What Switch Should You Buy | Toggle vs Rocker (Decora) 

In all my 61 years, I've never lived in a house or apartment with rocker switches. However, I am in the process of switching out all the toggles for rockers in our current house. I replaced some outside garage light switches for smart switches and in one case had to add a rocker switch for the second switch in the box. I'm doing the same for our porch light, which will require a rocker for the entry light, and then for our backyard lights, will will require rockers for the other switches in the box. I will be converting the rest of the down stairs to rockers during the year. When we had our master bathroom remodeled a couple of years ago, I converted the switches to rockers. I have to tell you, while I like rockers, it took me a long time to get use to them. Walking in, I would reach around the wall to turn on the light, I would always do it as if to turn on a toggle and I'd miss. Who knew a light switch could be so life changing. Lol

I built my house 34 years ago & used toggle switches. I purchased the cheap ones at a big box store, Payless Cashways. Have not ever had one to fail. Having a couple dozen left over from back then, I am now installing them in my new shop. Hope I get the same service out of them as before. I have noticed that the old switches seem to be of better construction than the ones for sale today.

I've been enjoying your content recently. I work in the electrical department of a home improvement retailer that sells Eaton. I really appreciate the content because I find it interesting to have an idea what's inside these things, which previously I never had seen. I will throw out one thing that I discovered that I thought was interesting... Eaton plugs and switches have wire strippers built into the mounting bracket! It's not something I typically share with customers because I encourage them to use the correct tools... but I thought it was kind of cool how much thought was put into the design of a $0.49 switch. And it explains why I sometimes feel sharp edges when I grab a handful of these to transfer into a newly-opened box. So if you ever need a wire stripper in a pinch, grab an Eaton device!

Thanks again. Great information, clearly presented.

We just purchased a brand new home in 15 December 2020. Every switch in the house is a rocker switch. Every switch in our previous home was a toggle switch. We are enjoying the switch (pun intended).

Love your comparison videos - thank you for putting them out there! Some thoughts: I prefer traditional toggles in dark locations I don't necessarily frequent. Generally on entering a room, I have a good sense for where the wall surface is - there's enough light approaching the doorway to know the location of the wall on the way through - but not necessarily the exact location of the switch on the dark side. With a toggle, I can just wave my hand across the right wall area and usually trip it in one sweep. With a rocker switch, if it's not a room I'm familiar enough to have muscle memory of the switch location, I'm patting/poking the wall a few times before I find it. I sometimes see a halo of smudges/handprints on the wall around rockers, but seldom around toggles. So far as tripping switches with your elbow, I sometimes elbow toggle switches too, though only when there's enough light to see the switch, and not in dark locations I mentioned above. It's definitely more finicky than with rockers (with some fear of hitting your funny bone) but hasn't been a showstopper for me. For locations where this is a frequent need, I find I end up installing motion sensor switches instead, rendering it a moot point. As for the wire attachment differences, that's not strictly a rocker vs. toggle difference.: the commercial grade toggle switch has the backwire plates too. I understand you're trying to keep things fair by comparing residential vs. residential, but there's a price difference there that's the same as the price difference between residential and commercial toggle switches. I think it'd be fair to compare $2 toggle vs $2 rocker. Both get you the same wire attachment, cost the same money, and it becomes literally a free choice between toggle and rocker. Then, what you trade for price for the other options, you've already covered in other videos.

I like having dimmers, my favorite are the older style toggle dimmer switches with the light up rectangle around the switch.

One thing I've noticed is that when getting a 3-way switch, the toggle still has screw leads and the rocker has pigtails coming out of the switch. Personally, it's way easier to put wire nut on the pigtails than to mess with the toggle's screw terminals. I prefer the rocker but one big disadvantage is that it's harder to "dress" the wires and get them all pushed back since the rocker body takes up so much space.

6:50 Thanks for sharing, this was VERY HELPFUL!!

Replaced all switches and receptacles in my home 17 years ago with Decora style. No issues.

I swapped a toggle for a rocker over 20 years ago for a high activity light. Still works great. I specifically wanted it because of the elbow thing, always carrying something when I needed to turn that light. All other switched in my small house are duplex. Rockers are made for duplex, but the buttons are too small for elbows.

