The Future of Lighting Best Smart Lights Of 2024
The world of smart lighting has expanded significantly in recent years, offering a plethora of options to illuminate and enhance your home. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top eight smart lights available on the market, each offering unique features and capabilities. From Govee’s immersive movie-watching experience to Philips Hue’s renowned natural tones, we will delve into the pros and cons of each, helping you make an informed choice for your smart home lighting needs.
Best Smart Lights Of 2024 Reviews
Number 8: Govee Smart Light – RGBIC Dream View T1 Pro
The Govee RGBIC Dream View T1 Pro is a captivating addition to your home theater setup, designed to elevate your movie-watching experience. It comes equipped with a camera that captures the colors displayed on your screen in real-time. These colors are then projected by LED light strips and bars, creating an immersive ambiance on the wall behind your TV.
In our ongoing review, we have been quite impressed with its performance. Particularly when all other ambient lights are dimmed, the Govee Smart Light adds an extra layer of enjoyment to your movie nights.
While the color accuracy of the projected hues can be slightly off at times, they are generally close enough that you won’t notice any discrepancies when engrossed in your movie. The integration with Alexa allows you to control the lighting using voice commands. Furthermore, the setup, which may seem intimidating at first, proves to be straightforward, thanks to Govee’s detailed step-by-step instructions.
Number 7: Hive Smart Light
Hive’s Active Light is an excellent choice for those seeking a smart lighting system that seamlessly integrates within a single ecosystem. If you already own other Hive devices like a Hive Thermostat, Active Plug, motion sensor, or Hive View camera, you’ll appreciate the convenience of controlling all these devices through a unified app, provided you have the Hive Hub. This streamlines the management of your smart home.
An added advantage is the compatibility with Philips Hue bulbs, allowing you to incorporate them into the Hive ecosystem, giving you even more lighting options. However, compared to some other smart light ranges, Hive offers fewer choices in terms of lamps and ceiling lights.
The quality of light emitted by Hive is pleasing, but there’s a catch – these bulbs tend to “pulse” slightly when turned on using a conventional light switch. To ensure smooth operation, you need to keep the switch in the “on” position and control the lights via the app.
Number 6: Nanoleaf Essentials Smart Light
While Nanoleaf Shapes offer extravagant lighting effects, they can be a costly investment and may not fit with your existing side lamps. Nanoleaf, however, presents a more budget-friendly option with its Essentials range of smart lighting. Choose between the smart light bulb, featuring a unique geometric design, or the Nanoleaf Essentials lightstrip.
These lights offer a wide spectrum of colors and come with a Circadian Lighting feature, which adjusts the color temperature throughout the day to mimic natural light. They support Thread, a stable smart home technology that eliminates laggy connections, and Bluetooth. However, it’s worth noting that they only work with HomeKit and Google Assistant, so Alexa users may want to consider alternatives.
Number 5: Lifx A19 Smart Light
LIFX offers a wide array of smart lighting options, similar to Philips Hue. Their product line includes color and white bulbs, available in both full-size and compact LIFX Mini designs. Additionally, they offer lightstrips, the LIFX Beam for smart light wall art, and the LIFX Clean, a smart light with antibacterial properties. They even have an outdoor bulb that enhances the night vision of home security cameras.
One notable feature that sets LIFX apart is its lack of the need for a hub. These smart lights connect directly to your Wi-Fi, simplifying setup and control. The bulbs offer vibrant colors, and they are compatible with HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, making them a versatile choice for various smart home setups. However, the unique flat top design may not appeal to everyone, and the bulbs are relatively bulky.
Number 4: Govee Glide Hexa Smart Light
Govee has quickly emerged as a trusted name in the world of smart lighting, known for offering highly customizable and affordable options. While our review is yet to be published, we have extensively tested the Govee Glide Hexa Light Panels and can confidently say they solidify Govee’s position in the smart lighting market.
These light panels are not only incredibly bright and customizable, but they also make a striking addition to your gaming setup, entertainment area, or room decor. What sets them apart is their affordability compared to similar products like Nanoleaf. Although the Govee panels are slightly smaller in size, they offer excellent reliability.
The step-by-step installation guide provided by Govee eliminates any guesswork, making the setup process accessible even to beginners in the world of light panels. The accompanying app offers a range of lighting options tailored to different moods, events, and holidays.
Number 3: Nanoleaf Shapes Wi-Fi Smart Light
Nanoleaf Shapes redefine the concept of lighting by allowing you to create dynamic shapes on your wall or ceiling using hexagonal and triangular panels. These panels can shift through over 16 million colors, providing an astonishing array of lighting possibilities.
You can set the panels to display solid colors or transition through colors at varying speeds, creating unique lighting effects in your home. Additionally, these panels can react to touch or the music playing in your surroundings, immersing you in your personal music video.
The original set comprises nine panels of the same shape, but you have the option to expand and mix and match different shapes. When unlit, these plastic panels may not be particularly attractive, but for a more stylish look, consider the Nanoleaf Elements, which feature a wood-like veneer. It’s worth noting that once mounted, these panels can be challenging to remove.
Number 2: Govee LED Smart Light
Govee’s Wi-Fi connected LED bulbs may not offer the same level of sophistication as the Nanoleaf Essential bulbs, but they do excel in one key area: Alexa integration. These bulbs are also more budget-friendly than their Nanoleaf counterparts, making them an ideal choice for those seeking an Alexa-compatible smart bulb without breaking the bank.
