Like modern security systems, lighting fixtures changed alongside the tech world. Today, the standard incandescent bulb is being replaced with connected lighting solutions that can be controlled with computers, tablets or smartphones. However, with the wide array of options out on the market today, choosing the best one for your home can be quite challenging. To make the task easier for you, we have rounded up a list of the best smart light bulbs, along with some tips on how to use them.
Philips Hue Smart Light Bulbs
This LED smart bulb combines brilliance and energy-efficiency with precision technology that will forever change the way you light up your home. It comes in three types with different sizes, shapes and features. There is the Hue White that offers easy control and comfort; the Hue White Ambiance that produces a relaxing warm white light during the day; and the Hue White and Color Ambiance that allows you to have an immersive lighting experience. Together, these three smart light bulbs will make your home more comfortable, energy-efficient and smarter. They even offer you endless possibilities to play with colors and sync lights to your TV, music and games!
Main Features:
- Standard A19 style
- Remote on/off and scheduling functions
- Geofencing and IFTTT support
- Color adjust features
- Multiple app options
C by GE Light Bulb 4-Pack
With this starter pack, you will receive four smart LED bulbs that do not require a hub to work. Instead, they connect directly to your phone via Bluetooth. Two of these smart light bulbs (the “Life” LEDs) basically offer remote smartphone dimming controls at a fixed color temperature. On the other hand, the other two (the “Sleep” LEDs) have the ability to change color temperatures automatically throughout the day. They can go from a warm tone in the morning to help you get out of bed to a cooler shade in the evening to get you ready for a good night sleep.
Main Features:
- Color tuning
- “Follow the Sun” feature
- Pre-programmable settings
- Easy-to-use app
Cree Dimmable LED Light Bulb
Having the same design and specifications as the Cree 4Flow LED (a bulb that received positive reviews last year), this new connected LED smart bulb adds in a Zigbee radio. Together with the Wink control hub, it will let you schedule automatic lighting changes and switch the light on and off remotely. Aside from Wink, it also works with other control solutions, including the Philips Hue Bridge, SmartThings and the new D-Link version of the Staples Connect Hub.
Main Features:
- Zigbee radio
- Convection cooling system
- Compatibility with various control hubs
GE Link Smart LED Light Bulb
This new light fixture is proof of the rapid evolution of smart lighting systems for homes. It is designed to be integrated into the Wink Hub, which means that you can pair it with other Wink-approved gadgets, including Honeywell, Dropcam, Quirky, and Lutron. This bulb is a great component of a comfortable smart home.
Main Features:
- Clear globe and exposed hardware design
- Wink Hub compatibility
- Geofencing support
LIFX Smart LED Light Bulb
This smart bulb is truly a great choice, considering that it is known for being bright and very efficient. With a great app, it can put out more accurate colors than other smart lighting fixtures on the market today. It also works with several third-party solutions, such as IFTTT, Amazon Echo, and the Nest Learning Thermostat. Moreover, this connected bulb uses Wi-Fi to communicate, thus it does not need a hub to work.
Main Features:
- “Color Wheel” color-selection function
- IFTTT support
- Android, iOS and Windows 10 compatibility
- Very low energy consumption
Mipow Rainbow Bluetooth Smart LED Light Bulb
This is a Bluetooth-enabled smart LED color bulb that comes with an app that lets you adjust its brightness, change its colors and create special light effects. Like other smart light bulbs on this list, it does not require a hub, which makes it a cost-effective solution to integrate colorful connected lighting in your home.
Main Features:
- Instant connection to smartphones over Bluetooth
- iOS and Android compatibility
- Millions of color and shade choices
TikTech Smart LED Light Bulb
This Bluetooth LED light bulb comes with a scheduling feature that you can use to program it to turn on and off, or change colors at specific times of the day. It uses a generic-looking, app-enabled color control function that does not work with notable third-party solutions. Though this bulb is the simplest and least expensive on this list, it surprisingly gets the job done better than one might expect.
Main Features:
- Bluetooth Mesh technology
- Light and music synchronization
- Easy-to-use lighting timer
How to Use These Smart Light Bulbs
Generally, these smart light bulbs are controlled from your tablet or smartphone. If you install multiple smart light bulbs, you will need to have a companion app that allows you to easily arrange them in groups. With it, you will be able to adjust color and brightness an entire group simultaneously.
Also remember that while many of these fixtures require a hub, there are also others that directly connect to your device through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Depending on your needs, you can choose the best for your home according to these factors.
Final Thoughts
With the best smart lights installed in your home, you will be surprised by how useful they can be in making your place more convenient. They allow you to enjoy some pretty amazing features, like automatic switching, making light cooler or warmer, and more. Not to mention, they will help you save big on your energy bills!
