Light bulbs have grown exponentially smarter in recent years. You can now replace your standard incandescent bulb with a variety of connected solutions you can control with just a few taps on your smartphone or tablet. Some even connect with smartwatches and voice assistants. But with so many options flooding the smart home market, which one is right for you?
We've rounded up the highest-rated smart bulbs we've tested here. Read on for our top picks, and scroll down for general information about smart light bulbs and some points to consider while you're shopping for one.
What Does a Smart Light Bulb Do?
Smart bulbs offer a degree of control and interactivity you just can't get with traditional bulbs, including scheduled timers and remote control options. They're also more convenient; it's easier to tap on a smartphone screen than to get up and trudge over to a wall switch.
Beyond keeping you out of the dark, you can schedule or remotely control most of the bulbs we've reviewed, which is great if you want to save on energy costs or often forget to turn off the lights before leaving the house. Some bulbs use geofencing, which means they work with the GPS in your smartphone to automatically turn on or off when you get home or leave the house. Color-changing bulbs are also great for mood lighting, and some can even sync with certain movies and TV shows.
Some bulbs are compatible with Amazon's Alexa, Apple's HomeKit, or Google Assistant, which means you can control your home lighting with just your voice. You can also integrate some of the bulbs on this list with security cameras, thermostats, and other smart home devices. IFTTT compatibility further lets you create recipes that automatically cause your lights to react to certain triggers, like phone notifications or weather changes.
Can a Smart Bulb Change Color?
Some of the bulbs on this list are just white, while others can take on any color of the rainbow. Color is a fun way to add atmosphere to your home, but often results in a pricier bulb.
Most of the smart bulbs we review are marketed as equivalent to 60-watt incandescent models, which sounds self-explanatory, but some bulbs are brighter than others. To see just how bright a light is, you need to look at the lumens it puts out (listed in the table below): the more lumens, the brighter the light.
Another factor to keep in mind is color temperature. Higher temperatures, such as 8,500K, look like harsh office lighting, which is fine for staying awake or working. Lower temperatures, such as 2,500K, translate to a cozy, warm glow that's perfect for relaxing.
How Do I Connect My Smart Bulb to My Phone?
Some smart bulbs need to connect to your smartphone through a home automation hub such as the Philips Hue Bridge. The addition of a hub usually means a higher price and an extra step or two in the installation process.
Other bulbs cut out the middleman and connect to your phone or tablet directly via Wi-Fi. Still others connect via Bluetooth—but, in that case, you can control the lights only when you are within the much smaller Bluetooth range.
Since you are likely going to control these lights from your phone or tablet, make sure that it's easy to do. If you have multiple bulbs, for instance, you should seek out a companion app that lets you easily arrange them in groups for customization.
Of course, you can turn off any connected bulb just as easily by simply flipping the switch. We pay close attention to how each app works, and provide a detailed overview in each review.
Are Smart Light Bulbs Worth the Money?
Smart bulbs use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a variety of technologies to work, so they are typically more expensive than traditional bulbs. That's important to keep in mind, especially if you want to upgrade your entire house. But smart bulbs also use less energy and last a lot longer—meaning you can save money in the long run. And as you can see, most of the options on this list fall well below $50, so the price of entry isn't as steep as it used to be. You can now even find sub-$10 options, including some of our highest-rated picks.