I don‘t know about you, but it seems like every product is getting a "smart" version nowadays that connects to the internet and phones. Smart watches, smart appliances, even smart toilets! Light bulbs are no exception to this trend. Brands like Philips Hue and LIFX now offer bulbs with features like voice controls, scheduling, and fancy lighting modes.
But are these smart bulbs really all they‘re cracked up to be? Based on my experience testing out home tech products, I wouldn‘t rush to upgrade. Here are 5 key reasons why you may want to avoid smart light bulbs today.
Smart Bulbs Come at a Steep Premium
First off, let‘s talk dollars and cents. Smart LED light bulbs range from $15-$30 per bulb! Just for comparison, you can grab a standard LED bulb for only $2-$5. Now imagine having to replace all the bulbs in your home! That adds up fast:
| Bulb Type | Average Cost per Bulb | Cost to Upgrade 20 Bulbs |
|---|---|---|
| Standard LED | $3 | $60 |
| Smart LED | $25 | $500 |
As you can see, upgrading all your lights to smart bulbs could cost over $500, depending on the size of your home. That princely sum might not fit everyone‘s budget. And you‘ll wait years to recoup that investment through energy savings alone.
Connecting Them is a Major Headache
Getting your new smart bulbs hooked up and working isn‘t as seamless as screwing in a standard LED. From connecting bulbs to your Wi-Fi network to troubleshooting connectivity issues, it takes time and patience.
You‘ll have to download apps for your bulbs, connect them with virtual assistants like Alexa, and learn how to control your new smart lighting system. If you aren‘t too tech-savvy, this process could be incredibly frustrating. Believe me, even gadget lovers can get fed up after the 5th dropped Wi-Fi connection!
Reliability Suffers Compared to "Dumb" Bulbs
Here‘s the hard truth: smart bulbs rely on consistent internet and Bluetooth to function properly. Any disruption can instantly leave your expensive bulbs useless and you in the dark until connectivity returns.
I don‘t know about your home Wi-Fi, but mine has an outage at least once a month. And Bluetooth range limitations (~30 ft) make remote operation from anywhere in your house unlikely. Compared to infinitely reliable standard bulbs, smart lighting seems precarious!
Security Risks to Your Entire Network
With any Internet of Things (IoT) device, connecting smart bulbs to your network introduces privacy and security risks. I hate to say it, but hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in poorly secured IoT gadgets to breach home systems.
Do you want some smart bulb makers that lack liability if anything happens to have full access to your network? It‘s certainly something to consider before plugging these devices in everywhere!
Smart Bulb Lifespans Don‘t Shine as Bright
The final reason I‘d avoid new smart bulbs is their shorter average lifespans. Smart bulb companies boast 20-50 thousand hour lifespans. Not bad right?
Wrong. Standard LED bulbs can last over 100,000 hours – that‘s up to 5 times longer! Now yes, the smart components often stop working before the LEDs actually burn out. But I don‘t know about you – I‘d prefer not to replace light bulbs any earlier than I need to!
| Bulb Type | Average Lifespan (Hours) |
|---|---|
| Standard LED | 100,000 |
| Smart LED | 30,000 |
As you can see, smart bulbs fall short of standard LEDs in expected lifespan. Just another reason I‘m no rush to upgrade all my lights!
I don‘t want to completely dissuade you from smart lighting tech. The conveniences like voice controls, dynamic lighting scenes, and home automation can be game-changers for some. But these perks come at the cost of higher expenses, setup headaches, potential reliability/security issues, and shortened bulb lifespans compared to basic LED lighting.
For households focused on simple, reliable, long-lasting, and affordable lighting, smart bulbs likely aren‘t the right solution today. However, early adopters less concerned with cost or interested in advanced functionality might find smart bulbs to be a worthwhile investment.
It comes down to realistically weighing the pros and cons against your family‘s needs and priorities. I suggest making a list to evaluate if the risks outweigh the benefits for you. Don‘t just blindly hop on the hype train! Smart bulbs have key downsides you should carefully consider before upgrading your home lighting.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to chat more about the latest home tech gadgets and if they are worth it.
