Smart Light

A smart light might not be the most valuable investment if you want to improve your home. It is, however, an interesting and convenient part of home improvement.

What is a Smart Light?

Before anything else, you need to know that a smart light is a light control system. It usually includes a bulb that you control via wireless technology. Also, it has control units, such as a motion detection sensor and a manual switch.

Smart Light Bulb Abilities

A smart light bulb with complete features has a couple of standard abilities.

  • It has adjustable colors
  • It has adjustable temperature
  • You can adjust the brightness
  • You can turn it off or on wirelessly

Turn On/Off

Turning a light on and off is a basic function for any light bulb. The only difference with a smart light bulb is that you can do it automatically or remotely, which is a more convenient way to control the light you need in your everyday life.

Light Color

This is probably the neatest part of any smart light bulb. They are usually able to change colors, and you can sync some systems with movies, video games, and music. This makes it a great part of any party or social event.

Brightness

When it’s rainy outside, or it’s a cloudy day, the natural light will be very poor. This is when you’ll want to increase the brightness to see well. But when the night falls, you want to decrease the brightness if you want to wind down to get good sleep. This is why it’s always nice to have a light bulb with an adjustable brightness feature,in most case we using lumen to measure light output of the bulb.

Adjusting the Temperature

The temperature of light is usually measured in Kelvin. For example, cool colors are temperatures over 5000 K, and they’re usually white and light blue. Warm colors are temperatures between 2700K-3000K, and they’re light yellow and red colors. You might think that this feature is the same as light color changing feature, but they’re totally different. Temperature changes the atmosphere and intensity of the light.

Three Standard Versions of a Smart Light

There are three standard versions of a smart light bulb currently available on the market. Some of them have only a few features, while others have all of those mentioned above.

Color Changing Light Bulbs

This version is fully functional, and it has all the features mentioned above. There are different types and models of color changing light bulbs, and you can choose the one that’s best for you. They all can change light colors, have adjustable temperature outputs, adjustable brightness, and you can remotely turn them on and off. They’re a great choice if you want everything in one piece.

Ambiance Light Bulbs

An ambiance light bulb has almost all of the features mentioned above with the exception of light color changes. Also, they are usually very bright, so you can use them in different environments. It’s even better that you can still sync them with your video games, television, or music to get the full effect and enjoy the moment. You can also connect them with other smart home systems, such as Nest or the Apple Home Kit.

Dimmable Light Bulbs

This version is very simple. It lacks the temperature and light color change features, but you can still control it remotely. It’s a very good replacement for a traditional light bulb as the light quality is fairly good. You can dim the light to the right level and even set them to dim on a timer. These are also the best known saving up to 90% of energy compared to traditional light bulbs.

 Color ChangingAmbiance BulbDimmable Bulb
Remote controlYesYesYes
Brightness adjustableYesYesYes
Color changeYesNoNo
Temperature changeYesYesNo

Wireless Connection: Hub/No-Hub

The next thing you should know about smart light bulbs is that some of them that use Z-Wave or ZigBee need a converter (also called a gateway, bridge, or hub) to work properly. The hub plays a very important role as it transfers your Wi-Fi signal to a Z-Wave or ZigBee signal. This allows devices connected to your Wi-Fi, such as tablets or smartphones, to control the light. Also, this is what will enable you to know the status of your light bulb: if it’s turned on or off, it’s brightness level, and its current color.

The latest generation of smart light bulbs that use Wi-Fi doesn’t require a hub to work properly, which is a big improvement.

You can also find light bulbs that connect via Bluetooth. However, they aren’t smart light bulbs as they don’t meet the requirements to be smart lights, so they’re called controllable lights instead.

Things You Need to Consider

If you decide to buy a smart light bulb or a whole system, you will have to consider a few things very carefully.

Do You Actually Need a Multicolor Light Bulb?

Usually, people don’t actually need a multicolor light bulb in their living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, and hallways. Warm light and daylight are more than enough for daily usage. However, if you’re a gamer or a party animal, this product could be something that will increase the quality of your entertainment as you can sync these with your video games, music, and movies.

Where Do You Want to Place a Light Bulb that Changes Temperature?

Of course, you can install it anywhere in your home if you like it. However, it’s definitely the best if you install it in your bedroom or living room as you will use it the most there.

Hub/No Hub?

This is a very hard question to answer. Usually, people think that this only adds to expenses that you can skip, but they forget that you have to control the smart light bulb somehow. In most cases, you’ll control it via a hub. In my opinion, you should go with a hub if it’s not too difficult to install and if the whole system is serving you well.

