Smart bulbs are one of the best ways to experience the thrills of simplistic automation, and these days, there are certainly plenty of brands to choose from. Whether you’re looking to add some voice-command-powered illumination to a few existing lamps and fixtures in your home, or you’re planning on going all-in on a full smart lighting sweep, we guarantee there’s a smart bulb (or several) on the market that check(s) all the appropriate boxes.
And best of all, the best smart bulbs require little to no initial setup, with most models only requiring you to screw the bulb in, download the bulb’s app, and connect said bulb to Wi-Fi. Some smart light bulbs don’t even need Wi-Fi to get up and running, thanks to Bluetooth and other short-range connectivity methods.
Things To Know About Smart Bulbs
Here are just a few of the many benefits that you’ll get by investing in even just a single smart bulb:
- The ability to use phones, tablets and compatible smart devices (like smart speakers and smart displays) to control lighting, with both apps and voice commands
- Geofencing, which allows your smart bulbs to automatically turn on/off when you leave the home and when you return
- Peace-of-mind home security, both as a standalone bulb and when integrated into larger home surveillance ecosystems
- Smart bulbs are an efficient way to monitor and cut down on energy costs
- Did you know that security camera light bulbs exist?
The Best Smart Bulbs At a Glance
LIFX Color A19
Best for: All-around smart bulb perfect for anywhere around the home.
Why we chose it: It’s the most robust option compatible with the three biggest smart home platforms, Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple’s HomeKit.
Read More: The Best LED Light Strips
Related Stories
Key specs:
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri
- Up to 1,100 lumens
- 11.5 watts
Philips Hue has the edge regarding brand recognition, but the LIFX Color A19 takes our top spot because it takes quality more seriously than the rest. Our initial impression of the bulb is that it feels dense and has a sturdy construction. More importantly, we love that it supports Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple’s HomeKit.
No matter what smart home platform you’re using at home, it’s ready out of the box to work with it. Plus, it offers the convenience of connecting directly to your home’s Wi-Fi network. Regarding light, the LIFX Color A19 lights up the room as one of the brightest bulbs on our list. It also helps that it has incredible saturation levels with its color options.
Pros
- No hub or bridge required
- Works with several voice assistants
- Powerful brightness and great color variety
- Simple setup
Cons
- Can be tricky to use with Apple HomeKit
Philips Hue White & Color A19
Best for: Multi-socket floor lamps and other fixtures to help establish mood lighting.
Why we chose it: Philips Hue has proven to have an excellent track record, and its A19 smart bulb has been extremely reliable.
Read More: The Best Smart String Lights
Key specs:
- 10 watts
- A19 bulb type
Regarding smart lights, no one has a higher reputation in the space than Philips Hue. We’ve been using the Philips Hue White & Color A19 for nearly four years, and even though it’s been available for quite some time now, we still find it one of the most reliable smart bulbs.
Some people may not be a fan of having to use a bridge to control the Philips Hue White & Color A19, but we found that it helped lessen the burden on our home’s Wi-Fi network. This is evident when we use the app to turn it on/off because there’s barely any delay. To top it off, the Philips Hue White & Color A19 offers superb color saturations to help set the mood wherever it’s placed.
Pros
- Excellent app and customizations
- Can produce up to 16 million colors
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri
- Easy to accessorize
Cons
- Requires Hue Hub for voice controls (sold separately)
- Setup can be finicky
GE CYNC Bulb
Best for: People who use Google Assistant-powered smart speakers or smart displays in their homes.
Why we chose it: You can add additional automation in the Google Home app to have it work jointly with other smart home devices.
Read More: The Best Smart Speakers for 2023
Key specs:
- 60 watts
- A19 bulb type
- Up to 800 lumens
The GE CYNC Bulb is a color-changing option for Google Home users. After we set it up through the Cync App for mobile, we found it helpful that we were able to set up an automation in the Google Home app to turn it on automatically whenever our front door is opened. Beyond setting it up for a variety of automation, we also like how the CYNC app for mobile is one of the most intuitive apps out there.
