Smart Bulbs

john240870

Good afternoon, Looking at getting some smart Bulbs. Looking on the web it says you have to download a app and link to bulbs to the app. Do you have to download the app that they say or can you download a different app to connect the smart bulb. I already have a smart app that controls some plug outlets, but can't find bulbs with the same app. So my question is can I buy any brand smart bulb and link them to the app ive already got.

FreeBear

There are several competing apps for smart lighting. Unfortunately, bulbs are not compatible across the board. So if you go with one specific app, you will need to check each bulb will work with that app. Really sucks when you want to use one app to control everything...

DD265

We have Phillips Hue bulbs and Google/Nest smart speakers. We have a Phillips bridge and app, but it's all linked to Google and voice/Google Home app controlled.

We did try a cheaper brand of bulb originally but found the connectivity inconsistent. Similarly there though, we got their app, then linked it all to Google and let that do the work.

Money_Grabber13579

DD265 said:

We have Phillips Hue bulbs and Google/Nest smart speakers. We have a Phillips bridge and app, but it's all linked to Google and voice/Google Home app controlled.

We did try a cheaper brand of bulb originally but found the connectivity inconsistent. Similarly there though, we got their app, then linked it all to Google and let that do the work.

I’ve got the same setup and think it works really well.

Smart bulbs range from those which you control with a remote control (to me, this seems pointless as you need a separate remote for each bulb) to those which can be grouped into rooms or zones. For the latter, the most common method of control is either via Zigbee (which usually needs a hub) or Bluetooth (which generally doesn’t).  Generally, all Zigbee bulbs should be compatible with each other but in practice, I’ve found it’s not quite as simple. For example, both Philips and Osram (LEDVANCE) produce bulbs using the Zigbee protocol and whilst the Osram bulbs will work with the Philips Hue hub and app, the operation is not smooth, like the Philips bulbs.

My experience has been to stick with a single brand of bulbs to get the best service and whilst Philips Hue is expensive, to me, it seems to be the best out there at present.

ic

I would agree Philips Hue is the best.  I have a couple of Ikea bulbs hooked up to the same account, but they flicker occasionally and sometimes don't come on.  The Philips bulbs are solid by comparison.

Doshwaster

I have a few TP Link bulbs and switches. They can be fiddly to setup (it either works 1st time or 10th) as you need to do it in their app which isn't great but once they are working you can control them through Google Home and Amazon Echo.

flashg67

I'd echo the reply above, don't worry about which app you need to set them all up initially, just link them afterwards to google hub or alexa 

kah22

Money_Grabber13579 said:

DD265 said:

We have Phillips Hue bulbs and Google/Nest smart speakers. We have a Phillips bridge and app, but it's all linked to Google and voice/Google Home app controlled.

We did try a cheaper brand of bulb originally but found the connectivity inconsistent. Similarly there though, we got their app, then linked it all to Google and let that do the work.

I’ve got the same setup and think it works really well.

Smart bulbs range from those which you control with a remote control (to me, this seems pointless as you need a separate remote for each bulb) to those which can be grouped into rooms or zones. For the latter, the most common method of control is either via Zigbee (which usually needs a hub) or Bluetooth (which generally doesn’t).  Generally, all Zigbee bulbs should be compatible with each other but in practice, I’ve found it’s not quite as simple. For example, both Philips and Osram (LEDVANCE) produce bulbs using the Zigbee protocol and whilst the Osram bulbs will work with the Philips Hue hub and app, the operation is not smooth, like the Philips bulbs.

My experience has been to stick with a single brand of bulbs to get the best service and whilst Philips Hue is expensive, to me, it seems to be the best out there at present.

’m in the market at the moment.  My thinking is a Philips Hub on it’s own and then using INNR bulbs I’m reading good reports about them

Where did you buy, did you shop around or did you find little difference

AndySB123

Seriously I would ask you to have a look at Ikea's smart lighting their Tradfri range. I have a Hue bulb and honestly there isn't a lot of difference! Their bulbs are ridiculously cheaper than Philips. The starter kit I got had 2 colour changing bulbs, manual remote switch and a hub for £63!
Also if you already have a Hue bridge the IKEA lights work with that too. 
I would really recommend to get them first to try at least especially at that price. 

I'm quite a bit of a snob with quality when it comes to stuff like this but I was seriously impressed that IKEA do something like this. 

kah22

AndySB123 said:

Seriously I would ask you to have a look at Ikea's smart lighting their Tradfri range. I have a Hue bulb and honestly there isn't a lot of difference! Their bulbs are ridiculously cheaper than Philips. The starter kit I got had 2 colour changing bulbs, manual remote switch and a hub for £63!
Also if you already have a Hue bridge the IKEA lights work with that too. 
I would really recommend to get them first to try at least especially at that price. 

I'm quite a bit of a snob with quality when it comes to stuff like this but I was seriously impressed that IKEA do something like this. 

£63 for a hub and two bulbs, that’s not to be sniffed at, was it a Philips, where did you buy?

IKEA there is not one anywhere near me. I’ve got to admit though their price does look very, very appealing and Which? give them a Best Buy. I’ll certainly have a look

Kevin