On a renovation site, you often find yourself in front of the Legrand catalog with three names that keep coming up: Céliane, Mosaic, Neptune. All three accept the same Batibox flush-mounted boxes, and all three offer standard 10 A switches. The real difference does not lie in the basic technical specifications, but in the type of building, the expected level of finish, and the ability to evolve towards smart technology.
Compatibility of Batibox boxes and installation constraints
One point that comparisons often overlook: Céliane and Mosaic share the same Batibox flush-mounted boxes. In practice, you can start a project with Mosaic and switch to Céliane later without touching the flush-mounting or the wires. This is a real advantage in phased renovations.
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The difference lies in the mechanism and the plate. Céliane uses a proprietary plate format, round and slightly curved, which requires purchasing the mechanism, support, and plate separately. Mosaic operates on a square module of 45 x 45 mm, a standard also found with other manufacturers that can be mounted directly in trunking, in columns, or flush-mounted.
Neptune, on the other hand, is an older range whose availability is decreasing year by year among wholesalers. Feedback varies on this point, but the trend observed in recent years shows an increasingly limited Neptune catalog. It is still encountered in repairs or identical replacements, but rarely in new specifications.
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The Rêves de Déco comparison guide details the specific references for switches for each of these three ranges, with the mechanism-plate combinations to know before placing an order.
Céliane in residential: finishes and Netatmo home automation
Céliane currently concentrates the majority of recommendations for housing, both new and renovated. The reason can be summed up in two words: customization and connectivity.
Céliane Plates and Finishes
The interchangeable plate system allows you to switch from standard white to titanium, wood, or even leather without replacing the mechanism. You choose the color after installation, giving the client flexibility to decide on the decor without hindering electrical progress.
- White, black, and titanium cover the majority of common residential requests
- Material finishes (metal, wood, leather) cater to projects where the decoration budget is higher
- All plates clip onto the same support, simplifying stock management on site
Céliane with Netatmo: the most complete connected range
Céliane with Netatmo is Legrand’s most advanced range in residential home automation. It includes connected switches, dimmers, roller shutter controls, and smart sockets. All of it works with common voice assistants and allows for scenario creation without a dedicated external hub.
For a new home where the client is considering progressive home automation, Céliane remains the most sustainable choice. The connected mechanism fits into the same Batibox box as a traditional mechanism, allowing for room-by-room migration without rewiring.
Mosaic: the standard for tertiary and technical installations
Mosaic is now clearly positioned in the tertiary sector: offices, public establishments, healthcare, and education. Its square module of 45 x 45 mm is a recognized format that integrates into trunking, distribution columns, and floor boxes.
The Mosaic catalog exceeds 500 references, with functions not found in Céliane: RJ45 category 6 sockets, surface-mounted USB sockets for meeting rooms, patch modules, presence detectors for corridors. In residential use, its application is gradually declining in favor of Céliane or Dooxie, a newer Legrand range aimed at accessible residential solutions.
Mosaic is still used in housing in a specific case: mixed installations where part of the network runs in visible trunking (workshop, laundry room, converted garage). The 45 x 45 format integrates neatly without any DIY modifications.
Neptune: end-of-life range or replacement part
Neptune has long been an entry-level range offered by Legrand for basic residential use. In recent years, its catalog has been shrinking, and wholesalers are gradually delisting it. Online comparisons sometimes still present it as a viable alternative, but it is no longer recommended for new specifications.
Its interest remains limited to two situations:
- Identical replacement of an existing Neptune mechanism to maintain the visual consistency of an installation
- Quick repairs when the reference is still available from the local distributor
For any new project or any somewhat ambitious renovation, it is better to go for Céliane (if the budget allows and if home automation is considered) or Dooxie (for an economical residential option with a more current design than Neptune).
Comparison table Céliane, Mosaic, and Neptune
| Criterion | Céliane | Mosaic | Neptune |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main use | Residential, new and renovation | Tertiary, trunking, columns | Identical replacement |
| Module format | Proprietary Céliane | Universal 45 x 45 mm | Neptune format (in decline) |
| Decorative finishes | Wide choice (white, titanium, wood, leather, metal) | Mainly white | Very limited |
| Native connectivity | Yes (Céliane with Netatmo) | Limited | No |
| Catalog availability | Complete and expanding | Complete for tertiary | Gradually decreasing |
The choice between these three Legrand ranges comes down to a question of destination. Céliane for residential with a possible connected trajectory, Mosaic for tertiary and trunking installations, Neptune only for occasional replacement. Before ordering, checking the availability of Neptune references with the wholesaler avoids any unpleasant surprises on installation day.