Things to consider before buying a new smart bulb – Times of India

Smart light bulbs can help you find your way around a living space without injuring yourself in the dark looking for a switch. If you reach home late at night or need some extra help around the house, smart light bulbs can be very useful in such cases. These bulbs are just like any other regular light bulb, but can be monitored remotely by voice, mobile app or Bluetooth.
If you intend to set up your home with smart home products, smart light bulbs can be a great place to start. Smart light bulbs are easy to use and install, which makes them an ideal starting point in the field of home automation. However, before you decide to buy new smart light bulbs, these are the things you need to consider before getting one.
Smart bulbs are not difficult to install
Smart light bulbs are usually easy to install, as all you have to do is remove the traditional bulbs and fit in new smart light bulbs in their place. It doesn’t require a wireless connection to access the bulb’s smart home capabilities because it can connect directly to your home Wi-Fi. Some bulbs don’t even require a bridge or hub to access your Wi-Fi network, all you have to do is plug it into your old bulb socket and the integrated app guides you through the rest of the set-up.
There are other smart light bulbs that require a corresponding hub to be installed. A smart hub acts as an intermediary between the bulb and the wireless router. In this case, you need to connect the bridge to the Wi-Fi router and when the indicated lights appear on the bridge you can complete the setup process by downloading the respective app. However, it is important to note that this exact setup process can vary between brands.
The third way to set up a smart light bulb is by connecting it to Bluetooth. Again, the exact setup procedure in this method also varies between brands and always be sure to read the manual before attempting to connect the bulbs.
Know how smart bulb works
There are some smart light bulbs that can be monitored through an app that is available to install on your mobile devices. Other smart light bulbs can connect to smart speakers enabled with assistant voice such as the Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple’s HomePod. Still, most smart light bulbs can be monitored both by voice and via an app. So, make sure you read the instructions that come with your smart light bulb thoroughly and there you will find brand-specific information about which app to download and how to set them up with your smart speaker.
It’s also important to note that you can use your smart light bulb the traditional way by using a normal switch. It helps when the Wi-Fi network is down or it is your habit to flip the switch whenever you enter the house. However, if the physical light switch is off, the bulb will not work remotely. There are some smart bulbs that can use your phone’s GPS to turn on the lights as soon as you get to your door.
how durable are smart bulbs
All smart light bulbs are LED (light emitting diode) and can be expected to last longer than traditional tungsten bulbs. LED bulbs also consume 90 percent less energy than tungsten and can even help you reduce energy bills if you replace all your traditional bulbs with new smart bulbs.
worth the cost?
Upgrading to a smart light bulb may seem like a hefty initial cost, but it doesn’t always have to be like that. You can buy a single smart light bulb that will cost you much less than buying an entire smart home light fixture. Some important factors to consider before making a big investment in them include – the number of smart light bulbs you want to start with, where you want to put them and if you want to get started with a few bulbs before buying. A great set-up.
There are a few brands that sell smart lighting starter kits that include- bulbs, hubs, switches and other accessories that are important for set up. You can also save some money by purchasing this package and they are also easy to install, offer a list of features and are usually compatible with an app that helps you control the whole system. Plus, all smart home bulbs are LED, so it will ultimately reduce the overall cost of your electricity bill.
How useful are smart bulbs
Smart light bulbs can do more than just turn lights on and off, especially if it’s connected to a smart speaker with voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, or Google Home. With just one button or a simple command, you can create a lighting scene, dim the lights, or set your lights on a schedule.
If you’re going away for a long time and want to let others know that you’re really at home, you can schedule your lights. Some smart bulbs come with vacation modes that help them learn and imitate your behavior when you’re away.
various colors
Smart light bulbs can also help you add more color to your space. In some smart bulbs, you can set the bulbs to a specific color that will help you wake up in the morning, go to bed at night, and is also compatible with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
Colorful smart home bulbs allow you to change the color tone according to your mood or an event like a birthday party. You can even set some smart light bulbs to change color at specific times through a compatible app.
convenience factor
You can use smart light bulbs to make your daily life more convenient and it doesn’t matter whether your home is 100 years old or has been built as new. These smart bulbs can be used in lamps, installed in pre-existing light fixtures and anywhere you would install a traditional bulb.
user friendliness
Smart light bulbs are also available in many shapes and sizes that can be used both indoors and outdoors. Different types of smart light bulbs include Edison lights, floodlights, recessed lights, and others. These bulbs also come in different wattages like 40W, 60W and 100W. Smart light bulbs can be the perfect way to make your home smarter and more convenient.

,