May 2023

Smart Light Bulbs: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of Smart Light Bulb rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2023.

Summary

Between 8 May 2023 and 9 May 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 94 Smart Light Bulb endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

58 Smart Light Bulbs were endorsed in total, only 19 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).

As of 9 May 2023, Philips Hue Starter Kit takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed smart light bulb with 9 expert endorsements. 6 experts out of 9 recommended it as the '#1 smart light bulb' this month. It is followed by Wyze Smart A19 and Wyze Bulb Color , with 6 and 3 expert endorsements respectively.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking smart light bulbs start at $7.99 (C by GE Full Color Direct Connect) and go up to $314.99 (Philips Signe Gradient). Median smart light bulb costs $29.99 (Sengled Smart LED with Motion Sensor).
$7.99
$314.99

At a glance - May 2023 Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Smart Light Bulb
TechRadar
IGN
PCMag
Digital Trends
T3
Forbes
WIRED
Tom's Guide
TechHive
Wirecutter
1
- $50
Philips Hue Starter Kit
1
1
10
1
-
1
4
1
1
4
2
- $40
Wyze Smart A19
-
6
8
4
-
3
5
2
-
-
3
- $40
Wyze Bulb Color
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
2
1
4
- $200
Nanoleaf Shapes
3
-
-
-
-
-
10
10
7
-
5
- $8
C by GE Full Color Direct Connect
-
4
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
6
- Check price
Philips Dimmable A19 Wiz
-
-
6
-
-
-
7
-
-
2
7
- Check price
Nanoleaf Essentials
8
9
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
-
8
- $225
Nanoleaf Light Panels
-
7
-
10
6
-
-
-
-
-
9
- $8
Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
3
-
-
10
- Check price
Lifx Mini Color
-
-
-
5
-
2
-
-
-
-
11
- Check price
Ikea Tradfri E26
-
-
-
-
4
-
3
-
-
-
13
- $13
Kasa Smart KL130
-
-
-
-
5
6
-
-
-
-
14
- Check price
Lifx Nightvision A19
7
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
-
-
15
- $88
Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8
5
-
16
- $12
Lifx Mini
-
-
-
8
-
-
-
6
-
-
17
- $90
Ring Solar Pathlight
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
10
-
18
- $289
Philips Hue Lily
-
-
-
-
-
7
-
-
8
-
19
- Check price
TP-Link Kasa Filament
9
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
-
-
20
- $10
Hive Active Light Colour
10
-
-
-
7
-
-
-
-
-

Sorted by price:

Position in ranking Price Smart Light Bulb
#5 $7.99 C by GE Full Color Direct Connect [buy] [more info]
#9 $7.99 Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED [buy] [more info]
#20 $9.99 Hive Active Light Colour [buy] [more info]
#16 $12.41 Lifx Mini [buy] [more info]
#13 $12.99 Kasa Smart KL130 [buy] [more info]
#2 $39.98 Wyze Smart A19 [buy] [more info]
#3 $39.98 Wyze Bulb Color [buy] [more info]
#1 $49.97 Philips Hue Starter Kit [buy] [more info]
#15 $88.47 Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus [buy] [more info]
#17 $89.99 Ring Solar Pathlight [buy] [more info]
#4 $199.99 Nanoleaf Shapes [buy] [more info]
#8 $224.97 Nanoleaf Light Panels [buy] [more info]
#18 $288.99 Philips Hue Lily [buy] [more info]

We ranked Philips Hue Starter Kit #1 in May 2023 because:

  • 9 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
  • Out of those, 6 experts ranked Philips Hue Starter Kit as #1.
Critic endorsements:
TechRadar

The best smart light bulb you can buy

Pros
Easy to set up
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit
Wide array of different smart lights

Cons
Hub needed to access all features
Expensive compared to incadescent bulbs

Go to ranking

IGN

Best Smart Bulb

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Hue Lighting Without a Hub

Pros
Works without a hub.
Easy to install.
Vibrant colors.
Supports Alexa and Google voice commands.
Can be added to Hue ecosystem.

Cons
Expensive.
Requires Hue Bridge for remote access and to use other Hue features.

