Skip to main content

Are smart lights bulbs worth it?

Smart light bulbs are among the most popular smart home devices of 2023. Offering heaps of functionality and clocking in at prices under $30, they’re an affordable way to bring smarts into your home.

But are they actually worth the investment? After all, they’re more expensive than traditional light bulbs — and unless they do something really special, they may not be worth the hassle.

Recommended Videos

Here’s a closer look at these unique gadgets to help you decide if smart light bulbs are worth it.

What are smart light bulbs?

A person reading next to smart light bulb.
TP-Link

Smart light bulbs are typically offered in two formats — white or color. A white bulb allows you to swap between different shades of white, while color smart light bulbs let you pick between millions of colors from just about anywhere on the light spectrum.

Changing colors is handled by a smartphone app, which also lets you program in schedules, timers, or even activate “Vacation Modes” that toggle the lights in a way that makes it look like someone is home while you’re actually away. You can also power smart light bulbs from the app, turning them off remotely or dimming them for a movie night.

Depending on the model, you may benefit from support for HomeKit, Alexa, or Google Home.

How much do smart light bulbs cost?

Govee app to change colors on smart lights.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Much like traditional light bulbs, pricing for smart light bulbs varies. Affordable ones can be had for as little as $8, while premium smart light bulbs might cost $20 each. In general, however, they tend to be more expensive than traditional bulbs. Your best bet to save money is to snag a two-pack of something like the Wyze Bulb White, which clocks in at just $17.

Can smart light bulbs save you money?

Philips Hue Smart Dimmable LED Smart Light Recipe Kit lifestyle
Philips

Since nearly all smart light bulbs are LED bulbs, they’re more energy efficient than nearly any other type of bulb. So if you’re looking to upgrade from old incandescent bulbs, this is a great way to immediately save money. They also tend to last much longer, meaning the increase in upfront costs might even out over the years.

Toss in the ability to set schedules so you remember to turn off the lights at night (or turn them off remotely if you forget about them before heading out on vacation), and it’s easy to see how smart light bulbs might be able to save you a few bucks.

Are smart light bulbs worth it?

Philips Hue smart lighting in a home.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re looking for a quick, affordable way to upgrade your smart home, smart light bulbs are a great option. Not only do they offer you heaps of functionality, but they’re not too much more expensive than traditional bulbs — and it’s possible they’ll pay themselves off thanks to the energy savings. They’re especially enticing if you don’t already have LED lights at home.

Once you’re ready to bring smart light bulbs into your home, be sure to check out our roundup of the best smart bulbs of 2023. The list includes a product for every budget, along with both plain white and color models.

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
Dreo reveals new smart home devices to help you beat the summer heat
A fan from the Dreo Summer 2025 lineup.

Summer is just around the corner, and Dreo is gearing up for its arrival by launching several new smart devices. Some products are available now, while others will arrive within the next few months, though all are specifically designed to help you stay cool and improve your indoor air quality.

The Dreo Summer 2025 lineup includes fans, portable air conditioners, air purifiers, and humidifiers, most of which are bundled with useful smart features to improve their performance and give you easy ways to control their settings. The most premium of the bunch is the Dreo Portable Air Conditioner 319S -- its 10,000 BTU system is powerful, quiet, and drainage-free, making it an excellent way to cool your home. It also works with both Google and Alexa, and voice controls are supported for ease of use.

Read more
Roborock supercharges smart home connectivity in its smart vacs
Roborock QRevo S robot vacuum and mop Black Friday deal

Certain Roborock models will be getting a firmware update between now and April 10 that upgrades the onboard Matter protocol for an even better user experience. The announcement advises users that "exact timing will depend on different timezones," so just be patient until it rolls out. The latest lineup, including all models of the Roborock Saros and Roborock Qrevo, will see improved capabilities, alongside the Roborock S8 Max V Ultra.

In addition, Apple also announced Matter integration with the Home App on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod, and Mac today, which means you can control any compatible Roborock robot vacuum through one of these devices. That means you can now have your robot vacuum start cleaning as soon as you leave the house or set up specific cleaning areas through the Home app. Just make sure you have an iPhone that's running iOS 18.4 or later; earlier versions won't have access to these features.

Read more
Yale reveals powerful new smart lock designed specifically for Google Home
Yale Smart Lock with Matter

Yale is discontinuing the popular Nest x Yale Lock and replacing it with a powerful new device this summer -- the Yale Smart Lock with Matter. Designed specifically for easy integration with Google Home and a style that meshes perfectly with the Nest Doorbell, it's shaping up to be a worthy successor to the fan-favorite Nest x Yale Lock.

The Yale Smart Lock with Matter was built to complement all aspects of the Nest Doorbell and wider Google Home ecosystem. You'll be able to manage your lock remotely, create guest profiles, and get alerts when the lock is being operated. It also benefits from an impressive 12-month battery life and seamless connectivity with Google Home. Best of all, the lock supports Matter, giving you a chance to sync it with other platforms like Apple Home or Alexa.

Read more