Nice video with great descriptions!!! I grew up old school with the toggle switch. One thing I have personally witnessed in my 54 years on this lovely planet, ... your comment about the rocker failures. Their may have been a flaw during the production, ... but I’ve seen kids and adults hit these rocker switches. Their made with plastic components not military grade assault applications in mind. Some times it’s out of anger/frustration, ... but many times it’s from upbringing. (Whole different subject) It’s no different then when someone slams kitchen cabinet doors, stomps feet or throws tools!!! I’m going to try these new rocker switches on my renovation projects as you brought up some interesting points!!! Thanks again for your time and video and take care! Art PS: The first time I ever through a wrench, my dad calmly told me to go pick it up and when I got back he only said one thing. (CALMLY) “you know when you throw something, ... you eventually have to go pick it up!!! don’t let the small things get to you!!!”

I really enjoy these videos. Have you ever done a video on Wago 221 and 222 electrical connectors? If you haven't I would like to see your take on them.

I prefer toggle switches. I like seeing if the switch is off or on. Convenient for porch lights. Also knowing if the switch is off when removing a broken light bulb in socket

As I mentioned on your disassembly of the Decora switch the pivot area on my Decora switch had to be lubricated with Teflon spray dry lube after only 10 months use in a bathroom (heavy use ) as the activation effort really increased. If you have rental properties (or just for preventive maintenance ) you may want to spray the switches annually to help prevent failures since you have experienced them . It also appears that the contact pressure is greater with the old style switch which may be important for circuits that have a lot of lights on it or is used on a high current draw item like a heavy duty garbage disposal. Also on an old style switch disassembly I noticed a lite coat of grease on a round pivot point. Since the rocker is easily pried out of a Decora switch I wonder if putting a bit of plastic safe grease (like silicon) on it would be a good idea especially on high use ones. I will try it if the dry lube does not last.

If I was changing all the switches particularly with the aim to sell I would use Decora but I have an old house with all Toggles so I use those.

Love your videos man. There's not much performance difference between these. You can get either version in side wire, backstab, and pressure connector. So it all comes down to esthetics. Might even be able to argue that going with decora everything in a home, is a good way to simplify finding faceplates that fit your applications. No more having to get weird combinations of 2 duplex, 1 switch for a 3 gang plate. Just get however many gangs you need in decora.

Interesting how a standard toggle and rocker are so different! Not sure if I should be more surprised that the toggle doesn't have the straight clamp-downs or that the rocker does. I do like to use rockers in new installations and anywhere they are a better fit appearance wise (like in my bathroom in a 3-gang with a GFCI outlet and a humidity controlled fan timer). Back when I bought my (1950's) house 15 years ago one of the first things I did was swap every outlet, switch and faceplate since they were a mixed grab bag of colors and ages. I used toggles, but if I had it to do over again today I'd probably go with rockers since the plates were already being replaced too.

I replaced the toggles in my kitchen for rockers, one issue I ran into is that since the decorative plate screws are closer to the edge, I had to drill little holes in the ceramic so the screw wouldn't hit the ceramic and prevent me from screwing them all the way in. Same with receptacles, which the old ones only had one screw in the middle. I used stainless steel decorative plate with black switches/receptacles, that looks really good next to my Stainless steel appliances.

I like the rocker switches and good video and think you I’m always learning a lot and I’m a jack of all trades so the more I learn the better I am.

thanks. this was very helpful

I normally use white toggle for older updated homes to keep the consistent look. The rocker can look a bit too "contemporary" in older home if you want to maintain that old world charm. For kitchen with recessed lights, that's where I would consider using a rocker (dimmer) for recessed light

Thanks for this! I just bought a house and all the outlets and switches are mismatched and different. Drives my OCD crazy.

I like Decora switches mainly in situations where a locator light is helpful. The Decora with locator light on the switch at the top of my basement stairs is very useful.

Rocker all the way. Thank you for all the great info

I grew up in homes with toggle switches and I like the look. I've replaced 60 year old toggles and I've replaced 15 year old Decora switches, toggles last longer and they are cheaper to replace.

I've replaced 2 rockers where the pivot broke off. The leviton replacement seems a little sturdier but time will tell. I didn't install or choose the original ones that broke. I still prefer them though so I can elbow the switch while carrying cats. (first world problems)

My sister has one of those decora switches with the built in dimmer in her kitchen. She moved into her house in 2001 and the bezel was just starting to break like the one in your picture. She has the same switch to this day and I'm surprised it's lasted this long.

