Alexa and light bulbs.....

Terrysdelight

Hi

I have an Echo Plus 2nd Gen with a built in hub. I'm just about to buy a 3rd gen Dot to go with it. But here are my questions:

Which bulbs do I buy, so that I can ask Alexa to switch on, or change the colour etc?

Do I buy bulbs only or is there something needed to connect them to the Echo Plus with the built in hub?

I'd be grateful for any recommendations and/or links please.

Many thanks
Terrysdelight

London50

Look for "smart bulbs" on Amazon that are compatible with Alexa. With Philips Hue bulbs {I have these} you need their hub to link the bulbs then let Alexa {through the app to find them.
Very easy to set up and control.

RumRat

Personally I use TP-Link bulbs which can be used with Google or Alexa.
You don't need any hubs or anything and they come with an adapter for older bayonet fittings.
If you want to get cheaper bulbs found on eBay or Amazon, most of them work with Alexa.
You can pay more for Phillips Hue bulbs, but, I think they are a rip-off price wise.

London50

Look at these below, my son has them and says they work well

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PCPNCT1/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=AV7KSH7XB8RNM&th=1

pramsay13

I bought a TP-link one as it doesn't need a hub and it works well, although if I was going for a few I might consider the hub.

Terrysdelight

Thank you everyone. I am going with Philips and the hub. My son actually bought them for me last xmas but I returned them because they were the wrong fitting. I aim to have a smart home so this is the start :-)

sal_III

You have two roads - "dump" switch and smart bulbs, or smart switch and "dumb" bulbs.

I'm using both, in the bedrooms where there are only 1-3 E27 bulbs I use Phillips Hue. In the living room that has 12 downlights I use a Z-wave controller that goes behind the original wall switch and 12 bog standard GU10. Much cheaper than going for 12 Hue GU10s etc.

https://aeotec.com/z-wave-light-dimmer-switch/