Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (2024)

Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (1)

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Want to know the easiest way to make your home feel more connected? Upgrade to smart lighting. You can do that by installing smart switches or — if you want to avoid actual wiring — smart light bulbs. A good smart light bulb fits in any standard wall fixture or lamp, is easy to set up, and simple to control through an app or via voice-enabled smart home devices. And while they're still a bit pricier than standard incandescent light bulbs, LED smart bulbs will last much longer and are upwards of 90% more energy efficient, saving you money in the long run.

The tech experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test a range of smart home technology, from smart plugs to video doorbells. Over the last few years, our engineers have logged thousands of hours testing LED lights and integrated smart technologies. To find the best smart light bulbs that are worth your money, our engineers considered factors like performance, ease of installation and use, compatibility with other smart devices, light output, and functionality of features like timers, colors and dimming. The winners here are based on our experts' comprehensive categorical testing and road testing of newer models, as well as real user feedback.

Our top picks for the best smart light bulbs:

    What are the benefits of smart lights?

    ✔️ You can switch the lights on or off remotely. With the integration of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave or a proprietary connection for home automation systems, smart bulbs work through an app on your smartphone or tablet so that you can control your lighting remotely. In many cases, you can also use voice control if your bulbs are integrated with smart home platforms like Google Home, Amazon Alexa or Apple HomeKit.

    ✔️ You can set a schedule for your lights. With advanced smart lighting automation features, it’s a simple task to set a schedule or timer for your lights so they turn on or off at specific times. You can also connect to applets like IFTTT (If This Then That), a web-based service that allows you to trigger lights to go on when certain events happen, like sunset or when your morning alarm goes off.

    ✔️ You'll save a lot of money. Because all smart light bulbs are LED, they are significantly more energy efficient than standard ones and they last a lot longer. (Seriously, most smart bulbs last for 15 to 25 years, so you can install a bulb at the time off your child's birth and send them off to college with the same bulb still in place!). Using smart light bulbs with dimming capabilities can also cut down on energy usage and reduce electricity bills.

    ✔️ You can create instant ambiance. Create the perfect setting for any room in seconds. Certain apps have existing settings for movie night, date night, reading and more — or you can pick your colors based on your preferred activities in each room.

    Best Overall Smart Light Bulb

    Philips Hue White and Color LED Smart Button Starter Kit

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (10)

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (11)

    Pros
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (12)Can integrate with Alexa, Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (13)Easy to set-up and use
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (14)Claimed life of 25,000 hours
    Cons
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (15)More expensive than competitive set
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (16)Hub doesn't support other bulb brands

    If this is your first experience with smart light bulbs, this starter kit comes with everything you need: three A19 60W LED smart bulbs, a Philips Hue hub that can control up to 50 Hue lights, and a Smart Button with mounting plates that makes it easy to dim or switch between light scenes, even if you don't have your smartphone handy. The system, which operates over Zigbee and Bluetooth as opposed to Wi-Fi, offers a wide variety of customized light settings, with more than 16 million color variations and 50,000 shades of white. Our engineers found that these bulbs were simple to set up in just three steps, and they loved the ease of being able to schedule routines to ease you to sleep, wake you up, or for when you're away on vacation.

    Best Value Smart Light Bulb

    IKEA TRÅDFRI LED Smart Bulb

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (17)

    Pros
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (18)Under $10
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (19)Dimmable
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (20)Claimed life of 25,000 hours
    Cons
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (21)White light only, no colors
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (22)Requires also buying a hub or gateway for advanced features

    Leave it to Ikea to create one of the most affordable and reliable smart bulbs on the market. For under ten bucks, you can dim this A19 bulb to suit your mood and save money on electricity, since this LED light claims to consume up to 85% less energy and last 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs. In our tests, we found setup to be simple and straightforward. Note that you do need to buy a hub or separate gateway (remote control, wireless dimmer, or wireless motion sensor) to connect to for advanced features like room control and easy integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit — or you can buy Ikea's remote control kit for under $20.