While using the app, we could see what the scene looks like without us being there to see it ourselves. When setting up the TrueImage feature, we were required to take a photo of GE CYNC Bulb at its location so that it gave us a preview of what the scene would look like when changing colors.
Pros
- Excellent mobile app
- No hub or bridge required
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Can produce millions of different colors
Cons
- Doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit
Sylvania Smart+ A19
Best for: Ceiling lights where you need ample lighting coverage.
Why we chose it: Sylvania has a proven track record of producing reliable lights.
Read More: The Best Ceiling Fans
Key specs:
- 10 watts
- A19 bulb type
The bathroom may not be the first place you think of installing a smart bulb like the Sylvania Smart+ A19 because the moisture from steamy showers and baths can challenge whether the bulbs will continue to work overtime. However, after nearly two years of using them, we’re happy to report that they still work perfectly fine despite being exposed to constant moisture.
This color-changing smart LED light bulb was simple to set up because it connected directly to our home’s Wi-Fi network. We also found that it was quick at connecting to the network, often in about ten seconds when we manually turned them on through the light switch in the bathroom.
Pros
- Can withstand moisture, dirt, and debris
- Dimmable
- Can produce up to 16 million colors
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Requires Zigbee Hub for voice controls (sold separately)
Wyze Bulb Color
Best for: Budget shoppers who want an inexpensive color-changing smart bulb.
Why we chose it: If you’re looking to outfit your entire home with smart LED light bulbs, these will save you money compared to other bulbs.
Read More: The Best Motion Detectors
Key specs:
- 75 watts
- A19 bulb type
- Up to 1,100 lumens
Wyze has made significant headway in the smart home space for its aggressively priced products, and the Wyze Bulb Color is no different. You can buy a single one for under $16, which is substantially less than what you’d pay for a Philips Hue or LIFX smart bulb, which can cost around $34-$49 per bulb.
With all the savings, the Wyze Bulb Color still offers direct Wi-Fi connection, voice command support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and produces vibrant colors. Color-changing smart bulbs don’t come cheap, so we love the Wyze Bulb Color for its ultra-affordable cost.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Can produce up to 16 million colors
- Easy setup
- No hub or bridge required
Cons
- Not as advanced as other smart bulbs
Sengled Zigbee Smart Bulb
Best for: Users with an existing Zigbee hub in their homes, like the Amazon Echo Show 10.
Why we chose it: You can quickly set it up through a Zigbee Hub.
Read More: The Best Home Security Cameras for 2023
Key specs:
- 14.5 watts
- A19 bulb type
- Up to 1,500 lumens
Setting up smart home devices can be tedious with downloading apps and making new accounts. That’s why we appreciate the simple setup of the Sengled Zigbee Smart Bulb because all we needed to do was set it up through Alexa.
Since it leverages Zigbee wireless protocol standard, smart home devices like the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), Echo Studio, and Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) can act as Zigbee hubs to interact with the bulb. The setup process will be streamlined if you own any of these devices.
Pros
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Can also be used with IFTTT commands
- Excellent app and customizations
Cons
- Requires Zigbee hub (sold separately)
Philips Hue White A21
Best for: Places where you need a main source of light.
Why we chose it: This produced the strongest light output at 1,600 lumens.
Key specs:
- 9 watts
- A21 bulb type
- Up to 1,600 lumens
When you need a strong light source, you won’t find anything brighter than the Philips Hue White A21. That’s because this luminous smart bulb produced a peak brightness output of 1,600 lumens in our testing.
It’s so incredibly bright that a single bulb is enough to light up an entire room. It also makes for an ideal reading light as well. The only drawback to the Philips Hue White A21 is that it only offers incandescent light, so you won’t find any color-changing properties with this one.
Pros
- Can be set up using Bluetooth
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Install-free dimming
Cons
- Requires Hue Hub for lighting schedules and remote access
Govee Smart LED Bulb
Best for: Amazon Alexa users who want to access their lights through their Amazon Echo devices.
Why we chose it: You can get some neat lighting effects when paired with multiple bulbs.
