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Home lighting has come a long way since the days of merely flipping a switch. Smart bulbs that you can control with your phone or voice are now readily available. But with so many options to choose from, how do you decide which are the best smart lights for illuminating your life?
This comprehensive 2023 guide covers everything you need to confidently shop for smart lights. We’ll review all the top brands, features, integrations, and factors to consider. Let’s shine a light on what’s new and notable in the world of smart bulbs!
A Brief History of Smart Lights
The first WiFi-enabled LED smart bulbs emerged around 2012, letting you control lighting remotely through smartphone apps. Philips Hue and LIFX were early pioneers.
Since then, smart lighting has steadily advanced with new capabilities like scheduling, automation, expanded voice control, and integration with smart home platforms. Brightness and efficiency have dramatically improved.
In 2023, smart lights are more affordable,Responsive, and loaded with advanced features that simply make your life easier. Read on to discover the latest and greatest options to illuminate your home.
Key Factors to Consider Before Buying Smart Lights
Here are the most important things to evaluate as you shop for smart bulbs:
Compatibility
- Voice control – Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri?
- Smart home platforms – Integrates with Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT?
Bulb Types and Forms
- Bulb styles – A19, BR30, GU10, etc.
- Forms – Bulbs, strips, panels, fixtures, lamps
Features
- Color changing – Adjustable RGBW lighting?
- Automation – Trigger lights based on schedules, activities, sensors
- Convenience – Dimming, ambient modes, remote access, physical controls
Performance
- Internet connectivity – WiFi vs. Bluetooth enabled
- Brightness – Lumens based on bulb type and room needs
- Energy efficiency – Bulb brightness per watt
Package and Support
- Pack sizes – Single bulbs vs. multi-packs
- Warranty and support – Length of coverage and customer service
- Security – Data privacy and control concerns
Evaluating both features and performance criteria will ensure you select the smart lights that are best suited for your needs and home.
In-Depth Reviews of the Top 7 Smart Light Brands
Now let’s explore some of the most popular smart light brands and product lines available in 2023:
Philips Hue Smart Lights
Key Products: A19 bulbs, BR30, GU10, Lightstrips, recessed fixtures, lamps,
Standout Features: Wide range of products, excellent app control, robust integrations, automation triggers
Pros: Very reliable, easy to set up, outstanding app support, works with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit
Cons: Expensive upfront costs, some connectivity issues
Best For: Comprehensive smart lighting solutions and compatible ecosystems
Philips Hue stands out for its vast product selection, top-notch software, and connectivity. With a variety of starter kits, bulbs, fixtures, and accessories, Hue can fill your entire home with affordable automation and voice-controlled lighting.
LIFX Smart Lights
Key Products: A19, BR30, A60 bulbs, Beam light strips, Tile smart panels
Standout Features: Vibrant full color illumination, music syncing, group control
Pros: Excellent brightness and color quality, robust app with automation, supports Alexa/Google/HomeKit
Cons: Can be laggy to respond, WiFi-only could pose connectivity challenges
Best For: Full-color effects and decorative or accent lighting
LIFX bulbs deliver outstanding color quality and maximum brightness. Ideal for bold, colorful effects. Their tiles add a nice design element. Syncing lights to music is a popular party feature.
Nanoleaf Smart Lights
Key Products: Shapes hexagons, canvas squares, lines, essentials bulbs/strips
Standout Features: Interconnectable LED panels, screen mirroring, music sync, touch controls
Pros: Highly interactive and decor friendly, extensive app integration control, HomeKit support
Cons: Expensive, panels have limited placement options
Best For: Playful, futuristic lighting for entertainment spaces
Nanoleaf’s modular LED light panels bring a fun interactive element that can liven up any space. Their Essentials bulbs and strips offer smart controls in more traditional formats.
Read our full Review here: Nanoleaf Smart Lights Review
TP-Link Kasa Smart Lights
Key Products: A19, BR30, Light strips, Dimmers, Switches, Plugs
Standout Features: Broad compatibility, scheduling/timer, energy monitoring, 2.4GHz only
Pros: Simple to set up, intuitive app, energy efficient, Alexa/Google Assistant integration
Cons: No color changing, needs 2.4GHz WiFi
Best For: Reliable smart bulbs for basic automation and voice control
TP-Link’s Kasa smart home line offers very affordable but capable smart lighting options. No frills but excellent performance for the price. Their dimmers and switches add physical in-wall smart controls.
Sengled Smart Lights
Key Products: A19, PAR30, BR30 bulbs, Lightstrips, Candle bulbs, Soft white filament bulbs
Standout Features: Light strips with voice control, good value, Alexa/Google Assistant integration
Pros: Affordable pricing, reliable performance, expanding product line
Cons: Slow app, limited features and integrations compared to some brands
Best For: Budget-friendly starter smart lighting
Sengled delivers solid bang-for-your buck options across a range of bulb types and styles. Their newer offerings show promising innovation, especially their voice-controllable light strip.