    Best White Light Smart Bulb

    Wyze LED Smart Home Light Bulb

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (23)

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (24)

    Pros
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (25)No hub required
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (26)Affordable
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (27)Claimed life of 25,000 hours
    Cons
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (28)No color options
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (29)Doesn't pair with Apple HomeKit

    Another great affordable option, Wyze offers big features for little money. With no hub required (the bulbs connect directly to your Wi-Fi network), simply screw in this A19 smart bulb and download the Wyze app to use. In our tests, we were up and running in just a few minutes. You can integrate voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant compatible devices, and set schedules and routines for when you want to turn the lights on and off (or use "vacation mode" for random lighting to deter burglars). These bulbs offer dimmable white color temperatures and you can create triggers when used with other Wyze products, like the brand's home security cameras and motion sensors.

    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

    Best Smart Bulb For Energy Monitoring

    TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Filament Light Bulb

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (30)

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (31)

    Pros
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (32)No hub required
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (33)Vintage look
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (34)Power usage reporting on app
    Cons
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (35)Doesn't work with Apple HomeKit
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (36)No dimming capabilities

    Stylish, affordable and easy to use, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Bulb is ideal for those seeking smart home capabilities with vintage appeal. The filament, or Edison-style, bulbs cast a warm glow that's great for setting the mood. With a simple set-up, these bulbs connect directly to your Wi-Fi and you can control them via the Kasa app. But what our engineers loved the most about this system is that it features energy-consumption tracking, so you can easily see your total power consumption and energy savings. The bulbs can be controlled with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, and they support IFTTT applets that allow interaction with third-party smart devices such as motion sensors, security cameras and video doorbells.

    Best Smart Light Bulb for a Quick Setup

    Sengled Smart Light Bulb

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (37)

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (38)

    Pros
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (39)Super easy setup, no hub required
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (40)App tracks energy consumption
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (41)Claimed life of 25,000 hours
    Cons
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (42)Not as many advanced automation features
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (43)Limited third-party smart device integration

    When it comes to quick and easy setup, this smart light bulb shines. With no hub needed, this inexpensive A19 smart bulb connects directly to your home WiFi network making setup super simple, according to our engineers. It comes with two dimmable white color options, soft white or daylight. Use the Sengled Home app to integrate with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control and to set timers, schedules, routines or triggers with an IFTTT applet. You can also mix and match Sengled's other smart LED light bulbs together to create a smart lighting system that's customized specifically for you. (For those looking for a pop of color, Sengled also offers a color bulb for a few dollars more.)

    Best Smart Light Strip

    LIFX LED Smart Light Strip Starter Kit

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (44)

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (45)

    Pros
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (46)No hub needed
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (47)Claimed life of 200,000 hours
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (48)Flexible and trimmable
    Cons
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (49)Expensive
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (50)If removed, adhesive backing may need replacement

    For a fun way to add smart lighting to your space, try these LED color-changing smart light strips. The starter kit comes with a 6.6-foot-long LED strip light, plus a controller, power supply and plug. You can trim the strip or add extensions to fit your needs, before applying with its adhesive backing as an accent to cabinets, ceilings and more. With no hub needed, simply plug the LIFX strips in, download the app, connect to Wi-Fi and you're ready to go. The lights are adjustable and dimmable, with a full range of warm to cool whites and over 16 million colors to choose from — you can let your creativity run wild by creating custom zones, patterns, gradients and waves to personalize your space. These smart strips come with the same built-in features as many smart bulbs, including seamless integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT and Nest.

    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

    Best Color Light Smart Bulb

    YEELIGHT Smart Multi-Color LED Bulb

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (51)

    Pros
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (52)Dimmable, with 16 million color options
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (53)Supports Alexa, Google and Siri voice commands
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (54)Claimed life of 25,000 hours
    Cons
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (55)Doesn't support as many third-party integrations as Philips Hue

    The Yeelight Smart LED Bulb adds a splash of color to your space at a reasonable price. With no hub required, you can wirelessly control this A19 bulb with your phone or voice, as it's compatible with compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT. Online reviewers find the app to be particularly user-friendly, letting you configure lighting effects, create schedules and set timers, plus play with fun features like music sync modes and a "Color Picker" that lets you tweak any bulb's color using your smartphone's camera as a scanner. This Yeelight bulb also comes with preset "scenes" that can recreate the flicker of a candle, tune the bulbs to ideal brightness for reading, or dim for movie night.

