What Are Smart Light Bulbs?
Simply put, a smart light bulb is an LED bulb that allows lighting to be customized, programmed and controlled remotely by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave or by an app for your phone or tablet. These bulbs can be up to six times more energy efficient than incandescent lights and can last well over 20,000 hours. Smart light bulbs install just like regular light bulbs and are a convenient way to upgrade your home’s lighting and can add optimal room color no matter what time of day.
How Do I Control My Smart Light Bulbs?
The first thing to consider when contemplating smart bulbs is which platform or app do you want to use for controlling them? Most manufacturers offer their own apps that control your lights, group several lights together and program to turn off and on at specific times, all done with a smart phone or tablet. Some bulbs can connect diretly to you Wi-Fi network and operate directly with voice commands.
Many of us may already have Google Nest, Amazon Echo, Apple Home or other smart home hub currently in use. Your smart lights can easily connect with these to enable their use alongside your smart speakers and home security systems already in place.
Types of Smart Light Bulbs
Smart light bulbs are grouped into three categories: dimming, temperature-changing and color-changing.
Dimming Smart Bulbs
Did you ever want to have the ability to dim the lights in a room but wanted to avoid the hassle of installing a dimmer switch? Then a dimmable smart light bulb is the answer. By using your voice assistant or the bulb’s app, you can dim the lights to whatever level you like.
A word of caution – it is best not to pair a dimmable smart bulb with a light that is on a dimmer switch. Dimmable bulbs have their own dimming system and the two will conflict, causing the bulb to strobe when adjusted.
Temperature-Changing Smart Bulbs
The color temperature of a smart light bulb — measured in Kelvins or K — gives a suggestion of the type of light produced. Bulbs with lower color temperatures are considered warm lights and have more of a yellow tone. This gives a comfortable feel for living rooms and bedrooms. Smart bulbs with higher color temperatures are considered cooler and have more of a bluish tone. This bright light can create a feeling of energy and works well in kitchens and bathrooms. The highest Kelvin temps are daylight and are designed to mimic a bright sunny day. These will do best in a home office or children’s play area.
Color-Changing Smart Bulbs
One of the more unique features of smart light bulbs is their ability to change colors. Differing from color temperature, color-changing bulbs can actually adjust the light output color. You could choose red or blue for a holiday mood and your teenager may like to be awash in a purple glow. The bulb’s technology allows you to choose hues from almost every color available, along with changing colors for differing times of the day.
Smart Light Bulb Shapes
Smart light bulbs are designed to be an easy replacement for your incandescent bulbs. They will have the same shape pattern and socket size as the bulb you are changing.
A Style
A-style bulbs work well in different applications but are most often used in table and floor lamps, ceiling lights, ceiling fans, and more. These are recognizable with the traditional pear or teardrop shape. A-19 is the most common bulb size.
Br30
Br30 smart light bulbs work well where directional lighting is needed, such as in recessed lights. These bulbs provide a direct task light pattern, where the light is pointed directly ahead. Br30 bulbs go in indoor track lights, above kitchen work areas, hallways and home offices.
Candle Style
Candle smart light bulbs, or flame-tip bulbs, are so named for their resemblance to the flame of a candle. These bulbs can add a decorative look to chandeliers or ceiling fans. These bulbs come with either a medium base or a smaller candelabra base.
Edison Style
Offering a distinct vintage look and appeal, Edison style smart light bulbs contain one or more strings of diodes designed to replicate the look of the filaments in a traditional bulb. While traditional Edison bulbs give off an amber-colored light, these smart bulbs can produce millions of distinct colors.
Globe
Globe smart light bulbs are noticeable for their full round shape, much like a world globe. This design fits decorative uses like ornamental fixtures. The most popular globe bulb is the G30 which you can find in many bathroom lights, vanity bars and makeup tables.
Reflector
Reflector smart light bulbs are named due to having a reflective coating on the inside of the bulb to help direct the light pattern. These bulbs work best in recessed lights, track lighting and indoor flood lights.