Rako lighting keypad and a room lighting scheme

Insights

Rako vs Lutron: Choosing Lighting Control for Your Home

Compare Rako and Lutron by retrofit requirements, keypad design, lighting loads, system scope and support rather than unsupported price percentages.

Written by Mark Davis Published 11 April 2019 Updated 8 September 2026 · London Electricals editorial update

Compare the proposed systems, not just the brands

Rako and Lutron both offer lighting-control solutions, but the right choice depends on the house, the wiring and the particular product range being proposed. A wireless retrofit and a fully coordinated new-build installation are different briefs. Ask each proposal to address the same room schedule and operating requirements.

Decision	What to compare
Existing wiring	Survey the circuits, available conductors, backboxes and access before choosing a retrofit approach.
Keypads and finishes	Review actual samples, button layouts, engraving, regional models and mounting requirements.
Light sources	Match control modules to the actual lamps and drivers. Test the intended dimming range.
Wider system	Document the supported connection to shading, AV and other controls, including any interface hardware.
Support	Agree project-file ownership, handover information, scene adjustment and maintenance scope.
Budget	Compare complete installed proposals with consistent quantities, VAT treatment and exclusions.

Where Lutron fits the conversation

A HomeWorks proposal can bring the lighting design, keypad schedule and compatible shading into one coordinated control strategy. Alisse is a particularly relevant design choice when the visible controls need to sit comfortably within a carefully detailed interior. HomeWorks and RA2 Select are different ranges: do not assume their keypad choices or capabilities are interchangeable.

Explore HomeWorks installation, RA2 Select installation and our Alisse keypad planning guide.

Where Rako fits the conversation

Discuss the appropriate wired or wireless Rako design against the same brief. Check the dimmer locations, access for future service, keypad options and any bridging or integration requirements. The suitability of a solution should follow the surveyed property and selected equipment.

See our Rako installation service and the documented Highbury House Rako project.

A useful price comparison needs a shared scope

There is no dependable universal percentage by which one brand is cheaper. Keypad finish, load types, wiring, system interfaces, programming and room count all affect the result. Ask for the supply, installation and commissioning scope to be stated separately and read our lighting-system cost guide when preparing the brief.

For an existing installation

A fault or an LED change does not automatically justify replacing the entire system. Start with Rako repairs or Lutron repairs and upgrades. Record the symptoms and identify the installed equipment before deciding what can be retained.

Three briefs that change the recommendation

House and brief	Named systems to compare	Our design judgement
Decorated home with limited access for new control cabling	Rako wireless with RK-HUB and suitable load modules; Lutron RA2 Select with regional Pico controls and compatible in-line load controls.	Start with the circuits and accessible module locations. Wireless controls can reduce wall chasing, but the mains circuits and load compatibility still need assessment. RA2 Select is not a route to wired Alisse keypads.
Full rewire with a coordinated interior and shading scheme	Rako wired with WK-HUB and the appropriate RAK/DIN modules; HomeWorks QSX with specified keypads and load interfaces.	Plan central equipment space and cable routes while the building is open. If Alisse is essential to the interior, develop the HomeWorks QSX schedule around that decision. Otherwise compare the finished controls, maintenance access and complete scope.
Inherited Rako or HomeWorks installation	Repair/extend the identified installed system; compare replacement only after a survey.	Recover the project file and establish what works first. Keeping compatible equipment can avoid unnecessary disruption; a processor or brand change should solve a defined problem.

Rako identifies RK-HUB for wireless systems and WK-HUB for wired systems and wired/wireless communication. Hubs do not replace the load-control equipment. These are design comparisons, not a claim that every module or third-party integration works in every combination.

Continue exploring