The smart WiFi bulb is a new type of light bulb that connects to a WiFi network and can be controlled from your phone, tablet, or computer.
You’ll need a WiFi connection for the smart bulb, but it’s compatible with any existing wireless network. Unlike traditional light bulbs, the smart bulb is full color and dimmable.
These lights are relatively new phenomena that allow for automated and efficient lights control. The bulbs function by remotely connecting to the internet and sending information back and forth between the bulb and mobile devices. Once this connection is established, the user has complete control over their lights.
If you’re thinking about buying a smart WiFi bulb, but you’re not sure how it works, then this blog post is for you. This blog post will provide you with the low down on how a smart WiFi bulb works, the benefits you can gain by installing a smart WiFi bulb, and the drawbacks of a traditional, non-smart WiFi bulb.
What is a Smart WiFi Bulb?
Extravagant and practical, smart WiFi bulbs are a great way to add light in an inconvenient spot. Modern bulbs that you can control from your phone or laptop provide convenience and save energy. They also offer custom lighting, perfect for those who suffer from winter blues or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
How Does a Smart WiFi Bulb Work?
Smart bulbs are similar to ordinary incandescent bulbs in that they may be controlled by a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile devices. This connection is usually made through a “hub,” such as the Philips Hue Bridge, which works as a link between your phone or tablet and the smart light bulbs in your home. Your router’s smart hub is connected to a gateway, but some smart bulbs don’t have one at all.
Your device, the hub (if installed), and the bulb all have wireless technology built-in that allows you to transfer messages between them, causing the lighting bulb to turn on or off and change colors.
How do you control smart light bulbs?
Smart bulbs work like many of the best smart home devices, using wireless technology to connect to your smartphone and let you control the bulbs from an app.
Some smart bulbs use Bluetooth to pair directly with your phone, but since it’s a point-to-point connection, you won’t be able to control them while you’re away from home. Other smart bulbs use the ZWave or Zigbee wireless protocol, which is a bit faster than Bluetooth and allows controlling multiple devices simultaneously.
However, you cannot control them while away unless used with an optional hub (also called a bridge). If you’re not connected to the same WiFi network, this forward commands from your smartphone to the cloud and the smart light. This means that if you’ve been away for the day and forgot to turn off the bathroom lights, you can open the app and turn off the lights remotely, so you don’t waste energy until you get home.
Several brands use multiple wireless technologies to further integrate your lights with other smart home gadgets and systems you may already have. A smart bulb, for example, may be compatible with Bluetooth, WiFi, and Apple HomeKit, allowing you to customize your smart lighting according to your preferences.
For example, if someone rings your video doorbell after dark, you may set up your smart lighting to illuminate the entire house. Using a smart home automation hub, such as smart lighting that links to your smartphone through WiFi, you can still turn on and off lights while you’re away from home.
Cool Features of a Smart Light Bulb
Are you watching a film or a television show that would benefit from coordinating lighting changes? Some smart bulbs can adjust the illumination and colors based on what’s happening on your screen, so they can be synced with what you’re watching.
When you walk through your home, many smart light bulbs can utilize your smartphone’s GPS position to automatically turn on the lights when you enter a room or turn them off when you leave.
Are you still undecided about smart light bulbs? Let me give you a quick summary:
- Initial costs are higher.
- Increased life expectancy.
- More adaptable and enjoyable
How Do I Set Up a Smart WiFi Bulb?
It’s easy to set up a smart light bulb because there’s no need to conduct heavy-duty work like drilling or rewiring. Although the instructions for each bulb may differ, the following is a basic guideline for setting up a smart light bulb:
- Install the hub. Plug the hub into your router if your smart bulb comes with one.
- Remove all incandescent light bulbs. Screw the smart bulb into the selected light fixture after removing the old bulb.
- Download the app. Download the app associated with the bulb you purchased from the manufacturer’s website.
- Connect the app to the lightbulb. Make a connection between the app and the bulb.
- Name your bulbs. In the unlikely event that you link many lights, label them intuitively, such as “bedroom night table lamp,” so it’s clear which one you’re managing.
Can I Use Smart Bulbs Without WiFi?
You may be unable to connect to the internet for various reasons. Either your internet provider has changed its settings, or your router isn’t working properly. Your internet is down, or the WiFi signal in the upstairs corner room isn’t powerful enough for the light!
So, will your smart lights be able to work?
Yes, in most circumstances.
In addition to WiFi connectivity, bulbs with a Bluetooth connection radio can communicate with your smartphone app via Bluetooth. The communication protocol is the tool they employ to connect. Protocols include Bluetooth, Zigbee (hub), and WiFi networks.
The Bluetooth protocol is a viable alternative when Zigbee or WiFi isn’t available.
For sure smart bulbs to communicate with the phone app only use the 2.4 GHz wireless protocol, requiring a local WiFi connection. If there is no WiFi signal, the majority of manufacturers include Bluetooth in their lights, which allows for close-range communication between the app and the bulbs through Bluetooth.
Conclusion
A smart WiFi bulb is an excellent example of how the IoT (Internet of Things) has become an integral part of our daily lives. They are easily installed in any home, are relatively inexpensive to maintain, and provide users with an exceptional level of control over their lighting.
- Smart bulbs are easy to install because they plug into any standard socket.
- It’s easy to try new lighting schemes with a smart bulb because you can control the brightness and color remotely from your phone or tablet.
We hope you enjoyed our article on how a smart WiFi bulb works. A smart WiFi bulb is an LED light bulb with a WiFi connection to control it remotely. We have included practical tips to help you make the most of the bulb and make your life a little easier.