8 Best Smart Light Bulbs for 2024

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Smart bulbs have a lot going for them. They’re energy efficient, you can control them remotely with your phone or voice, and you can even customize their warmth and color. If you’ve been considering creating a smarter home, then this could be a good place to start. Smart bulbs are easy to install and relatively inexpensive compared to other smart home updates. They also last a long time (on average 15,000–25,000 hours!), which makes them a worthwhile investment.

There are various options to choose from, including bulbs with thousands of white shades, millions of colors, filament bulbs, kits that include multiple bulbs and a hub, as well as outdoor bulbs. All smart bulbs need to be synchronized via Bluetooth—either with an app, a hub, or a smart home system like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant—so take this into consideration when you’re weighing your options. As soon as you’ve determined the best pick for you, it’s time to get shopping!

Frequently Asked Questions

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What Are the Pros and Cons of Smart Light Bulbs?

Smart bulbs allow you to create different lighting effects for your home while still being energy efficient. Though the upfront cost of the bulbs is a bit higher compared to standard light bulbs, they are more customizable and oftentimes last longer than regular bulbs. There’s also the initial setup, which gets more involved as you venture into more complex lighting plans. If you have an internet outage, it may also affect functionality, depending on the system you choose.

Also consider that if the smart bulb or system requires an app, you may have to provide personal information to the company in order to use it. And if you’re trying to spend less time on your phone, a regular old light switch may serve you better than using the internet to control your lighting. But remotely controlling your lights can give you peace of mind while out late or on vacation, and you can set them to welcome your family home after a long day.

Can You Put Smart Bulbs Anywhere?

Smart bulbs should work in most light fixtures as long as you choose the correct bulb for it. However, it only makes sense to use them in places where you want to control the timing, color, or brightness of the light with an app. You also need to have the light switch turned on at all times for the bulb to be able to go on and off as needed.

Is It Worth Buying Smart Light Bulbs?

If you have light fixtures that you’d like to be on a timer, harsh lighting, or a room that would benefit from a special lighting setup (like the TV room or basement for movie nights), then smart light bulbs could certainly be worth it for you. Take a look at our choices below to help determine if you’d like to start experimenting with smart lighting.