Its white spectrum could be larger and brighter, but it's enough to satisfy most people's needs. The Aurora offers a range of nice hues, with preset themes and the ability to make your own. Also, the lights we recommend below are not meant to be used outdoors. Note: You might run into issues using smart bulbs with dimmer switches. It's not the worst thing, but it can be a nuisance. Most bulbs can be set up separately, but some companies require you to connect a hub to your router. You might have to occasionally reconnect the bulb to the app. Make sure to leave the power switch or the wall switch turned on so the corresponding app can control the power instead. Usually, you only need to replace a bulb and download an app.

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. 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 going with them. You'll typically see smart bulbs categorized by full color, dimmable white, and tunable white (bright white and warm tone options).

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Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated February 2022: We've added the Govee Lyra smart lamp and Sengled's classic bulbs to this guide. If you decide to smarten up your home even more, most of these brands have a list of other products too.ĭo you want to try voice controls? Consider getting a smart speaker or smart display.

Plus, there are no cameras or door locks for someone to hack into, and no wiring to mess with. Most options are relatively cheap, and they’re easy to install. If you want to make your home just a little smarter, smart bulbs are a great place to start. Now you can control the lights, set timers and schedules, and change colors with your smartphone or your voice if you have a smart assistant-no clapping required. Remember the allure of the Clapper? No more getting out of bed to hit the light switch! It seemed cutting edge at one time, and you can still buy it, but technology has come a long way since then.

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