Installer Guide: Lutron Caséta vs. RadioRA 3

Written by Aly Beach
Monday, September 22, 2025 — 0 Comments

Help your clients choose the right solution. Use this quick reference to position Caséta or RA3 based on project scope and installer type.

Lutron Caséta & RadioRA 3 At A Glance:

Feature	Caséta	RadioRA 3
Project Size	Small to mid-sized homes	Medium to large homes or light commercial
Max Devices	~70	200+
Programming	App-based (easy setup)	PC-based (requires training)
Integration	Works with Alexa, Apple, Google, Ring	Integrates with Control4, Crestron, Alarm.com, etc.
Shades	Basic shade support	Full shade integration
Keypads	Pico only	Custom wireless keypads
Ideal Installer	Electricians, security, smart home	Custom integrators, advanced projects
Cost to Client	Lower	Higher (premium experience)

When to Use Caséta	When to Use RadioRA 3
Condo, townhouse, small home jobs Fast upgrades & retrofits Security installs (Alarm.com, Ring) Price-sensitive clients Quick “smart” add-on during electrical work	Large homes or full-home renovations Clients wanting integrated AV/security/lighting Builders offering automation packages Custom keypad control and scenes Projects requiring expansion or future-proofing

Vertical	Caséta	RA3
Electrical	Fast installs, retrofits	Whole-home, luxury builds
Security	Adds light to basic alarm packages	Alarm.com + AV + full lighting control
Smart Home	Entry-level solution	High-end automation with AV + shading
Custom Integrators	N/A	Full control, AV integration, custom scenes

Feature/Consideration	Lutron Caséta	Lutron RadioRA 3
Target Project Size	Small to mid-sized homes (condos, townhomes, single rooms)	Medium to large residential homes and light commercial
Max Device Limit	~75 devices	200+ devices
Installation Complexity	DIY-friendly / Fast for electricians	Requires professional programming and setup
Programming Tool	Lutron App (installer + user friendly)	Lutron Designer software (Windows only)
Hub Required?	Yes - Smart Bridge	Yes - Main Repeater
Integration with Security/AV	Basic (e.g., Ring, Alexa, Google, Apple HomeKit, Alarm.com)	Full integration (e.g., Control4, Savant, Crestron, Alarm.com, URC, ELAN, RTI)
Remote Access	Yes	Yes
Sunset/Sunrise Scheduling	Yes	Yes
Triathlon & Sivoia Shades Control	Basic shade control	Full shade integration with keypads and scenes
Wireless Keypad	Pico remotes only	Full wireless keypads with custom engraving
Cost to Homeowner	Lower (ideal for price-conscious clients)	Higher (but adds long-term value)

Caséta is Ideal For:

Electricians looking for fast retrofit jobs with reliable results.
Security professionals who want to add light control to alarm systems, such as Alarm.com.
Smart home enthusiasts who are just starting out with lighting, voice control, and scheduling.
Small automation projects in condos, apartments, or single zones of a home.

Pros:	Cons:
Fast setup – no low-voltage wiring needed. Affordable – low product and labour costs. Reliable – Lutron’s Clear Connect RF tech. Easy sell for retrofit jobs. Works well with most popular smart home ecosystems.	Not scalable beyond ~75 devices. No keypad customization. Limited integration options for full AV or automation jobs.

Ideal For:

Custom integrators who need deep automation control.
Electrical contractors building in new homes or full renovations.
Security installers partnering on luxury or larger homes requiring high-end integration.
Smart home pros creating premium lighting and shade scenes.

Pros:	Cons:
Fully scalable system for whole-home control. Integrates seamlessly with major automation platforms. Supports custom engraved keypads and occupancy sensors. Adds value for luxury and long-term homeowner needs. Excellent shade control options.	Requires training/certification and design software. Higher upfront hardware and labour costs. Not DIY-friendly – best suited for professional integrators.

Installer Type	Best Fit	Why
Electricians	Caséta for retrofits RA3 for custom homes	Caséta is a fast upsell on jobs RA3 adds whole-home control for new builds
Security Installers	Caséta for small jobs RA3 for integrated solutions	Caséta works with Alarm.com RA3 ties into broader smart home + security control
Smart Home Retailers	Start with Caséta, scale to RA3	Caséta is the gateway to more robust automation with RA3
Custom Integrators	RA3 all the way	Required for full AV scenes, shade integration, and luxury smart homes

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