Virtual Assistant

As mentioned above, you can connect some smart light bulbs to other smart home kits/products. If you do use a smart home control system, you can control your light with voice command. Check if the smart light bulb you plan to buy is compatible with other smart home assistants like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Home Kit.

Usually, people use HomeKit to be able to control their smart lights with voice commands.

Outdoor Light

Some people want to have a smart light installed in their yard. This means that the smart light has to be resistant to bad weather and be waterproof. Keep in mind that most of them are designed for indoor use, but you can find a couple of them that can work outside if you search carefully.

IFTTT Support

If you’re a DIY lover and a tech nerd, you can try checking this. However, most people only want to make their light system convenient and easy, not to complicate it further, so if you’re not very skilled in this area, we don’t recommend trying this.

Color Changing Smart Light Bulbs

Do you like having light switching colors while you’re playing your favorite RPG game or watching a good series on Netflix? If so, these light bulbs are a perfect option for you as you can sync them with your favorite media source!

 Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance 3rd GenLIFX A19LIFX Mini colorTP-Link LB130
List price$49.99$59.99$44.99$35.99-54.99
ConnectivityZigBee + Wi-Fi Bridge(Hub)Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
ProsHigh-quality bulbBest brightnessMini shapeGood brightness
Great ecosystem support,easy to sync light with game/moviePlug & playPlug & playEnergy tracker
Numerous add-on lights & accessories Lower pricePlug & play
Lowest standby energy cost  Affordable price
ConsLess bright than advertisedExpensivePoor downward lightDoesn’t work well with
Bridge requiredLarge size bulbdifficult to sync with game/movieAlexa commands
Average brightnessdifficult to sync with game/movie difficult to sync with game/movie/music
Bright800 lumens1100 lumens800 lumens800 lumens
16 million colorsYesYesYesYes
Color Temperature2000K to 6500K2500K to 9000K2500K to 9000K2500K to 9000K
Bulb Lifetime25000 hours25000 hours25000 hours25000 hours
Apple HomeKitYesYesYesNo
Amazon AlexaYesYesYesYes
Google AssistantYesYesYesYes
Microsoft CortanaYesYesYesYes
NestYesNoNoYes

Light Strips

LED light strips offer many ways to bring some light to your home. However, with those that can change colors, this light can look futuristic and cool. These also have the same abilities as color changing smart light bulbs.

 Philips Hue Lightstrip 2nd genLIFX Z LED StripSYLVANIA SMART+ Indoor Light StripSYLVANIA SMART+ Outdoor Light Strip
List price$89.99$89.99$44.83$49.90
ConnectivityZigBee + Wi-Fi Bridge(Hub)Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/nZigBee + Wi-Fi HubZigBee + Wi-Fi Hub
Pros

Can extend or cut

High quality

Great ecosystem support

Numerous add-on lights & accessories

Plug & play

Can extend

Three joinable 24-inch strips

Can extend or cut

Lower price

Waterproof
Cons

Expensive

Not waterproof

Hub required

Expensive

Not waterproof

Connection not reliable

Not waterproof

Hub required

Can’t be expanded or cut

Hub required

Bright1600 lumens1400 lumens360 lumens per stripNA
Length78.7 x 0.6 x 0.2 in78.7 x 0.5 x 0.1 in72 x 0.5 x 0.1 in192 x 0.5 x 0.1 in
16 million colorsYesYesYesYes
Color temperature2000K to 6500K2500K to 9000K2700K to 6500K2700K to 6500K
Bulb Lifetime20000 hours25000 hours20000 hours20000 hours
Apple HomeKitYesYesNoNo
Amazon AlexaYesYesYesYes
Google AssistantYesYesYesYes
Microsoft CortanaYesYesNoNo
NestYesNoNoYes
https://youtu.be/griC5Tu0R2A

Temperature Changing Smart Light Bulbs

These are very useful in living rooms and bedrooms. It changes temperatures from daylight to make reading easier to warm yellow colors that you can use when you’re resting. Also, you can set them up to mimic the sunset and as alarm clocks, making waking up easier than ever.

 Philips Hue White AmbianceLIFX Mini Day & DuskTP-Link LB120
List price$29.99$29.99$29.99
ConnectivityZigBee + Wi-Fi Bridge(Hub)Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
ProsGreat ecosystem supportPlug & playPlug & play
Numerous add-on lights & accessories  
ConsHub requiredPoor downward lightLess 3rd party support
Bright800 lumens800 lumens800 lumens
Color temperature2000K to 6500K1500K to 4000K2700K to 6500K
Bulb Lifetime25000 hours25000 hours25000 hours
Apple HomeKitYesYesNo
Amazon AlexaYesYesYes
Google AssistantYesYesYes
Microsoft CortanaYesYesYes
NestYesNoYes

Dimmable Light Bulbs

These light bulbs are most common, and many consider them a basic of everyday life. Not many, however, have used them a part of a smart home system. You can dim them or turn them on/off remotely or on a schedule.

