Best smart bulbs 2025: Lighting up your home has never been easier

Telegraph

12 hours ago

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From controlling home lighting directly from your smartphone to the ability to turn your lights off with only your voice, nothing is quite so convenient as a smart bulb.
Yet with so much choice from the likes of Philips Hue, Ikea, Amazon and more, it's hard to know where to start. Most internet-connected smart bulbs cost around £15, but some carry a much higher price.
To help you make the best bulb-buying decision for your home, I've tested the latest smart bulbs from the big brands. If you're in a hurry, my top five can be found below, but read on for more in-depth reviews.
Want to expand your smart home ecosystem even further? Our guides to the best smart plugs, best smart speakers and the best robot vacuum cleaners also have you covered.
The best smart bulbs: At a glance
There are some key points to consider before buying a smart bulb. As with any bulb, the lumen count is important as it lets you know how bright a bulb is (400 to 800 lumens is the average range.) This will give you an idea of whether the bulb can illuminate the entire room.
For future-proofing your smart home, I would always advise buying smart bulbs that are 'Matter' certified, which indicates compatibility between different brands. This gives you more freedom in terms of which devices you can connect the bulb to.
Some smart bulbs may also require a separate bridge or hub device, which lets them communicate with your internet router and needs to be factored in as an additional cost. If you'd rather avoid paying more, make sure to buy a bulb that can connect to your Wi-Fi network directly.
Speaking of added cost, it's worth doing a quick calculation ahead of time if you want to buy several of one smart bulb to convert your home's entire lighting system. Most smart bulbs are inexpensive when buying one or two, but the cost can quickly add up if you're buying dozens at a time.
How we test smart bulbs
I begin my assessment of each smart bulb by taking note of the setup process. I consider whether there are clear instructions on what to do, and whether popular smart home ecosystems, like Apple Home and Google Home, are compatible with the bulb.
I then rate the performance of each bulb: do they provide optimal brightness for reading and working? How responsive are they to any changes, such as dimming or switching colours?
Finally, I run through any available additional features, which can include themed colour palettes or modes that react to changes in your environment.
A total of six smart bulbs were tested for this list, with one bulb (Ikea Tradfri) not making the cut. For the bulbs that did make the grade, they were installed and monitored over two weeks, so I could keep track of any issues if they arose.
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The best smart bulbs of 2025
1. Best Buy Smart Bulb: Tapo L535B B22
The first smart bulb I tested was the Tapo L535B, and it easily set the bar. If you just want the best overall smart bulb that gets the job done at a reasonable price, look no further.
Setup is simple, with a few options to get going. You can install the Tapo app and connect the L535B from there, or you can use the included Matter QR code to add the bulb to your Apple Home or Google Home dashboard right away. However, I recommend taking the extra time to set this bulb up through the Tapo app, as it's one of the better services.
You can quickly select a desired colour, and save it so that you can switch back to your chosen hue whenever the mood strikes. It might not be as cleanly laid out as the Philips Hue app, but it is well signposted and simple to navigate. Plus, the app shows the energy usage of the bulb in real time, which is a feature that you don't often come across. It would be nice to see this in other smart home apps.
The bulb itself is responsive and reacted almost instantly to changes made via the Tapo/Apple Home apps and Alexa. At 1,055 lumens, the bulb is incredibly bright and is more than enough to light a large living room sufficiently by itself, even though there are brighter options available.
Key specifications:
Wattage and colour temperature: 8.6W; 2,500-6,500K
Smartphone app: Android, iOS
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Matter certified: Yes
Additional features: No hub needed, timer, energy monitoring
2. Best Value Smart Bulb: Amazon Basics Smart A60 Dimmable LED Light Bulb
The Amazon Basics Smart Bulb is a no-frills smart bulb. For just £8.99 per bulb, you surprisingly don't need an additional hub for connectivity. It's also easy to set up. Simply install the bulb, run through the steps in the Alexa app and that's it.
Once the bulb is in place, there's a helpful QR code included within the box that allows you to run through the setup at speed. When screwed in for this review, I was able to get the bulb fully functioning in under a minute.
Since smartphone access to the bulb is relegated to the Alexa app, it's an instant winner for those invested in Amazon's ecosystem of devices. Not only can you easily tie the bulb into any existing smart home routines you've set up in the app, but the bulb is ready to be controlled by any Amazon Echo devices or tablets you have around you.
The downside is that this bulb is limited when it comes to wider functionality. This is a white bulb only, so it's not the best pick if you want to inject some colour into a room either.
The Amazon Basics Smart Bulb also lacks compatibility with Apple HomeKit or Google Home, which is a shame. However, this is an understandable trade-off against the overall affordability of the bulb itself.
Key specifications:
3. Best High-End Colour Smart Bulb: Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance 1600
Philips was the company that put smart lighting on the map. With the Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance 1600, it's easy to see how the range became so prolific.
Pulling the Philips Hue out of the box, you can immediately tell that this is a high-end bulb. It's heavier than most, with a design that curves outwards. Unfortunately, that prestige comes at a cost. A single bulb will set you back £64.99, although there are cheaper alternatives within the Hue range.
