It's time to get smart when it comes to smart switches and smart light bulbs. An important part of any smart home What is a smart home? What is a smart home? We recently launched a Smart Home category on MakeUseOf, but what is a smart home? Read More And both smart light bulbs and smart switches offer these features.
But while the smart switch and smart bulb may sound similar (after all, they both automate turning light bulbs on and off), they do have a number of notable differences. Each device also performs better in specific situations than the other.
Choosing which device to install throughout your home can be confusing. To give you a quick introduction to both smart devices, we'll take a look at where each can fit in a smart home and recommend some specific products.
Available in various sizes, Philips Hue or LIFX? Choose the best smart light bulb for your home Philips Hue or LIFX? Choose the best smart light bulb for your home Are you overwhelmed by the number of smart lighting products available? Here you will find everything you need to know before choosing smart light bulbs for your home. The Read More feature includes some type of wireless connectivity feature that allows homeowners to connect to their homes with a smartphone or tablet.
When your light bulbs have Internet connectivity, you can easily perform multiple tasks, including simple on/off commands and more advanced tasks like scheduling or acting as part of a larger smart home setup.
For example, by using compatible devices, you can automatically turn off smart light bulbs in your home and lock the door when you leave. When your smartphone detects that you are close to home, the lights will turn back on and the door will unlock. All of this can be done without lifting a finger or even pressing a switch.
Along with different sizes, various smart bulbs offer the ability to change to one of millions of different colors. Here are the best multi-color smart light bulbs of 2017 Here are the best multi-color smart light bulbs of 2017 There are so many options for smart home lighting that it can be overwhelming! These colored bulbs offer you the best features available today. Read more . So you can change the lighting in your home to suit any mood you can imagine, and then whether it's a romantic night out or a disco party with the whole neighborhood.
And some smart light bulbs can also pull double duty and act as security lights 4 Ways a Smart LED Light Bulb Can Keep Your Home Safe and Secure 4 Ways a Smart LED Light Bulb Can Keep Your Home Safe and Secure Did you know that some smart light bulbs Could LEDs be the difference between a home robbery and peace of mind? It sounds weird, but it's true. Read More As a relatively new feature, some can even act as a Bluetooth speaker so you can listen to music.
Like some of the best and most widely used smart home devices, it's easy to find a smart light bulb that can work for you. But there are some tips you'll need to know first.
While smart light bulbs are a booming business, there are some pros and cons to consider.
In general, smart light bulbs offer more flexibility than smart switches. They can be easily moved between fixtures with no hassle and don't take long to install. They also offer a wide variety of different color options. Most are also dimmable without the need for a dimmer switch.
Another big plus, especially if you're replacing a regular incandescent bulb, is the energy savings and long life available with LED technology. With standard use, most LED bulbs will last for decades and eventually pay for themselves. How LED lighting can save you a great deal of money. How LED lighting can save you a great deal of money. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are now among the most energetic. Efficient lighting technologies, but how much can you expect to save? And is it really worth changing? Read More
On the other hand, the biggest disadvantage of smart bulbs is the lack of different sizes and shapes.
With a few exceptions, most bulbs on the market are the standard A19 or BR30 size. Which covers many standard lamps and other accessories. But if you want to add the technology to anything that requires a smaller candelabra base or something larger than a standard light bulb, prepare to be disappointed.
Plus, smart light bulbs are a significant investment up front and often require the use of a hub that plugs into your router to work—another additional cost if you don't already have a setup.
But if you have a little more to spend and are looking for a truly plug-and-play solution for a regular-sized lamp or fixture, smart bulbs are definitely for you.
Now that you have a better idea of when and where to use a smart light bulb, here are three great options to explore.
Launched in 2012, the Philips Hue brand of smart light bulbs helped bring smart lighting technology into the mainstream with its line of color-changing light bulbs. Since then, the company has released a number of different options for consumers.
If you're just getting started with smart light bulbs, the Ambiance White A19 Starter Kit is a great option to look at. The $64.99 kit includes two dimmable A19 soft bulbs along with the Philips Hue Bridge that can control up to 50 lights.
Since the Hue line is the largest on the market, it can easily be expanded later with other bulb options (including a color change option) or accessories like a dimmer switch, motion sensor, and more. The Hue line is also the most versatile on the market when it comes to compatibility with smart home systems. It is currently compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung SmartThings.
Philips Hue White A19 60W Equivalent Smart Bulb Starter Kit (2 A19 60W White Bulbs and 1 Hub Compatible with Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant) Philips Hue White A19 60W Equivalent Smart Bulb Starter Kit (2 A19 60W White Bulbs and 1 Hub Compatible with Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant) Buy now on Amazon
Another white bulb option is from LIFX. Controllable with Amazon Alexa, you can select one of over 1,000 shades of white for the bulb, from warm to cool. A standard A19 size, the $30 bulb offers 890 lumens of brightness and is also dimmable.
Although built-in Wi-Fi offers control from virtually anywhere, there is no need to install any additional hubs. The company also has a nice line of other white bulb and color options.
LIFX Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb, 800-A19, Tunable Whites, Dimmable, Works with Alexa LIFX Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb, 800-A19, Tunable Whites, Dimmable, Works with Alexa Buy Now On Amazon $59.97
A smart bulb for the budget-conscious, iLuv Rainbow 7 can display up to 16 million colors. By connecting to a smart home via Bluetooth, the dimmable bulb can be controlled from up to 30 feet away.
