The 9 Best Smart Light Bulbs to Brighten Your Space with Minimal Effort
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We chose the Wyze WPLA19 smart light bulb as our best overall pick because it has a range of dimmable soft white illumination.
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If you’re looking to create a more tech-savvy home, installing smart light bulbs can be an easy and affordable way to start. The best smart light bulbs allow you to control the lighting in any room—often without having to lift a finger. Simply screw in a smart light bulb into any lamp, pair it with a smartphone or device, and you never have to worry about fumbling around in the dark for a switch.
“Smart light bulbs are extremely convenient and can be controlled remotely using a variety of different devices, including your smartphone, laptop, or other internet-connected devices,” says Michael Xavier, home automation expert and founder of InsiderTechie.com. “With these LED bulbs, you can set your light to turn on/off at specific times, dim the lights, or even change the color of the light altogether.”
However, not all smart light bulbs are created equal, and there are a few factors you’ll want to consider when shopping for the best smart light bulb for your home. You’ll want to ensure the bulb is compatible with your desired light fixtures (including the wattage).
Xavier also recommends choosing a bulb that is compatible with your home automation system of choice as this will allow you to control the lights from your smartphone or other connected devices.
Based on wattage, average life span, installation, and customizable features, we chose the Wyze WLPA19 Smart Light Bulb as the best overall smart light bulb since it is easy to install and offers a range of soft white shades to suit all your needs.
Wyze Smart Bulb WLPA19
Best Overall
Why You Should Get It: This 9.5 watt LED bulb produces up to 800 lumens and can be dimmed, helping you create the perfect ambiance for work of relaxation.
Keep in Mind: At this price point, it will be more expensive to install across the entire home compared to a budget-friendly pick.
Instantly achieve the perfect lighting in your home with this dynamic smart light bulb. The Wyze WLPA19 smart light bulb produces up to 800 lumens of tunable white color temperature, equivalent to a 9.5-watt LED bulb or 60-watt incandescent bulb. We love that you can create anything from low light for cozy corners to bright, concentrated light for working spaces like kitchens—all with the same bulb.
If this is your first time using a smart light bulb, you’ll be relieved to know that installation is straightforward. Simply screw in the Wyze WLPA19 smart light bulb into a lamp or light fixture and add it as a device on your home’s Wi-Fi network.
Once you’re set up, seamlessly turn on and off your lights, dim them using voice control, or support your day with custom light schedules using the accompanying app. You can even set your own vacation timers to control your lights whenever you’re out of town.
Keep in mind that this smart light bulb is on the more expensive side, and while it’s worth the price, it will naturally cost more to outfit your entire home versus other options. If you’re on a budget, consider using one or two Wyze WLPA19 smart light bulbs to create cozy lighting in your home’s primary bedroom.
Price at time of publish: $31
Product Details: Watts: 9.5-watt LED bulb (60-watt equivalent) | Color Temperature: Warm white | Average Life: 22 years
Lenovo LED 60W Neutral Candle Light Bulb
Best Budget
Why You Should Get It: The smart light bulb features preset modes for different occasions, from candlelight dinner to movie night.
Keep in Mind: You’ll need a minimum of 2G Wi-Fi speed for these bulbs to function properly.
Purchasing the best smart light bulbs for your home can get expensive, which is why we love both the price and quality of the Lenovo LED 60W smart light bulb. This color-changing light bulb is great for achieving the perfect brightness and color temperature for any time of the day.
Dim the lights or change colors for a cozy dinner party, movie night, or dial up the warmth to help you fall asleep faster. You can even set customizable modes to reuse your favorite lighting over again.
When it comes to installation, the Lenovo LED 60W Neutral Candle Light Bulb is a great plug-and-play solution. Control all aspects of your lighting straight from the companion app, or link this smart bulb to your favorite smart assistance to control lighting hands free.
With a 13-year lifespan and an affordable price, these bulbs are a budget-friendly pick for those who want to add smart bulbs to their home without spending a fortune.
Price at time of publish: $14
Product Details: Watts: 60 watts | Color Temperature: Warm white, natural white, daylight | Average Life: 13 years
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Smart Bulb
Best Splurge
Why You Should Get It: The smart light bulb produces almost double the amount of light as a standard 60-watt color bulb.
Keep in Mind: You’ll need to purchase the Hue Bridge device to tap into additional features.
