A mesh network like that can be more robust, especially in large homes or where the Wi-Fi signal is weak. Some rely solely on Wi-Fi connections directly from the bulb to the phone, while others connect on a separate wireless network, such as Zigbee, through a gateway or hub that your phone connects to over Wi-Fi. Wireless network: You can control most smart bulbs wirelessly through smartphone apps.The color-adjustable models also perform all of the same functions (on/off, dimming) as regular smart bulbs do.

Color: While we considered color-adjustable, tunable-white, and plain-white smart bulbs, we found color-adjustable bulbs to be the most feature-rich.In addition, although brightness is important, we also looked at how low each bulb could dim before turning completely off. The amount of useful light that reaches the book on your lap is very different with each of those two bulbs. One bulb, for example, may put out 1,000 lumens but only in a 1-centimeter-wide beam like a tiny flashlight, whereas another may put out 1,000 lumens distributed over 360 degrees. Lumens refers to the total amount of light a bulb puts out independent of how the light is distributed, but no LED bulb distributes its light evenly. Measuring in lumens is a good starting point, but it doesn’t give you a complete picture, especially when you’re considering real-world use. LED bulb specs state their light output in lumens, and that measurement varied widely among the bulbs we sampled. Brightness: We primarily tested standard (A19-style) bulbs designed to replace the average 60-watt incandescent lamp bulb, though some bulbs proved to be much brighter.However, there are trade-offs, which we discuss below. Some systems-such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant-let you control the lights with your voice and use lights from multiple brands, so you’re not stuck with one ecosystem. Smart-home compatibility: Smart lights that are integrated with other devices become even more useful, so you’re likely to use them more frequently.App features: Some lighting apps offer only basic on/off and scheduling options others include special effects, as well as features such as an Away Mode that randomly turns lights on and off to mimic occupancy.

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