7 Of The Best Smart Light Bulbs
Introduction
Hi, and welcome to this article about the best smart light bulbs you can buy right now.
It seems to me that I have an app on my phone to do pretty much everything. So why shouldn’t I have one to turn the light on and off. By the same token maybe I want my light to be a warm candlelight, or bright daylight, or dark purple!
Whether it is a dream of never having to get up again or a wish for more color in your life, a smart bulb may be what you are looking for.
In general smart bulbs fall into two distinct groups. Firstly ones that let you tune the white light. And secondly ones that also produce color. Happily I have included both on this list of the best smart light bulbs. Enjoy!
And don’t forget about the many other articles and reviews available here in our Articles section.
Our selections of the best smart light bulbs are based on a number of criteria:
- Online reviews from a number of light bulb retailers
- Price, we are always looking for the best value
- Energy Star qualified, whether the bulbs has met strict energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA
- Lifetime and length of warranty, as these provide a measure of quality
- Dimmable, having a bulb that can be used with a dimmer switch makes it more versatile
White Tunable – Philips Hue BR30
Philips have been making light bulbs since 1892 and are the number one manufacturer in Europe. In particular they are known for creating high-quality product that comes at a slightly higher price point.
Their Hue range covers light bulbs, the hue bridge and a smartphone app. In addition, the Hue Bluetooth app for smartphones can control up to 10 bulbs. For more than that you will need to purchase a Hue Hub which allows for up to 50 bulbs. Also the bulbs work with voice control through Alexa and Google Assistant.
So a few facts about the bulbs themselves. Firstly they are reflectors so you can use them in track lighting or recessed ceiling cans. Which is unusual for smart bulbs. Secondly they come with four preset whites: Energize, Concentrate, Read, and Relax. So you can have bright light to get you going and help you concentrate. Or warmer tones to help you relax. Alternatively you can tune them to whatever temperature you want.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $22.50 a bulb if bought in a 2-pack
- Wattage: 65 watt equivalent / 9.5 watts actual
- Lumens: 650
- Light Range: 50,000 shades of white
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 3 years
- Dimmable: Yes via app
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
White Tunable – Ecosmart Hubspace
While most smart bulbs cost over $20 this one from EcoSmart is priced at only $8. So not much more than an ordinary light bulb.
EcoSmart are a proprietary brand for Home Depot (this is a brand that is made by a different company but is only available in Home Depot). The company who manufactures them is Lighting Science Group Corporation, an American company based in Rhode Island.
As with most other smart there is a manufacturers app. In this case called Hubspace. Through the app you can dim the bulb from 1-100%. And tune the color temperature from 2700K (soft white) to 5000K (daylight). Also you can group and schedule your bulbs.
Moreover you can connect to the bulbs via Bluetooth not just Wi-Fi. While Bluetooth is no-ones favorite connection route it is good to have options in-case of Wi-Fi issues.
Finally it works directly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. In summary you get a lot for $8.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $8 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 8 watts actual
- Lumens: 800
- Light Range: Soft White (2700k) to Daylight (5000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 3 years
- Dimmable: Yes via the app
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only, damp rated
Tunable White – Globe Electric Frosted
Global Electric have been operating since 1932 when they opened as a wholesaler in Quebec, Canada. The company started operating in the United States in 2004.
Firstly the bulb has its own GLOBE SUITE App. With this you can set the light to come on and off on schedule. Furthermore you can tune the white light from 2000K-5000K. Also they are compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Siri for voice control.
Another key point is that Globe Electric say you need a Wi-Fi router running at 2.4 GHz to connect the bulb. After that you can use either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Something to consider if your router does not provide two signals.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 5 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $19.50 a bulb if bought in a #-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 10 watts actual
- Lumens: 650
- Light Range: Candlelight (2000k) to Daylight (5000k) and Bright Daylight (6000k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Dimmable: Yes via App
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Vintage – Geeni Lux Edison
In general smart bulbs come in an opaque white shell, hiding their complex workings. Not so this vintage style beauty from Geeni. Geeni are part of parent company Merkury Innovations, who have been involved in manufacturing t electronic accessory and tech for the last 20 years
Like most smart bulbs it comes with its own app for iOS and Android. Therefore you don’t need a hub to control them. Further they are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana. So they can be controlled by voice.
Also, via the app, you can put your light bulb on a schedule, change brightness, and turn them on/off. Finally you can dim and set the temperature of white light produced.
To point out, like most smart bulbs the Wi-Fi only works with the 2.4 GHz band. So you might need to tinker with your router if it only produces 5G.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $25 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 8 watts actual
- Lumens: 800
- Light Range: Tunable
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 1 year
- Dimmable: Yes via app
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Multicolor – Lenovo Smart Gen 2
Firstly I have to admit that I did not know Lenovo made light bulbs. However, I used to have one of their tablets and it worked really well. Until the power button failed. So mixed feelings on the company. Though when the tablet worked it was very good and it did last a long time.
As normal there is a manufacturer’s app. Which allows you to choose the color or tune the white light temperature. Also you can program in presets and group bulbs together. Furthermore the bulbs are compatible with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa for voice control.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $15 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 15 watts actual (uses 120V-60/50 Hz 130 mA)
- Lumens: 806
- Light Range: White 2700 to 6500k White + RGB via the app
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 1 years
- Dimmable: Yes via the app down to 30%
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Multicolor – Kasa Smart
Kasa was formed in 2015 and is based in Silicon Valley in California. The company specializes in smart, connected products such as smart plugs, smart bulbs, smart light switches and smart cameras. They have four million active Kasa customers around the world. Also they are owned by TP-Link who provide networking devices and accessories.
Firstly there is a Kasa smart app. With this you can remotely turn the bulbs on and off, dim them and set the color and brightness. No hub is required. Also they are compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant or Microsoft Cortana. So you can schedule and adjust the bulb via your voice assistant.
One feature I particularly like is the auto white level which automatically adjusts the color temperature to match natural light patterns
Finally they are FCC, UL, DoE, California Energy Commission (CEC) Title 20 Compliant. And use only 0.2 watts when on standby.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $15 a bulb if bought individually
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 10.5 watts actual
- Lumens: 850
- Light Range: 16+ Million Colors
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 2 years
- Dimmable: Yes from 1% to 100% via the app. 10lm and 850lm. Yes (via app and cloud only)
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
Multicolor – Feit Smart
Feit have been in the lighting business for more than 40 years (since 1978) and are a family owned and operated business out of Los Angeles. They claim to hold an inventory of 100 million bulbs and fixtures in their automated distribution center allowing them to ship orders within 24 hours.
This smart bulb is controlled via a downloadable app (Android & iOS) which can: turn on/off and dim, set the light color or the color temperature for white (warm to daylight). This requires a 2.4GHz WiFi network, but you do not need a smart hub. The bulbs also work with Alexa to allow voice control.
Fact sheet
- Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $6.75 a bulb if bought in a 3-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 9 watts actual
- Lumens: 800
- Light Range: Tunable
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 1 year
- Dimmable: Yes (with app or voice assistant)
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only