Home automation is becoming increasingly popular, allowing people to control various appliances and devices in their home remotely. One area of home automation that has seen rapid growth is smart lighting, with products like smart bulbs and switches gaining popularity. But are smart bulbs really worth the investment? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the pros and cons of smart bulbs to help you decide if they are the right choice for your home.
What are smart bulbs?
Smart bulbs, also known as smart lights or connected lights, are LED light bulbs that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app or voice assistant. They connect to your home WiFi network, allowing you to turn them on/off, dim, change colors, and create lighting schedules from anywhere. Some common smart bulb brands include Philips Hue, LIFX, TP-Link, and GE.
Smart bulbs differ from “dumb” bulbs because of their connectivity and controllability. While traditional bulbs simply turn on and off via a switch on the wall, smart bulbs allow for much finer and remote control. Key features of smart bulbs include:
- Remote on/off control via app or voice
- Dimming abilities – often down to 1% brightness
- Color changing – select from millions of colors
- Light scheduling/automation – create schedules and rules
- Integration with other smart devices – pair with sensors, switches, etc.
The pros of smart bulbs
There are many potential benefits to using smart bulbs in your home. Here are some of the top advantages:
Remote control and automation
One of the main reasons people choose smart bulbs is for the convenience of remote control via a smartphone app or voice assistant. With smart bulbs, you can turn lights on or off from anywhere, which is helpful if you forget to turn them off when leaving home. You can also create lighting schedules to have bulbs turn on or off automatically at set times, such as when you wake up or go to bed.
Energy savings
Studies by Energy Star and other groups have found that LED smart bulbs can be up to 80% more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. This can lead to significant cost savings on your electricity bill over time. Smart bulbs also offer dimming abilities down to 1% brightness, allowing further energy savings.
Lighting controls
Beyond basic on/off functionality, smart bulbs give you finer control over lighting in your home. With most smart bulbs you can dim and brighten to create the perfect ambiance for any activity. This level of personalization and detail is not possible with traditional bulbs.
Security features
Some smart bulbs offer features to make your home look occupied even when you aren’t home. You can have bulbs turn on and off automatically or simulate TV lighting to deter burglars.
Entertainment uses
Smart bulbs that can change colors open up opportunities to liven up your surroundings. You can recreate sunset lighting, energize with bright white light, or create a relaxing ambiance with cool blues. Grouped color-changing bulbs can be synchronized for an immersive entertainment experience.
The cons of smart bulbs
While smart bulbs have some clear benefits, there are also a few potential downsides to consider:
Higher upfront cost
The biggest disadvantage of smart bulbs is their higher initial cost compared to traditional bulbs. LED smart bulbs range from $10-$60 per bulb, while a 4-pack of basic LED bulbs can be purchased for under $10. The price difference can add up if outfitting your entire home.
| Bulb Type | Price per Bulb |
|---|---|
| Basic LED (4-pack) | $2.50 |
| Smart LED (single) | $15-60 |
Connectivity and compatibility issues
As connected devices, smart bulbs rely on WiFi to function. Any internet connectivity problems will leave you unable to control them. Most also require a hub or bridge device for connectivity, adding another potential point of failure. Not all smart bulbs work with every major voice assistant either.
Setup and learning curve
It takes extra effort to get smart bulbs up and running compared to traditional screw-in bulbs. You’ll need to connect them to your WiFi, install a companion app, and create accounts – too complicated for less tech-savvy users. There can also be a learning curve in understanding all the control options and automations.
Limited styles and shapes
The smart bulb market is currently dominated by A-shape bulbs with Edison screw or bayonet mounts. That means limited options for lighting fixtures requiring other bulb styles like floods, candelabras, globes, or spotlights. The product selection could improve over time as smart bulbs become more mainstream.
Considerations by bulb type
Within the smart bulb market, there are a few main types, including color-changing RGB, tunable white, and basic white bulbs. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each:
RGB smart bulbs
RGB bulbs can display a full spectrum of colors, opening up options for lighting effects. But color-changing bulbs are generally the most expensive smart bulb type.
Tunable white bulbs
These can shift along a color continuum from warm to cool white. They offer some of the benefits of RGB bulbs at a lower cost, but can’t produce other colors.
Basic white bulbs
The most affordable option. These dumb down the features to focus on brightness control and scheduling. They don’t offer color changes or color temperature tuning.
| Bulb Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| RGB | – Full spectrum color control – Entertaining effects – Best app features |
– Most expensive – Can be gimmicky |
| Tunable White | – Balanced price – Warm to cool white |
– Limited colors – Costly vs. basic white |
| Basic White | – Most affordable – Simple operation |
– No colors or tuning – Least features |
Best uses for smart bulbs
Due to their advantages and disadvantages, smart bulbs tend to work better in some situations compared to others:
Accent and task lighting
Smart bulbs are ideal for use cases where you want fine control over color, brightness, or automation. Accent lighting and task lighting applications are great fits. Some examples: bedside table lamps, pendant lights over kitchen counters, or spotlights aimed at artwork.
Hard-to-reach places
Installing smart bulbs in fixtures that are hard to access manually, like vaulted ceilings or closet lights, allows you to control them remotely instead. This avoids the need for disruptive physical changes to the lighting.
Rented apartments
Renters who want smart lighting without permanent installations can use smart bulbs. They can take the bulbs with them when they move out.
Is it worth the switch?
For many homeowners, the benefits of remote control, lighting flexibility, schedules, and automation make smart bulbs a worthwhile investment, despite the higher upfront cost. But smart bulbs aren’t necessarily right for every application.
Here are a few key factors to consider when deciding if smart bulbs are worth it for your specific needs and situation:
- Your budget – Smart bulbs have become much more affordable, but still cost more than basic LEDs.
- Your willingness to replace existing bulbs – The more fixtures you want to upgrade, the pricier it gets.
- Your interest in automation and app control – If you won’t use these features, you won’t get the full value.
- Your light fixtures – Smart bulbs don’t fit everywhere, especially if you need specialty bulb shapes.
- Your home size – Budgets stretch further when buying for a small apartment vs. a large house.
Try starting with a few smart bulbs in frequently used lamps or rooms where you’d benefit from customizable lighting. See if you find them beneficial before committing to larger-scale smart lighting. With smart bulbs readily available and prices dropping, it’s a good time to experiment and discover the convenience of smart lighting automation!