Brilliant launches new smart home control panels

Smart home controller maker Brilliant NextGen has launched its second generation of touchscreen panels that replace traditional light switches. 

The new hardware, which looks like the previous model, has a 4x higher resolution screen and dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) to help curb interference. 

It also has a more powerful processor that Brilliant says is ready “for the next phase of AI-powered smart home evolution,” although the company has not said when it plans to launch such features or what it could do. (As-is, there are currently no new software features from the previous gen.)

In an email to The Verge, Brilliant’s head of marketing Erin Wright says the new version also reduces latency with integrations, which sounds promising since the previous model was sluggish with some devices in our testing. Brilliant’s smart panels control smart bulbs, like Philips Hue lights, among other smart home devices, including Sonos speakers.

The company nearly went out of business in 2024 before it was purchased by two private investment firms, Almeida Strategic Investments and Cullinan Holdings, for an undisclosed sum.

Most of the new Brilliant panels are available to order and ship today. There are bundles that include three screenless switches (usually $69.99 each), saving you up to $96. The company is also selling a plug-in version of the panel for $329, which comes with two smart plug outlets, for anyone who’d rather not do any electrical work.