Smart Lighting: Buying Advice, Tips, and News
Whether you want immersive lighting for entertainment, automated schedules for daily routines, or enhanced security while you're away on vacation, the top smart lights we've tested can make your home feel more connected and comfortable.
Our Current Top Tested Picks
TP-Link Tapo L535E Smart Wi-Fi Light Bulb
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The TP-Link Tapo L535E is an ultra-bright, Matter-ready smart bulb that delivers rich colors, tunable whites, and seamless integration with Alexa, HomeKit, Google, and SmartThings.
Full TP-Link Tapo L535E Smart Wi-Fi Light Bulb ReviewPros
- Bright
- Rich colors
- Supports Matter
- Works with numerous home automation platforms
- Power usage reports
Cons
- Limited effects
Pros
- Bright
- Rich colors
- Supports Matter
- Works with numerous home automation platforms
- Power usage reports
Cons
- Limited effects
AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb is a versatile LED that offers good color quality, fun effects, and compatibility with the most popular home automation platforms.
Full AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb ReviewPros
- Rich colors
- Supports Matter
- Works with multiple home automation platforms
- Custom and music-themed effects
- Offers power usage reports
Cons
- Maxes out at 800 lumens
Pros
- Rich colors
- Supports Matter
- Works with multiple home automation platforms
- Custom and music-themed effects
- Offers power usage reports
Cons
- Maxes out at 800 lumens
Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
Designed for outdoor use, the fun, highly customizable Govee Lynx Dream String Lights feature multicolor LEDs that you can control with your phone or voice.
Full Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights ReviewPros
- Lots of customizable lighting effects
- Supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
- Works with IFTTT
- No hub required
Cons
- Bulbs are spaced far apart
- No HomeKit support
Pros
- Lots of customizable lighting effects
- Supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
- Works with IFTTT
- No hub required
Cons
- Bulbs are spaced far apart
- No HomeKit support
Globe Electric Smart Ambient Light
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Globe Electric Smart Ambient Light connects to your phone and uses motion detection to illuminate bedrooms, hallways, or any other dark areas in your home.
Full Globe Electric Smart Ambient Light ReviewPros
- Easy to install
- Supports Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands
- Broad color range
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Works with SmartThings platform
Cons
- Doesn't support HomeKit or IFTTT
- Narrow motion detection range
Pros
- Easy to install
- Supports Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands
- Broad color range
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Works with SmartThings platform
Cons
- Doesn't support HomeKit or IFTTT
- Narrow motion detection range
Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz Light Bulb
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz light bulb is an affordable, hub-free LED you can control from your phone that offers plenty of options for customization and third-party connectivity.
Full Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz Light Bulb ReviewPros
- Affordable
- No hub required
- Connects via Wi-Fi for remote app control
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Siri shortcuts
- Supports light Rhythms, Scenes, and Schedules
Cons
- Finicky Wi-Fi setup and app control in testing
- No HomeKit support
Pros
- Affordable
- No hub required
- Connects via Wi-Fi for remote app control
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Siri shortcuts
- Supports light Rhythms, Scenes, and Schedules
Cons
- Finicky Wi-Fi setup and app control in testing
- No HomeKit support
Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The latest version of the Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp is brighter than ever and features Bluetooth for hub-free control.
Full Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp ReviewPros
- Wide color and white temperature range
- Stylish design
- Features Bluetooth for hub-free app control
- Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
Cons
- Some features require a Hue Bridge hub
Pros
- Wide color and white temperature range
- Stylish design
- Features Bluetooth for hub-free app control
- Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
Cons
- Some features require a Hue Bridge hub
Pure Smart A19F Tunable White Filament Bulb
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Pure Smart A19F Tunable White Filament looks like a classic incandescent bulb, but it’s a Wi-Fi LED bulb with an adjustable white temperature range you can control with your phone and voice.
Full Pure Smart A19F Tunable White Filament Bulb ReviewPros
- Bright adjustable whites
- No hub required
- Supports Alexa and Google Home voice controls
- Strong third-party device support
- Power usage reports
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Cons
- Doesn't support Apple HomeKit or Matter
Pros
- Bright adjustable whites
- No hub required
- Supports Alexa and Google Home voice controls
- Strong third-party device support
- Power usage reports
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Cons
- Doesn't support Apple HomeKit or Matter
Amazon Echo Glow
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The Amazon Echo Glow is a small Wi-Fi-enabled night-light designed for kids. It offers 16 colors and touch control, but it doesn't have a microphone or speaker and depends on another device for voice control.