During testing, these bulbs proved to be responsive when controlled through the app, which was user-friendly. However, at their price point, some compromises are evident. The selection of available bulbs is somewhat limited, and the brightness when displaying colors may not match the intensity when set to white or yellow. Despite having a brightness rating on par with pricier smart bulbs, the Govee bulbs may seem slightly dim when showcasing bold colors. Additionally, their setup can be a bit fiddly compared to other designs in the market.
Number 1: Philips Hue 60Watt A19 Smart Light
Undoubtedly, Philips Hue reigns supreme in the realm of smart lighting, earning its reputation as a top-tier choice. Philips Hue’s lights are celebrated for producing the most natural and pleasing tones among all smart lighting options. The user-friendly app and straightforward installation process make it accessible to a wide range of consumers.
The Philips Hue product lineup includes an extensive range of smart lighting solutions, from color bulbs offering 16 million shades to white bulbs in both solid and ambient variations. They also offer side and ceiling lamps, outdoor lighting options, and Philips Hue lightstrips. Impressively, Philips Hue lights are compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit.
While the newer versions of Hue bulbs feature built-in Bluetooth, eliminating the need for a hub, the Hue Bridge ensures access to additional features such as geofencing and customizable schedules for when the lights come on, such as at specific times or in conjunction with events like sunset or sunrise.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Smart Lighting for Your Home
Smart lighting has revolutionized the way we illuminate our homes, offering a wide array of features and benefits. From creating the perfect ambiance to enhancing energy efficiency, these lights can transform your living space. In this buying guide, we’ll delve deeper into the smart lighting options discussed in the blog post and provide you with valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
Factors to Consider When Buying Smart Lighting
Before diving into the specific smart lighting options, let’s explore the key factors to consider when making your purchase:
1. Compatibility with Your Smart Home Ecosystem
Most smart lights work with popular smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. Ensure the lights you choose are compatible with your existing ecosystem to streamline control and automation.
2. Color Options and Color Accuracy
If you’re interested in colored lighting, consider the range of colors a smart light can produce. Some lights offer millions of shades, while others provide a more limited color palette. Additionally, check the color accuracy to ensure a vibrant and accurate display.
3. Setup and Installation
Consider the ease of setup and installation. Some smart lights require hubs, while others connect directly to your Wi-Fi network. The complexity of installation can vary, so choose lights that align with your technical proficiency.
4. Voice Control and App Integration
Voice control through virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant is a handy feature. Additionally, evaluate the user-friendliness of the accompanying app for controlling your lights remotely.
5. Customization and Automation
Look for lights that offer customization options, such as adjusting brightness and creating lighting schedules. Automation features like geofencing can enhance convenience.
6. Lighting Style and Aesthetics
Consider the style and design of the smart lights. Some lights are designed as bulbs, while others come in the form of light strips, panels, or unique geometric shapes. Choose lights that match your interior decor.
FAQs:
1. What’s the Difference Between Smart Bulbs and Smart Light Strips/ Panels?
Smart bulbs are standalone light sources that replace traditional incandescent or LED bulbs. Smart light strips and panels, on the other hand, are flexible or rigid strips or panels that can be attached to various surfaces, allowing for creative and dynamic lighting effects. The choice between the two depends on your lighting needs and preferences.
2. Do I Need a Hub for Smart Lighting?
Not necessarily. Many modern smart lights connect directly to your Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for a hub. However, some lights may still require a hub for enhanced features and connectivity. Check the product specifications to determine if a hub is necessary.
3. Can I Integrate Smart Lights with Existing Non-Smart Fixtures?
Yes, you can. Smart light bulbs can be installed in standard light fixtures, allowing you to retrofit your existing lighting with smart capabilities. This is a convenient way to enjoy the benefits of smart lighting without replacing all your fixtures.
4. What Are the Benefits of Smart Lighting?
Smart lighting offers various benefits, including:
- Energy Efficiency: Smart lights can be programmed to adjust their brightness or turn off when not in use, saving energy and reducing electricity costs.
- Ambiance Control: You can set the mood by adjusting the color and brightness of the lights to suit different occasions.
- Convenience: Control your lights remotely via your smartphone or through voice commands.
- Security: Smart lighting can be programmed to mimic your presence at home, deterring potential intruders.
- Personalization: Customize your lighting to reflect your personal style and preferences.
5. What Is Thread Technology in Smart Lighting?
Thread is a wireless mesh networking protocol designed for smart home devices. It offers advantages like stability and low latency connections, making it an appealing choice for smart lighting. However, it’s important to note that not all smart lights support Thread, so check the product specifications to ensure compatibility.
6. Can I Mix and Match Different Smart Lighting Brands?
In some cases, yes. If your smart lights are compatible with the same smart home platform, you can mix and match brands. For example, you can use Philips Hue bulbs and Nanoleaf panels within the same ecosystem if they support the same voice assistant.
7. What Is Geofencing in Smart Lighting?
Geofencing is a feature that allows your smart lights to respond to your location. For instance, you can set your lights to turn on or off automatically when you leave or arrive at home. This enhances convenience and energy savings.
Conclusion:
Smart lighting can significantly enhance your home’s lighting experience, offering flexibility, energy efficiency, and convenience. By considering factors such as compatibility, color options, setup, and aesthetics, you can choose the right smart lights to transform your living space. Additionally, the FAQs provide valuable insights to address common questions and concerns, helping you make an informed purchase decision. Explore the options mentioned in the blog post and select the smart lighting solution that best suits your needs and preferences.
