Smart Bulbs or Switches: Get it Right on the First Try

Introduction

Smart lighting is often the gateway to creating a smart home. At first glance, there may seem to be little difference between purchasing a smart bulb or smart switch. However, as your smart home develops you may find yourself (like me) looking back and wishing you had made a different choice, but not wanting to spend the money or effort to do it over again.

With an abundance of smart lighting options available, it can be difficult to know exactly which type of product to buy. In this article, I’ll use my own experience to help you make the right decision the first time. Read on to discover which option is best for your smart home.

Overview

Feature	Smart Bulbs	Smart Switches
Dimmable*	✔️	✔️
Color Changing	✔️	❌
Always On*	❌	✔️
Bulb Control	Individual	Group
Installation Method	Wire Free	Requires Wiring
Installation Location	Ceiling	Ground Level
Price*	$10+ per bulb	$15+ per switch

Feature Analysis

Dimmable

Dimmable lighting is one of my favorite smart features. It became my favorite when I had a newborn baby. It was incredibly convenient to be able to turn the light on at a low level in the middle of the night and not be blinded. I now have dimmable lights in all of the bedrooms, and other areas that might be used at night. Here are some areas you might find dimmer bulbs convenient:

• Bedrooms
• Kitchen
• Near the medicine cabinet
• Home Theater

Not all rooms need a dimmer. I have never found a need to dim the living room or dining room for example. Oddly enough, I have not put dimmers in the bathrooms, though you may decide you want to give it a try. The main reason I have not changed them to dimmers is that I like the existing brighter lights in the bathrooms, and a simple plug-in night light is generally sufficient when it’s dark.

So which type of device is the better dimmer? I have found no difference between bulbs and switches.

Color Changing

Color changing capability is a feature that has fallen short for me, and I rarely use my color changing bulbs. Initially, I thought that setting the light to red at night might be easier on the eyes, but it turned out that dimming the light was just as effective—sometimes better. There was also an added complexity when needing to set the light back to its normal color during the day. It can be hard to find the right color, especially if you want to match it to other bulbs.

If you have a specific use for a color changing bulb, then I encourage you to go for it. If you’re unsure or just think it sounds like fun, you might be better off skipping this feature for now.

Always On

The “always on” requirement of smart devices has been the biggest factor in pushing me towards smart switches. Too often I’ve had a visitor or child turn off the switch for my smart bulbs, leaving me confused later when the light isn’t working. Unlike smart bulbs, which become inoperative if the switch is off, a smart switch can be turned back on if someone turns it off.

With a smart switch, you don’t need to change any habits, and more importantly, neither does anyone else. That’s why I always choose smart switches when possible.

Bulb Control

The flexibility of individual bulb control may sound appealing, but I’ve found it doesn’t make a significant difference. While I do take advantage of turning on a single bulb at night when I can, I do not miss it when it’s not possible. Generally, just being able to dim all the bulbs together is good enough.

On the other hand, configuring multiple bulbs can be a hassle. They need to be added to a group for simultaneous control, and they also need individual automation settings to act independently.

Individual control might be important in specific setups, like a home theater where you need to manage front and back lights separately. However, for most cases, single control via a smart switch is usually sufficient.

Installation

Smart switches require some wiring, similar to replacing a light switch. If you’re not willing to do any wiring, then your decision is simple—you should go with smart bulbs. However, if you’re like me and willing to do a little electrical work, then a switch is a viable purchase. Keep in mind that you should only need to do the installation once. Just be sure to do it safely by turning off the power.

Other installation factors are less impactful, but they are still worth discussing:

Neutral Wire Required: Smart bulbs don’t require a neutral wire. In the past, smart switches required it, so you had to be careful that your home’s wiring supported a smart switch. Fortunately, you can now buy switches that don’t require a neutral wire. If you’re unsure about your wiring, just opt for a no-neutral switch.

Floor vs. Ceiling: Light switches are installed at ground level, while bulbs are often in the ceiling. While this can make bulbs slightly inconvenient, it’s not usually a deal-breaker.

