6 Surprising Smart Light Bulb Features

Light bulbs are a convenience that we use every day, yet we barely give them a second thought. They’ve come a long way since the days of Thomas Edison. Technology has evolved other the years, and with that adaptation came the introduction of smart appliances and accessories, paving the way for everything from smart LED lights to colored light bulbs to remote-controlled light bulbs. Today, light bulbs can do more than just light up a room.

The best smart bulbs are the ones that work with your lifestyle and smart home system. They let you personalize your home’s lighting based on your mood, activities and routine. You can program the lighting in the common area of your home to gently dim as the evening sets in. Set your smart light bulbs to turn on and off at predetermined times so that you always walk into a well-lit home. Smart light bulbs can be toggled to randomly turn on and off, deterring any thieves when you’re away from home for an extended period. Some smart light bulbs even have a smart wake up feature that simulates sunrise. As it mimics the natural changes of light that occurs with the rising sun, it gently and gradually eases you out of sleep.

Read on to find out just how smart light bulbs have become, how they can adapt to your needs and how they can make your life easier.

Dimmable light bulbs help set the mood quickly and easily, allowing you to adjust the amount of light in a room depending on the time of day. To achieve this, it used to mean installing a dimmer switch. Depending on your electrical know-how that project might feel too daunting. Smart bulbs make it easy, all you need to do is screw in the lightbulb and you’re done. Instant dimming ability from your smartphone or another smart accessory.

It seems like so many of our household essentials are app-enabled these days — allowing you to make changes in your home with the push of a button on your phone. So why shouldn’t the light bulbs be able to be controlled from your favorite home platforms like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home and more. It lets you turn on a light when you need one or turn one off without having to move a muscle. It’s especially convenient if you’ve left a light on or want to turn on a light for when you return home.

An important but often overlooked lighting feature is color temperature. When you look at a light bulb, you’ll notice that the color can vary from warm and more yellow light to cool, more blue-white lighting. Humans respond to and are sensitive to changes in light since it impacts our circadian rhythm. Using a color changing smart bulb can not only help set the mood in your home, but it can also make you feel more awake during the day or help you wind down in the evening. Choose your preferred color temperature or mix in some colorful hues when you feel like it for added fun.

There’s nothing cozier than coming home at night to a warm glow from lights on inside your home. Some smart light bulbs allow you to schedule what time they turn on or off, giving you something to look forward to after a long day at work while also optimizing your home safety. Having lights on not only helps deter home break-ins but it also can prevent slips and falls by keeping your porch and walkways well-lit. Do the work to set your bulbs on a schedule and you’ll never have to worry about using more power than you need to, while also keeping your home feeling inviting.