Add depth and visual interest to your bedroom, living room, or workspace with dynamic lighting. The Philips Hue A-21 smart light bulb is easy to install and even easier to use in creating the perfect mood lighting for any space in the home. With endless different hues, temperatures, and intensities to choose from, you’ll be able to find the perfect accent lighting for every occasion.
This high-quality smart light bulb produces 100 watts of brightness, almost double the amount of light versus the brand’s standard 60-watt color bulb. This makes it perfect for lighting up large areas like kitchens or family rooms.
Use the companion app to seamlessly control all aspects of your lighting like dimming or setting specific mood lighting for relaxing. For avid readers and book lovers, there’s even a specific mode for cozy reading. If you have an Amazon Echo or Google Home device, you can pair this lightbulb with your smart device to voice control the lighting.
Connect your Philips Hue A-21 smart light bulb to a Hue Bridge device (sold separately) for access to a slew of additional features, including vacation mode, wake-up, and sleep settings, and custom timers to minimize energy consumption. You can even sync your lighting to movies, music, and games.
Price at time of publish: $65
Product Details: Watts: 16 watts | Color Temperature: White and color ambiance | Average Life: 25 years or 25,000 hours
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Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 Starter Kit
Best Set
Why You Should Get It: Choose from over 16 million color shades, instantly creating the right atmosphere for any occasion.
Keep in Mind: The price is high, but you get four bulbs.
The vibrant hues, opulent depth, and nearly seamless installation of the Philips Hue A19 LED Starter Kit makes it worth the hefty price tag, which is why we chose it as the best smart light bulb set.
With this set, you get everything there is to love about the Philips Hue bulb—times four. You also get the Hue Bridge device, which is an essential component to getting the most out of this lighting system.
In addition to giving you access to additional features like vacation mode, timer, and more. The Bridge acts as a literal bridge between your bulbs and the Hue app, minimizing glitches you might otherwise encounter when operating your lights.
Dimmable from bright daylight to low nightlight, these smart light bulbs allow you to fill your home with the right level of illumination when you need it. They’re also designed to provide longer, more energy-efficient lighting than other options on the market. This means you won’t have to worry about a high electric bill.
And like other Philips Hue smart light bulbs, the A19 Starter Kit allows you to set certain lighting for specific tasks like reading and working. You can even sync your lights to your favorite music thanks to a custom integration that intertwines sight and sound.
Keep in mind that these aren’t the most inexpensive smart light bulbs on the market, especially if you plan on buying additional ones. However, it is the best smart light bulb set to get you started, considering the slew of customizable features you get. There’s also a 3-warranty for added peace of mind.
Price at time of publish: $249
Product Details: Watts: 10.5 watts | Color Temperature: White and color ambiance | Average Life: 25 years or 25,000 hours
Sengled Smart LED with Motion Sensor PAR38 Bulb
Best Motion Sensor
Why You Should Get It: It’s weatherproof, making it perfect for outdoor use.
Keep in Mind: The bulbs will shine for 90 seconds, whether the motion detected is fast or slow.
For the best motion sensor smart light bulb, the Par38 Zigbee Smart LED Light Bulb is our top pick. This light bulb can be used outdoors—the weatherproof bulb uses motion-sensing technology to automatically turn on at night when movement is detected within 30 feet.
Its wide-angle detection is great for large yards since it is capable of sensing motion within a 100-degree field of view for added security. This smart light bulb is also energy efficient, using just 12.5 watts to put out up to 1200 lumens. It has a lifespan of up to 25,000 hours.
For added convenience, this bulb can connect to your smartphone or favorite smart assistant, allowing you to brighten or dim the lights to your liking. It also features a daylight sensor to prevent it from going on and needlessly consuming energy throughout the day.
This bulb will illuminate for 90 seconds (after being triggered by the motion sensor) regardless of how long the motion lasts. If you have outdoor pets, live on a busy street, or have a lot of surrounding trees in your area, you might experience more nighttime illumination than you’d like.
Price at time of publish: $30
Product Details: Watts: 12.5 watts | Color Temperature: White | Average Life: 25 years or 25,000 hours
Lifx A19 Smart LED Light Bulb
Best Color Changing
Why You Should Get It: It offers exceptional brightness with an abundance of different color options.
Keep in Mind: This smart light bulb won’t work without Wi-Fi.
Color changing light bulbs, like this pick from Lifx, allow you to totally transform a room without changing out any of its furniture or decor. Whether you are celebrating the holidays or want to create a vibe for movie night, this pick is the best color changing smart light bulb to consider.