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best smart bulb kit

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Smart Light Bulb Overall

Go to ranking

WIRED

An Upgrade Kit

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best smart light bulb starter kit

Pros
Easy setup with intuitive app
Extensive third-party integrations
Stunning color effects

Cons
Expensive
Requires bridge

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best color smart bulb

Pros
Bluetooth support eliminates the need for the Hue Bridge
Excellent light quality and smooth dimming
Hue ecosystem is unrivaled in terms of size and depth
Supports Apple HomeKit ecosystem

Cons
Philips Hue products are much more expensive than the competition
Relying on Bluetooth limits you to 10 Hue devices
You need the Hue Hub to assign Hue devices to rooms

Go to ranking

Wirecutter

The best smart lighting ecosystem

Go to ranking

We ranked Wyze Smart A19 #2 in May 2023 because:

  • 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

For the absolute basics

Go to ranking

PCMag

Best Affordable White Bulb

Pros
Very affordable
Long lifespan
Lots of smart features

Cons
Lacks support for Apple HomeKit

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best budget bulb

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Budget Smart Bulb

Go to ranking

WIRED

A Great Budget Bulb

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

The best cheap smart light bulb

Pros
Inexpensive
Tunable white
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant

Cons
Doesn't work with HomeKit
No color option

Go to ranking

Methodology: combine opinions of key experts

Identify Experts

We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Smart Light Bulbs.

Capture Rankings

For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Smart Light Bulbs, it must be updated in the last 9 months.

Aggregate Rankings

We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking

Experts chosen for May 2023 ranking

We ranked Wyze Bulb Color #3 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
  • Out of those, 2 experts ranked Wyze Bulb Color as #1.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Best Affordable Color Bulb / Editors' Choice

Pros
Affordable
Bright and dimmable
Hub-free app control
Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
Can be set up individually or as a group
Supports automations, custom scenes, schedules, and sleep routines

Cons
Not sold individually
No dynamic lighting effects

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best color smart bulb, runner-up

Pros
Very inexpensive
Connects via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth–no hub or bridge required
Surprisingly bright considering the price

Cons
Can't be grouped with the tunable white Wyze Bulb
Only available as a 2- or 4-pack
No competition for Philips Hue in terms of lighting ecosystem

Go to ranking

Wirecutter

The best smart light bulb

Go to ranking

We ranked Nanoleaf Shapes #4 in May 2023 because:

  • 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
TechRadar

Premium smart light panels for home and gaming

Pros
Easy to set up
Illuminated wall art rather than bulbs
Can change color and pulse to create fun effects

Cons
Difficult to remove once mounted
Don't look attractive when not illuminated

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Ambient Lighting Kit

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

These smart light wall panels are party-worthy

Pros
Customizable touch commands
Simple setup
Striking color effects
Unlimited designs and scenes

Cons
Expensive

Go to ranking

TechHive

Most innovative lighting design

Pros
Beautiful and interactive lighting scenes
Touch actions let you control other smart devices
Alexa, Google Assistant, Thread, and HomeKit compatible
Surprisingly easy to install

Cons
Panels can be difficult to remove from a wall (but don’t appear to cause any damage)
Chunky AC adapter
Expensive

Go to ranking

We ranked C by GE Full Color Direct Connect #5 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked C by GE Full Color Direct Connect as #1.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best Smart Bulb without a Hub

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Smart Bulb

Go to ranking

We ranked Philips Dimmable A19 Wiz #6 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
PCMag

Affordable Alternative to Philips Hue

Pros
Affordable
No hub required
Connects via Wi-Fi for remote app control
Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Siri shortcuts
Supports light Rhythms, Scenes, and Schedules

Cons
Finicky Wi-Fi setup and app control in testing
No HomeKit support

Go to ranking

WIRED

Let’s Talk About Philips

Go to ranking

Wirecutter

A bulb with added effects

Go to ranking

We ranked Nanoleaf Essentials #7 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
TechRadar

Another affordable smart light bulb for Apple Homekit

Pros
Affordable
Thread and Bluetooth connectivity
Circadian Lighting feature mimics natural light

Cons
Lacks Alexa integration
Unusual design

Go to ranking

IGN

Best Smart Bulb for HomeKit

Go to ranking

T3

Essentially some great little cheap bulbs and light strips

Pros
Good price
Thread compatibility
Excellent app

Cons
Not a big range of options

Go to ranking

We ranked Nanoleaf Light Panels #8 in May 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
IGN

