How Do Smart Light Bulbs Work?

Looking back, smart bulbs were the first smart home devices we owned. They were relatively cheap compared to other smart products, and they gave us the opportunity to test out home automation technology.

We were also drawn to smart bulbs because they work on different levels. We liked that there’s a security aspect, in particular, being security experts ourselves. Lights can deter burglars when used correctly.

There are so many things you can do with just simple smart lights, and in this guide, we’ll help you set up your first smart home system centered on smart bulbs.

How Do Smart Light Bulbs Work?

How many people does it take to screw in a smart bulb? One. This is not an opening to a joke, we just want to show you how easy it is to use smart lights. On the outside, smart bulbs are just like regular bulbs. You screw them into the light socket, turn on your light switch, and voila! You have a smart lighting system.

The “smart” part comes from their ability to interconnect with other devices. Smart bulbs use different communication technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or Z-Wave. Those allow them to “talk” to other devices so you can create automations that lighten the load of everyday life.

One of our favorites is that our living room lights turn on when we enter through the front door, thanks to the integration between our smart light and smart security system. Our door sensor informs the alarm panel whenever our front door opens; in turn, the alarm panel prompts our living room smart bulbs to turn on.

The truth is, smart bulbs are a versatile piece of smart home tech, so having one in your smart home opens up a lot of possibilities.

Where Can I Use Smart Light Bulbs?

Technically speaking, you can screw in a smart bulb into any socket where it fits and it will work just fine. However, smart bulbs are best suited for fixtures that are not connected to a wall switch, like table or floor lamps. That’s because in order to work, a smart bulb needs constant power even if the light itself is turned off.

If you want a smart lighting solution for a ceiling-mounted fixture, a smart light switch could be a better solution, although a bit harder to set up.

Additionally, we don’t advise using smart bulbs for ceiling fan light fixtures, as some smart bulbs are bulky and the constant movement could cause the bulbs to malfunction.

What Are Smart Light Bulbs?

Smart light bulbs are lighting devices that you can control wirelessly via a remote.1 That way, you can control them from different rooms, or even set up different combinations of lights that differ based on the time of day.

Smart light bulbs last longer than regular light bulbs2 and are more energy-efficient, too. We’ll go into more detail on that soon.

Benefits of Smart Light Bulbs

Ease of installation isn’t the only thing smart light bulbs have going for them. Other benefits of smart light bulbs include:

• Lower energy consumption: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs reduce the amount of electricity needed; they use 25 percent to 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescents.3
• Long life span: The average incandescent light bulb has a lifespan of 750 to 2,000 hours, while LED smart lights can work for up to 50,000 hours.
• Security: Many smart light bulbs have motion-detection features and will turn on if someone enters the room.
• Light customization for color and brightness: You can change the bulb color and brightness, designing different “scenes” to fit your various moods.
• Scheduling: You can set up a predetermined schedule of when lights turn on and off.

Types of Smart Light Bulbs

There is a range of smart light bulbs with varying bulb shapes and base sizes. Each bulb has a code consisting of a letter and a number like A19,4 so you’ll want to pay attention to what type of bulb is listed as compatible with your fixture, whether that’s a table lamp or ceiling fan.

The most commonly used household bulbs are the A19 and the E26.

How Much Do Smart Light Bulbs Cost?

Smart light bulb costs vary based on the brand, if it’s for indoor or outdoor, wired or wireless, has a hub or not, and if it’s a lamp. The cheapest smart bulb on the market that we found is the Cree 60W bulb, which costs $2.24, while the most expensive option, the LIFX Mini Light Bulb can cost just over $60. In our analysis, we found the average cost was about $29.

Are Smart Bulbs Worth the Money?

Though there is an upfront cost associated with making the switch from regular bulbs to smart bulbs, smart light bulbs are a money-saver in the long run. Since the smart bulbs are LED, they are highly efficient and don’t use as much energy as incandescent bulbs. Further, scheduling your smart bulbs means that the lights are never on when no one is home. And, if by chance you leave them on accidentally, you can turn them off remotely, making saving energy super easy.

There is one caveat, though. Smart bulbs consume energy even when the lights are off because they are always connected to Wi-Fi.5 Also, if you choose a model that requires a hub, the hub also needs to be plugged in. When used correctly, however, the energy savings you get from switching to LED smart bulbs will offset their consumption cost.