 Philips Hue WhiteLIFX Mini WhiteTP-Link LB110TP-Link LB100Sengled Element Classic
List price$14.99$24.99$21.99$19.99$9.99
ConnectivityZigBee + Wi-Fi Bridge(Hub)Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11b/g/nZigBee + Wi-Fi Hub
ProsGreat ecosystem supportPlug & playPlug & playLess priceBudget price
Numerous add-on lights & accessories    
ConsHub requiredPoor downward lightLess 3rd party supportShorter lifetimeHub required
Brightness800 lumens800 lumens800 lumens600 lumens800 lumens
Color Temperature2700K2700K2700K2700K2700K
Bulb Lifetime25000 hours25000 hours25000 hours15000 hours25000 hours
Apple HomeKitYesYesNoNoNo
Amazon AlexaYesYesYesYesYes
Google AssistantYesYesYesYesYes
Microsoft CortanaYesYesYesYesNo
NestYesNoYesYesNo

Outdoor Light Bulbs

These lights are good to use if you want some extra light in front of your house at night or for surrounding your property. They have to be water and weather resistant.

The LIFX model comes with an infrared feature that allows your security camera to extend its sight range.

 Philips Hue White PAR38Hue Lily Outdoor Spot LightLIFX A19 PlusLIFX BR30 Plus
List price$29.99$79.99$59.99$79.99
ConnectivityZigBee + Wi-Fi Bridge(Hub)ZigBee + Wi-Fi Bridge(Hub)Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
Pros

Weatherproof

Weatherproof

Night vision

 

Night vision

 

 

Great brightness

Easy to install or extend

Can work in areas with high moisture levels

Can work in areas with high moisture levels

Great ecosystem support

Great ecosystem support

 

 

 

Warm white to cool daylight

  
Cons

Warm white only

Not as bright

Costly

Costly

Hub required

LED integrated

Not weatherproofNot weatherproof

No night vision

Hub required

  

 

No night vision

  
Night VisionNoNo950nm infrared light950nm infrared light
Bright1300 lumens640 lm1100 lumens1100 lumens
Color Temperature3000KNA2500K to 9000K2500K to 9000K
Bulb Lifetime25000 hours25000 hours25000 hours25000 hours
Operational Temperature-20°C to 45°C   
Apple HomeKitYesYesYesYes
Amazon AlexaYesYesYesYes
Google AssistantYesYesYesYes
Microsoft CortanaYesYesYesYes
NestYesYesNoNo

Lamps

At the moment, Philips is the only company that makes smart lamps. Other manufacturers, such as LIFX, have some decorative lights that include the Tile and Beam models. They are usually fairly easy to install and have the same features as any smart bulb. As a matter of fact, they are nearly as easy to install as ordinary lamps. The only difference is that they are more expensive and their LED is very hard to replace.

Smart Plugs

You can use a smart plug if you want to replace your traditional light and get a smart light. They all have some basic features and are usually very affordable.

 

TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug

(HS100)

Gosund Mini Smart Plug

(WP3)

Teckin Mini Smart PlugWemo Mini Smart Plug
List price$39.99$12.99$13.99$34.99
ConnectivityWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
Pros

Market tested product since 2016

Compact design

Compact design

Compact design

2-year warranty

Lower cost

Lightweight

Lightweight

Cons

Large size may cover other sockets.

12-month warranty only

12-month warranty only

12-month warranty only

Costly

 

 

Costly

Apple HomeKitNoNoNoNo
Amazon AlexaYesYesYesYes
Google AssistantYesYesYesYes
NestYesYesNoYes

Editor’s Advice

Philips Hue has been on the market for years. Most of the products in this line are very high quality, and they offer good value. Its ecosystem is very good, and competitors have a hard time matching it. This is the best choice for you if you want a solution for your lighting system and you have a moderate budget. 

LIFX is also a very good option as their products are usually very bright. Their downfall is an incomplete product catalog. They aren’t providing alternative control units and lamps yet. Also, their third-party apps aren’t very powerful, and you might have some problems with syncing the lights.

TP-Link is another manufacturer that can compete with LIFX and Philips Hue. However, they need more time to make their bulbs better and prove that they are reliable. After all, the company specializes in network devices, not smart home features.

There are also other brands that make smart plugins and smart light bulbs. They serve as a decent alternative if you’re on a budget.

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