The drawback is that you will only be able to control the bulb from a nearby location and it is not compatible with any smart home systems. But it's a great way to learn about technology.
iLuv Rainbow7, Multi Color Dimmable Smart LED Light Bulb with Programming and Grouping via Free App iLuv Rainbow7, Multi Color Dimmable Smart LED Lighting Bulb with Free App Programming and Grouping Buy Now on Amazon $29.99
Smart switches are a bit different and provide a nice counterpoint to smart light bulbs. Instead of changing the light bulb, smart switches replace the actual hardware. This can be good or bad depending on your situation.
Smart switches are typically more expensive than smart light bulbs, and you'll need to get comfortable doing a simple electrical DIY job. If you can operate a home's breaker box without a problem, you should be fine, with one big caveat.
Most smart switches require a neutral or ground wire along with the positive and negative wires. That provides power for both the switch and the actual lightning bolt at the same time.
If you have a modern home, chances are you have a neutral wire. But you will only be able to know if you do the wiring configuration of the switch. If there is no neutral wire at the switch, you will need to call an electrician.
Smart switches are perfect in a setting where your lighting uses unique bulb sizes or if you're not interested in turning off bulbs.
As a nice touch, smart switches can also be controlled via a smartphone or other device, whether the switch is on or off. That's unlike smart bulbs that require the switch to be on at all times, even if you don't want any light.
Additionally, smart switches can control multiple regular light bulbs from a single smart device. While this may limit your lighting design, it can often be the most economical option for many homeowners.
There are also some drawbacks. Due to the time and effort invested in installation, smart switches are also more difficult to transfer to another location around a house. And anyone who rents a house or lives in an apartment probably won't be able to install their own switches.
If the light is controllable by more than one switch, you will also need to install a smart switch in both locations. It's also somewhat difficult, or impossible, depending on your wiring, to install a single smart switch with a double or even triple of other dumb switches.
But if you want to install a smart switch, here are three good options to explore.
One of the biggest names in residential lighting, Lutron's Caseta Wireless line is a great way for anyone to install smart switches in her home. The deluxe starter kit offers a smart bridge, two in-wall smart dimmers and two small pico remotes that can fit anywhere in a home.
While slightly more expensive than other competitors on the market, the big advantage of Lutron dimmers is that no neutral wire is required for installation.
The switches work with an impressive number of other smart home products including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Carrier Cor, Ecobee, Google Assistant, Nest, Honeywell, Logitech, Samsung SmartThings, Sonos, and Serena Shades. But you will need to install the smart bridge on your internet router.
Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting 2-Dimmer Switch Starter Kit P-BDG-PKG2W-A, Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and the Google Assistant. with Alexa, Apple HomeKit and the Google Assistant Buy Now On Amazon $159.90
TP-Link's Wi-Fi enabled switch can be used with a smartphone app, the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Along with a nice scheduling feature, an away mode will automatically turn lights on and off at random times to make it look like you're home.
A small LED light will allow you to easily see the switch even in the dark.
The company also produces a large line of smart plugs that can automate specific electrical outlets. TP-Link Smart Plug Can Make Your Devices Smart:Here's How TP-Link Smart Plug Can Make Your Devices Smart:Here's How Smart Plugs Are The Cheapest And The Easiest Way To Start Automating your home. This is how models like the Smart Plug TP-LInk can improve your life! Read more.
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch by TP-Link - Control Lighting from Anywhere, Easy Wall Mount (Single Pole Only), No Hub Required, Works with Alexa and Google Assistant (HS200) Wi-Fi Light Switch Fi Kasa Smart by TP-Link:Lighting Control from Anywhere, Easy Wall Mount (Single Pole Only), No Hub Required, Works with Alexa and Google Assistant (HS200) Buy Now On Amazon $24.91
La popular línea de productos para el hogar inteligente WeMo de Belkin también cuenta con un excelente interruptor inteligente habilitado para Wi-Fi. Compatible con Amazon Alexa y Google Home, el interruptor de luz WeMo también cuenta con un modo de ausencia para ayudar a proteger su casa mientras está fuera. Gracias a la compatibilidad con la línea Nest, el termostato puede indicar el cambio cuando estás en casa o lejos, lo que te permite ahorrar energía.
También funciona con el excelente servicio IFTTT que permitirá a cualquier persona crear recetas que puedan controlar el cambio en base a eventos del mundo real. Por ejemplo, si sus equipos de fútbol favoritos anotan un touchdown, el interruptor puede encenderse y apagarse en rápida sucesión.
Wemo Light Switch, WiFi habilitado, Funciona con Alexa y Google Assistant Wemo Light Switch, WiFi habilitado, Funciona con Alexa y Google Assistant Compre ahora en Amazon $ 37.99
Tanto las bombillas inteligentes como los interruptores inteligentes pueden desempeñar un papel importante en cualquier configuración del hogar inteligente, pero cada uno tiene sus propios aspectos positivos y negativos que deben considerarse antes de la instalación. Con suerte, tendrá una mejor idea acerca de ambas opciones y cuál es la que mejor se adapta a su hogar.
¿Cuál es su experiencia usando interruptores inteligentes o bombillas inteligentes? ¿Prefieres una solución sobre la otra? Let us know in the comments.
