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Buying Guide: Finding Your Next Smart Light Bulb
With technology being introduced in nearly all walks of life, it’s only fitting that our homes have become smarter as well. There are many appliances and accessories that can make our homes smart, from security systems to thermostats, and crazy as it may seem, smart light bulbs are a device quickly growing in popularity.These small bulbs are designed to illuminate different spaces in white or colored lights, and they’re easy to install and intuitive to use — with just the touch of a button, you can achieve your desired mood lighting anywhere you want. Smart lighting also saves you money, as it uses LEDs instead of halogen or incandescent bulbs. Choosing the right product can be tricky when you have hundreds of options to wade through, which is why we’ve compiled some of the top-rated smart light bulbs of 2023 to help you make a worthwhile purchase.
LUMIMAN Smart Light Bulb
Best Overall
Sengled Smart Light Bulb
Energy-Efficient
Philips Hue Smart Light Bulb
Top White Light
SYLVANIA Smart Light Bulb
Brightest Bulb
Govee Smart Light Bulb
Budget-Friendly
What to Look for While Buying Smart Light Bulbs
When you’re looking for a smart light bulb, there are certain things that you should prioritize. Here are some tips to help you choose one for your needs:Color changing
One of the reasons why people opt for smart light bulbs is because of their ability to change colors. You should look for a bulb that offers a wide range of colors to choose from so that you can create the perfect ambiance in your home according to your mood.Dimmers
Another essential thing to consider is whether the bulb comes with a dimmer — this feature will allow you to control the amount of light emitted from the smart light bulb. If you want to create a soft and cozy atmosphere in your home, it’s a good idea to opt for a bulb that comes with a dimmer.App integration
Another thing you need to consider is whether or not the smart light bulb you’re looking at can be integrated with any smart home devices. These devices almost always have apps that offer quick control of the bulbs around your house, and you can even use voice commands to control them as well.Timers
Timers are another vital feature to look for in a smart light bulb, as they allow you to set the bulb to turn on or off at a specific time. A timer can be very useful if you want to create a specific ambiance in your home at a certain time of day (or night).Benefits of Using Smart Light Bulbs
Convenience
Smart light bulbs can be controlled remotely, letting you turn them on or off without getting up from the couch. Many of these bulbs also work with voice commands, meaning that you can even turn them on and off without lifting a finger.Safety
Smart light bulbs can be used to deter burglars, as you can turn them on and off remotely. Some smart bulbs also have motion sensors and will turn on as soon as they detect movement.Saving energy
One of the main benefits of using smart light bulbs is that they can help you save considerable money on your energy bills. When compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, these bulbs use much less energy.Health benefits
Smart light bulbs can improve sleep quality by emitting less blue light than traditional incandescent bulbs. Blue light is known to disrupt circadian rhythm, and reducing your exposure to it can help you sleep better.Should You Get Color or White Smart Light Bulbs?
Color or white? It’s a tough decision when it comes to choosing the right smart light bulbs for your home. There are a few things to consider when picking from these options:Color smart light bulbs
Color bulbs are the way to go if you’re looking to add a little ambiance to your home. Choosing color smart light bulbs can also be the right decision if you want complete customization over your lighting.White smart light bulbs
White smart light bulbs will probably be a better choice for anyone looking to use them for more practical applications, like task lighting or saving energy. White bulbs are also the right choice if you don’t need (or want) access to various options.LUMIMAN Smart Light Bulb
Best Overall
The LUMIMAN Smart Light Bulb is a high-tech bulb with multicolored lighting that offers dimmable RGB effects and warm and cool whites. This bulb features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and it’s compatible with various smart assistants, including Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.Compared to a regular 60W bulb, this smart bulb saves you energy without compromising on brightness. Its LED design means that it can last longer than standard bulbs, and you can set light timers and use your voice or the PlusMinus app to control it. This smart bulb’s ease of use and durable performance make it the top choice on our list.
