r/homeautomation • u/kajko25 • 1d ago

QUESTION Which Smart Bulb?

Gentlemen I need help with a topic in which I still have an average knowledge. I am now facing the choice of my first SMART BULBS and I am starting to drown in an overabundance of information. In a nutshell, the bulbs are to be put into lamps from IKEA (Fado/Dejsa) and into chandeliers in the bedroom and living room. After reading a few threads, I found these suggestions:

  1. IKEA TRÅDFRI 7.3W 806 LM - 16.40
  2. Xiaomi Smart LED Bulb Essential - 9W 950 LM - 16.40$
  3. Yeelight W4 - 9W 806LM 13.70$
  4. Philips WiZ - 8.8W=60W 806 LM - 8.30$
  5. Linkind: 75W 1100LM - 6$ 100W 1600LM - 9.50$

Phillips HEU unfortunately drops out because of the price. $50 is definitely too much for me. Looking at the prices and what you get in return Linkind comes out the best. However, it is a little-known brand where I live (Poland). Is anyone able to recommend this bulb? The other question is whether I should pay attention to wattage and lumens? Or in short, the more the better? If so, will the bulbs be dimmable?

1 Upvotes

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7

u/Intelligent-Dot-8969 20h ago

For the chandeliers use a smart switch rather than smart bulbs.

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u/Menelatency 15h ago

What’s your driving reason for smart bulbs? If you just want on/off/dim and swapping out the wall switch isn’t a non-starter for some reason, that’s probably a much cheaper solution. Also remember you’re paying about every 10 years for new bulbs but only once ever (hopefully) for the switch. And 1 switch vs several (3-6?) bulbs makes a $50 switch more tolerable.

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u/kajko25 13h ago

Honestly, at this point, I would like to be able to turn the light on/off on the phone and change the shades/colors/colors. To make the light more warm or cold. That's why I'm mainly asking about bulbs for two lights.... I would like to make a pleasant atmosphere in the room.

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u/Menelatency 1h ago

2 bulbs, color change. Got it. You’re on the right path it sounds like. Other here have plenty of good bulb advice so I’ll stop here. Good luck!

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u/Choefman 23h ago

I know you said Hue is out of the question because of price but, at least in the US, I can get a 4 pack for $50. At $12.50 a bulb they are in the middle of your range and by far the most stable and reliable lights out there. After trying many different lights over the years, every single bulb in my house is a Hue bulb. Also given their lifespan (I have light that are 10+ years old) does price really matter?

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u/kajko25 21h ago

Do you happen to have a link? Unfortunately in my country its 50$ per 1colored HUE :/ If it was at least $20 this once I would have no doubts and choose HUE.... But $50 for one bulb is too much though.

1

u/Make_Way_4_Willy 23h ago

There’s also the GE Cync. Reasonably priced and good quality product. Savant bought GE lighting a couple years ago so they integrate well should you decide to do proper home automation later on.

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u/ChiefBroady 12h ago

I just bought “Thirdreality” zigbee bulbs which are currently 7.5$ at amazon sold in a four pack (29.99$). They work reasonably well.