Philips Hue Connected Bulb starter pack
You may not have an obvious need for an internet-connected, color-changing light bulb, however
Any smart LED bulb goes beyond energy saving. That’s why they use “watt-equivalent” numbers and lumens, because real water is much lower. But what else should you look for when buying your lamp? Here are a few aspects that I think are very important.
Is a hub necessary?
Some smart lights require a hub to connect to Wi-Fi and allow remote operation, which is a very useful feature in most homes. Fortunately, most new lights no longer require hubs, but you can still find models where they are needed. I always prefer the versions that don’t require hubs to work, as they are much easier.
The light
The average smart bulb is around 800 but has the option to control the light levels. Some LED panels and special lamps exceed 1,000 lumens if you want a high level of light.
The color changes
You don’t always need a light that can change colors, but it’s a useful addition to home rituals, different types of mood lighting and other tricks. I try to recommend bulbs with color options when possible, especially since there isn’t a big difference in price for color upgrades anymore.
The Apple HomeKit ecosystem is just growing and the addition of Matter support makes it even bigger.
Color temperature
Color temperature, measured in Kelvin, describes how cool or warm the light appears. Even though smart lighting can’t completely change color, it’s often important to find lighting that can change color temperatures to get the look you want.
Application controls
Smart light controls should be easy to use with useful settings and a clear UI. Smart lights are generally simple products: Apps should never be confusing. If you already have a favorite product for tech apps, see if they have smart lights. Additional features such as sunrise/sunset settings and quick scheduling are also welcome.
Synchronize music
Some smart lights have the ability to sync to music. If that is important to your plans, choose a lamp with these capabilities. Brands like Philips Hue, Govee and, yes, GE Cync have options to enable automatic music syncing in their apps.
I connected my Govee smart lights to Alexa without an Echo device in sight.
Voice assistant and app support
If you have a favorite voice assistant or favorite home platforms like Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, etc., make sure your smart light bulb supports it. Most smart bulbs support multiple platforms, but Apple support is a little rare.
A type of bulb socket
Common household light bulbs use E26 sockets but you should always check the sockets or connections on the lights you want to make to make sure you get a smart light that will fit them.
Indoor/outdoor
Most smart lights are indoors but it can also be useful to install an app-controlled light on a porch, patio or other outdoor space. If the lamp is going to be exposed to the weather, it needs to be weather resistant like the IP rating, or it can stop working.
