Smart bulbs have come a long way in recent years, but do all those extra features actually make life easier?
Changing a light bulb might not seem like a job that needs much technology. Smart lighting, however, has turned a simple household fitting into something you can control from a phone, adjust with a voice command, or program to change throughout the day.
This doesn’t mean everyone needs smart bulbs, though, as a standard LED will still provide perfectly good lighting without needing an app or internet connection. Smart lighting really shines when you use its extra features, especially if you have several lights around the house.
So, what can smart bulbs actually do?
You can control them with Alexa and Google Assistant
One of the biggest conveniences of smart lighting is controlling your bulbs without getting up to use the switch. Compatible smart bulbs can connect to voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can ask the lights to turn on, turn off, or dim, which is a major draw for homeowners aiming to jazz up their homes.
That can be handy when you’re already comfortable on the sofa and realise the kitchen light is still on, or when you want to lower the bedroom lighting before going to sleep. Most systems also come with a smartphone app, giving you another way to control the lights and make changes when you’re away from home.
Your lights can change with the daylight
One of the more interesting features of smart lighting is the ability to adjust the light throughout the day.
Natural daylight changes as the sun moves across the sky, becoming brighter during the morning before taking on a warmer appearance later in the day. Some smart lighting systems can recreate a similar pattern indoors by gradually adjusting your bulbs’ brightness and colour temperature.
Cooler white can suit the daytime, while warmer light can create a more relaxed feel as evening arrives. Some systems can also use local sunrise and sunset times when creating routines, so your lighting can adapt as the seasons change.
They can help you wake up
Smart lighting can also create a more gradual start to the day, as certain bulbs can slowly increase in brightness before your alarm goes off. This can produce a sunrise effect rather than suddenly filling the bedroom with bright light. The reverse can be done in the evening, with lights becoming dimmer as bedtime approaches.
It is a small feature, but one that shows how smart bulbs can become part of a daily routine rather than simply replacing a conventional bulb.
One bulb can suit different parts of your day
The lighting you want while working is unlikely to be the same as the lighting you want while relaxing.
Smart bulbs let you adjust brightness whenever you need to. A stronger setting can work well for reading or working at a desk, while lower brightness can make a living room feel more comfortable in the evening.
Some bulbs can also change their colour temperature, letting you switch between cooler and warmer shades of white. Colour-changing models take this further, letting you use different colours for occasions such as watching a film or entertaining guests.
Create settings for different occasions
If you have several smart bulbs in one room, you can create lighting scenes instead of adjusting each bulb separately.
A living room could have one setting for reading, another for watching television and a third for having friends over. Once you save these settings, you can usually activate them through an app or compatible voice assistant.
It may sound like a novelty at first, but changing several lights at once can become useful if you regularly use the same settings.
Control your lights when you’re away
Another useful capability is having the ability to control your lighting when nobody is at home. If you leave the house and realise a light has been left on, some systems allow you to switch it off remotely through an app.
You can also arrange for lights to come on while you are away, which could be useful during a holiday. Some systems can vary the timing of lights rather than following exactly the same schedule every evening.
Lighting should not be considered a replacement for proper home security, but it can be a useful addition when a property is empty.
Check how your smart bulbs connect
Not every smart bulb works the same way, so consider connectivity before buying. Some use Bluetooth, while others connect directly to Wi-Fi. Some systems also use a separate hub or bridge to communicate with the bulbs. The right choice will depend partly on how many lights you want to connect and what other smart-home products you already use.
If you already have Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home, check that the bulbs you choose work with your existing setup and support the features you want.
Are smart bulbs actually worth having?
You don’t need to replace every bulb in your home with a smart version. If all you want is an efficient LED that comes on when you press the switch, a conventional bulb will do the job. For example, companies like The LED Specialist offer a range of LED lighting options, including products with different features and technologies depending on how the space is being used.
Smart lighting becomes more appealing when you want greater control over your home. Being able to ask Alexa to turn the lights off, have them follow the changing daylight or create a lighting scene for the evening can make everyday routines more convenient.
Those considering a smart lighting system could look at Philips Hue smart lighting, which offers connected bulbs with a range of features designed to give users more control over how their home is lit.
The technology will not transform everyone’s daily routine, but the right features can make a genuine difference. Instead of simply switching on a light when it gets dark, smart bulbs give you more control over how your home is lit throughout the day.
