PC Magazine July 2017

COLOR AND LUMINANCE
Some of the bulbs on this list are just white, while
others have the ability to take on any color of the
rainbow. Color is a fun way to add atmosphere to your
home but often results in a pricier bulb.
Most of the smart bulbs we review are marketed as
equivalent to 60-watt incandescent models, which
sounds self-explanatory—but some bulbs are brighter
than others. To see just how bright a light is, you need
to look at the lumens it puts out: the more lumens, the
brighter the light. Even then, the light can disperse in a
narrow beam or distribute brightness in a wide swath,
so make sure to read the reviews to find out how each
bulb works.
Since you’ll
mostly be
controlling
these lights
from your
phone or tablet,
you want to
make sure that
it’s easy to do.
Another factor to keep in mind is color temperature.
Higher temperatures, like 8,500K, look like harsh office
lighting, which is fine for staying awake or working.
Lower temperatures, like 2,500K, translate to a cozy,
warm glow that’s perfect for relaxing.
CONTROL
Since you’ll mostly be controlling these lights from your
phone or tablet, you want to make sure that it’s easy to
do. If you have multiple bulbs, for instance, you’ll want
a companion app that lets you easily arrange them in
groups and adjust the brightness or color of an entire
group at one time. Do you have an Amazon Echo at
home? Look for a bulb that works with Alexa so you can
control it with your voice.
Of course, any bulb plugged into a socket can always be
turned on or off by just flipping the switch. We pay
close attention to how each app works and provide a
detailed overview in each review.