Smart Lighting Buying Guide

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Smart home automation is trendy topic at the moment, but where do you get started? Smart lights are a great option if you’re looking to increase the customisation and control in your home. Being able to control all of your light from your phone or smart home assistant is a fantastic first step towards a modern home.

If you simply want to know the best Smart Lighting that you can buy, check out our Top 10 Smart Lights

Image of a modern style home with many indoor and outdoor lights. There is a smartphone controlling the lights in the left corner.

What are Smart Lights?

Smart lights are overhead lights, lamps, or bulbs that are Wi-Fi connected, meaning that they can be controlled from your phone or smart home assistant. Some can simply be turned on or off, whereas others can be dimmed or even change colours.

With quick and easy installation and setup, you’re able to create lighting routines to suit your lifestyle, set the mood, and even save money on your energy bills.

Benefits of Smart Home Lighting

While upgrading your home might be a costly investment to begin with, smart lights will pay themselves back over time. Smart home lighting has a range of perks and benefits that you’ll discover, but here are some of the top ones:

Energy Savings

LED bulbs use 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, so combining LED bulbs with smart home features like occupancy sensors, timers, or customized, low lighting settings will use far less energy.

LED bulbs also use energy more efficiently, meaning that they have a longer product lifetime and require fewer replacement bulbs. Some smart bulbs can last between 20 and 40 years with regular use. What’s more, turning the lights on and off quickly doesn’t change their lifespan.

Convenient Light Control

Possibly the most obvious benefit of smart lighting is the convenient light control. Smart bulbs can be controlled to how it is easiest for the household. Turning the lights on or off is as simple as using a voice command on your smart home assistant or using an app.

Some smart lighting systems can be programmed to turn on or off based on the GPS location of the user’s smartphone, or set to a timer to turn on and off at specific times. They can also be dimmed, or change colour, depending on the style you choose.

Modern style home with a rainbow of coloured lights in every room.

Smarter Security

Smart home lighting can become an integral part of your home security system.

You can choose a smart light that is equipped with a motion sensor to turn on when it detects movement. These can also be programmed to work with your security cameras or even send an alert to your phone or smart hub.

Smart lights also benefit from schedules and timers meaning that they can be programmed to turn on and off at certain points of the day. This makes it look as though the house is occupied even when it’s empty.

Types of Smart Lights

Smart Downlights

Smart downlight with a white casing

A downlight is a light fixture that is installed into a hollow opening in the ceiling. Once installed the light appears to be coming from a hole in the ceiling, concentrating the light downwards. They’re a great, versatile light fitting that is excellent for a multitude of uses throughout the home. However, they are most commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms.

Smart Pendant Lights

Smart pendant light with globe bulb.

Pendant lights are similar to the lights you possibly already have in your home. They have a cable that hangs from a bracket attached to the ceiling. Their shapes and styles vary from simple globes to cages depending on what you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking for something practical or aesthetic, they’re a great choice!

Smart Bulbs

Smart bulb with rainbow functionality

Smart bulbs are designed to fit into your existing light fitting. They come with screw, bayonet, and 2 pin bases so they can be switched out for any lightbulb already in your home. Depending on the model you choose you can have either a single, white bulb or a range of colours.

Smart Striplights

Smart striplight

Striplights are a flexible circuit board that is populated with LEDs. You can stick a striplight almost anywhere that you want to create ambient lighting. You can cut the strip every few inches meaning it is totally customisable to the space you are planning to light. They are also thin, meaning that they can be easily installed in tight places and hidden from view.

Smart Globe Light

Globe shaped table lamp

Smart globe lights are a versatile alternative to a traditional lamp. They are able to create mood and ambience wherever they are positioned, whether you’re watching a film, having a party, working from home, or even helping your little ones get to sleep.

Smart Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor smart lights on stakes

Level up your outdoor space with smart outdoor lights. Available as either spiked lights or wall mounted, these smart lights are a great way to create ambiance and deter criminals. With an IP65 rating they are resistant to water sprays from all angles, meaning that they can be left outside to be used whenever they’re needed.