If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
A Word on Smart Light Bulbs
Lighting Tips
Best Smart Bulb
Cync Full Color Direct Connect Smart Bulb
Runner-Up
Nooie Aurora
An Upgrade Kit
Philips Hue White and Color Starter Kit
Remember the allure of the Clapper? No more getting out of bed to hit the light switch! It seemed cutting edge at the time (you can still buy it), but technology has come a long way since then. Now you can control the lights, set timers and schedules, and change colors with your smartphone or your voice if you have a voice assistant—no clapping required.
If you want to make your home a little smarter, smart bulbs are a great place to start. Most options are relatively cheap, and they’re easy to install. Plus, there are no cameras or door locks for someone to hack into, and no wiring to mess with. Do you want to try voice controls? Consider getting a smart speaker or smart display, but you can always use the smart bulb’s app. Of the dozens we’ve tested over the years, these are the best smart bulbs.
Updated June 2023: We’ve added the Cync Reveal HD+ bulb.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
-
Photograph: Philips
A Word on Smart Light Bulbs
Lighting Tips
You’ll typically see smart bulbs categorized by full color, dimmable white, and tunable white (bright white and warm tone options). All the color bulbs we tried have multiple white and warm settings, so if there’s any chance you might want to try out colors occasionally, we recommend sticking with them. If you’re buying lighting for an office or other professional space where pink or blue shades would be frowned upon (or you just want the most affordable bulb), we have basic options listed below. The lights we recommend below are not meant to be used outdoors.
Setting up a smart bulb is simple. Usually, you only need to replace a bulb and download an app. Make sure to leave the power switch or the wall switch turned on so the corresponding app can control the power instead. You might have to occasionally reconnect the bulb to the app. Most bulbs can be set up separately, but some companies require you to connect a hub to your router. It’s not the worst thing, but it can be a nuisance. It’s worth noting that you might run into issues using smart bulbs with dimmer switches.
-
Photograph: Cync
Best Smart Bulb
Cync Full Color Direct Connect Smart Bulb
It’s hard to pick the absolute best smart bulb because they’re all quite similar, but the Full Color Direct Connect from Cync was the easiest to set up—it took less than a minute in the Cync app from start to finish. Controlling the bulb is easy, as the app has a straightforward way to switch colors, activate Light Shows, and control power. You can also set up scenes and schedules within the app. Cync’s Direct Connect lineup pairs easily with most voice assistants (except Siri) and you can control them remotely away from home without the need for a hub. You can also get a two-pack of bulbs for less than $25.
Cync is formerly C by GE, so you may still find products under the latter name. All of those products, aside from the Sol lamp, will continue to work through the new app and get updates as usual.
Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
★ An alternative: If you want even brighter colors, the Cync Reveal HD+ bulbs ($15) are just as easy to use and install but are a little more vibrant.
-
Photograph: Nooie
Runner-Up
Nooie Aurora
I’m a big Nooie fan. The Aurora offers a range of nice hues, with preset themes and the ability to make your own. Its white spectrum could stand to be broader and brighter, but it’s enough to satisfy most people’s needs. It has regular on/off schedule options, as well as wake-up and bedtime schedules that can dim or brighten the bulb. It’s also designed to not overheat, thanks to “special cooling materials,” according to Nooie’s website. I touched the bulb after it had been on for a while—no burned fingers here.
Amazon reviews from around 2019 for both the bulb and the plug (which I also like) note issues with the app. It has been updated since then, and I had no problems pairing or controlling either device. Nooie says app permissions mentioned in reviews have also been tweaked, and the app no longer requires permission to make calls. (The company says the requirement was there to determine the country the device was in for geo-specific services.) The problem? The Aurora is more expensive per bulb than the Cync.
Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
-
Photograph: Amazon
An Upgrade Kit
Philips Hue White and Color Starter Kit
The Philips kit is more expensive than the Ikea one, but it’s available at a variety of retailers and is compatible with most assistants. It comes with three or four bulbs and a Hue Bridge hub that lets you connect the bulbs to your phone or voice assistant. You can choose many colors and brightness levels, as well as preset scenes to set the mood (or you can make your own). The app includes helpful how-to videos that explain the bulb’s extra functions, like using one as a timer (it blinks!).
The hub lets you connect older Philips bulbs as well as other first- or third-party accessories, like the outdoor motion sensor. The three-pack now comes with a smart button that we haven’t tried, but it seems similar to Ikea’s remote. WIRED contributing writer Boone Ashworth says he’s had issues connecting some of the bulbs, but I haven’t run into any problems. Go with this if you want to use one system for all your smart home devices.
Compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit (via Hue Bridge), Samsung SmartThings