Number of Devices: You will likely need more bulbs compared to switches, which means the overall cost for bulbs will probably be higher. Pairing and configuring more bulbs versus switches gives a slight edge to switches too, but it’s not usually a major factor. However, if you plan to automate every light in your home, you’ll need to ensure your network can support all the connections. I recommend avoiding Wi-Fi devices, as they tend to be less compatible with other smart home devices, and you may end up with too many for your router to handle. Instead, consider a Zigbee Hub and use Zigbee-compatible devices.

Smart Switches are more difficult to install, but you will need fewer of them. For me it has been worth the effort to install switches. It is also worth noting that smart switches can be used for more than just lighting. They can be used in any switch like a fan or garbage disposal.

Summary

Buy Smart Bulbs if:

• You do not want to do any wiring
• You must have the color changing capabilities
• You need to independently control each bulb

Otherwise, get a Smart Switch

• Streamlined configuration
• Group control
• Cheaper overall
• Does not require learning new habits

Recommended Products (paid links)

Smart Bulbs

Philips Hue Start Kit: The first smart home device I purchased back in 2015 was an older version of this starter kit. I still use it to this day and have purchased a few extra Philips Hue Bulbs since. Phililps Hue makes a high-quality product that is easy to set up. It come with its own app and integrates easily with a variety of smart home platforms. Their products tend to be more expensive, but you won’t be disappointed. If you already have a Hue Bridge you can pick up some extra light bulbs, or browser the Hue Store.

SYLVANIA SMART Zigbee Bulb: This is a cheaper Zigbee option I have found and tested. The lights have been working great for years. I liked them enough to buy more for a room that didn’t have a neutral wire (this was before no-neutral switches were easy to find). A Zigbee Hub is required.

Smart Switches

SONOFF ZBMINI Zigbee Mini Relay (Neutral Wire Required): This has become my favorite smart switch due to its low price and how easy it is to install. I will warn that it is a little cheap and I have broken them during install before, but once installed they work great. It does require a Zigbee hub.

SONOFF ZBMINI Zigbee Mini Relay (No Neutral): I have not tried this product yet, but I intend to try it soon.

Moes Wi-Fi Smart Switch: If you must have a Wi-Fi product then you will want one with good compatibility. I have not been disappointed by any of Moes products. They connect via Tuya (aka SmartLife), and I have been able to connect them to Home Assistant, Hubitat, and Alexa from there. If you look around you can also find 3-way switches, dimmers, and a relay switch.

FAQ

Can I have a mix of switches and bulbs?

Yes, you can mix smart switches and smart bulbs in your home. This setup allows you to use switches for most of your lights while reserving smart bulbs for specific areas where you need their unique features.

Is a Smart Relay the Same as a Smart Switch?

A Smart Relay is a device that installs behind an existing switch. It adds network capabilities and can control light. Relays typically function the same as a switch and are actually my preferred method for making a switch smart.

Can a Dimmer Switch be installed with a fan?

If you have a fan and lights on the same switch, you should not install a dimmer switch. Most fans are not designed to handle variable voltage, even if the fan has multiple speeds. You might burn out the motor or cause other damage. Install a regular switch, or use smart dimmer bulbs.

What about smart outlets (such as for lamps)?

Smart outlets are useful for various situations beyond lighting, such as automating fans, Christmas lights, or appliances. I use one to voice control my garbage disposal. While they can be used for lamps, they don’t necessarily offer advantages over using smart bulbs, especially if you’re interested in features like dimming or color changing.

Do smart switches work with regular bulbs?

Generally, yes. If you install a smart dimmer switch you will need dimmable bulbs (the bulbs do not need to be smart).

Can I use a regular switch with a smart bulb?

Yes, but the smart features of the bulb will only work when the switch is in the “on” position. If the switch is off, the smart bulb will not receive power and won’t function.

Do smart switches require a smart home hub?

Some smart switches work with Wi-Fi and don’t require a hub, but others use Zigbee or Z-Wave and will need a compatible hub to function. I typically use Zigbee devices.