    Best Outdoor Smart Light Bulb

    Ring Outdoor Smart Lighting Motion-Sensor Starter Kit

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (56)

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (57)

    Now 25% Off

    Pros
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (58)Weather resistant
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (59) Pairs seamlessly with Ring and Alexa-enabled and devices
    Cons
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (60)Voice control with Alexa only
    • Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (61)Must be hard-wired

    For added peace of mind when it comes to home security, leave it to Ring to offer a smart light starter kit that comes with everything you need to automate your outdoor lighting. For an affordable price, you'll get a motion-activated floodlight with three smart bulbs that will shine whenever motion is detected, with up to a 180º field of view (we recommend installing over driveways and walkways). The kit also includes a USB power supply and cable, mounting bracket, screws and a Ring Bridge, so you can get notifications via the Ring app. The weather-resistant, battery-operated lights also connect to standard electrical boxes with hardwired installation to provide a steady stream of power. In our road test, we found it to be easy to install, particularly if you already have a Bridge set up and other Ring products installed.

    What to consider when shopping for smart light bulbs

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (62)

    Smart bulbs are more affordable and easier to use than ever, but choosing the right type of smart lighting for your home is no easy task. Here are a few features you'll want to consider:

    •Color: In general, comparable white bulbs are cheaper than color bulbs because they are less technically complex to create. White smart bulbs downplay the customizable "fun" features that are a staple of color-tunable bulbs.

    Brightness: When shopping, look at the lighting facts label to find the brightness each bulb produces (the greater the lumens to watts ratio, the more efficient the bulb). We focused our evaluations on standard A19 bulbs that were the most energy efficient. And while most LED bulbs are now dimmable, not all of them are.

    •Connectivity: The way the smart bulbs "talk" to your app varies. Some are controlled via a wireless technology called Zigbee or Z-wave, others over your Wi-Fi network, and yet others over Bluetooth. Each offers distinct advantages. Wi-Fi connectivity means that you can control your bulbs anywhere you have an internet connection, so you can turn them on or off remotely with your phone even if you're miles away. Bluetooth bulbs can only connect to a phone within a certain range — approximately 33 feet — but the trade-off is that Bluetooth bulbs don't require a hub and usually use less energy. Hub-based bulbs usually rely on Zigbee or Z-wave technology and can work independently or as a collective and be controlled by multiple users, while most Bluetooth bulbs can only talk to one phone at a time.

    •Hub: As noted above, some smart bulbs need to connect to your smartphone through a home automation hub or gateway, sometimes sold separately. Other bulbs cut out the middleman and connect to your smartphone or tablet directly via Wi-Fi. In addition to spending more money on another device, a hub also means adding an additional step in the installation process, but the benefit is that they often offer more capabilities.

    •Smart home platform compatibility: Looking to integrate the bulbs with smart home platforms like Google Home, Amazon Alexa or Apple HomeKit? You want to check that your bulbs are compatible before you buy them. The benefit is you can control your bulbs with your voice, and your bulbs can interact with other smart devices in your home.

    •App features: Some lighting apps offer only basic on/off and scheduling options, while others include special effects or third-party integrations that increase the lights' functionality.

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (63)

    Ali Kessler

    Ali Kessler is a native New Yorker residing in the Sunshine State with expertise in hospitality, travel, the beauty industry, and electronics. She is a writer by nature, a graphic designer by study, a chef for fun, and a digital marketer by choice. Ali earned her Bachelor of Science in Advertising and English from the University of Florida. She then earned her graduate certificate from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale in Graphic Design and a Digital Marketing Degree from Full Sail University. Ali has touched on all aspects of marketing/advertising, from logo creation to traffic, copywriting, web design, content writing, and getting social. Advertising has always been her passion ever since she watched Angela Bower on Who’s the Boss. Ali spends her free time with her four-year-old son making forts and pillow ice cream shops.

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (64)

    Rachel Rothman

    Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.

    Experts Explain Why You Should Be Using Smart Light Bulbs (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the point of smart light bulbs? ›

    Smart light bulbs enable users to minimize unnecessary light and energy usage in their households, control lighting by a remote or voice, and schedule lights to turn on or off. Some smart light bulbs offer different color options and the ability to create scenes of multiple bulbs, as well.

