Welcome to our article dedicated to smart bulbs. We started in the past with smart cell phones, better known as smartphones, followed by smartwatches, smart-watches, then the smart TVs and even, not long ago, the smart speakers.
For some time now, the so-called “Internet of Things” (IoT) has ceased to be a futuristic concept to be discovered around the corner and has instead become, in all respects, part of our daily lives.
Here we had selected some of the best models of the smart bulbs with different colors that are listed below.
Smart Bulbs Buying Guide
It is therefore already possible to find Internet-connected appliances on the market, such as refrigerators and washing machines; we can adjust the temperature in our home even if we are at work, thanks to the applications that allow us to control the thermostat remotely; and we can also choose to use smart bulbs.
If you are thinking of buying one or more smart bulbs, you will probably have some doubts about it. It is normal, being a fairly recent product and still quite unknown to the general public. That’s why, in this section, we will try to answer the most frequently asked questions of most consumers.
What Are They?
Smart bulbs have undergone a significant increase in popularity in recent years. To date, it is possible to find many different models on the market, cheap enough to replace traditional incandescent bulbs; the variety of solutions can be controlled via smartphone, tablet, and also via voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant.
A smart bulb, from the English ” Smart Light Bulbs, “is a LED lamp having the ability to connect to the Internet, which can be customized, programmed, and controlled remotely. These devices, in combination with smart plugs, are the most requested products in the Internet of Things (IoT) era.
To connect to the Internet, they can take advantage of several channels:
- Wifi;
- Bluetooth;
- ZigBee;
- Proprietary connection of a home automation system.
How Do They Work?
The smart bulbs guarantee the perfect lighting of a room or an entire apartment. Compared to the ‘standard’ models, these smart light bulbs can be programmed and managed remotely.
The lighting of a light bulb is managed 100%, in fact, based on the model purchased, it is possible to:
- Choose various shades of color (Maximum, medium or intermediate light);
- Select the color of the lamp (Some models are RGB);
- They can turn on or off based on our location;
- And many other features that depend on the individual model.
How to Choose a Smart Bulb?
At this point, we will take care of drawing up a list of the main features to be taken into consideration when you are going to buy Smart bulbs. The aspects to which attention must be paid are different.
Let’s see in detail the types of attack, the shades of color that the light can assume, the power, the brightness, the need or not of a bridge, and the compatibility with the various voice assistants.
Here we had also shared a video guide that shows how to choose a led bulb is presented below.
Types of Attack
The first characteristic to observe when you are going to buy Smart bulbs is certainly the type of attack. To make them work, their physical form must conform to the support to which they will be connected.
The lamps and ceiling lamps are not all the same, so you have to check the shape of the compartment in which to insert the bulb.
To be sure of making the right choice (and avoiding to get confused for an ambiguous shape), it is sufficient to observe the wording relating to the attack: this must correspond to the code indicated on the box of the purchased bulb.
At a more generic level, the types of attacks on attack divide into three main categories:
- Screw bulbs;
- Block bulbs;
- Double-ended bulbs.
At home, the most common types of attack belong to the category of screw bulbs and are the bulbs with e14 and e27. The difference between the two essentially lies in the size of the vine: the larger the number, the larger the latter.
Block and double-ended bulbs are mostly used in spotlights (G4, G9, G10, etc.). In addition to those listed above, there are other types of less used connections, such as a plug, R7S, and SMD.
Color Temperature
Another very important feature to take into account to have satisfactory Smart bulbs is the color temperature. This will depend on the type of room to be illuminated, needs, and personal taste. It is a parameter measured in degrees Kelvin, which indicates the hue of the light emitted by the bulb.
They differ in three basic shades:
- Cold white;
- Natural white;
- Warm white.
Cold light is indicated by a value of 6500 K and has a shade tending towards blue. Natural light has a value of 4000 K and is closest to pure white. Finally, the warm light has a value of 2800 K and has a shade that tends to yellow/pink.
The choice, on an aesthetic level, must be appropriate to the size of the environment and the color of the walls.
On a personal level, not everyone knows, but the hue of the color emitted by the light of a light bulb can affect mood. You will, therefore, have to direct your choice also based on personal attitudes and the particular sensations that each of these colors could arouse.
