If you don’t have a smart home ecosystem or, have never bought or, used any smart devices, a smart bulb is the best place to start – guaranteed. Whether you’re using an iOS or Android mobile device, you can pick up a smart LED bulb, easily set it up and, have your very first smart device up and running in all its glory! This article aims to help you choose the best smart bulb for you.
How do smart LED light bulbs work?
Smart bulbs are WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled and can be controlled from an app on your iOS or Android phone. You can use your phone’s voice assistant (Siri, Google Assistant or Cortana) or Alexa, to control the smart device in a wide range of mind-blowing ways, including switching the light on and off, changing the colour or dimming it out.
Some of the more high-end bulbs such as the LIFESMART bulb have advanced functionalities such as the music mode which will change the colours to match the music being played. Whatever your needs and budget, there is a smart light bulb for you but, you need to know what’s available first and that’s what I hope to help you with that here.
LED smart bulbs South Africa: Top 3 things to know BEFORE you buy one
- You need to choose a platform if you want voice control. This can either be Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa. If you have either an Android or iOS phone you can choose almost any smart bulb and it will work so, you can quickly move on to the next thing you need to know.
- You may need a hub for Bluetooth-only devices. A smart bulb transmits and receives wireless signals that tell it what to do. Some light bulbs can connect to your WiFi router directly if they have an in-built WiFi radio while others use Bluetooth to communicate with your phone which obviously has a serious distance limitation which you will need a hub to overcome.
- The more lumens the better. Since you can adjust the brightness of the smart light bulbs using its respective apps, it’s better to get a stronger light and dim it if needed. Many smart lights are simply not powerful enough and you may be disappointed.
I’m going to list a range of possible features that your smart bulb may have, but remember that individual features may or may not be available on the particular bulb you wish to buy, remember to check its features before making a purchase.
Why you should get a smart bulb
- Since we’re a security site, first things first – SECURITY. With smart bulbs you can forget about boring light timers and set your lights to turn on and off, making it look like you’re home even when you’re away and that’s awesome.
- You can control your light bulb from anywhere using just your phone
- Forget day/night sensors and light timers – with a smart bulb you can pre-set all these features using your phone
- Switch your light bulb on and off
- Adjust from a white to a yellow hue
- Adjust brightness or allow the bulb to progressively dim out
- Transform your home and create the atmosphere and mood you want in seconds
- Change the colour setting (most smart bulbs can manage up to 16 million different colour settings)
- Set a schedule for your bulb to automatically switch on and off or adjust with the natural light outside.
- Smart bulbs are LED, making them more economical and longer lasting (most smart LED bulbs will last for 20,000 hours)
How to set up your smart LED light bulbs in South Africa
Setting up your smart LED light bulb in South Africa is pretty straightforward (even when most systems, apps, and hubs are not local) but what you will need to do will depend entirely on which product and set-up you opt for. Once you purchase your smart bulb you should read the instructions and follow them to get set up but, here’s a summary of setting up the average smart lightbulb:
- Remove the bulb from the box and ensure it is in perfect condition
- Remove your set-up instructions leaflet from the box, or check the box for set-up instructions
- Visit Google Play Store or Apple Store and search for the app linked to your specific device (for example Yeelight) or scan the QR code on the box using your phone and you’ll be directed to the correct app
- Install the app and set up an account if necessary
- Install your physical light bulb into a socket and switch the light on
- The app may show you a list of devices, choose your product and then add or register it (a light may blink when you add it)
- Add your WiFi password to connect the light bulb to your WiFi
- Once ready you will be able to control your smart light, add an on-off schedule, adjust colour and brightness and more
Where to buy SMART LED light bulbs in South Africa
These days the best and most secure place to purchase any home or DIY product is online. Many companies offer free delivery and you can skip painful shopping. Most online retailers including Take a lot and Builders Warehouse sell smart light bulbs and will deliver them straight to your house. Before buying a smart bulb you may want to check out my list of top 10 SMART devices so you can build a smart home ecosystem with ease over time (by choosing the right hub that can control all your desired devices).
Product #1: BNETA Smart WiFi LED Bulb
In summary: Best introductory LED smart bulb on the South African market since it is WiFi enabled and you do not need to buy a hub. You can download a free app to control it and it can be voice-controlled using Alexa or Google Home. You can purchase the screw-in or pin version at around R300 for 800 lumens which is not the brightest but will do its job.
Where to buy: Bneta smart bulb
Product #2: Connex Connect Smart Technology LED Bulb
In summary: 16 million colour options, can connect directly to your router so no hub is required and can be voice controlled with Amazon’s Alex or Google Home (for those with iPhones you will need to use the app). Connect via the free app on your phone. 1050 lumens, which is one of the strongest smart bulbs I’ve come across. Price wise it’s also the cheapest coming in at R265 at time of writing.
Where to buy: Connex smart LED bulb
Product #3: Xiaomi Yeelight Smart LED Filament Bulb
In summary: More expensive than the other options discussed so far but offers a decent 800 lumens which is what I think you should get, at the very least. This is one of the best (and only) options for iOS users who want to control their lights using Siri. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as well as MiHome will work with this bulb. You do not need a hub as it features built-in WiFi and can enjoy 16 million colour options and 25,000 hours of operation.
Where to buy: Xiaomi Yeelight smart LED
Product #4: Mipow Lite Rainbow Colour Bluetooth Smart Bulb
In summary: Both iOS and Android devices are supported. Smart bulb is Bluetooth enabled with a 10-meter range. To control bulbs from anywhere you will need to purchase a hub. You can download the PlayBulb X App to control the smart bulb. Offers up to 16 million colour variations. 280 lumens means the bulb is not very strong and it costs almost twice as much as the BNETA bulb. Price at the time of writing is R565.
Where to buy: Mipow smart bulb
Product #5: LIFESMART Blend RGB LED Light Bulb by Syntech
In summary: This is one of the more high-end and advanced smart LED light bulbs in South Africa and comes in at R669.00. It also has 16 million light variations, and 3 fun dynamic light effect settings including music mode which allows the colours to change in sync with the music being played. Since it is Bluetooth enabled, you will need the SMARTLIFE HUB to enjoy its full functionality but it has a 20m range which is better than the other Bluetooth options.
Where to buy: LIFESMART light bulb
Product #6: Smart LED RGBW A60 Globe
In summary: With an impressive 810 lumens, this is actually the most affordable option on our list coming at R255. It comes with a 2-year warranty and makes use of their free Smart Control App or Google Home, Google Assistant or Alexa. You can programme the bulb to switch on and off whenever you require and it has up to 16 million colours and you can also adjust the brightness.
Where to buy: Smart A60 Globe
Product #7: Smart LED Opal Globe by Eglo
In summary: This 806-lumen bulb is one of my personal favourites simply because you can automatically control multiple bulbs via its Smart Control App. Like most bulbs on this list it features 16 million colours but unlike the others has 50,000 whites too. Controlled via Bluetooth you don’t need internet access to use it.
Where to buy: Opal Globe by Eglo
What do you think of my top 7 LED light bulbs in South Africa? Do you have any of these smart lightbulbs in your home? Let us know which and what your experience of them was in the comments below, your fellow South Africans will appreciate it!
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I got 2 of the lifesmart ones much brighter and better than the no name ones from takealoet.also recommend for if the people go for the holiday
How can I get in touch for someone to review our smart light bulbs. mandltech.co.za