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A favorite smart bulb that comes from and works with TP-Link's well-regarded line of smart devices.
A favorite smart bulb that comes from and works with TP-Link's well-regarded line of smart devices.
WiFi-enabled bulb compatible with Alexa and Google Home. Bright 800 lumens. Can be programmed to auto-adjust white temperature according to time of day. Generates millions of colors. Feature-rich companion app.
Won't connect easily to Apple HomeKit. Only 1 bulb per pack.
These smart bulbs connect via Bluetooth instead of WiFi and are designed particularly for Amazon Alexa.
These smart bulbs connect via Bluetooth instead of WiFi and are designed particularly for Amazon Alexa.
Connects via Bluetooth instead of WiFi for convenience. Designed for simple installation and control with Amazon Alexa. High brightness of 800 lumens. Produces millions of colors. Each bulb acts as a Bluetooth signal repeater for wide coverage.
Not compatible with Google Home or Apple HomeKit. Connection may drop.
A solid pack of smart light bulbs that don't need a smart hub and come from a respected brand.
A solid pack of smart light bulbs that don't need a smart hub and come from a respected brand.
Requires no hub. Produces millions of colors or different temperatures of white light. Can be controlled by Alexa. Compatible with Google Home. Smart speaker not required. Can be controlled from a smartphone with the companion app.
Not compatible with Apple HomeKit. Indoor use only. Not compatible with dimmer switches.
These smart bulbs are designed for spotlights and floodlights and come with all the features you expect.
These smart bulbs are designed for spotlights and floodlights and come with all the features you expect.
Produces millions of colors and different temperatures of white. Can be controlled by Alexa. Compatible with Google Home. Does not require a hub. Bulbed reflector shape makes them ideal for recessed lighting and spotlights.
Not compatible with Apple HomeKit. Not compatible with traditional dimmers.
A Bluetooth-based smart bulb with an app that works on Android and iOS devices.
A Bluetooth-based smart bulb with an app that works on Android and iOS devices.
Syncs easily to Bluetooth-capable smartphones and tablets. Sunrise and sunset modes are easy to customize for gradual brightness and dimming. Generates millions of colors. App works with Apple iOS devices.
Doesn't work well with Alexa. Does not directly support Apple HomeKit.
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It seems these days that placing the word “smart” in front of a product name instantly makes the item better. Smartphones are far more functional than other kinds of phones. Smart TVs bring a whole new set of programming options. Smartwatches can tell you when it’s time to exercise, and who’s calling your smartphone.
Keeping with the times, smart light bulbs are the next evolutionary step of one of the most common objects in your home today. A smart light bulb is one that can be controlled remotely, through a WiFi connection.
BestReviews helps readers find the best options for each product. You can count on the research we’ve compiled to give you the information you need for a smart purchase.
Smart light bulbs offer numerous benefits for residential and commercial users. We’ve collected some of the best reasons to employ smart bulbs.
If you currently use fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs, a smart LED bulb can provide significant energy savings. Traditional LED bulbs also will reduce your energy use, but smart LED bulbs offer several additional features.
Although smart light bulbs offer quite a few benefits, don’t forget about how much fun using them can be. Colored lighting can amaze your kids, or can create a product showcase for visitors to your business.
Using a smartphone app with your smart light bulb gives you many options for scheduling when the lights will be active. You can turn lights off and on when you aren’t home, or you can dim lights near bedtime with smart LED apps.
When comparing different smart LED bulb products, you’ll find many of the bulbs have similar features. So when shopping for smart LEDs, it pays to keep an eye on the small differences between each product.
Different smart light bulbs will offer multiple colors, but the range of colors in each bulb differs. Make sure the bulb you select can create the colors you want.
Some smart bulbs even contain basic audio speakers. These allow you to stream music through the bulbs. These speakers won’t give you top-notch audio quality, but they do give you a way to have audio throughout your home, without an additional device.
A smart light bulb should direct its light in multiple directions. However, different models of bulbs will distribute the beams of light differently.
Check packaging and reviews carefully to determine whether the bulb you select provides the kind of light coverage needed for your situation.
If you already use a smart home hub, check whether the smart bulbs you’re considering are compatible with it.
You don’t want to have to use multiple apps to control a smart thermostat, security cameras, and your smart lights. Using just one app with these products will make it easier to control everything.
A. There are some benefits of smart switches over smart bulbs. The smart switch can control several standard LED bulbs at one time, for example, saving you money. However, smart switches don’t have as many different features as a smart light bulb, including color-changing options.
A. The smart light bulb will react more slowly than a traditional wired light bulb. Using an app and a WiFi connection to control the bulb introduces a tiny bit of lag versus flipping a switch wired directly to the bulb. These delays can run anywhere from one to five seconds, depending on your system. And while you still may be able to control the basic on/off function with a manual switch, any other features of your smart bulb won’t be available if your WiFi service goes down.
A. Color accuracy can be a bit of a hit-and-miss prospect with some brands of smart bulbs. Some may only give you a deep pink color instead of a proper red color, for example. Check product specifications and reviews to learn how many colors a bulb offers before purchasing.
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