The Lifx A19 Smart LED Light Bulb provides 1100 lumens and millions of different color options. It is outfitted with RGBW LEDs for richer colors and a 1500-9000K white range. This means you can create endless color and intensity options to fit all your lighting needs, from a romantic dinner to an energizing workspace.
We also like that this smart light bulb is voice compatible with all your favorite assistants (Alexa, Siri, and Google) and is simple to set up. Simply screw it into your desired light fixture, open your preferred app, and follow the prompts. Keep in mind that unlike other smart light bulb options that are powered by Bluetooth, the Lifx A19 requires Wi-Fi for it to function properly.
Price at time of publish: $50
Product Details: Watts: 11.5 watts | Color Temperature: Multicolor | Average Life: 22.8 years
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Innr A19 Smart Bulb
Best Warm White
Why You Should Get It: This is a great inexpensive lightbulb with a sturdy construction and wide range of warm white light.
Keep in Mind: You won’t get additional features such as vacation mode or color options as with other picks.
While color-changing lights can be a lot of fun, sometimes all you need is a warm glow to create the perfect setting. Warm white bulbs, like this pick from Innr, are a great option to use anywhere you spend a lot of time relaxing such as bedrooms, living rooms, and even in your outdoor garden as summer lights. Warm white light bulbs also provide cozy tableside and bedside lighting.
We chose the Innr A19 smart light bulb as the best warm white light bulb because it features a beautiful warm white light (2700K) with high brightness and excellent color rendering.
This dimmable bulb is a considerably less expensive light bulb than the Phillips Hue White bulbs, making it an attractive option for anyone who is looking to fill in the gaps of their Hue bulb collection at a more affordable price (especially since these bulbs are compatible with the Hue Bridge).
The Innr A19 Smart Light Bulb is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant devices. It’s worth mentioning that this pick doesn’t have any color options. If you’re looking for something that’s more customizable, you want to splurge an option like the Philips Hue.
Price at time of publish: $23
Product Details: Watts: 9 watts | Color Temperature: Warm white | Average Life: 25,000 hours
Linkind Smart Edison Bulbs
Best Filament
Why You Should Get It: This bulb gives you the classic look of an incandescent light with the convenient technology of an LED.
Keep in Mind: There’s no warranty.
If you’re looking for the best smart light bulb to complement a retro home aesthetic, we recommend shopping for a filament bulb like this one from Linkind. Designed after the original Edison light bulb—a coiled wire at the center of a glass dome—this filament smart light bulb features an all-glass design that perfectly blends vintage style with modern conveniences.
The 45-watt Linkind Smart Edison Light Bulb features a soft white temperature of 2200K, resulting in a soft amber glow that works well in any environment, but looks especially stunning as an accent on vintage or farmhouse inspired lamps and light fixtures. Dim your light to create a warm and relaxing ambiance—the dimmer the bulb, the more visible the filament design inside will be.
The Linkind Smart Bulb connects directly to your home's secure Wi-Fi network—there’s no need for a hub or extra equipment. There’s little not to love about the Linkind Smat Edison Bulb but it is worth mentioning that these bulbs don’t offer any sort of warranty, which may be a drawback if you prefer having the added peace of mind.
Price at time of publish: $19
Product Details: Watts: 45 watts | Color Temperature: Soft white | Average Life: 25,000 hours
GE C by GE Smart LED Light Bulb with Remote
Best with Remote
Why You Should Get It: This bulb can be controlled via your smartphone or the included remote control, providing even more convenient ways to control your lighting.
Keep in Mind: Remote batteries need to be changed about every two years.
If you like the idea of a smart device that doesn’t rely on your smartphone, we recommend a remote-control option like this pick by C from GE. This 60-watt smart light bulb provides 750 lumens of brightness, which is ideal for bedrooms, hallways, and closets. It’s also dimmable, making it a bedside-friendly light bulb.
Other convenient features include the ability to schedule your lights to turn on/off at certain times of day. You can even select pre-programmed “scenes” for special occasions like movie time or bright lights when you get home.
The C by GE Smart LED Light Bulb is considerably more expensive than other smart light bulb options. However, it offers durable construction and a comfortable soft white color.
It’s also worth mentioning that because GE is a Made for Google partner, these bulbs work flawlessly with the Google Home assistant. Just screw in the bulb and turn it on, and take control of it using the Google Home app. It’s also compatible with Alexa voice assistants.
