Best Smart Lights in 2024 (A Throughout Review)

Key Takeaways

• Smart lights, simply mean to control your home lighting system through smartphones and voice commands. KWT Tech Mart guarantees the best place to buy smart home devices in Uganda with exclusive deals and warranty policies. 
• To know what are the best smart lights for your home, there are 4 main key factors to consider, one of which is compatibility. Read on to reveal the rest!
• While Philips Hue leads the premium segment with exceptional quality and extensive features, budget-conscious consumers can find reliable alternatives in Govee and Sengled smart lights that offer essential features at more affordable price points.

Best Smart Lights. Source: The NY Times

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Smart Lights

Smart lights are intelligent lighting solutions that can be controlled remotely through smartphones, tablets, or voice commands. 

These connected lighting systems offer unprecedented control over your home's illumination, allowing you to adjust brightness, color, scheduling, and automation through dedicated apps or smart home platforms. 

Unlike traditional bulbs, smart lights can integrate with other smart home devices to create sophisticated lighting scenarios, enhance security, and optimize energy consumption.

Here are what to consider to choose the best smart lights for your home:

Compatibility

Main Compatibility Options:

• Amazon Alexa
• Google Home/Assistant
• Apple HomeKit
• Samsung SmartThings
• IFTTT

When selecting smart lights, it's essential to evaluate your existing smart home ecosystem thoroughly. 

Begin by assessing which voice assistants and smart home platforms you currently use, as this will significantly impact your lighting system's functionality. Then, consider your future smart home expansion plans, as choosing lights that work with multiple platforms can provide more flexibility down the line. 

To do that, think about how the lights will integrate with your existing devices, such as motion sensors or smart switches. 

It's also crucial to consider whether you want to avoid being locked into a specific ecosystem, as some manufacturers restrict features to their platforms.

Types of Smart Lights

When choosing the best smart lights, you need to know the type by determining where you will install them. 

For instance, in main living areas, opt for the room's size and ceiling height when selecting bulb brightness and beam spread. For accent lighting, evaluate the installation requirements and whether you need weatherproof options for outdoor areas. 

On the other hand, you need to determine both functional and aesthetic aspects – while smart bulbs might be perfect for existing fixtures, light strips or panels might better serve your decorative lighting needs. 

Types of smart lights. Source: BAZZ Smart Home

Here are the types of smart lighting to choose from:

Smart Bulbs

• Standard A19 bulbs
• BR30 flood lights
• Candelabra bulbs
• Vintage-style LED bulbs

Light Strips

• Flexible LED strips
• TV backlighting
• Under-cabinet lighting
• Outdoor strips

Ambient Lamps

• Table lamps
• Floor lamps
• Portable lights
• Light panels

Outdoor Lighting

• Path lights
• Floodlights
• Security lights
• Garden spotlights

Connectivity Options

When setting up smart lights in your home, choosing the right type of connection is important for making everything work without interruption.

There are three main ways smart lights can connect. 

• Wi-Fi is like connecting your phone to the internet - it's simple and works well if you only have a few lights. These lights can work anywhere your home internet reaches. 
• Bluetooth is different - it connects directly to your phone, which is great for nearby lights but will only work if you're close enough. 
• The hub system - like adding a control center for your lights. While it means buying an extra piece of equipment (the hub), it's better if you plan to have lots of lights. It's similar to having a central remote that controls everything, making all your lights work together more reliably.

Think about your home's size first, whether it is a small apartment with simple connections or a large house with something more powerful. Your home's layout matters, too. For instance, thick walls or multiple floors can affect how well your lights connect to your network or phone.

The best approach is to start small. Try a few lights first to see how they work in your home. Make sure your Wi-Fi is strong enough to handle new devices. You can always add more lights or upgrade your system later once you're comfortable with how everything works. 

Remember, the goal is to make your life easier and not more complicated, so choose what feels right for your home and lifestyle.

