The Best Smart LED Light Bulbs for 2024

Light bulbs have grown exponentially smarter in recent years. You can now replace your standard incandescent bulbs with a variety of connected solutions that support phone and voice control. Back when we first started reviewing connected lighting products a decade ago, a starter kit with three bulbs cost $200, but today the best smart lights cost a fraction of that. Our top pick, the AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb, costs $20, displays 16 million colors and a range of white tones, and works with multiple smart home automation platforms. If you want smart bulbs for your recessed fixtures, colorful accent lighting for inside or outside your home, or a night-light for your kid’s room or a dark hallway, we have you covered in our list below.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

The AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb

Best Overall

AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb

  • Rich colors
  • Supports Matter
  • Works with multiple home automation platforms
  • Custom and music-themed effects
  • Offers power usage reports

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT

Base Type

E26

Light Color

Color

Light Color Temperature

2,700K to 6,500K

Output

800 lumens

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

25000 hours

Geofencing/Location Services

The AiDot Linkind Wi-Fi Matter Smart Light Bulb features built-in Wi-Fi and works with the Matter smart home standard, so you can easily connect it to your home network and pair it with the Alexa, Google, HomeKit, and SmartThings home automation systems. It also supports IFTTT applets that allow it to interact with several third-party smart home devices. It delivers rich colors and warm and cool whites and offers lots of fun lighting effects, plus energy usage reports.

If you’re looking for a smart and colorful LED bulb that will work with all your other smart home devices, the AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb is your best bet. It’s a plastic A19 bulb that uses a standard E26 screw-in base. With a maximum output of 800 lumens, it’s not quite as bright as the Roku Smart Bulb SE Color, but it offers a lot more integration potential.

Learn More

AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb Review

Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz Light Bulb

Best White Bulb

Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz Light Bulb

  • 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
  • Finicky Wi-Fi setup and app control in testing
  • No HomeKit support

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT

Base Type

E26

Light Color

White

Light Color Temperature

2,700K

Output

800 lumens

Wattage

8.8 watts

Watt Equivalence

60 watts

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

25000 hours

Geofencing/Location Services

Philips makes some of our favorite smart light bulbs, but its Hue LEDs are prciey. Starting at just $9.97, the Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz Light Bulb is a far more affordable option. It offers ample features for the price, including support for IFTTT integrations and voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts. It delivers 800 lumens of brightness, which is roughly equivalent to a 60-watt incandescent bulb, and it has a 2700K (warm) color temperature.

The Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz bulb offers loads of value and convenience for its low price. It works with Wi-Fi for app control without needing a separate hub, it supports voice commands, and it features plenty of customization options. Its companion app lets you create Scenes to set the mood for different occasions, Rhythms to automate lighting adjustments based on the time of day, and Schedules to enable your preferred light mode on certain days and times.

Learn More

Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz Light Bulb Review

Roku Smart Bulb SE Color

Best for Roku Device Users

Roku Smart Bulb SE Color

  • Affordable
  • Good color quality
  • Doesn’t require a hub
  • Supports voice control
  • Interacts with other Roku devices
  • Doesn’t work with HomeKit, IFTTT, or Matter
  • Limited integration potential

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

Integrations

Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa

Base Type

E26

Light Color

Color

Light Color Temperature

1800K-6500K

Output

1100 lumens

Wattage

12 watts

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

25000 hours

Geofencing/Location Services

If you want your pick of colors and white tones, the affordable Roku Smart Bulb SE Color has you covered. It can display 16 million colors, and a white light temperatures ranging from 1,800K (warm) to 6,500K (cool). It’s also dimmable, with a brightness range between 30 and 1,100 lumens. The Bulb SE Color uses an embedded 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio to connect to your home network and a Bluetooth radio to pair with Roku’s mobile app. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice controls, as well as Roku’s voice service if you connect it to a compatible media streaming device such as the Roku Ultra. You can also configure it to interact with Roku’s other smart home devices.

