Number 3. TP-Link Kasa Smart WiFi Light Bulb
TP-Link’s Kasa brand is recognized for producing reliable yet budget-friendly smart home gadgets, and their smart lights are no exception. Our test of their WiFi-only multicolor smart bulbs found them simple to install and operate, with an array of features available at an affordable price; a pack of four multicolor bulbs only costs $40.
Kasa’s multicolor smart lights not only have an effortless installation process but also maintained a stable connection throughout our testing, while the companion mobile app is user-friendly and neat. All of the key functions for each light can be accessed on the dedicated page for that bulb, allowing you to adjust brightness, white levels, color, schedules, and more without having to navigate through multiple menus. Changing colors is practically instant, and the light responds immediately as you swipe your finger across the color wheel in the app. Modifying the four presets you can save takes only a few taps, as does grouping multiple bulbs into rooms and setting up lighting schedules. For scheduling, the app displays the next step in the schedule (such as off at 8:35 pm) next to each light.
In addition, there is a useful “usage” section on each light’s page that shows its energy consumption over time, along with an estimate of how much energy you’re saving by using a smart light instead of a regular one. This would be an interesting feature to observe over several weeks or months, particularly if energy conservation is one of the main reasons you opted for smart lights.
TP-Link asserts that you can connect an “unlimited” number of smart devices to their mobile app, meaning you can have as many Kasa smart lights in your home as you wish. However, we only tested a few bulbs together, so we cannot confirm how dozens of connected devices would impact app speed and light response time. These bulbs are WiFi-only, which means that connecting them to a Zigbee hub is not an option, so bear this in mind before investing in a house full of these gadgets. Additionally, note that these lights are not compatible with Apple’s HomeKit, although you can control them using Alexa and Google Assistant commands.
