Google transitioned from “Works with Nest” integration to “Works with Hey Google,” so some smart home gadgets dropped the “Works with Nest” compatibility.
Philips Hue was one of the first to go, pulling the virtual plug on Nov. 17. We recommend checking in on your smart gadgets that worked with Nest in case you temporarily lost integration during this transition.
We rated the best smart light bulbs based on price, energy savings, features, and compatibility with other home automation products. The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulb took the cake for its millions of color options, free app, high quality, and long lifetime.
Plus, the Hue Hub is now optional for this bulb—not required. That means more money and less hassle for you.
Here are the best smart light bulbs of 2021
Compare the best smart light bulbs
| Best overall | Budget pick | Wi-Fi pick | Best splurge | |
| Smart bulb | Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulb | Cree Connected LED 60W Soft White Bulb | LIFX Mini White Wi-Fi Smart Bulb | Nanoleaf Aurora Rhythm Smarter Kit |
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| Price | $49.99 | $11.97 | $26.99 | $289.98 |
| Control | Mobile app, Voice | Mobile app, Voice | Mobile app, Voice | Mobile app, Voice |
| Compatibility | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Nest, SmartThings | Amazon Alexa, Wink, WeMo, SmartThings | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Nest, SmartThings | Amazon Alexa |
| Learn more | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Amazon.com List Price as of 01/19/21 12:05 p.m. MST. (Full disclaimer)
Our approach
To find the best smart light bulbs on the market, we read hundreds of customer reviews, dug into industry standards and research, scoured products’ specs and reviews, and did some hands-on testing of our own. Learn more about how we rate products on our Rankings and Reviews page.
- 16 hours researched
- 12 products considered
- 500+ customer reviews read
- 6 coffees consumed
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulb
The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 LED Smart Bulb delivers a brilliant array of up to 16 million (yes, that’s MILLION!) color options. These bulbs really bring the best of all worlds—fun light displays along with energy efficiency and security applications.
You’ll pay a pretty penny for these smart light bulbs, but if you’re into mood lighting, we say go for it. And the Hue Bridge is now optional to operate these (not required), so that's a huge plus.
16 million colors Easy setup and control Programmable settings you can save Free mobile app Compatibility with Hue Dimmer, Hue Tap, and Hue Motion Sensor No longer need Hue Hub to operate
Lower brightness than other smart light bulbs Big price tag
Use Philip Hue’s pre-programmed light settings to relax, improve focus for studying, get energized, and more.
Cree Connected LED 60W Soft White Bulb
You can’t beat the Cree Connected smart light bulb for price or brightness. This is one of the brightest lights we found, and it doesn’t gouge your pocketbook. If you’re not sure that smart lighting is for you, the Cree smart bulb is an affordable way give it a test run. And best of all, you don’t need a special hub. Cree is compatible with any ZigBee-enabled hub out there. So if you have an Amazon Echo or Nest hub, you’re ready to go.
Cheap price tag Compatibility with multiple hubs and platforms Easy setup
Harsher light Slower response time Inconsistent qualityLIFX Mini White Wi-Fi Smart Bulb
Most smart light bulbs require you to purchase the bulbs and a hub or bridge to connect them to your Wi-Fi network. With the LIFX Mini White Wi-Fi Smart Bulb, all you need to do is buy the bulb, screw it into a lamp or other lighting fixture, and download the LIFX app. We like how simple and easy LIFX makes smart home lighting. If you don’t want to hassle with extra devices and connections, these smartbulbs are the way to go.
No hub needed Affordable cost Free mobile app IFTTT smart home compatibility Multiple color options
Some Android issues Tricky setup for some users Connectivity issuesAdd LIFX bulbs to ceiling fans that have separate controls for the fan and the light—no more mistakes, reaching, or frustration. Now all you have to control manually is the fan.
Nanoleaf Aurora Rhythm Smarter Kit
If you’re more interested in playing with your smart lights than saving money or adding security to your home, then the Nanoleaf Aurora Rhythm Smarter Kit is your smart lighting match. These fun tiles can be configured into numerous designs to turn any room into an artsy display of LED technological magic. Set the mood for a house party or a quiet night in, with just the touch of a button.
Fun design Multiple configurations No extra hub needed Programmable patterns for different events, moods Ability to dance to your favorite tunes
Expensive price No real security application Challenging installationThings to consider about smart light bulbs
The easy answer is as much as you want to. But because most of us don’t have piles of money to burn, let’s look at the difference between more expensive smart light bulbs and cheaper ones. All smart lighting solutions are more costly than regular incandescent or LED bulbs, but smartbulbs deliver extra convenience, ambiance, and security.
Philips Hue smartbulbs are the industry standard, and they aren’t cheap (the starter kit we recommend comes with two bulbs and the Philips Hue Hub for around $70).
They do offer a good track record, though—and these bulbs should last about five years. If you want lights that can be controlled remotely and integrated with a security system, then we recommend ponying up the extra cash for Philips Hue bulbs.
If all you want is extra convenience, then you’ll be happy with less expensive (and less feature-rich bulbs) like the Cree smart light bulb (starting around $15 per bulb).
At first glance, it’s easy to wonder, “Why in the world would anyone want 16 million colors?” In fact, I asked that very question. After digging into this highly important topic, I came up with some reasons that 16 million colors may just make sense after all.
In addition to being a whole lot of fun, Philips Hue’s color light bulbs cash in on scientific proof about how color can influence your mood.¹ If you want to use these smartbulbs to hack your mind and emotions, here’s a color guide to help you get started (but the Hue app already provides pre-set scenes to help you create the mood you’re looking for).
- Pump up with red. The vibrant shade is said to boost excitement and strength.
- Get creative with green. Set your bulbs to a greenish hue to get those creative juices flowing.
- Zen out with blue and purple. These colors invoke calm, peaceful, spiritual feelings.
- Don’t read to yellow. This happy color makes your eyes tired, so skip it when you curl up with a book.
- Warm up with brown. The color of chocolate evokes feelings of warmth, security, and comfort.
Voice control assistants like Amazon Alexa are the new Clapper. Instead of clapping your lamp on, now you can tell it what to do. Not only is this fun and convenient, but for people with physical limitations or those recovering from illness or injury, voice control can actually improve quality of life.
One of the caveats of smartbulbs is that to make many of them work, you have to do more than simply screw in the bulb. And you often have to buy extra equipment, like a hub. A hub, or bridge, helps the smartbulb connect to the internet. That connection lets you control the smartbulb with a mobile app.
It also allows the smartbulb to “talk” to other smart devices, which lets you set up different routines for different scenarios. For example, if you have a doorbell camera, the camera can trigger the porch light when motion is detected. Not all smartbulbs require a hub, and some are compatible with hubs you may already use with other smart products.
The US Department of Energy recommends using LED light bulbs that work with timers and dimmers to help save energy and money.² Because smart light bulbs are dimmable and can be controlled either remotely or with schedules, they fit the DOE’s prescription. Plus, most smart light bulbs are designed to last between five and fifteen years, which means you’ll spend less money replacing burned out bulbs.
Sources
- Psychology Today, The Surprising Effect of Color on Your Mind and Mood”
- Energy.gov, “Lighting Choices to Save You Money”
Disclaimer
Amazon.com List Price as of 01/19/21 12:05 p.m. MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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