In every house Over the past decade, I’ve installed smart light bulbs. Time and time again, between four different apartments and a townhouse, I’ve been impressed by how easy smart lights are to use and how useful they are around the house, especially when key lights are plugged into outlets without a switch. No more hunting for switches; I just ask my smart speaker to turn off the lights for me.
After my last series of tests on nine different bulbs, my favorite remains the GE Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Bulb ($36 for two). The app is pretty and has cool extras, including fun light shows and even musical performances. Because yes, this bulb can react to music and sounds around it thanks to an integrated microphone. If you are an Apple user, the Meross Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb ($29 for two) Easily connects to your Apple HomeKit setup without needing a separate app to control it. Looking to get more bulbs without spending more? Discover the TP-Link Tapo Smart Bulbs ($32 for four).
Read on to see how each of these smart bulbs was chosen and what makes them so interesting to use. While you’re there, discover more of our smart home tips with our guides on Best smart speakers, Best Video Doorbells, Best smart locks, And Best Permanent Outdoor Lights.
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What Makes Smart Bulbs Great
Smart light bulbs are so easy and affordable to add to your home. You’re currently using light bulbs somewhere in your home, so a smart bulb is easy to swap out without developing a new habit or setting up anything beyond a single app (or not even that, sometimes). I test a lot of smart home gear for work, but my smart lights are an absolute must-have even when I’m not working. They turn lights connected to random outlets into easy-to-control devices. They also add dimmable and color without needing to rewire the switch for this capability, and you can add routines to have lights turn on and off automatically to make your evenings and mornings easier (or trick strangers into thinking you’re home when you’re not).
How smart bulbs work
Smart bulbs connect to Wi-Fi or other devices in your home using smart home protocols like Zigbee and Matter, most commonly Bluetooth for initial setup, so you can connect the bulb to an app, smart speaker, and the internet to control it at any time.
You usually need the brand’s app to set up a bulb and access all the controls, but you usually don’t need a hub. Philips Hue, a popular smart bulb line, still requires a hub and has for a long time (although its WiZ line doesn’t), but almost every other smart bulb coming out doesn’t need one. It can request a hub if it needs one for a Matter connection, but a Matter connection means you can skip a separate app and let devices like your Alexa speaker control the bulb instead. Still, you get better controls with an app for smart lights, like very specific color controls, schedules, and for some apps, fun personalized light shows or even the ability to react to music.
The best smart bulbs we tested
After my latest round of testing, these are my new favorite smart bulbs.
Cync.
A19 smart bulbs with dynamic effects
This bulb has been my favorite for a while and still holds its place after my latest round of testing. The Cync app is pretty and intuitive to use, and it offers to connect the bulb to my Amazon Alexa right after you finish setup. Cync has many great lighting products that I love, so I’ve already set up the app, but it’s easy to get started if you’re new to the Cync world.
It has all the classic controls, like different shades of white and color, and you can also set up scenes and schedules in the Routines button. The app has a ton of fun options, including Cync’s Light Shows, which feature vibrant, moving color schemes that work best with a few bulbs installed, and Music Shows, which respond to music and sound in the room. My favorite is Candle for a warm ambiance. It always responds quickly to my voice commands, doesn’t require a hub, and can also respond to schedules I set in the Alexa app.
Meross
Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb (MSL120)
Are you an Apple Home user? Meross is generally my favorite Apple-focused brand, and the Meross MSL120 bulb is no exception. It has a quick, painless setup with Apple Home (a quick scan of the bulb’s barcode, a minute or two of waiting and you’re done), even if you don’t have a dedicated Apple hub like the HomePod or Apple TV.
While I generally prefer the brand’s dedicated app for full control, especially since I test primarily with an Amazon Alexa setup, Apple does a good job showing a range of whites and makes it easy to customize with a colored option. You can also connect this bulb to Alexa, Google, and SmartThings if you decide to turn off HomeKit down the line.