Features and Capabilities

When choosing smart lights, focus on features that enhance your daily life rather than fancy extras you might rarely use. The best smart lights combine basic functions like dimming and scheduling with practical automation that makes your home more comfortable and energy-efficient. 

The best smart lights must include basic features such as:

• Remote control via smartphone app
• Dimming capabilities
• Scheduling and timers
• Voice control compatibility
• Color temperature adjustment (warm to cool white)
• RGB color options
• Group control for multiple lights
• Basic automation settings

RGB color options of smart lights. Source: CNET

Besides, a smart light's capability extends far beyond just illuminating a room. 

These intelligent devices combine lighting technology with digital features to create customizable, automated, and energy-efficient lighting solutions. Think of them as regular lights with a digital brain - they can be programmed, controlled remotely, and even learn from your daily routines.

Some basic capabilities are:

• Works with smart home platforms
• Connects with other smart devices
• Entertainment synchronization
• Security system integration
• Climate control coordination
• Sensor-based responses

Top 5 Best Smart Lights in 2024 (With Reviews)

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

Price: UGX 220,000 - 280,000 per bulb (Starter Kit: UGX 750,000)

Why It's Top Rated: Philips Hue leads the smart lighting market with exceptional quality and reliability. These bulbs offer the most natural color reproduction and smooth dimming capabilities. The system's robust ecosystem and regular software updates ensure long-term value. 

Their bridge-based system provides ultra-reliable connectivity and allows for complex automation scenarios.

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs. Source: Amazon

Key Features:

• 16 million colors and 50,000 shades of white
• 800-1100 lumens brightness
• Bluetooth and Zigbee connectivity
• Works with all major smart home platforms
• 25,000-hour lifespan
• Advanced scheduling and scenes
• Entertainment sync capabilities

Best Fit For:

• Luxury homes and apartments
• Large spaces requiring multiple smart lights
• Home entertainment areas
• Home offices requiring quality lighting
• Smart home enthusiasts want premium features

Nanoleaf Essentials

Price: UGX 150,000 - 180,000 per bulb

Why It's Top Rated: Nanoleaf Essentials offers an excellent balance of features and affordability. These lights stand out for their unique geometric designs and Thread connectivity, making them future-proof. 

They provide exceptional brightness and color accuracy at a mid-range price point.

Nanoleaf Essentials. Source: Amazon

Key Features:

• Thread and Bluetooth connectivity
• 1100 lumens brightness
• 16 million colors
• No hub required
• Screen mirroring capability
• Music sync
• Voice control support

Best Fit For:

• Modern apartments
• Creative spaces
• Gaming rooms
• Young professionals' homes
• Tech-savvy users on a budget

Govee Wi-Fi LED Bulb

Price: UGX 80,000 - 100,000 per bulb

Why It's Top Rated: Govee offers impressive features at an affordable price point. These bulbs provide excellent color reproduction and smart home integration without requiring a hub. Their app is user-friendly and offers robust scheduling options.

Nanoleaf Essentials. Source: EU-GOVEE

Key Features:

• Direct Wi-Fi connection
• 800 lumens brightness
• 16 million colors
• Music synchronization
• Custom scenes
• Group control
• Timer functions

Best Fit For:

• Budget-conscious buyers
• Small apartments
• Starter smart homes
• Bedrooms and living rooms
• Rental Properties

LIFX Color Bulbs

Price: UGX 180,000 - 220,000 per bulb

Why It's Top Rated: LIFX bulbs offer the brightest output in their class and don't require a hub. They provide deep, rich colors and excellent smart home integration. Their Wi-Fi connectivity makes them easy to set up, and their app offers advanced features for power users.

LIFX Color Bulbs. Source: LIFX

Key Features:

• 1100 lumens brightness
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Hub-free operation
• Advanced effects
• HomeKit compatibility
• High color accuracy
• IR enhancement for security cameras

Best Fit For:

• Large rooms needing bright light
• Smart home enthusiasts
• Apple HomeKit users
• Professional environments
• Entertainment spaces

Sengled Smart Lights

Price: UGX 70,000 - 90,000 per bulb

Why It's Top Rated: Sengled offers reliable smart lighting at an entry-level price point. These bulbs provide good color reproduction and essential smart features while being energy efficient. Their simple setup process makes them perfect for beginners who are using smart lighting.

