Gadronics Smart lighting has transformed from a luxury add-on into an essential component of the modern connected home. The best smart lights can completely reshape how you experience your living spaces, offering everything from voice-controlled convenience to dynamic colour scenes that adapt throughout the day.
With so many options flooding the market, choosing the best smart lighting for your needs requires careful consideration. Do you need statement bulbs that double as design pieces, outdoor lights that sync with your security cameras, or versatile light strips that bring ambient glow to any space? Each type of smart lighting serves different purposes, and the ideal choice depends on your specific setup, budget, and smart home ecosystem.
We’ve spent months testing the latest smart lighting products in real-world conditions to help you make informed decisions. Our selections represent the best performers across different categories, from premium ceiling lights to budget-friendly outdoor options.
Every product featured here has been thoroughly evaluated for brightness, colour accuracy, smart features, and ecosystem compatibility. Whether you’re building your first smart home or expanding an existing setup, these are the smart lights worth your investment.
Best smart light bulb: Philips Hue Lightguide
- Score: 4.5/5
- Price: From £69 / $79
- Ecosystems: Matter, Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, SmartThings
- Pros: Stylish, five different shapes, great performance, Bluetooth and Zigbee connectivity
- Cons: Bulky base, expensive, pendants cost more
The Philips Hue Lightguide range are absolutely stunning. These handblown glass bulbs are available in five distinct shapes (small globe, large globe, ellipse, triangle, and Edison) with each bulb featuring an inner dual-layered tube that diffuses coloured light throughout the transparent outer sphere.
The larger globes measure up to 125mm in diameter, making them considerably more substantial than standard smart bulbs. This size allows the light to create dramatic ambient effects, particularly when using colour scenes. During testing, the Lightguide bulbs delivered vibrant, consistent colours across the full spectrum, with the glass shell beautifully reflecting and diffusing the light.
Installation proved straightforward despite the bulky base, which houses all the smart technology. You can use these bulbs in three ways: pair directly via Bluetooth for basic control, connect through a Hue Bridge for full functionality including scenes and automations, or link directly to compatible Amazon Echo devices using Zigbee.
Performance exceeded expectations given the 500 lumen rating. The large glass surface area distributes light effectively, filling rooms with warm whites or vibrant colours. At 4% brightness, the output remained too bright for ambient movie watching, demonstrating impressive intensity at lower settings.
These bulbs suit anyone wanting smart lighting that complements their interior design. They work beautifully in pendant fittings or exposed fixtures.
Read our full Philips Hue Lightguide review here.
Best outdoor smart lights: Eufy Outdoor E10 Smart Lights
- Score: 4/5
- Price: From $90 / $90
- Ecosystems: Alexa, Google Home
- Pros: Well designed, easy to setup, Bluetooth only mode, syncs with EufyCams
- Cons: No people detection, no Matter or Homekit, separate app to cams and cleaners
Eufy has delivered a surprisingly comprehensive outdoor smart lighting ecosystem with its E10 range. The three-product line up covers the essential outdoor lighting needs: String Lights for ambiance, Spotlights for accent lighting, and Pathway Lights for ground-level illumination. Each product shares RGBWW technology and controls through the Eufy Life app, creating a cohesive outdoor lighting system.
The Outdoor Spotlights E10 pack considerable power into compact cylindrical housings. Each spotlight delivers 500 lumens and mounts on adjustable bases with interchangeable poles for different heights. The two-pack configuration can extend to four spotlights from a single power source, with waterproof connections between units. During testing, these spotlights proved ideal for highlighting landscaping features and architectural elements, with sufficient brightness to illuminate large areas effectively.
The Pathway Lights E10, which stand 16 inches tall with frosted diffusers, emit light from both top and middle sections for uniform coverage. At 350 lumens per light, they provide ample illumination for walkways while creating attractive ambient effects. The four-pack spans up to 15.3 meters total length, offering flexibility for various pathway configurations.
String Lights E10 feature 30 shatterproof LED globes across two 15-bulb strands. The three-foot spacing between bulbs works well for patio and pergola installations, with included mounting clips simplifying setup. Eufy’s WonderShine technology blends RGB with warm and cool white LEDs for enhanced colour accuracy and brightness across the 1500K to 9000K temperature range.
Setup is also pretty straightforward for all three products. The Eufy Life app initially connects via Bluetooth before sharing Wi-Fi credentials for full smart functionality. You can get over 80 preset scenes, plus an AI-powered Magic Dice generator for creating randomized light shows.
Plus you can sync it up with your cameras through WonderLink, which enables automated lighting responses to motion detection, though facial recognition features don’t extend to lighting automation.
Read our full Eufy Outdoor E10 review here.
Best affordable smart ceiling light: Lifx SuperColor Ceiling Light
- Score: 4.5/5
- Price: $99
- Ecosystems: Matter, Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, SmartThings
- Pros: Great price, dynamic lighting effects, easy to install, no extra hub needed
- Cons: Matter setup could be better, plastic, app has its quirks, needs constant power
Lifx has disrupted the smart ceiling light market with the SuperColor, delivering premium features at a price point that undercuts competitors by $50 to $200. This 15-inch flush mount ceiling fixture offers dual addressable lighting zones and 56 individually controllable segments, enabling sophisticated lighting effects previously reserved for much pricier options.
