Leviton Decora Slide Dimmer Switch for Dimmable LED, Halogen and Incandescent Bulbs, DSL06-1LZ, White with Ivory and Light Almond Faceplates

Why I reached for this dimmer

I’ve been slowly converting older toggle switches to modern Decora controls and tackling a bigger pain point along the way: dimming LED fixtures without flicker or buzz. For a couple of rooms with bright recessed LEDs and no neutral wire in the box, the Leviton Decora dimmer (model DSL06) checked the right boxes on paper—LED-focused dimming, no neutral required, 3-way capable, and a familiar slide control. After installing it in multiple locations—single-pole and one 3-way—I’ve formed a clear picture of where it excels and where it leaves room for improvement.

What it is and what it isn’t

This is a traditional, mechanical dimmer with a vertical slider for brightness and a separate on/off switch. It’s rated up to 300W for dimmable LED/CFL loads and 600W for incandescent/halogen. There’s no smart connectivity, no app, no scenes—just a reliable wall control tuned for modern LED bulbs. If you want Wi‑Fi or home automation hooks, look elsewhere. If you want a straightforward, rock-solid retrofit, this is right in the sweet spot.

Installation and setup

This dimmer is refreshingly simple to wire. It uses standard line/load/traveler screw terminals and a ground—no neutral wire needed. That alone makes it a strong candidate for older homes. The terminals are clearly labeled and the unit’s slim body fits easily into most wallboxes, even crowded ones. I didn’t have to add pigtails to make it work, which kept the install tidy. As always, power off at the breaker, identify line vs. load, and take a photo of your existing wiring before you start.

A couple of install details worth noting:
- It doesn’t include a wall plate. You’ll need a Decora-style plate, which I had on hand, but factor that into cost if you don’t.
- It ships with a white face, and includes interchangeable ivory and light almond faces. Swapping colors takes seconds and helps match existing trim.
- It retains the last brightness level when you turn the light back on—a small quality-of-life feature that quickly becomes expected.

One of the biggest advantages is the built-in trim adjustments for LED performance. Behind the face, there are small controls that let you set the minimum and maximum brightness. Spend a minute with a small screwdriver to dial out low-end flicker and extend usable dimming range. On two different LED loads, I was able to increase the low-end dim level just enough to eliminate shimmer while still getting a notably soft glow.

Design and everyday use

The aesthetic is classic Decora: clean lines and consistent styling with other Leviton devices. The slider is slim and doesn’t snag on sleeves or pockets—a minor detail that matters in high-traffic spots. The on/off switch has a soft, positive click; it’s quieter than a typical toggle, with enough feedback to feel deliberate.

A nice touch is the tiny locator light that glows when the load is off. I enabled it in a windowless entry hall, and it makes finding the switch in a dark room easier. If you don’t like it, you can disable it during setup.

Heat is well-managed. After running a bank of cans for an hour at 70–80% brightness, the faceplate felt warm but not hot—exactly what I’d expect from a properly derated mechanical dimmer. If you’re installing these side-by-side in a multi-gang box, check the spec sheet for derating guidelines; as with most dimmers, the maximum load per unit drops slightly when ganged.

Dimming performance with LEDs

Out of the box, performance was smooth with two different sets of dimmable LED bulbs. The slider travel gives you fine control from a gentle evening glow up to full brightness, and the curve feels linear enough that small adjustments are predictable. With the low-end trim set, flicker disappeared on both circuits and I could push the bottom end lower than I expected without visible stepping or pulsing.

Noise-wise, the dimmer itself is quiet. Any faint buzz I heard early on was lamp-specific and vanished once I made a small tweak to the minimum setting. That’s common with LED loads and underscores why having onboard trim is so valuable.

One quirk: on one circuit with a particular brand of LED lamps, I noticed a very slight delay between hitting the switch and lights coming on—think a fraction of a second. It’s subtle, and most people won’t notice, but if you’re extremely sensitive to instant-on behavior you might prefer a different control with a different internal topology. With other bulbs, the delay wasn’t noticeable, so bulb pairing matters here.

Three-way setups

In a 3-way configuration, I installed the DSL06 at the primary location and used a standard 3-way switch at the other end. Only one dimmer belongs on a 3-way circuit; the other control should be a regular 3-way switch. Wiring was straightforward, and the behavior was consistent from both locations. The dimmer still remembers the last brightness level regardless of which switch turned the lights off.

If you’re replacing a 3-way circuit, take the time to label travelers and line/load before you disconnect anything. It saves guesswork and prevents head-scratching later.

Build quality and reliability

Leviton’s hardware feels solid in the hand. The slider tracks smoothly, the switch action is dependable, and the mounting ears are sturdy. After several weeks of daily use across two rooms, I haven’t seen any oddities—no random shutoffs, no thermal trips, no surprise flicker as bulbs warm up. The finish on the face remains clean and resists grime as well as any other Decora device in my home.

Compatibility considerations

• Bulbs: Not all “dimmable” LEDs behave the same. I had excellent results after trimming the low end, but it pays to choose bulbs the manufacturer certifies as compatible.
• Load limits: 300W total for LED/CFL, 600W for incandescent/halogen. Check the combined wattage of your fixtures.
• Neutral: Not required, which simplifies retrofits in older boxes.
• Wall plates: Not included. You’ll need a matching Decora plate.
• Smart features: None. This is a conventional dimmer—no remote control or automation hooks.

Value

This dimmer strikes a good balance of cost and capability. The absence of a wall plate is a mild annoyance if you’re expecting an all-in-one box, but the interchangeable color faces help justify the package. Considering the adjustable trim, the 3-way flexibility, and the no-neutral convenience, it’s a strong value for most residential retrofits and small remodels.

The bottom line

The Leviton Decora dimmer delivers what I want from a conventional wall control: clean styling, straightforward installation, and dependable LED performance with enough adjustment to tame finicky bulbs. The optional locator light is a thoughtful bonus, and the no-neutral design makes it easy to use in older homes.

It’s not perfect. Plan to buy a wall plate, and be aware that certain LED lamps may introduce a slight turn-on lag. If you need app control, schedules, or integrations, this isn’t that product.

Recommendation: I recommend the Leviton Decora dimmer for anyone upgrading to dimmable LEDs in existing wiring, especially in older homes without a neutral. It’s easy to install, looks cohesive with other Decora devices, and—most importantly—dials in smooth, flicker-free dimming once you set the trim. If instant-on timing is critical for you or you demand smart features, choose a different category of dimmer; otherwise, this one is an excellent, reliable choice for everyday use.