Read More: Govee Glide Hexa Light Panels Review
Key specs:
- 9 watts
- A19 bulb type
- Up to 800 lumens
Govee is a brand making serious noise in the smart lighting space. The Govee Smart LED Bulb is not only affordable, but it offers outstanding color saturation that doesn’t weaken when the brightness is cranked up.
Since it supports Amazon Alexa, we love using our Echo Show devices to change its color with nothing more than voice commands. Although, you shouldn’t neglect trying out the Govee Home app either because you’ll be treated to a dizzying amount of color lighting effects that can be synced with its other smart lights.
Pros
- Produces up to 16 million colors
- No hub or bridge required
- Easy setup
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Lacks more advanced features of other Govee products
Meross Smart LED Light Bulb
Best for: Apple HomeKit fans who want a smart bulb that is quick and easy to add into the Apple Home app, and offers a range of excellent control options and additional features.
Why we chose it: It’s not every day that Siri gets the kind of attention that Alexa and Google Assistant grab with most bulbs, but the Meross Smart LED Light Bulb is all about your HomeKit needs.
Read More: Apple HomePod mini Review
Key specs:
- 60 watts
- Up to 810 lumens
- A19 bulb type
Whether you’re a HomeKit devotee or not, the Meross Smart LED Light Bulb can be controlled and managed using several different voice assistants (including Samsung SmartThings), but the seamless Siri integrations are reason enough to buy a pack of these bad boys. With no hub required, you’ll be able to connect your Meross bulbs directly to your Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only), and can use the downloadable Meross app to toggle and adjust illumination while you’re at home or out running errands.
And don’t expect just plain ole’ white lights! These Meross bulbs are color-changing too, and once you factor in convenience of in-app lighting schedules and energy monitoring, going Meross becomes an easy no-brainer.
Pros
- Seamless setup process
- No hub or bridge required
- Impressive array of color options
Cons
- A bit expensive
Ring A19 Smart LED Bulb
Best for: Homeowners that use Ring video doorbells and security cameras to watch over their homes.
Why we chose it: You can link it to other Ring products for more automation.
Read More: Ring Alarm Pro Review
Key specs:
- 8.5 watts
- A19 bulb type
- Up to 25,000 working hours
Ring is known for its security products, but it expanded its smart home lineup with smart lights like the Ring A19 Smart LED Bulb. We didn’t have one to test out, but you should still consider it because of the extra automation you’ll be able to set up.
For example, you can have the light turn on the moment motion is detected by your Ring video doorbell or outdoor cameras all through the Ring app. That way, it can be used as an extra layer of protection to deter would-be intruders.
Pros
- Quick and easy setup
- Can be controlled with Alexa
- An excellent addition to existing Ring systems
Cons
- Requires Ring Bridge, Echo, or Echo Show 10 for smart features
- Not compatible with some older lighting fixtures
How We Chose The Best Smart Bulbs: About Our Testing Process
We looked at over 20 smart bulbs, strip lights, outdoor lights, wall lights, and more. Additionally, we looked at smart lights from an assortment of brands, using each for one week — with some we enjoy using so much that we’ve made them permanent fixtures in our homes.
To determine the best smart lights, we took each one and rated them in the following categories below.
- Supported Smart Home Ecosystem: The best thing about smart bulbs is that the smart home can control them. The three biggest smart home platforms are Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. While the vast majority support two of the three, the best smart bulbs support all three.
- Color Changing: All smart LED light bulbs produce white light. Through apps, they can be adjusted to be warmer or cooler in tone, but it’s even better when they can change colors too. Interestingly enough, a rare few can display multiple colors simultaneously.
- Connectivity: This is one of the most critical areas to look at when buying smart bulbs because there are many ways to connect them. There has always been debate about what’s the best, whether it’s Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or using a bridge. However, it helps if all three options are available.
- Brightness: We used a lux light meter held 1 foot away from each smart light bulb to measure its luminance, which is measured in lux. It allowed us to determine the peak brightness output of the light, so brighter is better. To get the most accurate reading, we tried to set each smart bulb to a daylight color for consistency.
- Price: Luckily, we no longer have to pay a fortune for smart bulbs. While there are still pricey options, adoption has increased thanks to their increasing affordability.