C by GE Smart Lights
Key Products: A19, PAR20, BR30, Light strips, Bluetooth smart plugs/buttons
Standout Features: Bluetooth connectivity, simple controls, compact form factors
Pros: Easy plug-and-play setup, integrates with Alexa/Google Assistant
Cons: Very limited features and app functionality compared to others
Best For: No-frills voice-controlled smart bulbs
C by GE condenses smart lighting down to straightforward bulbs in small packages that forego complexity for simplicity and reliability.
Wyze Smart Lights
Key Products: A19, BR30, Light strips, two-packs, four-packs, starter kits
Standout Features: Exceptional value, basic scheduling, tuning, Google/Alexa support
Pros: Excellent performance for the cost, easy to set up and use
Cons: Very limited features and smart integrations beyond the basics
Best For: Inexpensive entry-level smart lighting
Wyze delivers shockingly good smart bulbs at budget-friendly prices. You’ll miss out on advanced features, but for bare-bones automation the value is unmatched.
Smart Light Comparison Chart
Smart Light Comparison Chart
| Brand | Key Products | Standout Features | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Hue | A19 bulbs, BR30, GU10, Lightstrips, recessed fixtures, lamps | Wide range of products, excellent app control, robust integrations, automation triggers | Very reliable, easy to set up, outstanding app support, works with Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit | Expensive upfront costs, some connectivity issues | Comprehensive smart lighting solutions and compatible ecosystems |
| LIFX | A19, BR30, A60 bulbs, Beam light strips, Tile smart panels | Vibrant full color illumination, music syncing, group control | Excellent brightness and color quality, robust app with automation, supports Alexa/Google/HomeKit | Can be laggy to respond, WiFi-only could pose connectivity challenges | Full-color effects and decorative or accent lighting |
| Nanoleaf | Shapes hexagons, canvas squares, lines, essentials bulbs/strips | Interconnectable LED panels, screen mirroring, music sync, touch controls | Highly interactive and decor friendly, extensive app integration control, HomeKit support | Expensive, panels have limited placement options | Playful, futuristic lighting for entertainment spaces |
| TP-Link Kasa | A19, BR30, Light strips, Dimmers, Switches, Plugs | Broad compatibility, scheduling/timer, energy monitoring, 2.4GHz only | Simple to set up, intuitive app, energy efficient, Alexa/Google Assistant integration | No color changing, needs 2.4GHz WiFi | Reliable smart bulbs for basic automation and voice control |
| Sengled | A19, PAR30, BR30 bulbs, Lightstrips, Candle bulbs, Soft white filament bulbs | Light strips with voice control, good value, Alexa/Google Assistant integration | Affordable pricing, reliable performance, expanding product line | Slow app, limited features and integrations compared to some brands | Budget-friendly starter smart lighting |
| C by GE | A19, PAR20, BR30, Light strips, Bluetooth smart plugs/buttons | Bluetooth connectivity, simple controls, compact form factors | Easy plug-and-play setup, integrates with Alexa/Google Assistant | Very limited features and app functionality compared to others | No-frills voice-controlled smart bulbs |
| Wyze | A19, BR30, Light strips, two-packs, four-packs, starter kits | Exceptional value, basic scheduling, tuning, Google/Alexa support | Excellent performance for the cost, easy to set up and use | Very limited features and smart integrations beyond the basics | Inexpensive entry-level smart lighting |
FAQ – Smart Lighting Questions Answered
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about smart bulbs:
Can smart lights work without WiFi?
Many smart bulbs now use Bluetooth instead of WiFi, allowing control and automation through your home’s hub while keeping bulbs disconnected from the internet for privacy.
What features should I look for if I want color changing ability?
Full color (RGBW) bulbs like Philips Hue or LIFX allow you to select from a complete spectrum of shades. Ensure the lumen output still meets your needs.
How do smart lights compare for brightness?
Brightness is measured in lumens. Standard A19 smart LEDs range from 600-1600 lumens, comparible to roughly 40W-100W traditional bulbs. Mini bulbs may be lower.
Which smart lights work with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit?
Most major brands work with Alexa and Google Assistant. For HomeKit, Philips Hue, LIFX, and Nanoleaf are top choices. Check package labeling for compatibility.
Conclusion and Final Recommendations
We hope this guide has illuminated the key options and considerations for installing smart lighting in your home. Here are our top recommendations:
- Best Overall: Philips Hue offers the full package – expansive product line, robust features, and seamless integration.
- Most Budget Friendly: Wyze smart bulbs deliver solid performance at unbeatable prices.
- Best for Smart Home Ecosystems: Nanoleaf Essentials perfectly complements an Apple HomeKit, Google, or Alexa environment.
- Most Interactive: LIFX Tiles transform walls and add an artistic flair.
Be sure to evaluate your needs, existing devices, and budget to select the best smart lighting to enhance your spaces. We invite you to come back and share your experiences!
