Table of Smart Lights of 2021 (Pricing & Features)
Examine the best smart lights, all its features, benefits, prices, and other important things to consider before choosing the devices for the home.
| Provider | Best for | Price for Devices | Brightness | Works with | Hue Required | Lifetime | Power Consumption | Colored | Needs Internet | Remote Control Included | App to Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Philips Hue A19 | Easy Use | $286 x 4 items | 2700 Kelvin | Alexa, Google Voice Assistant, FITT | Yes | 25,000 hours | Low | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 2. Philips Hue Bluetooth | Smart Networking | $89.99 | 550 LM | Alexa, Google Voice Assistant, FITT | Yes | 25,000 hours | Low | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| 3. C by GE Smart Light | Long-term Performance | $86 | 550 LM | Alexa | Yes | 20,000 hours | Low | No | No | Yes | No |
| 4. Wyze Bulb Light Bulb | No Additions | $78 | 2700K to 6500K | Alexa & Google | No | 25,000 hours | Low | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 5. Kasa Smart Light Bulb | Great Pricing | $21 | 550 LM | Alexa, Google Voice Assistant | No | 20,000 hours | Medium | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 6. LIFX Mini 800 Light Bulb | More Savings | $121 | 2700K to 9500K | Alexa, Google Voice, FITT | Yes | 25,000 hours | Medium | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| 7. LIFX A19 Light Bulb | Wide range | $40 | 1100K | Alexa, Google Voice | No | 20,000 hours | Low | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 8. Eufy by Anker | Music Lovers | $32 | 2700K | Alexa, Google Voice, Siri | No | 20,000 hours | Medium | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 9. Nanoleaf Light Panels | High-Quality Materials | $199 | 650 LM | Alexa, Google Voice, Siri | Yes | 25,000 hours | Low | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 10. Sengled Smart LED | Colorful Homes | $104x 10 units | 650 LM | Alexa, Google Voice | No | 25,000 hours | Low | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Smart Bulb Types
Is all the smart lighting the same? Of course not. But what makes it different, then? It has to do with connectivity, location, and type of technology used.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Smart Light Bulbs
Not all smart bulbs are useful for any context. For example, outdoor devices are more resistant to dust, wind, rain, sun, and other conditions that do not exist inside. Plus, some of them will be resistant to humidity or heat in the bathroom, while others will not.
Indoor
Let’s take a look at the main advantages and disadvantages of these homekits in 2021.
Pros:
- Cheaper than the best smart bulbs for outside
- More compatible with voice assistants
- Easy to install without tools or knowledge
Cons:
- Not so resistant to weather changes
Outdoor
So, what are the outdoor kit’s main advantages and drawbacks? Discover them below.
Pros:
- Weatherproof to resist rain or dust
- More potent so they can be seen even during the day
- Usable with another smart lighting
Cons:
- More expensive than other systems
Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth
Most smart lighting systems are managed either by Bluetooth or via Wi-Fi. While they are different, these options are also similar because they require users to be near the best smart light bulb. If they are not, the connection will be lost.
Wi-Fi
Now, let’s discuss the good and bad points of Wi-Fi homekits for 2021.
Pros:
- They can be managed from anywhere
- They enable a Bluetooth connection, too
- People can download an app for any phone
Cons:
- They require a 2.4GHz internet connection
Bluetooth
Buyers can find below more information on the best and worst features of Bluetooth hues.
Pros:
- The equipment is very affordable
- Compatible with tablets in addition to cell phones
- Can be paired in a heartbeat
Cons:
- The range is quite limited
CFL vs. LED Light Bulbs
The main difference between these two smart lights is their consumption. While CFL is cheaper, they consume a lot more than LED. These may be more expensive but will produce a lot more savings in people’s bank accounts.
CFL
Still, wondering whether buying a CFL kit is a good idea? Find more clarity in the list below.
Pros:
- Affordable to anyone
- Usually compatible with a lot of equipment
- Offer a wide range of colors
Cons:
- Each smart bulb consumes a lot of energy
LED Light Bulbs
Finally, find here some characteristics of LED kits and make the most suitable buying choice.
Pros:
- Very bright and efficient
- Quite resistant
- They remain cool and last longer
Cons:
- A bit pricier than CFL bulbs
Take Into Account When Buying the Best Smart Bulb
So, are all factors the same? What to look for when choosing the best smart lights? This is a very personal decision, but some things are obvious, such as location, budget, and preferences.
Some others, like energy expenditure, are not, and are detailed below to serve clients.
1. How Much They Spend
Depending on the model, some devices will spend much more electricity than others. LED items, for example, are very efficient, especially when compared to a CFL smart bulb. Owners ought to take this into account if they want to save some energy and benefit the planet at the same time.