Sengled Smart Lights. Source: Amazon

Key Features:

• 800 lumens brightness
• Bluetooth or hub connectivity
• Basic scheduling
• Voice control support
• Energy monitoring
• Group control
• Simple automation

Best Fit For:

• First-time smart light users
• Small homes and apartments
• Budget renovations
• Basic smart home setups
• Energy-conscious consumers

Product	Key Features	Installation	Compatibility	Rating	Recommended Spaces
Philips Hue	16 million colors Scene setting Entertainment sync Motion sensor support Outdoor options	Moderate (requires hub)	Alexa Google Home Apple HomeKit Samsung SmartThings	5/5	Large homes (3+ bedrooms), Open-concept living spaces, Outdoor areas, Entertainment rooms, Multi-room setups
Nanoleaf Essentials	16 million colors Thread support Music sync Modular designs Gaming sync	Easy (no hub needed)	Alexa Google Home Apple HomeKit Thread	4/5	Gaming rooms, Home offices, Studio apartments, Modern living rooms, Accent walls
Govee Wi-Fi LED	16 million colors Music sync Simple schedules Basic scenes App control	Very Easy (no hub needed)	Alexa Google Home	3.5/5	Small to medium apartments (1-2 bedrooms), Bedrooms, Kitchen spaces, Single room setups
LIFX Color	16 million colors No hub needed High brightness Advanced scenes Music sync	Very Easy (no hub needed)	Alexa Google Home Apple HomeKit	4/5	High-ceiling rooms, Large living rooms, Loft spaces, Studios, Rooms with limited natural light
Sengled Smart	16 million colors Basic schedules Energy monitoring Simple scenes Voice control	Easy (hub optional)	Alexa Google Home Samsung SmartThings	3.5/5	Small apartments, Dorm rooms, Small to medium bedrooms, Rental spaces, Individual room setups

How to Set Up and Maximize Your Smart Lights

Step 1: Initial Setup

Setting up your smart lights begins with a few simple preparation steps. 

First, unbox your smart bulbs and download the manufacturer's app to your smartphone. Before proceeding, ensure your Wi-Fi connection is strong and stable.

Once ready, turn off the power at the light switch, remove your old bulbs, and carefully screw in the new smart bulbs. 

After turning the power back on, wait for the bulbs to blink, indicating they're ready for connection.

Step 2: Connection and Configuration

The next step involves connecting your lights to your phone. 

Open the manufacturer's app and follow their setup guide step by step. During this process, you'll connect the bulbs to your Wi-Fi network. 

Make sure to give each light a clear, logical name based on its location, such as "Living Room Lamp" or "Kitchen Ceiling," to make them easier to control later.

Step 3: Creating Daily Routines

Once your lights are connected, you can start setting up daily schedules. 

Program your lights to gradually brighten in the morning as a gentle wake-up call, automatically dim in the evening to help you wind down, and turn off at your usual bedtime. 

You can also create different brightness levels for various times of the day to match your activities and natural light patterns.

Step 4: Room Organization and Scenes

Organize your lights by grouping them by room for easier control. 

To do this, create specific scenes for different activities: dim the lights for movie watching, set brighter, focused light for reading, create warm, medium brightness for dinner time, and set up fun colors for parties. These preset scenes make it easy to switch between different lighting moods with just one tap.

Step 5: Voice Control Integration

To enable voice commands, start by opening your preferred smart home app (Alexa or Google Home). Add your smart lights as new devices, select your light brand, and follow the linking instructions. 

Once set up, you can use simple voice commands like "turn on living room lights," "dim bedroom lights to 50%," or "set lights to blue."