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
-
Philips Hue:
7 Smart Light Bulbs
(#1 is Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp )
-
Govee:
7 Smart Light Bulbs
(#1 is Govee RGBIC DreamView T1 Pro )
-
Wyze:
5 Smart Light Bulbs
(#1 is Wyze Night Light )
-
NanoLeaf:
4 Smart Light Bulbs
(#1 is Nanoleaf Canvas )
-
Sengled:
4 Smart Light Bulbs
(#1 is Sengled Smart LED with Motion Sensor )
Price breakdown
At a glance - May 2023 Ranking
| 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.
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
|
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.
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked Wyze Smart A19 #2 in May 2023 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
PCMag
Best Affordable White Bulb
|
Pros
Very affordable
Long lifespan
Lots of smart features
|
Cons
Lacks support for Apple HomeKit
|
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
|
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
TechRadar
IGN
PCMag
Digital Trends
T3
Forbes
WIRED
Tom's Guide
TechHive
Wirecutter
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.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Nanoleaf Shapes #4 in May 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
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.
We ranked Philips Dimmable A19 Wiz #6 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Nanoleaf Essentials #7 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
T3
Essentially some great little cheap bulbs and light strips
|
Pros
Good price
Thread compatibility
Excellent app
|
Cons
Not a big range of options
|
We ranked Nanoleaf Light Panels #8 in May 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED #9 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Lifx Mini Color #10 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
We ranked Ikea Tradfri E26 #11 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Kasa Smart KL130 #12 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Lifx Nightvision A19 #13 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
We ranked Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus #14 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best smart lightstrips
|
Pros
Trimmable
Flexible
Accommodates 40 inches of extensions
|
Cons
Requires bridge
Pricey
|
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
|
We ranked Lifx Mini #15 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Best smart light bulb for smaller fixtures
|
Pros
Bright
Advanced automation options
No hub needed
|
Cons
Expensive
|
We ranked Ring Solar Pathlight #16 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Philips Hue Lily #17 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
We ranked TP-Link Kasa Filament #18 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
TechRadar
The best smart light bulb for retro style
|
Pros
More affordable than most smart bulbs
Alexa and Google Assistant support
Color, white or filament style offered
|
Cons
No HomeKit support
|
Tom's Guide
The best filament-style smart light bulb
|
Pros
Lots of smart automation options
Tracks energy usage
Dimmable
|
Cons
No HomeKit support
|
We ranked Hive Active Light Colour #19 in May 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smart Light Bulbs” rankings.
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
|
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
|