How to Choose Smart Lights

Easy 10 min read

Smart lighting is the most popular entry point into home automation—and for good reason. It is affordable, easy to install, and immediately useful. But the sheer number of options can be paralyzing. Here is how to cut through the confusion and pick the right smart lights for your home.

Three Ways to Make Lights Smart

Smart Bulbs

Replace your existing bulbs with WiFi, Zigbee, or Bluetooth-enabled bulbs.

Pros: Easiest to install (just screw them in), no wiring required, can change colors.

Cons: If someone turns off the wall switch, the bulb loses power and becomes "dumb". More expensive per bulb.

Best for: Lamps, fixtures you rarely turn off at the wall, renters who cannot modify wiring.

Smart Switches

Replace your wall switch with a smart switch that controls regular bulbs.

Pros: Works with any bulb, no "dumb switch" problem, one switch controls multiple lights.

Cons: Requires basic wiring (neutral wire often needed), no color-changing unless combined with smart bulbs.

Best for: Permanent installations, overhead lights, homeowners comfortable with basic electrical work.

Smart Plugs

Plug a regular lamp into a smart plug.

Pros: Cheapest option, no installation, works with any lamp.

Cons: Only works with plug-in lamps, limited to on/off control.

Best for: Table lamps, floor lamps, testing smart home before committing.

Connectivity Options

WiFi

Connects directly to your router. No hub needed.

Best for: Beginners who want simple setup. Just be aware that many WiFi devices can slow down your network.

Zigbee

Low-power mesh network. Requires a hub (Philips Hue Bridge, SmartThings, etc.).

Best for: Larger installations (10+ bulbs), those who want fast response times and do not mind a hub.

Bluetooth

Direct connection to your phone. Limited range, no remote access without a hub.

Best for: Single-room setups, those who only need local control.

Thread/Matter

The newest standard. Mesh network like Zigbee but with better interoperability.

Best for: Future-proofing your setup, those with Apple HomePod Mini or other Thread border routers.

White vs. Color Bulbs

White Only (Tunable White)

Adjusts from warm (2700K) to cool (6500K) white. Significantly cheaper than color bulbs.

Best for: Most rooms. Warm white for evenings, cool white for tasks and morning energy.

Color (RGBW)

Full spectrum of colors plus white. More expensive but versatile.

Best for: Accent lighting, entertainment rooms, kids rooms, holiday lighting.

Our advice: Start with tunable white for general lighting. Add color bulbs only where you will actually use the colors.

Brightness Matters

Smart bulbs are measured in lumens, not watts:

  • 400-500 lumens: Accent lighting, bedside lamps
  • 800 lumens: Standard room lighting (equivalent to 60W incandescent)
  • 1000+ lumens: Bright task lighting, large rooms

Check that the smart bulb matches or exceeds the brightness of what you are replacing.

Ecosystem Compatibility

Make sure your lights work with your preferred platform:

  • Apple HomeKit: Look for "Works with Apple Home" certification
  • Google Home: Most WiFi bulbs work; check for "Works with Google"
  • Amazon Alexa: Widest compatibility; almost everything works
  • Matter: Works with all major platforms—best for cross-compatibility

Popular Brands Compared

Philips Hue

The gold standard. Excellent app, huge ecosystem, very reliable. Premium price. Requires Hue Bridge (Zigbee).

LIFX

Bright, color-accurate WiFi bulbs. No hub needed. Good app. Higher price point.

Wyze

Budget-friendly WiFi bulbs. Basic features but hard to beat on price.

Nanoleaf

Known for decorative panels but also makes Thread-enabled bulbs. Good for Apple users.

Sengled

Affordable Zigbee bulbs. Require a hub but reliable and budget-friendly.

Budget Guidance

  • Budget ($8-15/bulb): Wyze, Sengled, basic WiFi bulbs
  • Mid-range ($15-30/bulb): Philips Hue White, Nanoleaf Essentials
  • Premium ($30-50/bulb): Philips Hue Color, LIFX

Our Recommendations

For Beginners

Start with 3-4 WiFi tunable white bulbs in your most-used rooms. Wyze or similar budget brands let you test the waters without much investment.

For Serious Smart Home Users

Invest in a Zigbee system like Philips Hue. The hub adds reliability, and the ecosystem has every type of light you might need.

For Apple Users

Look at Thread/Matter bulbs from Nanoleaf or Eve. They work great with HomeKit and are future-proof.

For Whole-Home Lighting

Consider smart switches instead of bulbs. One Lutron Caseta or similar switch can control an entire room of regular bulbs.