In general, the cold ones give a feeling of freshness and relaxation, while the hot ones bring joy and exaltation.
Electric Power and Brightness
Smart bulbs generally take advantage of LED technology, so consumption is always quite modest. In all cases, consumption is around 3 W and 11 W per hour.
Also, the brightness provided by bulbs of this type can be equal to that of the old incandescent lights that exploited a power of 100/200 W per hour!
However, this is a parameter that should not be underestimated because the bulbs do not all have the same luminous capacity. There are those with softer lights and those with a more dazzling appearance, so you have to adjust on the choice according to your specific needs. The watts consumed are practically the same between those of both types.
The absorbed power and energy consumption are expressed on the package at the time of purchase.
In any case, once you get hold of the Smart bulbs, you can independently view the actual efficiency using a wattmeter or more simply by calculating the energy consumed by a single bulb based on the price of future bills.
As for the brightness produced, this will be expressed in Lumens: the higher the corresponding value indicated, the greater the brightness of the bulb.
Do I Need a Bridge?
Depending on the bulbs chosen and the connection or connection system you will use, you will be able to enjoy some advantages or not.
Some devices do not require bridges to create a functioning lighting network. This can happen thanks to the presence of an integrated hub directly in the control device. They are based on a particular wireless communication protocol called Zigbee.
This incorporates two other details under protocols: the ZLL and the ZHA, which deal with managing the communication between the central device and all the others more effectively.
Taking advantage of this advantage can be very convenient not only in terms of comfort but also from an economic point of view.
A bridge can have a fairly high price at which, to create a complete lighting network, the cost of all the other components must be added. When possible, it is therefore always advisable to opt for devices equipped with this technology.
Compatibility with Voice Assistants
The last parameter to take into consideration when purchasing Smart bulbs is compatibility with the voice assistant that you have available or that you intend to choose.
Smart bulbs can be controlled in various ways, but through a voice assistant, it is certainly faster, smarter, and technologically advanced. You will have the opportunity to choose the intensity, change color, turn on or off the bulbs with the only use of your voice.
It will be like having a virtual butler who performs countless actions for you, facilitating your life on many occasions. The problem is that not everything connects with everything, but one must always check compatibility. Otherwise, everything will not be possible.
There are various ways to do this: in general, compatibility with the various home automation devices should be expressed on the packaging or in the datasheet. If not, you can check the lists on the network showing the devices compatible with a specific device.
At this point, check that the series to which the Smart bulbs of your interest belong appear in the list relating to the voice assistant to which you would like to combine them.
Are They Safe Products?
For some time now, the whole home automation sector has been under attack, why? The security. Researchers, developers, and manufacturers have worked together to ensure the greatest possible safety for the end-user.
Equipping your home with wi-fi equipment can be an easy access point for hackers and attackers, but only if the products purchased are of low quality (or simply if the default passwords are left).
The products you have found on this page, from the ranking to the individual reviews, are of well-known brands and with years of experience in the electrical, IT, or technological sector in general.
Precisely for this reason, they are equipped with modern security systems that guarantee greater protection from possible attacks. Relying on prestigious companies means putting your privacy and that of your family safe from any attacks.
Frequently Asked Question(FAQ)
What Are Smart Bulbs with wifi?
Smart bulbs, also called smart bulbs, are devices equipped with wifi or Bluetooth connectivity and offer the possibility of being operated remotely with devices such as smartphones or tablets.
They have the advantage of being intelligent: in addition to being operated remotely, it is possible to change the intensity of the light and the coloring.
Some models have a white light, others are RGB, and through the app, with a simple touch, you can choose from many different colors.
Do They Need a Hub System?
Generally, not, many models on the market can be used immediately after simply configuring an app on your device. Some types of bulbs can only be used if inserted in a Hub system, such as certain types of Philips smart bulbs.
Are They Compatible with Alexa?
Yes, a large number of models are compatible with Amazon’s voice assistant and related Smart Speakers such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, etc. When purchasing, simply check the compatibility. With Alexa – explicitly stated on the labels or packaging.
