Having been a fan of smart homes, one of the first product I’ve tried was smart bulbs. However, before buying my first bulb, I was considering whether to buy a bulb or a smart switch.

They both have huge pros and cons, and if you ask an expert in the home automation space, they would advise you to use smart bulbs for lamps and everything else try a smart light switch.

A Smart Switch Is The Best When Your Have Multiple Bulbs

In places where there are a lot of bulbs, a smart light switch will be a great option because it is less expensive. For instance, in the kitchen where there is recessed lighting, a smart switch can be cheaper since you’ll need one.

Further, if you want to add a bit of color to your kitchen, it might make more sense to put some light strips on your cabins and light switches as it is far cheaper than a smart bulb.

Purchasing smart bulbs for every fixture in your home is a waste of money, and it is very costly. Therefore, leave smart bulbs for lamps and other places where you can’t control with a wall switch.

Convenience

With a smart bulb, convenience is a huge factor as guests or family members may have a tough time turning on the light. They may not know which tablet or voice command to use.

However, you can always write the steps, if you have the time. There are many accessories for smart bulbs like a remote that can mount to the wall and voice-controlled apps.

In these circumstances, a smart light switch is your best option since, by design, it’s like a regular light switch.

Smart Bulbs Are Best To Use For Entertainment And The Office

A smart bulb comes in handy when you spend a lot of time in the office. You can change the color from a white to a more bluish hue, which increases creativity and energy.

Sure, smart bulbs are going to cost more than a smart light switch. But if you spend a lot of time in your office, then it might make more sense to have a smart bulb for better control.

For the family room, I prefer smart light bulbs and smart light strips it’s a lot more fun to change the colors rather than using a switch.

The Pros And Cons Of Smart Bulbs

Pros

• Smart bulbs can connect directly to your Wi-Fi network.
• They are compatible with Google Home or Alexa
• Some require a hub.
• They are incredibly easy to install.
• Dimmable with a variety of colors.

Cons

• The fixture needs to remain on so you can remotely control it.
• Expansive.

Overall, a smart bulb is very easy to install and has a variety of colors that are appealing to many homeowners.

The Pros And Cons Of Smart Switch

Pros

• Smart light switches connect to your Wi-Fi.
• Compatible with Alexa, Google Home kit.
• Easy to use as they work as a regular switch.
• App and voice-controlled.
• One switch controls multiple bulbs.

Cons

• Permanent installation.
• Set-up takes 15-30 minutes.

Which Brand To Buy?

Now, that you have read the pros and cons of a smart bulb and switch. Which is the best in the market?

The #1 choice for smart bulbs is Philips Hue.

The Philips hue is one of the popular choices for newcomers who want to transform their homes into a smart hub. One benefit of using this high-quality bulb is they are very easy to the navigate and install.

The #1 choice for a smart switch is the Lutron Caseta

The Luntron Caseta offers a wide range of features including automatic turn-on and off, schedule lighting, dimmable capabilities. You can also use voice control commands from Google Home and Alexa.

While bulbs are an excellent option, a smart switch allows you to operate multiple bulbs for one price. This is cheaper, and the smart switch has most of the features a smart bulb provides. If you are getting them both purchase, the Philip Hue and the Lutron Caseta, they are the best in the market.