Smart Light Bulbs vs. Smart Light Switches - How (and when) should you use them?

What do you need exactly? Smart Light Bulbs or Smart Light Switches? Or Both? When I first delved into smart home devices, I was a little confused since I didn’t understand what made them special when compared to the lights that humanity has been using for the last 100 years. So i used them for a while and here’s what I’ve figured out. I’m hoping this is helpful to you!

See Phillips Hue bulbs are on Amazon!

See what Smart Light Switches are on Amazon!

So in the next few minutes, I’m going to talk briefly about the smart bulb, the smart switch, talk about when to use one or the other and then talk about how I’ve been using these smart switches and smart bulbs.

Alright, let’s start with the smart light bulb. The price for these bulbs is hard to swallow at first. A Phillips Hue Color bulb is nearly 10 times the cost of a regular LED bulb. I balked at the cost of replacing all my lightbulbs in my living rooms with LED bulbs, I can’t fathom replacing all of those bulbs with smart bulbs. Smart bulbs work like normal bulbs so there isn’t anything special you have to do when you install them. You can easily use them with a “dumb” switch.

Onto the smart light switch. Figuring out what a smart light switch was easier to do than smart light bulbs. My biggest problem with the switches I got was installing them because I live in an old house. Having a basic knowledge of home wiring works is going to be handy. These light switches include everything you need and are designed to fit within existing electrical boxes.

So when would I choose one over the other? You could easily spend lots of money swapping all your light switches out but unless you’ve got a ton of disposable income, this isn’t going to be feasible. Here are my rules of thumbs. A smart light switch is going to be handy for rooms where you just need to know whether the lights are on or off. For me, that would be bedrooms and maybe the eating area in my home. A smart light switch is going to be handy for people who want their lights to turn on when something else happens, like you coming home from work or to turn on remotely while you’re on vacation. If you’re wondering how to do this with HomeKit, check out my Getting started with HomeKit video.

For smart light bulbs, I’d get them for rooms where you spend the most time in. For me, that would be the living room or my home office, bedroom and basement. Personally, I find smart light bulbs a little more useful than switches because you can use the color feature to effect your mood.

So to build on what I’ve just said, here’s my setup for the bedroom. I have a single Phillips Hue Color Lamp in my night light and an Elgato Eve Light Switch. If I was to be honest, I could get away with only using the smart light bulb.

With the smart light bulb, I can easily create the right mood as well and set it so that it gradually turns on in the morning. A way better way of waking up when compared to the jarring klaxon alarm found on most alarm clocks.

So how about the living room? This is where you get a plethora of smart bulbs and smart light switches. For the light switches, it makes sense to be able to control the light in this room remotely since it’s the room that can easily be viewed from the street. Also, you can set it so that these lights turn on the moment you come near to the house which is handy.

For the smart light bulbs, this is where you go big or go home. I personally would spend the extra cash and get the multicoloured bulbs but you don’t have to replace every dumb bulb with coloured bulbs, just the ones closest to the walls. Why? Because the color lights in the middle of the room isn’t going to have much effect. The colors will reflect off the wall which is more noticeable.

If you have art in your living room, the coloured lights will also give you a different appreciation for the artists work. Again, I was personally surprised at how much different coloured light effected my mood. It’s given me a better appreciation for my home.

[lechantier]

I absolutely love your furry child and how well behaved he is!

[cipryon]

Finally Someone that tells me if they will work with a regular switch like a regular bulb ty alot! ....subscribed

[richchapman]

Need more videos from you man as no one has had my attention so much Enjoyed all your stuff

[shanecasey]

Ha ha ha I like the positions of the doggie chilling in bed and the tie.

[rickpamaran]

Not that your review wasn't pertinent, but your dog was a blast and took most of my attention.

[TechPorkChop]

The house I recently moved into has 1/2 the main floor and exterior lights on Lutron smart switch, Nest new eco thermostat and a Google home mini.

I convinced my wife (Partner Approval Rating) that once in a while I buy a new switch and slowly convert the whole house to lutron. She loves the voice interaction with Google home.

[mathonamoore]

I am a cat person but your dog is fabulous. You're a good person because you take very good care of your precious dog. Xxx

[jflying]

Curious... Where did you get those cool light panels hanging on your office wall? (The 5:27 mark of the video). Looks like those are smart lights as well?

[UGotTheFunk]

I'm sorry, but I couldn't disagree more with you on the usefulness of the bulbs vs the switch. Being able to change the color is not a more useful trait than being able to control your lights remotely and verbally. Also, with the bulbs, the normal (dumb) switch has to remain on the entire time for any of the smart features to work. This is a horrible tactic if you're living with kids or other people in general. Smart switches turn your dumb lights smart, but smart bulbs won't turn your dumb switches smart. Not to mention switching out dumb switches to smart ones is far less expensive then changing out every single light bulb. This is just my opinion however, and is all personal preference at the end of the day.

[jitengori]

I just LOVE your dog!!!! He's a hoot!! Please give him a big hug!! And of course I liked your video too.... Well played Sir! 👏👍

[LUCIFR]

Your dog makes me smile all the way to d end of video

[matthewrichards]

When choosing bulbs, is it best to choose a certain make and stick with it? I can imagine it would be confusing having different brands due to integration with multiple bulbs?

[MurchyMurch]

Hard to beat Lutron Caseta if you don’t need color. I’ve got a Pico on my wall that turns on/off 3 loads or dims them to a desired state. Love not having to worry about someone turning the circuit off.

[andyd]

Hi thank for the informative video. I want to know which app and light bulb did you use to set the bulb gradually increase the light as an alarm to wake you up at 04:14 .

[KarynLaura]

Thanks for this video Very helpful. I like your dog’s tie! So cute. 👍

[JessieMendieta]

sounds like for ceiling lights better smartswitch, and for any other lamp the smartbulb

[aakburns]

Caseta is the best switch if you do not have a neutral wire at the existing switch. Be sure you k ow the wiring of your home before you decide on a smart switch.

Older homes will not have the neutral at the switch.

Newer homes usually do have the neutral at the switch.

[wayneG]

very informative. been looking at both options recently.

[xvzw]

That dog looks sad being forced to stay there for the video lol

[neklamp]

Your dog is amazing!!! I prefer smart bulbs but the are still expensive....