I personally like the rocker style switches, but I also planned to replace a number of switches with Caseta smart switches so when I redid my wiring it saved me a bunch of headaches from switching out plates and having half toggles half decora

in UK I think the hardware store actually sells replacement switch plates.. and the push in and screw down rather than wind works great..

The IoT switches (caseta, etc) are all rocker style, so you get mixed switch types if some are rocker and some are toggles

I have been in the process of fixing up my old condo, and since the light switches were all very dirty and difficult to clean, I decided to just replace them all. I went with rockers because not only do they look nicer, but they are more accessible - the condo was originally designed for ADA accessibility, and if I were to rent it out to someone with limited mobility, it would be much easier for them to operate. Also, the building was built to an older code, which meant that while all the boxes had ground wires, none of the existing switches had ground connectors, and an outlet behind the washing machine was not GFCI protected either.

My house has toggle switches. Great video!

Great vid..thank you. I'm wondering if the toggle contact inside is better than in the rocker. Looks like there is more area of contact in the toggle...and wondering if that makes for a better connect of power. ? I'm having issues with our outdoor Christmas lights on a 20amp circuit. I know I'm near or at the limit the circuit can handle, but even still I get a flash/spark with the New 20A rocker. Maybe the toggle has a better contact patch..?? Thoughts..?

The other case I have seen for rocker switches is for seniors or other people that may not have the best fine motor control can use rockers more reliably. Similar to your comment about hitting the switch with your hands full

Most modern houses these days have rocker switches, including mine. Older ones have toggles.

I replaced my toggle to rocker light switches and I pointed the ground connection down. Does it matter which way the ground is pointed?

One of my rocker switch doesn’t work well, I know it must be some part that doesn’t touch properly, so I opened the case and the springer and copper piece fell off, and I have no idea how do them suppose to be placed, so I opened another one to check out, but the second one also fell off😅 then I found your vid, and figured out how to place the pieces properly, now I installed both rocker switch back and the broken one is working like a new one 🙏🏻 I want to thank you for this helpful vid you uploaded

I’ve replaced like 5 rockers where the frame around the pivot or the pivot itself wears down, stretches over time, or just straight up cracks.

Rocker switches do break more often than the toggles. I do apartment maintenance.

I've got about 20 rockers switches in our house, all are about 20 years now and never had any problems with them. Never had any of them break as you described.

Used a double rocker in a single gang box and it failed after 10 years or so. The only toggle I ever had that failed was an original in my 1920 house. Back then, most houses used pushbutton switches, but the man who had this house built went for the "modern" toggles. I actually liked the look of the pushbuttons and bought originals off of ebay to replaced the toggles on the main floor. My current home was built in 1955 and it's toggles all the way.

I’m thinking about rocker switches so I can keep my expensive cover plates if I decide to install smart switches in the future. I have only seen smart switches in the decora design.

Trying to think outside the box I'm working on an Old world war II generator I replaced the toggle switch no matter what I do by reversing the wires off is on and on is off from your experience what does this sound like? It stays the same even if I reverse the wires.

Have you mutilated any switches or outlets figuring out the least destructive way to open them?

Thank you for the info. The rocker switch broke just as you described, the plastic plate broke.

It's easier to train the dog to turn off the light on command with the rocker switch. I always put in lever door knobs for the same reason. It's important.

You don't need to pre-bend the hooks to wire the device. There is a raised lip around the depression around the screw so that it can grab the end of your stripped wire and you can bend the wire around the screw. Tighten the screw then trim the end if necessary. Once you get used to it it's waaaay faster than trying to pre-bend a hook tight enough to work but not so tight that you can't get it around the screw. Let the screw form the hook that it wants.

Here's a good question: Why do some Switch/Outlet Combos have a pilot light?

The other cost consideration is the wall plate cover. The cheap ones have the screws exposed. Chances are if you're stepping up to a rocker switch, you probably will be spending at least another $2-5 for a hidden screw version. Obviously a win from an ADA standpoint as someone in a residential setting will likely benefit over a 20-30 year lifespan of a switch.

