How to choose the right smart light bulb for your home
Smart lighting has revolutionized the way we light our homes. If color coordination, minimalist design, and well-designed furniture shape the "form" of your home, then lighting serves as its "spirit." However, with a wide range of options available, choosing the right smart lighting for our home can be overwhelming. In this guide, we'll help you find the smart light bulb that's right for you.
Are Smart Light Bulbs Worth It?
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Smart Light Bulb
Top Recommended Smart Light Bulbs
What Are Smart Light Bulbs?
Smart light bulbs are lighting devices that can connect to a network, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and be controlled wirelessly using a smartphone, tablet, or smart home hub. You can turn on/off, adjust brightness, and change colors from anywhere or by using your voice. Smart light bulbs offer advanced smart features and flexibility compared to normal bulbs.
Are Smart Light Bulbs Worth It?
Smart light bulbs are inexpensive and easy to incorporate into your home. They also offer a variety of useful features that automate your daily routine, freeing your hands.
· Convenience and Automation: Manage your smart lights remotely, aligning them with your daily schedule. Schedule them to gradually brighten at 7 am for a gentle wake-up or use the Sunset mode for automatic activation at dusk.
· Voice Control: Integrate smart bulbs with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri, or Samsung SmartThings for voice-activated control. Simply say, “Alexa, turn on the light” from bed, and the room lights up.
· Personalized Lighting: Easily design scenarios for your daily routine or special activities by customizing brightness, color temperature, and colors. Found your favorite lighting for watching movies? Save the lighting as a setting you can simply select for future movie nights. Manage your lighting with a tap to create the perfect atmosphere for your home at any time.
· Better Sleep Quality: Smart lights equipped with circadian features, such as Auto White, mimic natural daylight patterns by adjusting color temperature automatically throughout the day. This optimizes sleep-wake cycles, enhances sleep quality, and boosts well-being.
· Enhanced Security: Smart lighting can automatically simulate someone being at home to frighten away unwanted visitors by turning on randomly. Additionally, some smart lighting systems can be integrated with security cameras or motion sensors, triggering lights to turn on when motion is detected, enhancing safety and security.
· Energy Efficiency: Smart lights reduce energy use without sacrificing brightness or quality, compared to a normal incandescent bulb. They’re designed to operate efficiently in your home for longer periods with less energy consumption. You can also monitor your connected devices' real-time power consumption and costs in a mobile app.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Smart Light Bulb
(1) Compatibility
Check if the smart light bulb is compatible with your existing smart home ecosystem. Ensure it works with your preferred voice assistant (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri) or smart home hub (e.g., Apple HomePod, Samsung SmartThings). Some smart light bulbs may require a separate bridge or hub for connectivity.
(2) Bulb Type
Consider the type of bulb based on your lighting fixtures. Ensure the smart light bulbs match the fixtures’ fitting and size requirements.
- A19 – standard bulbs
- BR30 – recessed bulbs
- E12 – candle style/chandelier bulbs
- E26 – extension bulbs, can be placed into any existing fixture or lamp
(3) Connection
Most smart light bulbs use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to connect to your home network. Consider the range and stability of the connection method based on your home's layout and the distance from your Wi-Fi router.
(4) Lumens
Lumens measure the brightness or light output of a bulb. Determine the desired brightness level for your home. You can check the lumen rating specified on the smart bulb packaging. Higher lumen values indicate brighter light output, while lower values indicate dimmer lighting. For example, a bulb with 800 lumens will shine brighter than a bulb with 500 lumens.
(5) Color Temperature
Color temperature, measured in Kelvin, describes the warmth or coolness of light. Lower Kelvin values like 2700K signify warmer, yellowish light, while higher values like 5000K indicate cooler, bluish-white light. Consider the desired ambiance when choosing bulbs with specific color temperatures. When selecting bulbs with specific color temperatures, consider the atmosphere and ambiance you want to create.
(6) Smart Features
Look for features such as schedules, automation, voice control, and compatibility with other smart devices. Some smart bulbs provide energy-monitoring features, allowing you to track and optimize your energy usage. Auto White can be a nice feature to help regulate your body's circadian rhythm and improve your overall sleep quality.
Top Recommended Smart Light Bulbs
Smart Light Bulb, Matter: Tapo L535E
Tapo L535E is Tapo's first Matter-compatible high-lumen multicolor smart bulb that seamlessly integrates with certified smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings. With 1055 lumens* of crisp, high-quality lighting, it’s ideal for any space in your home that requires brighter lighting. You can easily design scenarios for your daily routine or activities by customizing the schedule, light brightness, light temperature, and even colors–with millions of hues to choose from via the Tapo app.
*Lumens vary depending on the product model and version.
Smart Light Bulb: Tapo L530E, Tapo L530B
Tapo L530 delivers 806 lumens, offers a color temperature range of 2500K to 6500K, and is dimmable from 1% to 100%. Design daily routines or special scenarios effortlessly with the Schedule and Timer, Sunrise and Sunset modes, Auto White, and presets. Notably, Auto White adjusts color temperature to mimic natural daylight, optimizing circadian rhythms and improving sleep. Voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant offers hands-free operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use smart light bulbs without Wi-Fi?
Most smart light bulbs require a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection for remote control and smart features. However, some smart bulbs can work in local mode without an internet connection, allowing basic on/off functionality using physical switches.
Are smart light bulbs better than normal bulbs?
Smart light bulbs offer advanced features and flexibility compared to normal bulbs. While normal bulbs provide basic illumination, smart light bulbs allow multiple brightness/color settings, remote control, automation, and integration with smart home systems. However, smart bulbs are generally more expensive than normal bulbs.
Do smart light bulbs save money?
Smart light bulbs have the potential to save money in the long run, primarily due to their energy efficiency and features that promote energy conservation.
What is the lifespan of a smart light bulb?
The lifespan of smart bulbs depends on various factors, including the brand, usage patterns, and quality. On average, LED-based smart bulbs can last for tens of thousands of hours, which is significantly longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Are smart light bulbs easy to set up and use?
Yes. You can follow the step-by-step app instructions to complete setup. Choose the device model, connect to your home Wi-Fi, customize settings, and enjoy.