2. Use of Wi-Fi
While most models include remote devices, some others make use only of Wi-Fi to function. This is great in terms of comfort because they will be able to make light arrangements using their mobile phones. Yet, it can also be an issue in case there’s no internet at the moment. Or if the range of coverage is a bit narrow.
So, some lighting will consume almost nothing (almost 2 Watts) while others will reach almost 10.
3. Connectivity via Bluetooth
This is a very convenient system to pair up the products with a mobile phone, tablet, or even laptop. They are easy to connect, and most people know how to use Bluetooth. On the negative side, the connection can be very unstable.
4. Protocols and Features
Some protocols include Zigbee and Z-Wave hubs. This means they use this type of network to communicate with the owner and their bulbs. For example, one company that usually does this is Philips, though it’s not the only one.
Plus, both items need to use the same network, so this means this cannot be done when away from home.
4. Protocols and Features
Some protocols include Zigbee and Z-Wave hubs. This means they use this type of network to communicate with the owner and their bulbs. For example, one company that usually does this is Philips, though it’s not the only one.
5. Where to Put Them
As stated above, it’s not the same to use the lighting indoors or outdoors. Plus, there is also a difference between using the lights in the bathroom (where there are water and moisture at all times) or in the bedroom. Make sure the features are enough for the product to resist weather, dust, and other related things.
6. How Powerful They Are
In addition to knowing how many colors they offer, these products’ labels also include other information. For example, they state how bright the lamps can be or the range (usually between 2500K and 6000K) they can reach. Of course, this is closely related to how much energy they will spend and save.
7. Need for a Hub
Some systems will work on their own, without the need for an external device such as a hub to increase connectivity. But other models will need one either to connect with Amazon Alexa or to make it compatible with other appliances.
8. How Much It Will Save
This is very much related to the items above. The fewer watts the bulb consumes, the more the owner will save in their electricity bill. Plus, most products have this type of data on their labels. For instance, some reviews show a reduction of up to 60$ per month.
9. Online Reviews & Comments
No matter how good descriptions are, the real thing is always better when choosing something for the home. So, read reviews about the best smart bulbs and see what people have to say. If they complain a lot about certain aspects, there must be a reason for that, so it may be better to just run away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Do Smart Light Bulbs Do?
Smart light bulbs have a lot of different functions. The first one is to accompany the music the person is hearing. They will move around and blink, so make the perfect ambiance for a party.
Another option is to dim the colors at night to create a warm, nice atmosphere before resting. The best smart lights also give people the option to change the color to blue, yellow, green, pink, or any other they prefer.
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Do Smart Light Bulbs Work in Any Lamp?
Yes, this usually happens, unless the homekit is very old. Smart bulbs come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and settings. But most of them have the same type of connectors, whether they are CFL or LED.
So, they are likely to be compatible with any bulb found at home.
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How Long Do Smart Bulbs Last?
It depends on the model. The best smart bulb lasts up to 25,000 hours, which is a lot of years. The ones that last the least are around 20,000 hours.
Anyway, the duration is extended. The only issue that may arise is a defect that makes it break out.
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Do Smart Bulbs Work Without Wi-Fi?
The best smart bulbs do work without Wi-Fi, while some others don’t. The best models offer clients at least two alternatives, and one of them is using a normal, manual controller.
Instead, other smart lights need an app or voice systems to be able to manage the LED lamps.
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Should I Get Smart Bulbs or Switches?
It depends on personal needs. Switches are useful for managing a lot of smart bulbs at the same time. So, it can be cheaper to acquire them, especially if the house is big.
The cost can be $40-$50. Yet, the best smart bulbs are a bit more expensive but have a lot of range. Most of them, for example, can dim or change the colors of the smart lighting depending on the taste of the owner.
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Do Smart Light Bulbs Use More Electricity?
No, on the contrary. The best smart bulbs have very low consumption, with an average of 2-5 watts.
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Do Smart Bulbs Use Electricity When Off?
Yes, they do. Smart bulbs are on even when they are off, and there is a simple explanation for this. Most of them need Wi-Fi to function, and this connection spends electricity.
While some devices allow owners to turn this off, some others need it to survive.
Bring the Colors to Your Room
All in all, most equipment is affordable, and anyone can have them at home. It all comes down to the buyers’ preferences and needs. Some will consider that the best smart light bulbs are the ones that save the most money. Instead, others will like to have a wide variety of colors to choose from.
Either way, just make sure to read descriptions, opinions, and this guide in 2021 to make the smartest buying choice. What about you? Have you ever used this type of device?