Full Amazon Echo Glow ReviewPros
- Easy to install and use
- Dimmable
- Tap control
- Interacts with other smart devices via Alexa routines
Cons
- Light could be brighter
- Requires Echo device for voice control
- Lacks IFTTT support
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Dimmable
- Tap control
- Interacts with other smart devices via Alexa routines
Cons
- Light could be brighter
- Requires Echo device for voice control
- Lacks IFTTT support
Roku Smart Bulb SE Color
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The affordable Roku Smart Bulb SE Color offers a full spectrum of hues, supports voice and app controls, and works well with other Roku devices.
Full Roku Smart Bulb SE Color ReviewPros
- Affordable
- Good color quality
- Doesn't require a hub
- Supports voice control
- Interacts with other Roku devices
Cons
- Doesn't work with HomeKit, IFTTT, or Matter
- Limited integration potential
Pros
- Affordable
- Good color quality
- Doesn't require a hub
- Supports voice control
- Interacts with other Roku devices
Cons
- Doesn't work with HomeKit, IFTTT, or Matter
- Limited integration potential
U-tec Bright A19 Color
- 5.0 - Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 - Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 - Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 - Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 - Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 - Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 - Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 - Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 - Dismal: Don't even think about buying this product
Read Our Editorial Mission Statement and Testing Methodologies.
The U-tec Bright A19 is a highly radiant color smart bulb that supports voice control, works with lots of other devices, and acts as a Wi-Fi extender.
Full U-tec Bright A19 Color ReviewPros
- Bright 1,100-lumen output
- Good color quality
- Supports Alexa, Google, IFTTT, and SmartThings
- Works as a Wi-Fi extender for U-tec devices
Cons
- Doesn't support HomeKit
- Lacks lighting effects and power usage reports
Pros
- Bright 1,100-lumen output
- Good color quality
- Supports Alexa, Google, IFTTT, and SmartThings
- Works as a Wi-Fi extender for U-tec devices
Cons
- Doesn't support HomeKit
- Lacks lighting effects and power usage reports
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The Amazon Echo Glow is a small Wi-Fi-enabled night-light designed for kids. It offers 16 colors and touch control, but it doesn't have a microphone or speaker and depends on another device for voice control.
$29.99
We install and test more than 100 smart devices in our homes each year to assess their ease of use, reliability, and performance, helping you choose the best ones for your budget.
From screw-in bulbs and colorful LED strips to table lamps and outdoor string lights, check out the top smart lighting we've tested for illuminating your space and setting the mood.
The TP-Link Tapo L535E is an ultra-bright, Matter-ready smart bulb that delivers rich colors, tunable whites, and seamless integration with Alexa, HomeKit, Google, and SmartThings.
$10.99
Nanoleaf's modular, stick-on lights take your mood lighting to the next level, but I have a few suggestions for making setup as seamless as possible.
This sleek and stylish Nanoleaf Matter smart floor lamp is available for $42 off thanks to today's Black Friday Amazon deal.
Smart lights that actually feel smart. These Hue bulbs are easy to control, set the mood instantly, and are now 33% off. That’s a home upgrade without the renovation cost.
The Pure Smart A19F Tunable White Filament looks like a classic incandescent bulb, but it’s a Wi-Fi LED bulb with an adjustable white temperature range you can control with your phone and voice.
$24.00
The Pure Smart Wiz Pro Wi-Fi Remote Room Controller is a wireless device that lets you turn on, dim, and enable lighting scenes for PureEdge or WiZ smart bulbs and fixtures.
$40.00
The Pure Smart TruColor A19 is a smart multicolor bulb with embedded Wi-Fi, voice control support, and lots of third-party integrations.
$15.20
The move is a 'direct result of tariffs,' the smart home vendor says.
Bad lighting sets the wrong vibe, but these smart bulbs let you switch colors, dim the lights, and set the mood, all for less than the price of a fancy coffee (per bulb).
The U-tec Smart Dimmer Switch is a Wi-Fi-enabled wall switch that lets you control traditional light fixtures with your phone, voice, and other smart home devices.
$16.99
The U-tec Bright A19 is a highly radiant color smart bulb that supports voice control, works with lots of other devices, and acts as a Wi-Fi extender.
$16.99
Control the color and brightness of your ambient lighting and save $24.
The Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb is a versatile LED that offers good color quality, fun effects, and compatibility with the most popular home automation platforms.
$14.99
Govee's new smart light products directly address shortcomings of the original models with much-needed improvements, and the Neon Rope Light 2 is on sale now.
The Nanoleaf Essentials Matter BR30 is a full-featured smart bulb for recessed fixtures that supports Thread networking and uses Matter technology to integrate with the most widely used home automation platforms.
$46.89
The affordable Roku Smart Bulb SE Color offers a full spectrum of hues, supports voice and app controls, and works well with other Roku devices.
$9.45