A collection of smart LED light bulbs
Photo Credit:
OhmConnect
Bright ideas ahead

Bright Ideas For Your Home: The Best Smart LED Light Bulbs in 2023

Kimberly Hutchings
/
March 16, 2023

In 2023, it feels like everything in your home has the opportunity to upgrade its IQ. The rise of smart devices (everyday objects with internet connectivity) has brought forward a whole new way of living — and it's far more integrated (and automated) than days gone by.

Whether it's adjusting your home's temperature on the go with your smart thermostat or taking inventory of your groceries without ever opening the door (thanks to your smart fridge's internal camera), smart devices provide the opportunity to simplify your daily routines while saving money *and* energy at every turn.

And one of the simplest (and smartest) switches you can make? Smart LED light bulbs! They're easy to install, energy-efficient and beginner-friendly for any smart tech newcomers. Here’s everything you need to know to make the change, including which smart LED light bulbs are the best to buy in 2023.

What is a Smart LED Light Bulb?

Okay, first things first. What even is a smart LED light bulb anyways? 

Well, a smart LED light bulb is a light bulb that is capable of connecting to the internet, enabling you to schedule, customize and control your lighting wirelessly, directly through your voice or an app on your smartphone.

The last decade has seen smart LED light bulbs rise to success, becoming one of the most popular smart tech products on the market — and it's not hard to see why.

The Benefits of Smart LED Light Bulbs

Smart LED light bulbs offer benefits beyond traditional incandescent lights, from energy savings to fun additional features. For starters, LED light bulbs have an average lifespan of 25,000 hours. That would be three whole years if you left your lights on 24/7 and over 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs! And beyond a longer lifespan, LED light bulbs are also more efficient, using 75% less energy when in use than their incandescent counterparts!

And then you have the smart features. Smart LED light bulbs allow you to control your lighting via voice commands or through a smartphone app, which means not only can you dim the lights for movie night without ever leaving the couch, but you can also make sure all your lights are off when you're away from home with the simple tap of a button—goodbye accidentally running up your electricity bill!

In addition, smart LED light bulbs often come with a slew of additional capabilities like changing colors and group control, allowing you to adjust multiple bulbs in your home together instead of setting each individually.

But which smart LED light bulbs are the best to buy in 2023? The choice can be overwhelming with so many options on the market, but don't worry! We've sat down and rounded up the best of the best to help you decide. Here are our top picks for smart LED light bulbs in 2023…

Wyze makes very popular smart LED light bulbs

Best Overall: Wyze Bulb Color

If you're looking for a smart LED light bulb that will deliver top-quality results, look no further than the Wyze Bulb Color. Our top pick for smart LED light bulbs, the Wyze Bulb Color, provides everything you need for an excellent home lighting experience. Plus, they fit in the lamps and fixtures you already own!

Dimmable and color-changing with over 16 million ultra-accurate hues, the Wyze Bulb Color is reliable, user-friendly, and outshines its competitors in affordability at just $14 per bulb. 

Features Highlights:

  • These affordable bulbs will fit any standard lighting fixture.
  • Enjoy easy setup through the Wyze app, where you can set up multiple bulbs at once and control them individually or as a group through the app or voice control. 
  • Discover 16 million rich color choices.
  • Set the mood with an expanded color temperature range of 1800k-6500k for improved evening light.
  • Extra bright and extra dim, the Wyze Bulb Color can brighten to 1100 lumens — that's 300 lumens brighter than a standard bulb!
  • A 90+ Color Rendering Index (CRI) means colors will look more natural under its light.
  • Establish sleep routines, set lights on a timer, and create automatic schedules to fit your lighting experience to your lifestyle.
phillips makes hue white and color ambiance smart LED light bulbs

Runner-Up: Philips Hue White + Color Ambiance

A close runner-up to the Wyze Bulb Color, the Philips Hue White + Color Ambiance is another excellent option to level up your home lighting experience. High-quality and energy efficient, the Phillips Hue White + Color Ambiance bulb features a similar range of 16 million color options plus shades of white light that can instantly transform your room. 

