Light Switch Cover for the Hue Dimmer – V1 vs V2 UK Buyer’s Guide

If you’ve installed smart Zigbee bulbs in a room with a regular wall switch, you’ve probably hit the same issue: someone flips the switch off, the bulbs lose mains power, and your “smart” lighting is dead until somebody flicks it back on. The wireless dimmer remote that ships in many starter kits is part of the answer – mount it on the wall, use it instead of the underlying switch – but you still need to physically cover or replace the wall switch so nobody can toggle it accidentally.

Samotech makes a single product for that job: the SM200 wall cover. It fits over a standard UK light switch and presents a magnetic mount for the wireless dimmer remote. It comes in two versions because the dimmer itself was redesigned around 2021 – the original V1 dimmer and the newer V2 dimmer have different shapes and mounting profiles, so each needs its own matching cover.

This guide walks through which version you need.

How to tell V1 from V2

The simplest way to identify your dimmer is by its overall look and feel. The two generations sit side by side here for clarity:

V1 dimmer (sold roughly 2015–2020)

• Chunkier, more rounded body – looks like a small TV remote
• Glossy white plastic finish
• Four raised, contoured round buttons
• Came in starter kits with the older square-design Hue Bridge
• Often described as “the original” or “first-generation” dimmer

V2 dimmer (sold roughly 2021 onwards)

• Noticeably slimmer and flatter
• Matte/textured finish
• Four flat-topped buttons, more squared off
• More modern, minimal appearance
• Came in starter kits from the 2021 packaging redesign onwards

If you’re not sure which one you have, compare with the product photos on each Samotech page below before you buy – or check your dimmer in the Hue app, where the device model name usually disambiguates. When in doubt, send us a photo via the contact form and we’ll confirm which cover you need before you order.

The two covers at a glance

SM200 V1 – for the original (2015–2020) dimmer

The SM200 V1 is the original cover, in production since 2018. It’s a single moulded ABS frame that clips over the front of a standard UK light switch and presents a recessed magnetic mount sized to fit the older V1 dimmer.

It accommodates slightly larger UK wall plates – up to 92 × 92 × 9 mm – which means it’ll fit on most older or chunkier wall plates without a problem. Two longer mounting screws and a small screwdriver are included in the box, so you can install it without any extra tools.

Customer ratings

Samotech.co.uk: 4.4/5 across 1,183 reviews. Amazon UK: 4.6/5 across 1,654 ratings.

What’s in the box

• SM200 V1 cover (ABS plastic)
• Two longer mounting screws
• Small screwdriver

SM200 V2 – for the redesigned (2021+) dimmer

The SM200 V2 is the cover for the slimmer 2021-onwards dimmer. It’s billed as “the slimmest” cover for that dimmer – the profile sits closer to the wall than the V1, matching the more compact dimmer’s reduced depth. The frame is fitted to the slightly smaller 86 × 86 mm wall-plate footprint that’s common on newer UK installations.

If you have a recent Hue starter kit or have replaced an older dimmer in the last few years, this is the version you need.

Customer ratings

Samotech.co.uk: 4.6/5 across 167 reviews. Amazon UK: 4.4/5 across 248 ratings.

What’s in the box

• SM200 V2 cover
• Two longer mounting screws
• Small screwdriver

Installation overview

Installation is the same for both versions and takes about two minutes. No electrical work is required and no wiring is changed.

1. Unscrew the two retaining screws on your existing wall plate.
2. Position the SM200 cover over the switch so the mounting holes align with the wall-plate screw holes.
3. Re-tighten the screws using the longer ones supplied (these are needed because the cover adds a few millimetres of depth).
4. Remove the backplate from the original dimmer and attach it to SM200 (see below)
5. Attach the dimmer remote to the front of the cover.

To access the underlying wall switch later (for maintenance, redecorating, etc.), lift the magnetically-mounted dimmer off the front. The wall switch remains fully wired and functional throughout.

Which one should you buy?

This isn’t a preference choice – it’s a compatibility match. Pick the cover that fits the dimmer you already own:

• Original V1 dimmer → SM200 V1
• Newer V2 dimmer → SM200 V2

The two covers are not interchangeable – the V1 dimmer won’t sit cleanly on the V2 cover or vice versa, because the magnetic mount positions and recess sizes differ. If you order the wrong one by mistake, return it under our standard returns policy and we’ll exchange it.

FAQ

Do I need to remove my existing wall switch or do any wiring?

No. The SM200 fits over the existing switch using the same backbox screws. No electrical work involved.

Can I still turn the actual wall switch off if needed?

Yes. The dimmer remote is held magnetically, so you can lift it off in a second to access the switch underneath. Useful for changing bulbs in non-smart fittings on the same circuit, or for redecorating.

Will my dimmer still work the bulbs?

Yes – the dimmer talks to your wireless bridge over Zigbee, and the bridge controls the bulbs. The wall switch stays on permanently to keep mains power flowing. The cover stops anyone toggling it off accidentally.

Why is the V2 cover more expensive than the V1?

Lower production volume and a more recent tooling investment. The V1 has been in production since 2018 and has paid for its mould; the V2 is more recent. Pricing reflects current production economics.

Will these fit my wall switch brand?

Most flat-faced UK switches will fit – BG Nexus, MK Logic Plus, Crabtree Capital, Schneider Ovalia, etc. – provided your wall plate sits within the size limits in the table above. Switches with raised decorative edges (chrome or brushed-metal bezels thicker than a standard plate) generally won’t work.

Can I paint the cover?

Yes. Both versions are plastic and take a standard plastic-primer plus a rattle-can topcoat well. Several customers have sprayed theirs to match wall decor.

What if I’m not sure which dimmer I have?

Compare the photos on the two product pages with the dimmer in your hand. The V1 is the chunkier, rounded one with raised buttons; the V2 is the slim, flat one with squared-off buttons. If still in doubt, send us a photo via the contact form before you order.