My house has Decoras so that's what I replace them with. I think that they fail a lot, especially the 3-way versions which tend to go into a dead mode: sometimes I can't turn on the light with one of my 3-way switches because the other switch is stuck in the middle of its travel. But replacing light switches isn't a major drag.

Please make a video on how to unclog kitchen sink water backup/clog next

I made the move to decora because I wanted to add a timer to my bathroom fan and I have a ganged box (it's all or nothing). After living with it for a while I've found I prefer the aesthetics and feel of decora compared to the old toggles. p.s. Black cover plates with white decora switches looks cool.

I have never replaced any normal switches. I have replaced Toggle rocker switches, because of the problem you mentioned. I have replaced dual switches, that fit into the space of an outlet. I would like a comparison on those switches (I spend about $5 on those). Also I would be interested in a comparison on a combo switch/outlet that fits into an outlet configuration. Thanks...Jim PS......these are for remodel use.....they come in very handy.

When I have to replace a switch, I go with Leviton Professional Heavy Duty. More money, but I will never outlive the switch. And my recent replacement of two 3 way switches was because the 33 year old ones were causing my 2 new LED Panel kitchen lights to flicker.

If I am putting a new switch in old wiring, I like to put in the Decora style. That lets the next guy know that some work has been done, and be prepared.

When I was a kid, I used to try to balance the toggle switch at the halfway point...how bad of an idea was that? I've been wondering, since learning more about switches from this channel as well as Technology Connections

I put rocker in my home. I have to wonder how hard the hit the rocker to get it to break out of the cradle. My wife likes the rocker because the toggle switch, if not used a lot, will gather dust and dirt and it is not as easy to clean.

The toggles are SO difficult to clean on properties we’ve purchased for rentals! It seems like rockers would be easier to clean? We’ve not replaced the switches, but it’s certainly something to consider. Any tips on how to clean filthy toggles? 🤮

I’ve had to replace under year old rockers due a nice electrical bacon sizzle when actuating them. They still worked, but that’s a no-go for me

Toggle for me. I personally like the look more and they make less sound. I actually switched out my rocker to a toggle. Now the rest are rockers since I can only do it In my room.

It seems like rockers are more popular nowadays, but I still prefer the toggles. Even though rockers are more expensive, something about them just seems cheap to me. It's probably because my first experience with rocker switches was in a mobile home, and everything in one of those is super cheap.

I prefer the convenience of being able to tap a rocker switch vs grabbing or swiping across a toggle. (Never thought much about it before I found myself with both hands in splints.) The floating contact in the rocker is possibly more susceptible to corrosion, and the spring contact in the toggle may be susceptible to "cold forming," but assuming reasonable current loads, these are both nothingburgers - either switch should have mechanical failure in the plastic bits before the contacts go high resistance.

I wonder how much a little dab of super lube, or some other silicone (food grade?) lubricant would do to extent the life of the pivot, especially on the paddle switch.

The internal engineering on the rocker is clearly better. Fewer parts and the contact mechanism is less prone to wear. I love the rocker for end user functionality as well. If you mount it flush, you can swipe at the wall in the direction you want the light to go and it happens... No unfortunate stubs of the forearm or fingers. Especially convenient in dark rooms that need light. Perhaps the best thing about "decora" (rockers) is that you can use the same wall plate for outlets and switches.

standard toggles great for all those funny and cool wallplates

I sometimes turn toggle switches on and off by hitting them with plates full of food. They can really do that. I feel like the upgraded Leviton “preferred” switch is a little bit springier than the standard, and feels longer lasting, and probably is a little bit longer lasting on less amps than it was designed for. It isn’t one of those ugly 20 and 30 amp switches, so it looks like a household switch. I have never liked the decora switches.

The one you can wirelessly control with a nerf gun.

We use dimmer switches. Absolutely love them over regular switches.

I like the toggle switches. Look nicer IMO.

I prefer Rocker over toggle. Our kids have broke several toggle switches off being careless. Since switching to Rocker , no broken switches. When my mother would visit she found it harder to use toggle since she had bad arthritis.

My home is approximately 35 years old and most of the switches are toggle. I have replaced about 3 switches with the rocker type and like the look / feel of the rocker. I have one toggle that still works but the plastic toggle is very loose and jiggly might be time for a replacement? I think I would prefer the rocker type if I were to replace existing switches in my house today. I don't mind the cost difference but were I to work in the residential electrical industry I would think twice as it's a big cost difference.