At a little less than $10 per bulb, the Roku Smart Bulb SE Color is an excellent low-cost smart lighting solution for livening up fixtures with an E26 screw-in base. It works particularly well in homes with other Roku devices.

Learn More

Roku Smart Bulb SE Color Review

Nanoleaf Essentials Matter BR30

Best for Recessed Fixtures

Nanoleaf Essentials Matter BR30 Smart Bulb

  • Rich colors
  • Works with numerous platforms
  • Voice control
  • Thread and Matter support
  • Mood lighting effects
  • Requires a Thread border router for remote control
  • No Wi-Fi
  • Tricky setup
  • Only available in a three-pack

Connectivity

Bluetooth

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit

Base Type

E26

Light Color

Color

Light Color Temperature

2,700K to 6,500K

Output

1000 lumens

Wattage

8.5 watts

Watt Equivalence

60 watts

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

3 years

Geofencing/Location Services

The Nanoleaf Essentials Matter BR30 is a full-featured smart bulb for recessed fixtures that uses Matter technology to integrate with the most widely used home automation platforms including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. It offers customizable lighting for recessed outlets, with voice control support, robust colors, and fun effects. The 8.5-watt LED bulb can display more than 16 million colors, and white color temperatures ranging from 2,700K (warm) to 6,500K (cool), with a maximum brightness of 1,000 lumens.

If you’re looking to smarten up your recessed or track lighting, the Nanoleaf Essentials Matter BR30 is a top choice. You can control the Nanoleaf BR30 bulb from its companion mobile app (available for Android and iOS), but it doesn’t have a built-in Wi-Fi radio. Therefore, if you want to control it remotely and integrate it with third-party smart home ecosystems, you’ll need a separate device that serves as a Thread border router.

Learn More

Nanoleaf Essentials Matter BR30 Smart Bulb Review

Philips Hue Bluetooth White and Color Ambience Bulb

Best Hue Bulb

Philips Hue Bluetooth White and Color Ambiance Bulb

  • Works without a hub.
  • Easy to install.
  • Vibrant colors.
  • Supports Alexa and Google voice commands.
  • Can be added to Hue ecosystem.
  • Expensive.
  • Requires Hue Bridge for remote access and to use other Hue features.

Connectivity

Bluetooth, ZigBee

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT

Base Type

E26

Light Color

Color, White

Light Color Temperature

2000-6500K

Output

800 lumens

Wattage

10 watts

Watt Equivalence

60 watts

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

22 years

Geofencing/Location Services

The Philips Hue Bluetooth White and Color Ambiance is the first Hue smart bulb equipped with a Bluetooth radio, which means you can control it without connecting it to a Hue Bridge: Its app lets you turn it on and off, dim it, and change colors and color temperature settings, and the Ambiance supports Alexa and Google voice commands. You can pair it to a Hue Bridge if you want to control it from afar, as well as take advantage of smart home integration and other features that make Hue a best-in-class smart lighting platform.

If you want to dip your toe into the smart lighting waters before investing in a pricey hub-controlled system, the Hue Bluetooth White and Color Ambiance bulb is a good place to start. It performed well in our tests and is easy to install, and you can add it to your Hue ecosystem should you decide to go all out.

Learn More

Philips Hue Bluetooth White and Color Ambiance Bulb Review

Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights

Best Outdoor String Lights

Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights

  • Lots of customizable lighting effects
  • Supports Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
  • Works with IFTTT
  • No hub required
  • Bulbs are spaced far apart
  • No HomeKit support

Connectivity

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT

Base Type

Strip

Light Color

Color, White

Light Color Temperature

2,700K

Output

50 lumens

Wattage

12 watts

Watt Equivalence

1.2 watts

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

20000 hours

Geofencing/Location Services

For a festive way to illuminate your outdoor spaces, try string lights such as the Govee Lynx Dream. Each string has dimmable multicolor LED bulbs that you can control with your voice or phone. They also support IFTTT applets, and you get a generous selection of preset lighting scenes and a fun Music Sync mode that’s great for parties.

