A smart bulb is an internet-capable LED light bulb that allows lighting to
be customized, scheduled and controlled remotely.
Smart bulbs are among the most immediately successful offerings in the
growing category of home automation and Internet of Things (IoT) products.
These are different from regular bulbs as you can eliminate the need to
control them manually. With a smart bulb, you can control it using a remote
or through a mobile device. If the bulb is dimmable, you can also control
the brightness with ease and without lifting anything more than a
finger.
Smart bulbs give you the freedom to control the light and atmosphere in
each room, transforming your home into a more ideal environment to live,
work, and relax in.
All smart bulbs have wireless technology, but some of them differ in terms
of exactly what automation protocol they use. Some smart bulbs use Wi-Fi,
others use Bluetooth connections. And some bulbs even give you the option of
using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, depending on your preference.
If most of your home’s lighting is in the ceiling and controlled by a
switch on the wall, you might be better served by replacing those dumb
switches with smart switches and dimmers, instead. That’s because a smart
bulb becomes dumb the instant you turn off the switch controlling
it.
There are three types of communication technologies used by smart
bulbs:
-
Bluetooth: These bulbs skip your home network altogether and pair
directly with your smartphone or tablet. As such, they can’t be controlled
from outside your home.
-
Wi-Fi: This class of bulb talks directly to your Wi-Fi router, no
hub or bridge required.
-
Zigbee: Bulbs that use the popular smart-home networking protocol
require a bridge to communicate with your home Wi-Fi network.
Each of these technologies has pros and cons, so before you attempt to
settle on a specific bulb, first try to determine which tech is right for
you.