In every home I’ve had in the past decade, I’ve installed smart light bulbs. Over and over again, between four different apartments and one townhouse, I was impressed by how easy smart lights were to use and how handy they were around the house, especially when key lights are plugged into outlets without a switch. No more switch-hunting; I just ask my smart speaker to turn the lights off for me.
After my latest round of testing nine different bulbs, my favorite remains the GE Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Bulb ($36 for two). The app is pretty and comes with cool extras, including fun light shows and even music shows. Because yes, this bulb can react to music and sound around it thanks to a built-in microphone. If you’re an Apple user, the Meross Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb ($29 for two) connects easily to your Apple HomeKit setup without needing a separate app to control it. Looking to get more bulbs without spending more? Check out the TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulbs ($32 for four).
Read on to see how each of these smart light bulbs was chosen and what makes using one so great. While you’re at it, catch more of our smart home tips with our guides to the Best Smart Speakers, Best Video Doorbells, Best Smart Locks, and Best Permanent Outdoor Lights.
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What Makes Smart Bulbs Great
Smart bulbs are so easy and affordable to add to your home. You’re using light bulbs somewhere in your house right now, so a smart bulb is easy to swap in without developing a new habit or setting up anything beyond a single app (or not even that, sometimes). I test a lot of smart home gear for work, but my smart lights have been a total must, even when I’m not working. They turn lamps connected to random outlets into easy-to-control devices. They also add dimmability and color without needing to rewire the switch for that capability, and you can add routines for lights to automatically turn themselves on and off to make your evenings and mornings easier (or make strangers think you’re home when you aren’t).
How Smart Bulbs Work
Smart bulbs connect to Wi-Fi or other devices in your home using smart home protocols like Zigbee and Matter, plus usually Bluetooth for initial setup, so you can connect the bulb to an app, smart speaker, and the internet to control it at any time.
You usually need the brand’s app to set up a light bulb and access the full controls, but you don’t usually need a hub. Philips Hue, a popular smart bulb line, still requires a hub and has for a long time (though its WiZ line doesn’t), but almost every other smart bulb that comes out doesn’t require it. It might ask for a hub if it needs one for a Matter connection, but a Matter connection means you can skip a separate app and let devices like your Alexa speaker control the light bulb instead. Still, you get better controls with an app for smart lights, like super-specific color controls, schedules, and, for some apps, fun custom light shows or even the ability to react to music.
The Best Smart Bulbs We’ve Tested
After my latest round of testing, these are my newest favorite smart bulbs.
Cync
Dynamic Effects A19 Smart Light Bulbs
This bulb has been my favorite for a while, and still retains its spot after my latest round of testing. The Cync app is pretty and intuitive to use, and it offered to connect the bulb to my Amazon Alexa right after I finished setup. Cync has a lot of great light products I like, so I already had the app set up, but it’s easy to get started if you’re new to the Cync world.
It has all the classic controls, like various shades of white and color, and you can also set up Scenes and Schedules in the Routines button. The app has a ton of fun options, including Cync’s Light Shows, which feature vibrant, moving color sets that work best with a couple of bulbs set up, and Music Shows, which react to music and sound in the room. My favorite is Candle for cozy ambiance. It always responds quickly to my voice commands, doesn’t require a hub, and can also respond to schedules I set in the Alexa app.
Meross
Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb (MSL120)
Are you an Apple Home user? Meross is usually my favorite Apple-focused brand, and Meross’ MSL120 light bulb is no exception. It has a fast, painless setup with Apple Home (a quick scan of the bulb’s barcode, a minute or two of waiting, and you’re done), even if you don’t have a dedicated Apple hub like the HomePod or Apple TV.
While I usually prefer the brand’s dedicated app for full control, especially since I mainly test with an Amazon Alexa setup, Apple does a nice job showing a range of whites and makes it easy to customize a colorful option. You can also connect this bulb to Alexa, Google, and SmartThings if you decide to switch off HomeKit down the line.