Installation proved remarkably straightforward. The included mounting bracket attaches with two screws, while color-coded wiring with pre-installed Wago connectors simplifies electrical connections. A built-in clip holds the light panel below the ceiling during installation, eliminating the awkward juggling act typical of ceiling fixture installation. The entire process from removing an old light to completing installation took under 15 minutes.
The lighting performance impressed throughout testing. At full brightness, the SuperColor outputs 2500 lumens, sufficient for primary room lighting in most spaces. The dual-zone design treats the main downward-facing panel and the upward-facing accent ring as separate lights, enabling creative applications like using the ring for notifications while the main panel provides illumination.
Polychrome Technology distinguishes this fixture from simpler ceiling lights. The 56 addressable zones enable dynamic effects ranging from passing clouds to abstract art patterns. The Lifx app includes numerous preset effects, while a customization tool allows precise control over individual zones. During testing, effects like overhead sky simulations and colour-changing patterns created genuinely impressive ambient lighting.
The tunable white range from 1500K to 9000K covers everything from warm candlelight tones to cool daylight. Combined with the RGBWW color capabilities spanning 16 million colours, the SuperColor handles any lighting scenario. Smart home integration works well once connected, supporting Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and SmartThings natively, though Matter setup proved temperamental during testing.
Read our full Lifx SuperColor Ceiling Light review now.
Best smart light strip: Govee Strip Light 2 Pro
- Score: 4.5/5
- Price: £99.99 / $149.00
- Ecosystems: Matter, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, SmartThings
- Pros: Amazing light effects with good brightness, RGBIC+, physical controller
- Cons: Quite expensive, poor Matter implementation
Govee’s Strip Light 2 Pro represents the cutting edge of smart light strip technology. Powered by the company’s LuminBlend Color Control System and proprietary 16-bit colour processing chip, this light strip delivers colour performance that surpasses most competitors. The RGBIC+ technology allows multiple colours to display simultaneously across different segments, creating dynamic effects impossible with traditional RGB strips.
The hardware quality impresses immediately. With 60 light beads per meter, the Strip Light 2 Pro achieves higher brightness and more consistent coverage than standard light strips. The 5-in-1 RGBWW beads combine RGB colour with both warm and cool white LEDs, enabling natural white lighting across 2700K to 6500K temperatures. This dual white capability produces more accurate colours, particularly in lighter shades where pure RGB often appears washed out.
Installation proved simple thanks to the peel-away adhesive backing and included mounting clips and screws. Available in 2, 5, and 10 meter lengths, each strip can be cut at clearly marked 1-meter intervals for custom fitting. The physical controller provides convenient on-device controls for power, colour cycling, and effect selection without requiring app access.
The Govee Home app unlocks the Strip Light 2 Pro’s full potential. Over 100 preset scenes cover everything from holiday themes to dynamic effects, while extensive customization tools allow segment-by-segment colour control. Music Mode uses an integrated microphone in the control box to sync lighting with audio, creating impressive party atmospheres. The AI scene generator offers a novel approach to creating custom effects, though results vary in quality.
Colour performance exceeded expectations across testing scenarios. The LuminBlend system delivers smooth colour transitions and vibrant saturated tones, while the cool white enhancement produces natural-looking lighter colours. At 340 lumens per meter, brightness surpasses most competing light strips, though the premium pricing reflects these advanced capabilities.
Matter support exists but proved problematic during testing. Pairing to a single ecosystem worked reliably, but attempting multi-platform control through Matter introduced connectivity issues. Users focusing on a single smart home platform should experience fewer problems.
Read our Govee Strip Light 2 Pro review here.
How we test smart lights
Our testing process for smart lighting goes far beyond simply turning lights on and off. We install each product in actual living spaces and use them daily for weeks, evaluating performance across multiple criteria that matter in real-world use.
We measure brightness levels using calibrated equipment and assess color accuracy across the full spectrum. Connectivity reliability gets tested through various network conditions, while smart features are evaluated across different ecosystems including Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit. We examine setup processes, app functionality, and voice control responsiveness.
For outdoor lights, we verify weatherproofing claims and test performance across different conditions. Battery-powered products are assessed for actual runtime versus manufacturer claims. We also evaluate build quality, installation ease, and value for money. Our comprehensive approach ensures you understand exactly what each product delivers before making a purchase decision.
Smart light FAQs
Start by determining which smart home ecosystem you use or plan to use. Compatibility with Alexa, Google Home, or HomeKit significantly affects functionality and convenience. Consider whether you need a hub for certain lights or prefer hub-free Wi-Fi options that connect directly to your network. Brightness requirements vary by room and application, so check lumen ratings against your needs. Finally, decide whether colour-changing capabilities matter to you or if tuneable white lighting suffices for your uses.
Smart lights deliver convenience and functionality that traditional lighting cannot match. Voice control, automated schedules, and remote access provide practical benefits beyond novelty. Energy monitoring features help reduce electricity costs, while many smart bulbs last considerably longer than traditional alternatives. The ability to adjust colour temperature throughout the day may improve sleep patterns and productivity. For most users building connected homes, smart lighting represents a worthwhile investment that enhances daily life.
Most smart bulbs fit standard E26 or E27 sockets found in typical lamps and fixtures. However, there are some limitations. Enclosed fixtures may cause overheating issues with certain smart bulbs, so check manufacturer specifications. Dimmer switches often interfere with smart bulb operation and should typically be replaced or set to full power. Three-way lamps may not work properly with smart bulbs designed for standard sockets. We’d always advise verifying the compatibility before purchasing smart lights, particularly for specialty fixtures or unique applications.
