodology
This review aggregates 9 independent expert reviews into a single consensus score. See how we build consensus scores and the SHE Score methodology.
Expert review sources cited on this page:
- HomeTechHacker
- The Smart Home Hookup
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This consensus review is based on 9 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.