Best smart lights in 2023
1. BEST SMART BULB FOR ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING
Nanoleaf Essentials smart lights
PROS
- Connects without a hub
- Works with all smart systems
CONS
- A little more expensive
Why we like them: If you like the idea of Nanoleaf’s shaped wall art but want a few bulbs to go with them, the brand has a second range of smart lights, which you can set to automatically mimic natural light throughout the day. Alternatively, you can set a schedule so you can wake up and go to bed with the same tones.
We were impressed by the unique geometric design of the bulb, which looks stylish even if used without a light shade. On test, we found the lights were easy to set up, and took less than a second to brighten, dim or change colour using the app or voice assistant. They’re compatible with Siri or Google Assistant, too. The Essentials range consists of one bulb with either screw or bayonet fittings and a light strip.
How they connect: The smart lights use wifi and don’t need a central hub. However, if your home wifi is poor, they may struggle to connect.
2. BEST BUDGET WHITE SMART LIGHTS
TP-Link Tapo smart light bulbs
PROS
- Basic and affordable
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
CONS
- Doesn’t work with HomeKit
Why we like them: If all you need are white lights without colour changing, these budget bulbs are worth considering. On test, it took less than a second to turn the bulb on/off or dim or brighten it using the app. You can choose from pre-selected brightness levels or manually adjust it by dragging your finger on the image of the bulb in the app.
We found the bulb, which is only available in either standard screw or bayonet fittings, simple to set up. And we liked that you can set a schedule for the bulbs to turn on or off, and get the lights to come on automatically at sunset. They’re compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, too.
How they connect: They connect via wifi without the need for a central hub. Once the bulb is in a light or ceiling rose, follow the instructions in the app.
3. BEST BUDGET COLOUR SMART LIGHTS
TCP Smart Wifi Bulbs
PROS
- Affordable
- Simple to use
CONS
- No connection to Apple HomeKit
Why we like them: If you just need a handful of wifi-controlled bulbs for the living room and aren’t looking for the fuss of a hub or starting up a whole smart home, try these budget lights.
For £12 bulbs, we were impressed with how fast they turned on and off during testing – it took less than a second when using the app, both when connected to the home wifi network and when on a mobile data connection.
They’re only available as bulbs or strip lighting, but they’re simple to set up and it’s easy to select your favourite colour or brightness combination in the app, too.
We like that you can create automatic actions, such as the lights turning off when you leave the house or coming on when you arrive home (although you’ll need your phone with you, as the lights use its GPS to identify where you are). One downside is that there’s no “away mode” to switch them on and off at random times, which is handy to get any would-be burglars to think twice.
How they connect: They connect via wifi without the need for a central hub. It’s just a case of inserting the bulb into a light or ceiling rose and following the instructions in the app. But if your home wifi is poor, you may struggle with connection. While they integrate with Alexa and Google, these ones don’t connect to Siri via Apple HomeKit.
4. BEST SMART LIGHTING SYSTEM
Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance Starter Set
PROS
- Expansive system of lights
- Works with smart assistants
CONS
- Needs a hub to connect
- Pricey
Why we like them: Philips Hue’s smart lighting is known as the best for good reason. It’s compatible with all voice assistants, the lights are quick to connect, and there’s a wide range of options, including bulbs, wall-mounted lights and outdoor lanterns.
Set schedules to have them turn on or off when the sun rises and sets, or have the lights come on automatically when you get home based on your smartphone’s location.
We also love that you can easily set your favourite colour combinations and you can name them for easy access using voice control. The only downside is that they’re a bit expensive compared to rivals with prices starting from £69.99 for a two-bulb kit or table lamps, or from £40 for outdoor lights.
How they connect: You’ll need to attach the Hue bridge (the hub), which comes with the bulb and LED strip starter kits (but not with any of the lamps) to your router with an ethernet cable. Then it’s a case of downloading the smartphone app and setting it up using your home’s wifi.
5. BEST SMART LIGHT ART
Nanoleaf Canvas lights
PROS
- Unique lighting setup
- Simple to connect
CONS
- It’s not easy to hide the cable
Why we like them: After something a little more distinctive? These tiles come in three different shapes: squares (called ‘canvas’), hexagons (called ‘shapes’) and triangles (called ‘light panels’). Most of the shapes are plastic, but the brand makes wood-grain panels under its ‘Elements’ range. They’re all designed to attach to a wall using sticky pads and create a piece of interactive art that lights up. You can keep them lit in one solid colour or several complementary tones that cycle through.
The tile colours can also pulse in time to music, or you can tap them to temporarily change the colour. Simple to set up, we found the “layout assistant” function, which allowed us to virtually preview the formation we wanted before actually sticking the panels down, very handy. They can be used with all voice assistants, too.
These lights do lack the features traditional smart bulbs offer, such as controlling them when you’re not at home, and they’re mains powered, so you’ll need to be able to hide the cable.
How they connect: They connect via wifi without the need for a central hub.