Pros
- Multicolor dimmable lights
- User-friendly design with voice commands and timer
- Adjustable color temperature and brightness
- Offers 34 scene modes and immersive lighting
Cons
- Connecting bulbs to app can be difficult
Sengled Smart Light Bulb
Energy-Efficient
The Sengled Smart Light Bulb is an affordable, easy-to-install option for your home and office. This award-winning bulb has a plug-and-play, twist-in design and can let you enjoy a brighter light than other smart light bulbs without using too much energy.This color-changing smart light bulb can be used with multiple other bulbs to create a Bluetooth light show around your house. You can control all the smart bulbs in your home with Amazon Alexa voice control or its mobile app to set the mood, and its dimmable design lets you set them to the intensity of your choice. You can pick a single one of these smart bulbs up or buy a multi-pack, but no matter what you choose, your purchase will be backed by a three-year warranty.
Pros
- Quick setup process
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa
- Doesn’t require a hub to function
- Mobile app tracks energy consumption
Cons
- Doesn’t have many advanced features
Philips Hue Smart Light Bulb
Top White Light
The Philips Hue Smart Light Bulb is an 800-lumen bulb that offers warm, white light and 16 million colors. This dimmable LED bulb can be used both indoors and outdoors, and you can control all the bulbs around your house with its mobile companion app or a voice command to a compatible smart assistant.This smart light bulb is Energy Star Certified and comes with an average lifespan of 25,000 hours — that’s more than 20 years! You can easily connect this smart light bulb with the manufacturer’s hub to streamline your smart home, and with a hub connection, you can control up to 50 bulbs at once, even when you’re away from home.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Extensive third-party integrations
- Compatible with multiple smart home devices
- Comes in a pack of four bulbs
Cons
- Requires a hub to use
SYLVANIA Smart Light Bulb
Brightest Bulb
The SYLVANIA Smart Light Bulb offers hands-free operation with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and though it works well with smart speakers, they aren’t essential — you can easily control the bulbs from your smartphone no matter where you are, adjusting things like color, brightness, and on and off schedules.With this smart bulb, you can set visual alarms to gradually wake up and feel more relaxed in the morning thanks to more than 16 million colors. These bulbs work without a hub, and you can use voice commands to do things like set alarms and schedule routines. Not only do they look nice, but thanks to their Wi-Fi connection, these smart bulbs can also let you adjust their settings when you’re away from home, helping you keep your home more secure at any time.
Pros
- Offers a hands-free voice control experience
- Straightforward installation process
- Control settings from anywhere with mobile app
- Includes four bulbs
Cons
- Syncing with app can take some time
Govee Smart Light Bulb
Budget-Friendly
The Govee Smart Light Bulb is an affordable seven-watt Bluetooth bulb that unfortunately doesn’t support W-Fi. Despite lacking Wi-Fi connectivity, this smart bulb doesn’t compromise on other features, providing you with maximum customization and accessibility options.With eight scene modes and over 16 million lights, you can set this smart light bulb to create the perfect ambiance for your home. You can even take a picture with your phone camera and this smart bulb will adjust to match its color. This bulb can also sync with music to create a soft or dynamic rhythm, and it also offers group control so that you can manage multiple smart light bulbs at the same time through its app.
Pros
- User-friendly app control
- Bluetooth remote control operation within 100 feet
- 16 million color options for increased personalization
- Can match colors in photos
Cons
- Not compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant
People Also Asked
Do you need anything extra to use smart light bulbs?
You don’t need anything extra to use smart light bulbs besides a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. If your bulb features both technologies, you can use it even more efficiently.
Do smart light bulbs work in any light?
Smart light bulbs can work with most light fixtures, including bedside lamps, under-cabinet lighting, or kitchen pendant lights. They work great with single-bulb fixtures, but you can also use them in groups.
Are smart light bulbs a fire hazard?
Not at all. Smart light bulbs are actually less of a fire hazard than regular bulbs as their LED design emits much less heat than incandescent ones.
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