    What are the benefits of smart lighting? ›

    Advantages of Smart Home Lights
    • Automation and Convenience. Automated technology has helped us become more efficient and automated lights are no different. ...
    • Wide Colour Range. ...
    • Remote Control. ...
    • Scheduling. ...
    • Enhance the Ambience. ...
    • Energy Saving and Eco-friendly. ...
    • Longer Lifespan of Smart LED Lights. ...
    • Voice Control.
    Jul 31, 2023

    Do I need a smart light bulb? ›

    Smart bulbs are best when you want to control bulbs individually or want to adjust the color of your home's light. Since they come in different shapes and sizes, there's a smart bulb for almost any lamp or fixture, indoors and outdoors (so long as your fixture is weather-tight).

    Do smart light bulbs use more electricity? ›

    Like smart plugs and switches, smart bulbs let you adjust lighting in your home remotely, as well as set schedules and timers for lights. Smart bulbs use LEDs, which last at least 15 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and use about 70 – 90 per cent less energy.

    What are the disadvantages of smart lights? ›

    Disadvantages: the momentary darkness

    Smart lamps operate through a Wireless connection when they are connected to the electric current. When turned off from the current, ie when it turns off through the lamp button or switch, they lose this connection. Thus, they are temporarily unavailable for remote control.

    Is it worth getting smart lights? ›

    Smart bulbs tend to be the more affordable option, and the benefit is that you can use them in your existing light fixtures. However, if you're in the market for a whole new light, a smart light isn't a bad choice either.

    What is the best use of smart lights? ›

    Best for: Controlling individual lamps or night-lights as well as items such as coffee makers, dehumidifiers, and air purifiers. Simply insert the smart plug into an electrical outlet, then plug the appliance into it. The power to the plug can be turned on and off from anywhere using a smartphone app.

    Why do people buy smart lights? ›

    It Gives You Long-Distance Control and Convenience

    You check your smart home app to take a look around and notice your kitchen lights are still on. As long as you have a signal, you flick off that kitchen light in an instant. But smart lighting systems have more miniscule controls.

    Do smart lights last longer? ›

    Long lasting

    We often get asked, 'how long do smart lights last'? The good news is a smart light bulb will usually run for around 15,000 hours. This is 15 times longer than an old-school, incandescent bulb. So they can help you save on your shopping list, as well as your bills.

    Do smart bulbs work without Wi-Fi? ›

    Can you use smart light bulbs without Wi-Fi? Most smart light bulbs require a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection for remote control and smart features. However, some smart bulbs can work in local mode without an internet connection, allowing basic on/off functionality using physical switches.

    What is the difference between smart light and normal light? ›

    Even though both smart LED lights and regular LED lights use LED technology, smart LED lights have more features, such as wireless connectivity, the ability to change colors, integration with smart home systems, energy tracking, and better control.

    Which light bulb is best for a living room? ›

    Living Room

    So LED light bulbs that are between 2,000K to 4,000K and 1,000 to 2,000 lumens usually look best in living rooms.

    Is it cheaper to use smart bulbs? ›

    Note: Even though smart LED bulbs cost more than incandescent bulbs initially, they can save you money over the long term, as they use less energy and last longer.

    Do smart bulbs use a lot of WiFi? ›

    Typical Smart Home Bandwidth Usage Examples

    To give you a better sense of real-world smart home connectivity needs, here are some examples that demonstrate typical bandwidth requirements: Smart speaker: 1-3 Mbps. Smart light bulb system: 2-5 Mbps. Wi-Fi enabled door locks: 2-4 Mbps.

    Do smart bulbs slow down Wi-Fi? ›

    Do Smart Switches Slow Down WiFi? Generally speaking, smart lights won't put much extra drawn on your WiFi network because, like smart plugs, smart lights are very simple devices that will typically only need to communicate when their status changes.

    Can you leave smart bulbs on all the time? ›

    You have to keep the physical fixture switch "on," and then turn the light off via the app to maintain its intelligence. This "always on" necessity also means you can only use the app to get actual light from your smart bulb. No more wall switches.

    Are smart bulbs more expensive to run? ›

    A smart bulb, in addition to the existing calculation, might reasonably add on 0.78 kWh more per month when taking the standby requirement and the additional connectivity to other devices into account. If the price per kWh is 14 pence, the smart light is only going to cost you about 10 pence more per month.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Kareem Mueller DO

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5357

    Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

    Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Kareem Mueller DO

    Birthday: 1997-01-04

    Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

    Phone: +16704982844747

    Job: Corporate Administration Planner

    Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

    Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.