Setup is a stress-free process. Just scan the QR code that's etched onto the bulb, install the bulb and follow the instructions on your smartphone. If you have your Apple Home dashboard linked with your Hue app, the bulb will also be added there automatically.
It's easier to set routines and sync up colours for your Philips Hue lights within the Hue app itself, yet it's the long list of Hue themes that make the experience. There are plenty of preset colour arrangements, with the Philips Hue bulb seamlessly switching between the colours.
Compared to all bulbs featured in my tests, the Philips Hue offered the best experience by far. There was no delay as I moved from one colour to the next, regardless of whether I barked out my orders or twiddled with the app.
Key specifications:
Wattage and colour temperature: 13.5W; 2,000-6,500K
Smartphone app: Android, iOS
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Matter certification: Yes
Additional features: Lighting scenes, sync to TV
4. Best Budget Colour Smart Bulb: Govee Smart Bulb RGBWW
As much as I love the Philips Hue 1600 (above), its price isn't an option for those on a budget. To get a similar level of functionality at a cost that's easier on the wallet, the Govee Smart Bulb RGBWW is the closest alternative.
With an RRP of £13.99 per bulb, Govee's offering is affordable and doesn't lack colour options. Once I installed the bulb and downloaded the app, I was surprised to see the bulb appear right at the top, ready to connect. As far as the setup goes, this is one of the easiest.
You do need to make a Govee account, but you can easily connect the Govee bulb to your Alexa or Google Assistant ecosystem. It would have been nice to see Apple HomeKit make an appearance here, too.
What makes the experience is the list of 'scenes' available within the Govee app. Just like in the Philips Hue app, you can choose from different colour concepts to suit your mood.
I loved the party mode feature, in which the bulb react to music via the microphone on your smartphone. It worked surprisingly well, making the bulb a great option for larger gatherings.
The major thing that works against the Govee bulb is that when you crank it up to brighter levels, it does emit a small but audible hum. From a distance, you might not hear it, but it is there.
Key specifications:
Wattage and colour temperature: 9W; 2,700-6,500K
Smartphone app: Android, iOS
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Matter certification: No (works with Alexa and Google Assistant)
Additional features: Alexa-powered routines
5. Best Smart Bulb Without a Smartphone App: TCP LED+ Colour Changing Bulb
While there are plenty of reasons why it's worth investing in any of the smart bulbs listed above, if you're someone who doesn't have a smartphone or would rather not have to set up an account for yet another app, then they won't fit the bill. Thankfully, this is where the TCP LED+ Colour Changing Bulb comes in.
Giving the smart bulb concept a low-tech twist, TCP's offering takes away the need to involve any smartphone with a simple plug-and-play design.
The included remote is dinky, but it still provides a sizeable amount of control, with no less than 16 colours to choose from. The luminance of those colours can be scaled via two brightness switches, and there are dedicated on/off buttons for when you want to get to sleep or wake up and start your day.
There are even four alternative states in the form of flash, strobe, fade and smooth. Admittedly, flash and strobe are quite similar to one another, but they're still good fun for hosting a party, and the smooth option has a wonderfully calming effect.
The obvious omission here is a timer or scheduling tool that allows the bulb to gradually power up or down. Plus, with no smartphone connectivity, there's no way of integrating the TCP LED+ Bulb with any existing smart home ecosystem. This is an option for those who want some of the benefits of smart home tech but without all the additional considerations that come with it.
Key specifications:
Best smart bulbs FAQs
What does a smart bulb do?
Unlike a standard bulb, a smart bulb can connect to your Wi-Fi network to offer wireless control via your smartphone or a smart speaker running Alexa or the Google Assistant. It's also possible to set up automated routines with smart bulbs so that they switch on by themselves in the morning, and gradually dim in the evening as you wind down.
Which smart bulbs work with my existing smart home system?
Always check the specifications of a smart bulb before making a purchase. Some are designed for a specific ecosystem and won't communicate with devices that exist beyond it. The 'Matter' certification makes things easier as it signals a degree of compatibility across the major smart home ecosystems, so you should be fine if they have the Matter logo on the box.
Do I need a separate hub or bridge for smart bulbs, or can I connect them directly to my Wi-Fi?
This varies on a case-by-case basis. There has been more of a push as of late to remove the requirement of a hub/bridge from newer smart bulbs, but the practice hasn't gone away completely, so it's worth checking a bulb's specifications beforehand.
What are the main benefits of smart bulbs compared to regular LED bulbs?
While LED bulbs are still energy efficient, they don't provide the same level of convenience that a smart bulb does. Not only can you switch smart bulbs on and off via your phone (even when you're away from home), but the ability to set up routines for those bulbs allows them to work more intelligently around your schedule.
What are the disadvantages of smart light bulbs?
Because smart bulbs need to be connected to your Wi-Fi at all times in order to function, this does mean that they drain power even when the bulb itself isn't alight. You also lose access to smart features if your Wi-Fi goes down, forcing the smart bulb to act like a normal bulb that requires you to flick a physical switch. Smart bulbs also cost more than standard LED bulbs.
How easy is it to set up smart bulbs?
Simple and quick. Most modern smart bulbs will guide you through the setup process, either through bundled QR codes for quick pairing or a dedicated app that guides you through each step of the way. I set up one bulb in under a minute.
Can I put a smart bulb in any lamp?
Smart bulbs can work in any lamp; you just need to make sure that the bulb itself has the right fitting to match the lamp you want to add it to. The lamp will either require a bulb with a bayonet cap or a screw fixture.