Many people choose smart bulbs as an easy way to automate their lighting. These devices are relatively inexpensive and simple to install. Plus, they’re available everywhere. Sounds perfect, right? Well, not so fast. Here are a few things you'll want to consider before going all-in on smart bulbs.

1 What Are the Differences Between Smart Lights, Smart Switches, and Smart Bulbs?

You may have heard these terms used interchangeably. However, it's important to understand the key differences to avoid buying the wrong product. The biggest of which is the method of installation.

Smart lights is a blanket term that refers to all smart lighting devices. This includes everything from LED strips to bulbs to entire lighting fixtures.

Smart switches usually denote replacement light switches designed to be hard-wired into your home's electrical system.

Smart bulbs are light bulbs with some type of networking capability. They look just like regular bulbs and most will fit standard E26 fixtures.

Based on these differences, make sure you know which one you want to buy for your smart home.

2 Do I Need a Smart Hub to Use Smart Bulbs?

A smart hub is like a control center for your lighting. Manufacturers like Philips Hue require the purchase of a hub to use their bulbs. We love Philips Hue for several reasons. However, many manufacturers sell bulbs that explicitly work without a hub.

Ultimately, whether you'll need a smart hub comes down to the number of devices you intend to add to your home. Lighting installs with only a handful of bulbs won't need one. If you have a larger home or many lights, then a hub is probably the better choice.

3 Is it Cheaper to Install Smart Bulbs or Smart Switches?

The number of smart devices you want to control will affect whether it is less expensive to buy bulbs or switches. Likewise, your skill at installing electrical equipment could play a role.

If you have several lights that you operate with a single switch, it might be cheaper to just replace the switch. However, if you feel you'll need to hire an electrician for that job, then choosing bulbs might save you some money.

4 What Kind of Support Do Smart Bulb Manufacturers Offer?

It's always a good idea to know what to do if a smart bulb goes bad. And most name-brand smart lighting manufacturers offer excellent warranty support if you experience a defect. Some, like Philips, even offer 24/7 chat support. The exceptions are usually more budget-centered product offerings.

The best way to avoid being left in the dark when an issue emerges is to compare product reviews on various websites. Note how support issues are handled. Is the company responsive, empathetic, and professional, or are they argumentative and cold? These interactions can provide insight into how a company might treat you if there's an issue.

5 What Type of Light Fixture Am I Using?

Most smart bulbs are direct replacements for the bulbs you're using now. But be aware that dimming fixtures usually require a special type of bulb. If you see a designation that a smart bulb should not be used in a dimming fixture, don't disregard the warning. Using a non-dimmable bulb in a dimming fixture can cause the bulb to flicker or otherwise act strangely.

6 Can I Install Smart Bulbs if I Rent?

If you're a renter, using smart bulbs is a great way to lower your energy costs and ensure you get back your security deposit. They're easily replaced with regular bulbs when moving out, and you can take them with you to install in your new home.

However, you should always check your rental agreement before installing smart devices to ensure you won't be in violation. Doing so could keep you from running into future problems. We've put together an entire list of smart home products for renters that you might want to check out.

7 What Are the Downsides of Using Smart Bulbs?

We think that smart bulbs are a good all-around solution for many people, with a few caveats. First, you'll find that cost can be a concern. As we mentioned earlier, if you need to outfit a large home, and you're on a tight budget, then buying a boatload of bulbs probably won't be very cost-effective.

Specialty fixtures can also limit your ability to employ smart bulbs. If your fixtures use E12 candelabra bulbs, EM16 track lighting, or T9 fluorescent bulbs, for example, then you could have a hard time finding smart replacements.

Finally, smart bulbs could pose a threat to your home's network security. In August 2023, researchers from Italy and the UK published a paper identifying a vulnerability in one of the most popular smart bulb products, the TP-Link Tapo L530E. If exploited, this vulnerability could allow hackers to steal Wi-Fi passwords. Fortunately, the issue has since been resolved.

Likewise, a 2019 study found that some smart bulbs can be “maliciously used to violate users' privacy and security.” It should be noted, however, that reports of hackers attacking smart bulbs are relatively rare.

Overall, smart bulbs are a great point of entry into the smart home space. But you should know that they aren't right for every person or every scenario. If you keep that in mind, you'll be much happier as you outfit your smart home.