This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Smart homes are taking over, and it seems like smart light bulbs are the gateway device to all things Internet of Things. As with any new-fangled device, the smart light bulb market grows every day — and is possibly the most saturated smart device market out there. If you thought there were a lot of Amazon Echo devices to choose from, the smart light market is that, multiplied by hundreds.
You might be asking why you even need a smart light bulb. Isn't a regular old light bulb enough? You know, one that switches on and off and, erm, adds some light to a room? And what features do smart light bulbs actually have? And how do you know which smart light bulb is best for you?
Fear not, because we probed Amazon and its massive selection of smart light bulbs to find the best ones. We've also put together a quick guide to help shine a light on the situation.
What is a smart light bulb?
In the vein of other smart home devices, a smart light bulb connects to the internet, allowing you to control the light via an app or voice control. Many are compatible with commonly used voice assistant systems, such as Alexa or Google Home. And don’t worry about the process of setting up a smart lighting system. You won’t need to install any tricky technology into the ceiling. Smart light bulbs come with the same standard bayonet or screw-in attachments, so they go straight into your pre-existing fittings.
What can a smart light bulb do?
Smart light bulbs give you a whole new level of control. Much more than just switching the lights on and off with your phone, you can set lighting schedules and timers. And you can control the lights from anywhere — you don’t even need to be at home. You can usedimming features or even change the light colour, depending on the bulb. They’re great for creating mood lighting or customising the atmosphere of your home.
Do smart light bulbs save you money?
That’s certainly the idea. The tech is great, of course, but it’s designed to make your lighting use more efficient, and therefore make your energy spending more efficient. You’ll never leave a light bulb on ever again. Smart bulbs also consume less power than incandescent bulbs.
Do you need a smart hub for smart light bulbs?
Some smart light bulbs do indeed requite a hub, sometimes called a bridge. This is like the router of a smart system — a control centre that syncs your devices. Hubs are usually used for systems that include a variety of different smart devices, from light bulbs to speakers and thermostats or even the refrigerator. The drawback of a hub is that it means extra expense. However, we’ve featured some bulbs below that work without a hub, so you don’t necessarily need to fork out extra.
Are smart light bulbs expensive?
They don’t have to be. There are always expensive options when you’re buying any kind of smart device. Depending on the brand and level of tech included, a smart light bulb or set of two might cost between £50 and £100. Though it’s also possible to pick up a smart bulb around the £20 mark. Smart light bulbs aren’t only for big budgets.
How bright are smart light bulbs?
You may be used to picking out light bulbs based on their wattage. Because of how smart bulbs consume energy, wattage isn’t a good measurement of how bright they are. Instead, look for lumens — the unit measurement of light that the human eye sees.Most smart bulbs fall are around 800 lumens, which works out as the equivalent of a standard 60W incandescent light bulb.
What is the best smart light bulb?
Smart light bulbs might screw into standard fittings, but — figuratively speaking — it’s not a one size fits all situation. Depending on your budget and the kinds of features you need from a smart light bulb, recommendations can vary. But we’ve pulled together a selection of the best smart bulbs available right now to help you make a decision.
These are the best smart light bulbs for 2024.
FAQs
The biggest disadvantage of smart light bulbs is that they're much more expensive than regular lightbulbs. As of this writing, a standard incandescent bulb costs about a dollar, while a non-smart LED light bulb costs around $5. A smart bulb costs around $15 each, and that's not counting additional hub expenses.
What are the disadvantages of smart light bulbs? ›
The biggest disadvantage of smart light bulbs is that they're much more expensive than regular lightbulbs. As of this writing, a standard incandescent bulb costs about a dollar, while a non-smart LED light bulb costs around $5. A smart bulb costs around $15 each, and that's not counting additional hub expenses.
Is a smart bulb worth buying? ›
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 are the best light bulbs to use at home? ›
Your Best Light Bulb Choice
General-purpose LED bulbs fit standard light sockets and are the most energy-efficient option. LED bulbs have a lower wattage than incandescent bulbs — meaning they use less energy — but still have the same light output. LED bulbs can last more than 20 years and don't contain mercury.
What to look for in smart bulbs? ›
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Smart Light Bulb
Ensure it works with your preferred voice assistant (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri) or smart home hub (e.g., Apple HomePod, Samsung SmartThings). Some smart light bulbs may require a separate bridge or hub for connectivity.
Do smart bulbs raise electric bill? ›
According to How-To-Geek, the average smart bulb only uses a few cents a month when in standby mode. If you only had one or a few smart bulbs, you probably would even notice it on your electric bill. But if you had a bunch, say 20 pr 30 bulbs throughout your home, those charges would start adding up into dollars.
Do smart bulbs take a lot of Wi-Fi? ›
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 still use electricity when off? ›
Smart lights are “vampire devices”, which means they use electricity even when they're turned off or in standby mode. The reasoning is simple: In order to be turned on with your smartphone or any other smart device, the lightbulb still needs to be connected to Bluetooth or the internet.
Do smart bulbs work without WiFi? ›
Yes, most smart light bulbs need Wi-Fi, but many have backup Bluetooth technology features so the lights can still operate in the event that Wi-Fi is down.
What is the best light bulb to leave on all night? ›
LED lights may be left on continuously, day and night if that is what is necessary. They're safer than traditional filament bulbs, which can cause fires if left on for too long.
The most common types of light bulb used in homes are 25, 40, 60, 75 and 100 watts. For most rooms, a 60 watt bulb is the standard. A 25 watt bulb gives off low levels of light, where as a 100 watt bulb is very bright.
What is the best LED color for a house? ›
Soft / warm white (2200K – 2700K) gives a warm and cozy (almost yellowish) hue to the room. It's best for living rooms and bedrooms. Cool white (3000K – 4100K) is a more standard white color, and it's most suitable for a kitchen, bathroom, or study room.
Which smart bulb has the most colors? ›
Best Multicolor Bulb
If you want your pick of colors and white tones, the affordable Roku Smart Bulb SE Color has you covered. It can display 16 million colors, and a white light temperatures ranging from 1,800K (warm) to 6,500K (cool). It's also dimmable, with a brightness range between 30 and 1,100 lumens.
Where should I put smart bulbs? ›
Places to Consider
To begin, consider what areas in your home could use an infusion of light. Start with interiors and then move on to the home's outdoor space. If your walk-in closet or bedroom could benefit from some brightness, you'll choose much different products than a backyard path or outdoor pergola.
How long does a smart bulb last? ›
Summary. All in all, smart light bulbs last longer than traditional light bulbs, typically lasting 15,000 to 25,000 hours. This extended service life is affected by a variety of factors, including frequency of use, power supply stability and environmental conditions.
Do smart bulbs drain power? ›
Smart lights are “vampire devices”, which means they use electricity even when they're turned off or in standby mode. The reasoning is simple: In order to be turned on with your smartphone or any other smart device, the lightbulb still needs to be connected to Bluetooth or the internet.
Can smart bulbs interfere with 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.
Do smart bulbs cost more to run? ›
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 work without Wi-Fi? ›
Yes, most smart light bulbs need Wi-Fi, but many have backup Bluetooth technology features so the lights can still operate in the event that Wi-Fi is down.