Feature Highlights:

  • These bulbs will fit any standard lighting fixture.
  • Discover 16 million rich color choices.
  • Enjoy easy setup through the Hue Bluetooth app and control up to 10 lights at once through the app or with your voice.
  • Set the mood for your daily activities with four different preset light recipes: Energize, Concentrate, Read and Relax. 
  • With the addition of Hue Bridge, which allows you to control all your Hue products through the Hue Bluetooth app, you can take advantage of additional features like scheduling, motion sensors and controlling your lights when away from home.
for outside consider cree smart LED light bulbs

Best For Outdoors: Cree Lighting Connected Max PAR38

Our outdoor spaces are becoming an increasingly important part of the modern-day home lifestyle, and the proper patio lighting can go a long way in creating a functional and enjoyable space. Luckily, smart LED light bulbs aren't just for inside your home; there are some great outdoor options too! And our pick is the Cree Lighting Connected Max PAR38 Flood Bulb

Energy Star certified, weatherproof and able to be controlled using Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant devices, these simple-to-use bulbs offer a top-quality outdoor lighting experience, controlled from anywhere with the touch of a button.

Feature Highlights:

  • Energy Star certified and UL Wet Rated for safe usage in wet outdoor locations. 
  • Discover millions of rich color choices.
  • Enjoy easy setup through the Cree Lighting Connected Max app to control bulbs individually and as a group, as well as create routines and schedules with the touch of a button or simple voice command.
  • Enable "Follow the Sun" mode to have lights mimic the progression of natural sunlight throughout the day for improved well-being and productivity. 
  • Light up your space with extra bright capabilities of up to 1200 lumens, dimming features and a 90+ CRI to keep colors looking natural in any light.
  • Get widespread coverage with a 40-degree flood angle for maximum lighting. 
phillips makes smart LED light bulb strips for accent lighting

Best For Accent Lighting: Philips Hue Gradient Smart Lightstrip

And finally, we've got accent lighting. Create a full-room entertainment experience like no other with the Philips Hue Gradient Smart Lightstrip, our choice for a smart LED lighting solution that is guaranteed to elevate your home's ambience. 

Available in 100-inch strips, these smart LED lights are easy to install and ideal for wrapping behind televisions or computer monitors to see your favorite movies and video games in a whole new light.

Feature Highlights:

  • This smart LED light strip blends multiple hues of white and colored light for a flawlessly integrated lighting experience.
  • Enjoy easy setup through the Hue Bluetooth app and control your lights using voice commands and smart home assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri.
  • Attach the smart LED light strip to the back of your television or monitor for a fully-immersive film, TV, gaming or music experience as lighting reacts and adjusts to what is happening onscreen. 
  • Personalize your experience with options to adjust speed, brightness and intensity. 

Connect Your LED Smart Bulbs to OhmConnect and Save!

Okay, so you've upgraded your lights to the best smart LED light bulbs 2023 has to offer, you've set the mood with fully customized lighting options, and your smartphone's got everything you need to control your lights on the go. Now, why not make the most of your more efficient lighting system with OhmConnect?

OhmConnect is a free program that empowers its members to unplug and power down when electricity is most expensive in their area. They'll send you a text or email during hours when electricity costs spike so that you can minimize your impact and save on your energy bill!

As you save, you'll earn reward points that enter you into weekly draws for cash and prizes. Plus, they'll even sell the energy you save back to the grid, sharing those profits with YOU! Now that's a win. Ready to become a member? Click here to learn more.

In the mood to save even more money? Meet the $11 smart plug that can save you $27 every year without you lifting a finger! 

We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.

Most recent posts
Save money. save energy.

Related Articles

See all >
A million EVs were added to the grid last year, this is a picture of one
EV surge, energy plunge

How Adding a Million EVs to the Road Didn’t Break the Grid

Despite over a million new electric vehicles hitting the roads in 2023, the U.S. saw a surprising 1.1% decrease in overall electricity consumption

A man charges his EV in cold weather
Charging through the chill

Should I Be Worried About My EV in Cold Weather?

Discover how to maintain your EV in cold weather with effective strategies for charging and driving.

Woman watching eco mode TV
Eco mode: view responsibly

Eco Mode on Your TV: A Guide to Energy-Saving Viewing

Discover how eco mode TV settings can significantly reduce your energy consumption and carbon footprint.