If you’re like me, you spent your childhood dreaming of lights you could control by clapping. The Clapper’s premise was brilliant: no more getting out of bed to hit the light switch. Technology has come a long way since then. (Though you can still buy the Clapper!) Now, you can control the lights, set timers and schedules, and change colors with your smartphone or your voice if you have a smart assistant. No clapping required.
Smart bulbs are a great place to start if you want to make your home a little smarter. Most options are relatively cheap, and they’re easy to install. There are also no cameras or door locks for someone to hack into and invade your privacy. I’ve tested and lived with a handful since early 2020, and these are my favorites.
If you want to take your smart home a step further, consider getting a smart speaker or smart display so you can use your voice to control bulbs. But you can always use the bulb’s app.
Updated February 2021: We have a new, no-hub-needed top pick. We’ve also added the Nanoleaf Essentials bulb to our honorable mentions section.
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