Best for decorating your home

Go to ranking

Digital Trends

The best ‘cool for the sake of being cool’ bulb

Go to ranking

T3

A smart lighting system with a difference

Pros
Will definitely impress the guests
All kinds of permutations possible
Easy to adhere

Cons
Expensive to go large

Go to ranking

We ranked Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED #9 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best starter bulb

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Affordable Wi-Fi smart bulb

Pros
Super easy setup
No hub required
App tracks energy consumption

Cons
Missing more advanced automation features

Go to ranking

We ranked Lifx Mini Color #10 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best color-changing smart bulb

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Light Bulbs That Change Color

Go to ranking

We ranked Ikea Tradfri E26 #11 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
T3

Smart lights with your furniture, and one of the best smart bulb ranges going

Pros
Simple to use
A choice of fittings
Very affordable

Cons
More limited ecosystem

Go to ranking

WIRED

Best Smart Bulb Kit

Go to ranking

We ranked Kasa Smart KL130 #12 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
T3

Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and IFTTT smart bulbs for an attractive price

Pros
Simple to operate
Don't cost too much
Works with Google/Alexa

Cons
No Apple HomeKit support
Not a big range of options

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Smart Bulb for Alexa

Go to ranking

We ranked Lifx Nightvision A19 #13 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
TechRadar

The best smart light bulb without a hub

Pros
No hub required
Wide array of colors and styles
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit

Cons
Bulky, unusual looking bulbs
Expensive compared to incandescent bulbs

Go to ranking

Forbes

Best Smart Bulb for Security

Go to ranking

We ranked Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus #14 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best smart lightstrips

Pros
Trimmable
Flexible
Accommodates 40 inches of extensions

Cons
Requires bridge
Pricey

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best LED light strip

Pros
Bright and colorful
Supports both Bluetooth and Zigbee
Apple HomeKit compatible (with the Hue Bridge)
Robust scheduling and automation features

Cons
Much more expensive than competing products
Power cable saddled with a chunky wall wart
Lights can't be animated without a third-party app

Go to ranking

We ranked Lifx Mini #15 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Digital Trends

The best mini smart bulb

Go to ranking

Tom's Guide

Best smart light bulb for smaller fixtures

Pros
Bright
Advanced automation options
No hub needed

Cons
Expensive

Go to ranking

We ranked Ring Solar Pathlight #16 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Tom's Guide

The best smart light for getting you to your door

Pros
Nice design
Built-in motion sensors
Lots of app settings
Can be linked to other Ring products

Cons
Pricey

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best outdoor pathway light, runner-up

Pros
Battery powered with integrated solar panel
Built-in motion sensor
Can be integrated into the robust Ring home security ecosystem
Once you have the bridge, add-on lights cost only $35

Cons
Fabricated entirely from plastic
Much more expensive than dumb pathlights
Requires Ring Smart Lighting Bridge, which connects only to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks

Go to ranking

We ranked Philips Hue Lily #17 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
Forbes

Best Outdoor Smart Bulbs

Go to ranking

TechHive

Best outdoor spotlight

Pros
Robust aluminum housing, glass lenses, and IP65 weatherization to withstand the elements
Full color light, with up to 600 lumens of brightness
Can be scheduled, controlled by Alexa or Google Assistant, and triggered by a Philips Hue Outdoor Sensor
Low-voltage cables can be buried

Cons
Requires Philips Hue Bridge
Range is impacted by having the the Hue Bridge inside your home, hardwired to your router
Expensive, and each add-on spotlight costs another $100

Go to ranking

We ranked Hive Active Light Colour #19 in May 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
TechRadar

The best smart light for a single ecosystem

Pros
Easy-to-use app
Works with an ecosystem of other smart home gadgets
Also works with Philips Hue bulbs

Cons
Needs Hive hub
Lacks lamps and ceiling light choices

Go to ranking

T3

The best smart bulbs for your Hive smart home system

Pros
Different bulb types available
Simple to set up and operate
Works with a range of other kit

Cons
Hub required

Go to ranking