If you want to experiment with smart home appliances, smart bulbs could be a good introduction to see how you like smart living. And a couple of more affordable bulbs won’t break the bank. If you want to lean into the smart home world, we compiled our picks for the best smart home devices.

How Long Do Smart Light Bulbs Last?

Keep in mind, however, that a smart bulb doesn’t last forever. They burn out just like normal bulbs, with typical LED smart bulbs lasting between 20,000 to 50,000 hours.6 That’s at least five years in normal usage. In comparison, incandescent bulbs last a maximum of 2,000 hours, or about one to two years of use.

When a smart bulb runs out, there’s no way to keep using it. You have to buy new ones. That’s both a pro and con. On one hand, since smart bulbs are more expensive than normal ones, the long-term cost is higher. But on the bright side, buying new smart bulbs every five years or so allows you to upgrade your hardware to the latest technology.

Will Smart Light Bulbs Be Obsolete?

Light bulb technology is evolving rapidly, and Americans are getting on board. It’s unlikely that smart light bulbs will be obsolete anytime soon,7 especially because incandescent bulbs are being phased out of households.8 However, as incandescent bulbs become a thing of the past,9 now could be a good time to think about switching to smart light bulbs, if you haven’t already.

What Do I Look For In A Smart Light Bulb?

There are quite a few features and settings to consider when choosing a smart light bulb. We’ve highlighted the most important ones below:

• Does it require a hub? Not all smart light bulbs require a hub, but if the hardware is built into the bulb itself, it will have a bulkier look.
• Different colors/color spectrum: This is the fun part of smart bulbs because you can choose from the full color spectrum. That means cool vibes without having to commit to a permanently colorful lighting landscape.
• Pairing abilities: If you use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant (Google Home), or Siri (Apple HomeKit) voice assistants, make sure the technology is voice-activated so you can control the lights with your voice. Of course, you’ll need smart speakers like the Nest Mini or the Echo Dot With Clock.
• Design: Does the bulb look traditional, especially if it is going to be visible in your lighting fixture?
• How it connects: Typically, smart bulbs connect through Wi-Fi, though there are Bluetooth, SmartThings, Z-Wave and Zigbee-compatible bulbs available.
• Size: A19 is the standard bulb shape, and E26 is the most common base size for lamps. Make sure your bulb will fit in the lighting fixture you want to put it in.
• App features: Is it easy to set up schedules and different light scenes for larger smart lighting systems? Are there ads, and is it intuitive to navigate to the parts of the app you’ll need most? Be sure to check the app’s ratings in the app store to get a sense of how current customers really feel.
• Brightness: Brightness is measured in watts, and most smart bulbs are around 60 watts.
• Cost: Obviously, the bottom line matters. However, there are lots of options to find something that fits in your budget, considering that the lower end of the price spectrum is around $2 per bulb, while the higher-end bulbs will cost closer to $60. Take advantage of smart home Black Friday deals while they’re up!
• Scheduling features: The ability to schedule is a huge perk of smart light bulbs, so make sure it’s easy to do so via the device’s app.
• Geofencing: Some smart bulbs can connect to the GPS in your phone, so the lighting turns off automatically when you leave the home and turns on when you enter.
• Installation process: If there is a hub, you’ll have to connect it to your home’s router. However, installing a hub should not take more than 15 minutes.

Smart Light Bulb Alternatives

While we’re big fans of smart light bulbs, there are some alternatives we wanted you to know about as well:

• Smart switches: A smart switch controls the flow of power to a certain area and replaces a traditional wall switch. It connects to the internet, and you can control it through a mobile app or a voice assistant like Google Assistant. Installing a smart light switch is more of an undertaking than installing a smart light bulb, because you’ll have to access the hardwires in your wall. However, it is still possible to do without professional help. Plus, smart switches make it possible to use smart lighting for overhead lightings like recessed lights or sconces.
• Smart plugs: Smart plugs are adaptors that plug into existing wall outlets. Then, you insert a small electronic device into those adapters. You can control the plugs via a smartphone app, turning on devices remotely even if they’re not “smart.” Smart plugs work well to control lamps that are plugged in rather than hardwired, like a floor lamp.

In Conclusion

Smart home technology is the way of the future, and smart light bulbs are a great place to start if you’ve been curious about upgrading some of your appliances. If you find they’re not for you, no worries, since starter kits are a low-stakes purchase and don’t require complicated installation.

If you find you’ve discovered a new world of smart devices you want to double down on, we can help you to learn about those, too. Read about how home automation works and how to install a smart lock on your door.