If you choose to use this smart light bulb solely with its remote control, take note that the remote is battery operated and you’ll have to change them out about every two years.
Price at time of publish: $5
Product Details: Watts: 60 watts | Color Temperature: Soft white | Average Life: 25,000 hours
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The Bottom Line
We chose the Wyze WLPA19 Smart Light Bulb as the best smart light bulb because it offers exceptional brightness and is easy to install. If you have the budget to spend a little more for a truly high-quality product, we also loved the Philips Hue, which offers endless options or rich color hues to suit any space or occasion.
What to Know About Smart Light Bulbs Before Shopping
Watts
When shopping for the best smart light bulbs for your home, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the wattage. Since different wattages will lend themselves better to different spaces in the home, you’ll want to look for a total wattage that matches the ambience you want to create.
Smart light bulbs typically produce about 800 lumens, which is equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent light bulb or a 12-watt LED light bulb. Some smart light bulbs may allow you to increase or decrease its brightness from your smart device.
Typically, dining rooms will require about 3,000 to 4,000 lumens while living rooms or bedrooms will be sufficient with 1,000 to 2,000 lumens. For hallways, 500 to 1,000 lumens will provide enough light without being too dark or too bright.
Color Temperature
Color temperature refers to the appearance of light provided by a light bulb. Different bulbs emit different color temperatures, and the best smart light bulbs even let you adjust the color temperature to fit your specific needs.
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K), and there are three common ranges: warm light (2700K-3000K); cool white (3000K-5000K), and daylight (5000K-6500K). Depending on the amount of natural daylight you get in a given space, warm light bulbs work for most spaces.
However, you could consider higher color temperature ranges for areas such as offices and workshops where high visibility is important.
Average Life
Smart light bulbs are simply LED light bulbs with additional micro connectors that allow them to operate via a smartphone or device. An LED light uses very little power compared to a traditional bulb.
As a result, you can expect a long lifespan from the best smart light bulbs—around 23,000 hours. If you used your smart light bulb for six hours every day, that’s about a 10-year life span.
To ensure the best smart light bulb performance, you’ll want to choose a high-quality product. Next, you’ll want to make sure that it is compatible with both your lighting devices—always stay within the recommended maximum wattage—and smart devices.
Proper installation and use can minimize wear and tear on essential hardware that can ultimately result in loss of functionality over time.
Your Questions, Answered
Will a smart bulb die out?
The best smart light bulbs are designed to provide 20,000 hours of illumination if installed correctly. This means you don’t have to worry about replacing them every few months like you would a traditional incandescent light bulb.
“Smart bulbs also use less electricity than traditional bulbs,” Xavier says. “You can save money on your energy bills in the long run.”
However, other factors such as how often you keep your lights on, as well as the quality of the smart light bulb can impact its overall performance. Some lesser-quality bulbs can lose intensity over time, or even start to malfunction by not responding to commands via your smart devices.
For the best and longest-lasting results, we recommend always making sure you’re using a bulb that is compatible with both your desired light fixture and smart device.
Can smart light bulbs be used in any fixture?
Every lighting fixture has a maximum wattage that reflects how much power can go through before the wires can become overwhelmed. For instance, if a fixture is rated for a maximum of 60 watts, then it's dangerous to exceed that—even causing wires to smoke or burn up.
“The best smart light bulbs can typically be used in any lighting fixture that uses a standard E26 or E27 bulb base,” Xavier says. “However, you should always check the wattage before purchasing a smart light bulb as some may require more wattage than a standard bulb.”
Are smart light bulbs worth it?
While smart light bulbs aren’t yet necessary for keeping the lights on in your home, they do offer a certain level of convenience. Plus, even the best smart light bulbs don’t require a huge investment to get up and running.
Smart light bulbs are best suited for any situation where you need to adjust the lighting in a room but aren’t always near the manual switch. This can include anywhere in the home but could be particularly useful in bedrooms, dark hallways, and bathrooms. The best smart light bulbs can also help you create a specific atmosphere for a romantic dinner or relaxing evening at home.
“Smart light bulbs are also great for security purposes,” Xavier says. “You can turn the lights on or off at any time, even if you are away from home.”
Who We Are
This article was written by Adria Greenhauff, who has been writing about food and lifestyle topics for over a decade. To come up with this list, she interviewed Michael Xavier, home automation expert and founder of InsiderTechie.com.
