Smart Lighting Bulbs
“The Smart light bulbs” I’m sure you heard that expression quite often recently. In the beginning, let’s know the meaning of “Smart Lighting Bulbs.” They are smart as they can be customized, wirelessly connected to mobile apps, controlled from anywhere, change colors, and dim. They are a growing category in the field of home automation and Internet of Things (IoT) products.
Smart Lighting Bulbs can be controlled through home automation hubs or mobile apps with the integration of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any connection for a home automation systems, and individual bulbs can be adjusted to change its output in a particular mode. Also, they can be controlled due to specific schedules when you are not at home (work, shopping, or vacation). You can choose the color you want through a color wheel provided in the automation system or make them dim to help you relax, feel warm or sleep.
Best Smart Lighting Bulbs:
Now we will start reviewing Top 10 Smart Lighting Bulbs in 2019, each brand has its own features and we will be telling what is good and unique about each one of them. All of them have one thing in common which is they are working over Wi-Fi but of course have other characteristics that differ one from another.
1. Philips Hue:
You can use Philips Hue Go by plugging the bulb into a power source, or unplug it and use it as a compact torch. It is a 300-lumen bulb that can last up to three hours if it is fully charged, and last up to 20,000 working hours. Philips Hue Go has seven different light features, energizing daylight, a warm white light, and five natural dynamic lights. If you connected it with the Hue Bridge, this gives you full control through your mobile. As well as, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
2. FluxSmart:
The FluxSmart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb has more than 16 million colors, so it allows you to create a color that matching your different needs and moods. It produces 800 lumens using only 10 watts and lasts for up to 20,000 hours. The mobile app is compatible with IOS and Android devices, also connects with Alexa and Google Assistant.
3. LIFX:
The LIFX Mini White Bulb is an excellent compact bulb to light your nightstand or home desk or office. It has 800 lumens using lower than 10 watts with a lifetime more than 20 years and two years warranty. You can control it from anywhere using a mobile app (iOS and Android) or your voice as it supports Alexa, Google assistant, and Apple HomeKit.
4. GE:
C by GE is an excellent smart lighting bulb; it has 850 lumens. It requires C-Reach hub to control it from outside the home and voice control Alexa and Google Assistant (HomeKit yet to arrive). Also, there is a bulb especially for Google, that doesn’t require the C-Reach hub. You plug it into Google Home, open the Google Home app, and add it.
5. Ikea Tradfri:
The Ikea Tradfri smart lights have white bulbs, wireless dimmer switches and also color bulbs. They can be controlled via the Ikea app (iOS and Android), or via Alexa and Apple HomeKit (Google Assistant is in progress). The bulbs can be used with an existing Philips Hue system, but you do not have to go smart lighting with all the bulbs; you can connect (few or all) to the wireless dimmer or the remote control and never install the
6. Kasa:
Kasa Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb offers soft white, and dimmable light which is suitable for almost every occasion. It has 800 lumens and a lifetime more than 20 years. Also, it reduces energy consumption to 80% when compared to incandescent lamps of the same level, without loss of brightness or quality. You can control it with either your mobile device or your voice, also, automatically adapts to light changes through the day without the need of a hub.
7. Sylvania:
Sylvania Smart bulbs are soft white, dimmable and colored lights. They are compatible with the ZigBee smart home standards, also work with Samsung SmartThings, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Wink. The bulbs require a ZigBee hub to work.
8. Hive Active Light:
Hive has both white and full-color bulbs; they are controllable from the Hive app or by the voice. Unfortunately, you need the Hive Hub for these bulbs as they run on Zigbee. As well as, the Hive app has some useful features including automation systems. It’s not quite as fast as Lifx or Philips Hue or, but it is only noticeable when comparing them side by side.
9. Sengled:
The Sengled Wi-Fi smart bulb is easy to set up and low cost. It connects to your network without the need of a hub. You download the Sengled Home App (login, connect to Wi-Fi), then you can turn it on and off. Also, you can control the dimmable light with your mobile or by the voice.
10. Wiz:
Wiz smart bulb connects directly to the Wi-Fi and doesn’t need a separate bridge or hub like some other systems do. You can connect Wiz bulbs directly if you already have a smart hub installed using IFTTT. They have some excellent automation like turning all lights on when an intruder is detected, turn on lights on a specific dim or color on schedules, or turn on/off lights on a daily basis when you are on vacation to confuse robbers.
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