When looking for ways to save money at home, there’s no doubt that you’ll come across mentions of the smart bulbs. These bulbs tend to be more energy-efficient compared to other bulbs, but how long do they actually last?
A smart bulb will last up to 15,000 to 25,000 hours or roughly 15 to 25 years, whichever comes first. The amount of usage of the bulb and sometimes the manufacturer will determine how long the smart bulb lasts. Most smart bulbs will come with a warranty in case something goes wrong.
Now that you know how long do smart bulbs last, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about it before making your purchase.
What Is a Smart Bulb?
A smart bulb is an internet-capable light bulb, usually a Light Emitting Diodes (LED).
This internet capability lets users control the lighting settings completely remotely via an application on your phone.
You can also use the app to set up a schedule or turn your lights on and off with it.
You’ll end up using either a mobile device or a home automation hub to control the features of your smart bulbs.
The Reason They Last Longer
A regular incandescent light bulb can last you 1,000 hours, give or take a few hours of usage.
Then you have the compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs, which can last 10,000 hours and of course, the LED bulbs can last up to 25,000 hours.
Even though incandescent bulbs are the cheapest option, they burn out fast, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to save money.
It’s the filaments in the bulbs that will burn out and stop emitting light, and in the incandescent bulbs, they do it more quickly.
An LED light doesn’t use filaments to create light, which is why they last so much longer than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.
Instead, LEDs use the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material to create light.
Yeah, I know, I get carried away with engineering facts.
They Are Energy-Efficient
LED light bulbs are one of the most energy-efficient technologies out there. These types of bulbs can use about 75% less energy than a regular incandescent light bulb.
The reason for this is because incandescent bulbs will use about 90% of the energy they consume to convert to heat, while the rest of that is used toward emitting light.
They’ll Save You Money
Who doesn’t love to save money when they can? Since these smart bulbs are almost always LED and therefore more energy-efficient, they will save you some money on your electricity bills.
However, the upfront costs of the smart bulbs you buy will likely be more expensive than regular bulbs.
They’ll typically last longer than regular light bulbs, so you’ll end up saving money in the long run.
So, How Much Do smart bulbs Actually Cost?
A smart LED bulb’s price is going to vary depending on the brand. They can run at an upwards of $60 for some, while others can be relatively inexpensive.
The price is going to be determined by the features the bulb offers. These features can include size, shape, and if they change colors at all.
Not to mention if you don’t use your mobile app to control the bulbs, you’ll need to purchase a hub for them.
Top 5 Bulbs to Buy
Philips Hue White and Color
This is one of the most expensive smart bulbs out there. However, despite Amazon’s price of $90 for a pack of 2, you get a lot of features with this setup.
You can set routines for these bulbs. They have a sunrise/sunset automation, scenes, geofencing, and a “vacation” mode. These lights will work with your Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and many other apps.
However, in order to work with or even without those devices, you will need a bridge or hub installed. The bridge works to connect your bulb to your wireless network, but don’t worry most packages come already with it.
You can also get the bulb alone in case you want to hook up more.
There is a disclaimer out there that states the Philip Hue systems have a known security flaw.
This will require you to update the firmware on your bulbs to prevent any malware from jumping through your bridge and into your network.
These bulbs will make a great addition to your smart home if you can stomach the price.
The Wyze Bulb
On the other hand, these are possibly the cheapest smart bulb on the market right now. You can purchase one of these from their website for $8. Amazon has the same Wyze Bulb listed at $16 for one bulb.
These bulbs will work with Alexa and Google Assistant to control your lights.
You can set the color temperature of your rooms to fit your mood, set a schedule for your lights, and it has a vacation mode as well to make it look like someone is home while you’re away.
They also have a separate device that you can set up on your door so that when you open and close it, the lights will turn on or off.
These little bulbs are a great alternative for those looking to upgrade to smart bulbs but have a strict budget.
Sengled Smart LED Bulb
This smart bulb is slightly more expensive than the Wyze bulb but nowhere near as expensive as the Philips.
You can purchase this Sengled Smart Bulb on Amazon for $10 for the soft white option, but you can get a multicolor option for $25.
This bulb offers you the same features as the Wyze. They will work with your Alexa; however, this bulb requires a hub to be purchased as well.
It’s easy to set up your bulbs. You just follow the prompts on the app. You can set a schedule and control the lights from your app.
Now the hub is sold separately and you can use a variety of hubs with these bulbs; however, the Sengled Smart Hub will remove any possible issues you might have with compatibility.
On Amazon, the Sengled Smart Hub is $30.
LIFX Mini White
This bulb runs for $19 on Amazon. It doesn’t require a hub, so that is a major plus side. You can control the lights using an app on your phone. Y
ou can set schedules and dimmers with the app and everything is connected through your Wi-Fi network.
Not requiring a hub makes this one of the cheaper smart bulbs you can find on the market today.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb
Filament style LED bulbs are becoming more popular in recent years. They cast a softer, more vintage glow on the room they’re in, which is why they are so favorable.
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Bulb is $15 on Amazon. This is a little more expensive than some other options out there, but if you are looking for that vintage style of bulb, this is your best bet.
It works directly with your Wi-Fi network, so it doesn’t need a hub. You can dim the lights, set a schedule, as well as turn the lights on and off from the app on your device.
Hub or No Hub?
One of the decisions you’ll need to make when deciding whether to purchase a smart bulb or not is if you want to spend the additional money on a hub.
If you don’t or can’t spend the money right away, there’s no need to worry. Most hubless bulbs will work with a hub. So, if in the future you decide to add a hub, you won’t need to purchase new bulbs.
Conclusion
You now know that smart bulbs can last from 15,000 hours to 25,000 hours, depending on brand and usage. Not only do they last longer than standard light bulbs, but they have a lot of other benefits as well.