The Govee Lynx Dream String Lights are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to add colorful lighting outside of their home. Available in 48 or 96 feet, the strings are weatherproof, easy to install, and support remote control via voice commands or the flexible Govee Home mobile app. They also look great and are simply fun to use.

Learn More

Govee Lynx Dream Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Outdoor String Lights Review

TP-Link Kasa Smart Multicolor Light Strip (KL430)

Best Accent Lighting

TP-Link Kasa Smart Multicolor Light Strip (KL430)

  • Easy to install
  • Alexa and Google voice control
  • Works with third-party devices
  • Can be extended up to 33 feet
  • Cool lighting effects
  • Energy usage reports
  • Pricey extension strips
  • Lacks HomeKit support

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT

Base Type

Strip

Light Color

Color

Light Color Temperature

2500K-9000K

Output

1400 lumens

Wattage

17 watts

Watt Equivalence

100 watts

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

25000 hours

Geofencing/Location Services

The Kasa Smart Multicolor Light Strip offers an easy way to add a splash of color to any area of your home. This thin, flexible strip of plastic contains LEDs that emit white and colored light that you can control using the Kasa mobile and with Alexa and Google voice commands. It also offers some neat lighting effects, works with third-party smart devices, and can tell you how much power it’s using.

If you want to add color to a bookshelf, brighten up a bare wall, or create the perfect movie night mood lighting effect, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Multicolor Light Strip is a good way to do it. It’s very easy to install, can be cut to fit your specific needs, and it delivers bright, colorful lighting and a wide range of whites.

Learn More

TP-Link Kasa Smart Multicolor Light Strip (KL430) Review

Globe Electric Smart Ambient Light

Best Smart Night-Light

Globe Electric Smart Ambient Light

  • Easy to install
  • Supports Alexa, Google, and Siri voice commands
  • Broad color range
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi
  • Works with SmartThings platform
  • Doesn’t support HomeKit or IFTTT
  • Narrow motion detection range

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

Base Type

Standalone

Light Color

Color

Light Color Temperature

2,000K-5,000K

Wattage

25 watts

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

15000 hours

Geofencing/Location Services

The Globe Smart Ambient Light is a plug-in night-light with a built-in motion sensor that illuminates the way when you approach it. You can tune the LED to a specific white color temperature or display any number of RGB colors, create lighting schedules, and control everything from either an app or with your voice.

The Globe Smart Ambient Light is worth checking out if you’re looking for a night-light to illuminate hallways, closets, bedrooms, and any other parts of your home with a soft, colorful glow.

Learn More

Globe Electric Smart Ambient Light Review

Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp

Best Smart Table Lamp

Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp

  • Wide color and white temperature range
  • Stylish design
  • Features Bluetooth for hub-free app control
  • Supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands
  • Some features require a Hue Bridge hub

Connectivity

Bluetooth, ZigBee

Integrations

Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant

Base Type

Standalone

Light Color

Color, White

Light Color Temperature

2,000K to 6,500K

Output

570 lumens

Wattage

8.1 watts

Watt Equivalence

40 watts

Mfr. Est. Lifespan

25000 hours

Geofencing/Location Services

The Philips Hue Iris is a smart and stylish table lamp that lets you set the mood instantly. It displays 16 million colors and a wide range of warm and cool white tones to create the perfect ambience, and it supports routines to wake you up and help you sleep. The newest model offers a 570-lumen maximum output, more than double that of its predecessor, and adds Bluetooth support so you can control it from your phone without a separate hub, though you’ll need a Philips Hue bridge (sold separately) to do so when you’re out of the house.

If you’re looking for a smart, stylish table lamp that can evoke a specific vibe instantly, the Philips Hue Iris is a terrific standalone smart accent light for beginners and existing Hue users alike. It’s easy to set up and use and even easier on the eyes, offering preset white or color scenes, along with the ability to create and save your own.

