Smart Lighting Basics
Smart lighting transforms your home with automated schedules, voice control, and scene creation. This guide covers smart bulbs, smart switches, and smart plugs.
Smart Bulbs vs. Smart Switches
Smart Bulbs (Philips Hue, LIFX, WiZ)
Replace individual bulbs for per-lamp control. Best for: color-changing accents, specialty bulbs, and renters. Downside: flipping the wall switch defeats smart features.
Smart Switches (Lutron Caseta, TP-Link Kasa)
Replace wall switches for whole-room control. Best for: overhead lights, multi-bulb fixtures, and homes with multiple people.
Protocol Comparison
- Wi-Fi: No hub needed, congests network with many devices
- Zigbee: Requires hub, very reliable, low power
- Z-Wave: Excellent range, no Wi-Fi interference
- Matter/Thread: New standard, cross-platform
Getting Started on a Budget
Start with one room. A 4-pack of WiZ smart bulbs ($35) and a smart plug ($12) give you a taste of automation without hub investment.
