Smart lights

Nanoleaf Shapes
(Image credit: Nanoleaf)

If you’ve never tried a connected internet of things (IoT) device before – aka something that’s part of a ‘smart home’ setup – and are curious to try, then the easiest place to start would be with smart lights.

So, what makes a light smart? Simply put, it will connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network or to your phone via Bluetooth (in some cases, both) so you can control it via a companion app or voice commands using popular virtual assistants such as Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. You can dim them, brighten them, get many of them to change color and add some ambience to your home. If you’ve got multiple smart lights set up from different brands, you can often use a hub to control them all from one place.

Latest about Smart Lights

Philips Hue Flourish table lamp

The Philips Hue Flourish table lamp is getting an upgrade to take on IKEA

By David Nield published

In the market for a new smart lamp for your table? Philips Hue is updating one of its models.

Smart Lights
IKEA smart lights on display

IKEA lighting trends for 2026: give your home a lift with lamps and smart lights from just $3

By Cat Ellis published

Bold and beautiful lighting to give your space the ultimate glow-up.

Smart Lights
Room illuminated using Philips Hue smart lights

Philips Hue pushes out an automations upgrade for the Bridge and Bridge Pro

By David Nield published

Updated A new update for the Philips Hue hubs means better automation management – though we're still waiting for SpatialAware.

Updated
IKEA Varmblixt

This IKEA donut lamp has invaded my dreams, and now I want nothing but to own 12 of them

By Lance Ulanoff published

A popular IKEA desk lamp gets a major smart and color upgrade.

Smart Lights
A three-split image showing three new IKEA products including a speaker, a smart lamp, and an air quality sensor

The 5 best gadgets IKEA announced at CES 2026 – including a smart version of my favorite lamp

By Rowan Davies published

CES 2026 The Varmblixt smart lamp was just the start - here are the 5 best things IKEA unveiled at CES 2026.

CES 2026
Split image of Philips Hue Essential and Lifx Everyday smart light bulbs in concrete lamps

I love the new Philips Hue Essential smart bulbs, but how do the new Lifx Everyday lights compare?

By Cat Ellis published

CES 2026 Lifx has followed in Hue's footsteps with a new line of cheap and very cheerful bulbs, but which ones should be brightening your home?

CES 2026
IKEA Varmblixt smart lights

IKEA just revealed a new donut-shaped smart light – and it'll look sweet on your tables or walls

By Cat Ellis published

CES 2026 The lights can be controlled using a remote, or connected to IKEA's Wi-Fi hub and linked to your smart home system.

CES 2026
Philips Hue lighting scene with and without Hue SpatialAware

The Philips Hue app can now customize lighting scenes so they suit the layout of your rooms

By Cat Ellis published

Hue SpatialAware is a new augmented reality feature that considers the location of your bulbs and lamps when applying a scene.

Smart Lights
The new Govee Ceiling Light Ultra next to the Govee Floor Lamp 3

Govee unveils 3 new smart lights, plus a host of new features to help you create the perfect mood

By Rowan Davies published

CES 2026 There are three new smart lights joining the Govee family, and they're looking to be serious Philips Hue competitors.

CES 2026
Philips Hue Essential bulb next to Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance bulb, both on dimmest setting

Philips Hue Essential lights are spectacular value, but the originals outshine them in one key way

By Cat Ellis published

Hue Essential bulbs are just as good as the originals in most situations, provided you don't need to dial the brightness right down.

Smart Lights
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