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.
Latest about Smart Lights
Philips has a new cheaper HDMI sync box for immersive TV — but it's not Hue
The new Philips Smart Lighting sync box works with your TV to mirror the on-screen colors in your smart lights, and it's a lot less than you'd pay for the Hue version.
I'm looking forward to using Philips Hue Sports Live during the World Cup
Signify is giving its Philips Hue smart lights a special Sports Live feature for the duration of the World Cup 2026.
IKEA's Varmblixt lamp is stunning, but its app connectivity needs work
This lamp is guaranteed to grab guests' attention, but if you're new to smart home tech, you may prefer to skip the app and use its remote control instead.
Smoother and brighter, the Hue Omniglow has to be seen to be believed
Light up your life with the Philips Hue Omniglow, the best Hue lightstrip yet, which appears simply seamless.
IKEA just released a super cheap Philips Hue Play Light Bar lookalike
The new IKEA lamp costs the same as a cup of coffee, but don't expect it to create an immersive home theater experience.
The 3 best smart light bulbs, recommended by a home tech editor
Upgrading to smart lighting costs less than you might expect, whether it's a single room or your whole home.
IKEA's donut-shaped Varmblixt smart lamp is landing early in some stores
The pastel-hued smart lamp was originally scheduled to launch in April, but some shoppers have spotted it on shelves already.
IKEA's latest motion-activated light 'can be installed anywhere'
The Ankarlägg is battery-operated, has a self-adhesive mount, and doesn't need a pricey smart home hub.
