The best replacement for dimmer is rheostat.

The best alternatives to dimmer are rated as following:
★★★★★  rheostat
★★  fan speed control
★★  variac
★★  more dim
★  fan dimmer
★  3 way dimmer
★  illumination
★  fan control
★  3 way
  600w dimmer
  compact fluorescent
  magnetic low voltage dimmer
  regular dimmer

Your alternative for dimmer is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about dimmer, one probably shouldn't forget about cfl.

Other search terms related to dimmer and their ratings are:
★★★★★ cfl
★★★★ switch
★★★ occupancy sensor
★★★ led lights
★★★ 3 way switch
★★★ ceiling fan
★★ halogen bulbs
★★ led
★ night light
★ fluorescent bulbs
★ fluorescent lights
★ cfl bulbs
★ fluorescent
★ fluorescent bulb
transformer
motion sensor
You have in mind a companion for dimmer and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of dimmer in all years. Click on graph for more.
dimmer
rheostat
fan speed control