Nowadays, everything is becoming a smart device, even lightbulbs. Smart lightbulbs can be huge energy savers in a home or office. You can also easily dim them, which helps reduce the strain on your eyes. After all, it is not easy working on a computer and being surrounded by bright and harsh lights.
We have compiled a list of the top smart bulbs on the market. We chose these light bulbs based on their compatibility with Alexa and Google, their ability to be dimmed, and more. We hope these recommendations help you find the perfect smart bulb for you.
Philips Hue Bulb
Best Overall
Most Adjustable
You can use this lightbulb for indoor or outdoor lighting. You can even adjust the brightness throughout the day.
Pros:
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
- Available in different color options
- Available in packs of 1 to 6 light bulbs
- No hub is required for the initial setup
Cons:
- A hub is required to unlock special features
- Can be expensive
Sengled Smart Bulb
Runner-Up
Versatile Placement
The soft white 60W light bulb is great for dining rooms, living rooms, or bedrooms. You can use voice controls through Alexa to turn the light on and off and control the brightness of the light.
Pros:
- Compatible with Alexa
- Soft white light
- Easy install
Cons:
- Not compatible with Google Home
- Requires an Alexa hub
Ring A19 Smart Bulb
Top Contender
Compatible with Ring Systems
You can link this lightbulb to your other ring devices. You can program the light bulb to turn on when motion is detected. You can also use the app to set scheduled on and off times for the light.
Pros:
- you can use it for outdoor covered lights
- It is energy efficient
- you can control the light from anywhere through the app
Cons:
- Requires a hub to control the light
- It is not compatible with dimmer switches
KASA Smart Bulb
Honorable Mention
Energy Saver
This light bulb can be controlled through the KASA app. It has the same brightness as a normal lightbulb, yet it uses less power to operate.
Pros:
- Soft white light
- Dimmable
- Compatible with Google Home and Alexa
- It does not require a hub
Cons:
- Power outages can disrupt the Bluetooth connection
- Internet issues can reset the connection to Alexa
DAYBETTER Smart Light Bulb
Also Consider
Color Changing Light
This light bulb can be changed to different colors by voice commands. It also features a dimming range of 1-100% to provide the exact lighting level you need, whether you need bright light to work in or something softer to relax with.
Pros:
- Compatible with Google Home and Alexa
- Set scheduled on and off times
- Multi-colored light bulb
- It is controlled through an app
- No hub required
Cons:
- The light bulb can randomly disconnect from the app
- It can be difficult to reconnect the lights to the app
FAQs
Does the Smart Bulb Require a Hub?
Not all smart light bulbs will require a hub, but every company will make one. The hub gives you access to added features. For instance, many apps can only control ten lightbulbs, whereas the hub can control up to fifty. The hub essentially acts as a middleman and increases what you can do with the light bulb.
Can the Smart Bulb be Used Inside and Outside?
You can use some smart light bulbs outside if the light bulb is fully covered. However, many light bulbs can begin to have connectivity issues if they contact water. You should read the light bulb’s user manual to determine where you can safely place it.
Buying Guide
Choosing a light bulb is normally an easy task. You simply look for one that has the wattage required for the light. Unfortunately, it can be trickier when purchasing a smart light bulb. Below we have provided some key points that you will want to keep in mind when purchasing your smart bulbs.
- Compatible with Google Home or Alexa: If you already have Alexa devices in your house, you will want to find a light bulb compatible with Alexa. It would not make sense to purchase a Google Home compatible light bulb when you only have echo dots in your home. In contrast, if you only have Google devices, you do not want to purchase an Alexa-compatible light bulb. Some light bulbs can be compatible with either service. However, customers have reviewed that they often work better with one system over the other.
- Schedule on and off times: The ability to schedule times for the light bulb to turn on and off is great for children’s rooms. This feature can help ensure your child will go to sleep and wake up at a reasonable time.
- Bluetooth Connection: Bluetooth connection will allow you to connect to Alexa or Google Home. Of course, the connection can also be easily disrupted by power or internet outages, so you should keep this in mind if you have unreliable internet. Customers have reported that the devices can be difficult to reset when they lose connection.
- Requires a Hub or Not: Some smart bulbs will require the purchase of a hub to use the lightbulb. You will have to thoroughly read the bulb’s description to determine if it requires a hub. You would not want to order a pack of lightbulbs only to find out you cannot use it without a hub. Also, keep in mind that some light bulbs will not require a hub, but the company may still make one. If you plan to replace all of the lightbulbs in your house, you will want to choose a company that creates a hub. The hub will make it significantly easy to connect the light bulbs, and you can control them all from one app.
