In short
Choose a Shelly based on the use and the wiring: a relay (1 or 1PM) for a light or appliance, a 2PM for a blind, a Dimmer for dimmable LED, a 1L or 2L if the box has no neutral, a Plug if you do not want to touch the wiring, BLU sensors for doors or temperature, and the Pro range or EM meters in the consumer unit.
Which model for what you want to automate
| I want to… | Usual model | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Switch a light or appliance | Shelly 1 or 1PM (also Mini) | Neutral in the box, except no-neutral models. |
| Control two lights from one box | Shelly 2PM | Neutral and space in the box. |
| Control a blind | Shelly 2PM in cover mode | Already motorised blind; travel calibration. |
| Dim the lights | Shelly Dimmer | Dimmable fitting or LED driver. |
| Automate without neutral | Shelly 1L or 2L | Minimum load; bypass if the load is small. |
| Control an appliance without touching anything | Shelly Plug | A free socket. |
| Know whether a door or window is open | Shelly BLU Door/Window | Gateway or nearby Shelly device. |
| Measure whole-home consumption | Shelly EM or Pro 3EM | Installed in the consumer unit. |
| Several circuits from the consumer unit | Pro range (1PM, 2PM, 4PM) | Space on the DIN rail. |
Generations: Plus, Gen3 and Gen4
Shelly keeps renewing its range. Recent generations improve the processor, range and security, and Gen4 models add Zigbee and Matter alongside WiFi and Bluetooth, so the same device can join different systems.
For a new installation, choose the latest available generation of each model. Older devices keep working and can be mixed with new ones in the same app.
What to check before buying
- Whether the switch box has a neutral (blue wire) and enough depth for the module.
- The power and type of load: LED lighting, motors, resistive loads or high-inrush equipment.
- Whether the fittings are dimmable and which dimming type they support.
- WiFi coverage at each point; if weak, consider Zigbee, Z-Wave or improving the network.
- Where you will control it: Shelly app, voice assistant, Matter or Home Assistant.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a model without power metering when you later want to know what each circuit uses.
- Forcing the module into a shallow box, risking overheating or damaged cables.
- Using a no-neutral relay with very small LED loads without the bypass, causing flicker.
- Leaving devices on factory settings with no password.