If you’ve never tried a connected internet of things (IoT) device before – aka something that’s part of a ‘smart home’ setup – and are curious to try, then the easiest place to start would be with smart lights.
So, what makes a light smart? Simply put, it will connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network or to your phone via Bluetooth (in some cases, both) so you can control it via a companion app or voice commands using popular virtual assistants such as Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. You can dim them, brighten them, get many of them to change color and add some ambience to your home. If you’ve got multiple smart lights set up from different brands, you can often use a hub to control them all from one place.
Smart lights come in all shapes and sizes – there are the basics like bulbs and light strips, or you can design your own setup with light panels too. You can even get table and floor lamps that are smart. Popular brands include Philips Hue, Nanoleaf, LIFX, TP-Link and Lenovo.
Latest about Smart Lights
Got Philips Hue lights? A free app update delivers these 3 improvements
Organizing your lights and keeping your home secure just got a lot easier.
Your LG TV can now synchronize with Philips Hue lights without a pricey HDMI Sync Box
Make movies and games more immersive with the Hue Sync app – now available for LG TVs from 2024 onwards.
The best smart lights 2025
Updated We've tested the best smart light bulbs and light panels from all the big brands including Philips Hue and Nanoleaf.
Do your Philips Hue lights keep forgetting your last settings? There's now a fix
A new software update solves a problem affecting Hue setups with motion detectors.
Philips Hue vs Nanoleaf: pick the right smart lights for your home
There are some important differences between Philips Hue and Nanoleaf, and we're here to help you make the best choice.
The best Ambilight alternatives 2025: enhance your home theater experience
Updated The best Ambilight alternatives for immersive movies and games without replacing your TV.
Philips Hue Play Light Bar review: a fun and flexible addition to your home theater setup
Got a Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box? This compact light will add a new dimension to your movies and games, wherever you put it.
The best wake-up lights 2025: sunrise alarms tested by experts
Updated Rise and shine with a natural-looking gradual sunrise and soft audio effects.