Learn More

Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp Review

Amazon Echo Glow

Best for Kids

Amazon Echo Glow

  • Easy to install and use
  • Dimmable
  • Tap control
  • Interacts with other smart devices via Alexa routines
  • Light could be brighter
  • Requires Echo device for voice control
  • Lacks IFTTT support

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

Integrations

Amazon Alexa

Base Type

Standalone

Light Color

Color, White

Light Color Temperature

2,600K

Output

100 lumens

Wattage

7 watts

Geofencing/Location Services

The Amazon Echo Glow is a kid-friendly smart light that cycles through 16 colors with a tap of your hand. This smallish orb-like lamp supports the kid-friendly FreeTime subscription service and offers a Rainbow Timer that uses colors to help motivate kids to complete tasks like homework or brushing their teeth on time. It can also be included in Alexa routines to let your child know when it’s time to get ready for bed.

If you’re looking for a fun and colorful mood light or a night-light for a child’s room, the Echo Glow is a top pick. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a separate Alexa device to control the Glow with your voice as it lacks a speaker and microphone, and it’s not bright enough to be used as a bedside lamp.

Learn More

Amazon Echo Glow Review

Buying Guide: The Best Smart LED Light Bulbs for 2024


What Does a Smart Light Bulb Do?

Smart bulbs offer a degree of control and interactivity you just can’t get with traditional bulbs, including scheduled timers and remote control options. They’re also more convenient; it’s easier to tap on a smartphone screen than to get up and trudge over to a wall switch.

Beyond keeping you out of the dark, you can schedule or remotely control most of the bulbs we’ve reviewed, which is great if you want to save on energy costs or often forget to turn off the lights before leaving the house. Some bulbs use geofencing, which means they work with the GPS in your smartphone to automatically turn on or off when you get home or leave the house. Color-changing bulbs are also great for mood lighting, and some can even sync with certain movies and TV shows.

Some bulbs are compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s HomeKit, or Google Assistant, which means you can control your home lighting with just your voice. You can also integrate some of the bulbs on this list with security cameras, thermostats, and other smart home devices. IFTTT compatibility further lets you create recipes that automatically cause your lights to react to certain triggers, like phone notifications or weather changes.


Can a Smart Bulb Change Color?

Some of the bulbs on this list are just white, while others can take on any color of the rainbow. Color is a fun way to add atmosphere to your home, but often results in a pricier bulb.

Most of the smart bulbs we review are marketed as equivalent to 60-watt incandescent models, which sounds self-explanatory, but some bulbs are brighter than others. To see just how bright a light is, you need to look at the lumens it puts out (listed in the table below): the more lumens, the brighter the light.

Another factor to keep in mind is color temperature. Higher temperatures, such as 8,500K, look like harsh office lighting, which is fine for staying awake or working. Lower temperatures, such as 2,500K, translate to a cozy, warm glow that’s perfect for relaxing.


How Do I Connect My Smart Bulb to My Phone?

Some smart bulbs need to connect to your smartphone through a home automation hub, which usually means a higher price and an extra step or two in the installation process.

Other bulbs cut out the middleman and connect to your phone or tablet directly via Wi-Fi. Still others connect via Bluetooth—but, in that case, you can control the lights only when you are within the much smaller Bluetooth range.

Recommended by Our Editors

Since you are likely going to control these lights from your phone or tablet, make sure that it’s easy to do. If you have multiple bulbs, for instance, you should seek out a companion app that lets you easily arrange them in groups for customization.

Of course, you can turn off any connected bulb just as easily by simply flipping the switch. We pay close attention to how each app works and provide a detailed overview in each review.


Are Smart Light Bulbs Worth the Money?

Smart bulbs use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a variety of technologies to work, so they are typically more expensive than traditional bulbs. That’s important to keep in mind, especially if you want to upgrade your entire house. But smart bulbs also use less energy and last a lot longer—meaning you can save money in the long run. And as you can see, most of the options on this list fall well below $50, so the price of entry isn’t as steep as it used to be. You can now even find sub-$10 options.


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