Another advantage to the toggle switch is that it can use the same wall plate as the receptacle of the same design as opposed to the rocker which the wall plates for the switch and receptacle are completely different.

after breaking the toggle off half a dozen switches in my house and jabbing my arm in to the one sticking out in the middle of the hall way countless times switched to rockers. Haven't broke one yet about 20 years in. Honestly I've never even seen a broken rocker but the toggles are always cracked and loose and broken.

I prefer rockers whenever possible, which is 99% of the time. But sometimes you basically have no choice but to use toggles. Case in point, you can get single & double polished brass cover plates, but a triple Decora polished brass plate? Good luck with that! But polished brass triple cover plate for toggles are typically stocked items at Lowe’s etc. Also, toggles are better for illuminated switches, illuminated rockers look terrible. In any other way (appearance, dimmers, cleaning, etc) rockers win hands down.

I had a rocker fail - the rocker fell off. I replaced it with a toggle switch. My daughter complained that it was ugly and I had to replace it with a new rocker. :-)

great vid..the only thing I see..if you switch one for the other..don't you need to swap out the plate too?

My question for you and the audience is, can you use Rocker switches with standard duplex outlets? I prefer the look of the rocker switch but am not a huge fan of the look of the decor receptacles.

I prefer toggle, but I can see the benefits of a rocker. That said, I once had to replace a rocker that was loose. I don't know if it was broken as you describe in the video, but it wouldn't hold in the on position.

I would like the rocker switch because it offers the back wiring option. My hands aren’t strong enough to make loops in the wire.

Eaton toggles are closer to a dollar. That’s what I put in my kitchen for the range hood and the disposal. Eaton specifies that they are suitable for motor control. That’s another aspect worth discussing.

Hey that's the Google Nest screwdriver you're using in this video. :)

I am personally more interested in the safety aspect of my DIY electrical work, I learned a lot years ago from a friend who had been a city electrical inspector.

As a retired materials engineer, it always bugs me when manufacturers use plastics on highly stressed components, like hinges, etc. I do enjoy your component dissections! Bought a house built in 1992. When I remodel a room or add LED-compliant dimmer switches I "upgrade" all the room switches to rocker switches. Must admit when carrying in groceries it is nice to elbow the switch ON.

I prefer the old toggle switches. The only advantage i can really see to the rocker switches is if your hands are full they would be easier to hit.

Are parts available for the Decora switches or do you have to buy a new switch?

I like the rockers also

50 cents for a toggle switch? In Finland they are 50 euros. The are considered special retro stuff.

I like the rockers for the "fashion" look, its cleaner, but the real advantage is the way the wire connects. I look for that in outlets too. I'll pay more for the convenience.

I just put in rockers, replacing toggles in my house during a remodel. Did it for style, nothing else. Garage, and shed will remain toggles because its function and money over style.

Don't back stab on any switch and most clients I've had want me to put regular toggle switches in to get rid of the decor switches that fail constantly depending on the abuse like shown here with the plastic sometimes they completely fall apart too

I would like the old fashioned twist from the 1920s

Switched my first house over to Decora in 1996 and have used them ever since. It's a cheap upgrade to give your home a little more luxury feel. More recently I've been phasing in smart switches which are almost always decora look.

I'm an old rocker but not when it comes to switches....lol

I do not like the entry level on anything. I prefer the rocker switch but as you said, if I am just replacing one or two I will go with what ever is there but I will spend the money to get the best components I can, it is worth it to me, just in time savings and the switch or outlet will last longer. cheap usually ends up being more expensive in the long run.

i will go with the Rocker

Personally, I prefer the rocker style. I use ones that are lighted. Comes in handy when all the lights are out. I think the rocker style is just a much cleaner look. I also changed all my outlets to the decora style. I don't know what brand, but got them all at Lowe's. I have personal reasons why I never shop at Home Depot. No Menards in Idaho.

Big fan of the rockers. I swapped out all the switches in my investment property, but have yet to change out the switches in my primary home.

I like the look and the feel of the standard toggle switches. I've always disliked the decora switches...I don't think they look nice and aren't as satisfying to use.

Good video as I am considering updating my home with rockers to bring it "up to date". To me, the best switch is one that works and doesn't set fire to house at some point.