Home LivingSmart Home7 mistakes everyone makes with smart lightingSmart lights not working as you expected? You could be making these common mistakes…When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingSmart Home7 mistakes everyone makes with smart lightingSmart lights not working as you expected? You could be making these common mistakes…When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Smart lights not working as you expected? You could be making these common mistakes…
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: WiZ)
(Image credit: WiZ)
Do your smart bulbs flicker in an annoying way? Or maybe it doesn’t quite fit into the fixture? Then you could be making some serious mistakes with your smart lighting.
Many people are making the switch to thebest smart bulbs. Having a smart light, lamp or strip in your home unlocks the ability to easily control your home’s lighting with a quick tap on your phone or using your voice. With multiple colours, brightness and warmth settings to choose from, you can perfectly set the mood in your home while also saving money on your electricity bills.
While smart home devices have become easier to set up and use, it’s still common to make mistakes with installation, apps and using them day-to-day. But if you’re making these smart light mistakes, you won’t be getting the most out of them and you could end up spending more on your bulbs than you should be.
To get the most out of your smart bulbs and strips, avoid making these seven mistakes everyone makes with smart lighting.
1. Not checking your light fixtures before buying
If you put the wrong type, size or shape of light bulb into a lamp or ceiling fixture, many things can happen. For example, it might not fit at all so you have to buy a completely new bulb, or the light isn’t suited to the fixture so it looks odd and doesn’t perform as well as it should.
While smart bulbs tend to conserve more energy than traditional bulbs, they do still produce a small amount of heat. When you install a smart bulb into a light fixture, you’ll need to consider if the light is able to dissipate the heat so it doesn’t get too hot or overwork itself. With this in mind, you should avoid fixtures and environments where your smart bulb is too enclosed, otherwise the heat will stay in the bulb and cause it to stop working quicker.
On a less serious note, some smart bulbs don’t look good or work properly if installed in certain fixtures. Think about it: you wouldn’t put a spotlight bulb into a lamp so don’t do the same with your smart lighting. It’s all about making the rooms in your home look attractive so make sure to install the right size and shape to get the most out of your lighting.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
(Image credit: Philips Hue)
(Image credit: Philips Hue)
2. Checking wattage, not lumen
Smart bulbs aren’t measured in watts so if you’re looking for the maximum wattage on your lighting strip, you’re not going to find much success. Instead, most smart lights are measured in lumen which explains the amount of brightness your bulb can provide. Before you choose your bulb, it’s important to check its lumen output so you don’t buy a light that’s too bright or that’s too dark.
3. Not buying a hub or bridge
4. Neglecting to set up routines and timers
(Image credit: Canva)
(Image credit: Canva)
5. Focusing on colours and ignoring warmth
Smart bulbs have the full colour spectrum, meaning there are thousands of colours to choose from. Because of this, it’s easy to get over excited about the colours but let’s be honest, no one wants to sit in a living room with an intense blood red colour! Instead, focus on the warmth of your bulbs rather than the colour. Choosing a colour that’s too intense or vibrant can give you a headache or make you feel uncomfortable, so try to keep the bright pinks or dark greens to special occasions.
For everyday, choosing white or yellows makes your home feel cosier but if the light is offensively bright, it can hurt your eyes. Instead, play around with the warmth so it’s softer, which is good for rooms where you want to feel comfortable and sleepy. For rooms where you want to feel more awake, play around with the coolness of your bulbs, like a light blue to set the tone and keep you alert.
6. Using a dimmer switch to control them
With a smart bulb app, you can easily dim your lights but if you have a bulb that’s wired into a dimmer switch, this can cause problems. As your smart bulb already has dimming built into it, having external dimmer technology can cause the two mechanisms to clash. This can result in your bulb flickering or buzzing annoyingly or your light to start changing its brightness unexpectedly. Stick to using the dimmer controls in your app instead.
7. Not manually resetting them
Today’s best Smart Lighting deals$5.94View$29.99$11.99View$20.19$12.77ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Smart Lighting deals$5.94View$29.99$11.99View$20.19$12.77ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Smart Lighting deals
$5.94View$29.99$11.99View$20.19$12.77View
$5.94View
$5.94View
$5.94View
$5.94
$5.94
$29.99$11.99View
$29.99$11.99View
$29.99$11.99View
$29.99$11.99
$11.99
$20.19$12.77View
$20.19$12.77View
$20.19$12.77View
$20.19$12.77
$12.77
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Samsung Galaxy S25: every leak, rumour and spec we’ve heard before the launch eventThis is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
Philips Hue upgrades its app with its first ever AI lighting assistantPhilips Hue introduces an AI-powered assistant and LG TV support
Philips Hue introduces an AI-powered assistant and LG TV support
Philips Hue finally upgrades its app with multi-bridge supportPhilips Hue users with multiple Hue Bridges are going to love this app update
Philips Hue users with multiple Hue Bridges are going to love this app update
Forget Philips Hue – these LiFX outdoor lights hide under the roof for all-year mood lightingLiFX introduces Permanent Outdoor Lights for all-year use – but they’d be great for Christmas
LiFX introduces Permanent Outdoor Lights for all-year use – but they’d be great for Christmas
Philips Hue rumoured to launch two new 24-hour lighting effects – here’s all you need to knowThey could be here sooner than expected
They could be here sooner than expected
Govee teams up with Dallas Mavericks to elevate at-home courtside experience using smart lightingWatching your favourite basketball team will never be the same after this
Watching your favourite basketball team will never be the same after this
Philips Hue upgrades its app with AR feature – but there’s a catchPhilips Hue app gets exciting updates, including AR tools and do not disturb modes
Philips Hue app gets exciting updates, including AR tools and do not disturb modes
Move over Philips Hue, Eufy’s smart lights change colour for each person who approaches themEufy takes on Philips Hue with its new smart lighting collection
Eufy takes on Philips Hue with its new smart lighting collection
Nanoleaf finally launches its own smart switch – and it’s insanely affordableNanoleaf’s Sense+ Smart Switch is here and it’s got Matter early access
Nanoleaf’s Sense+ Smart Switch is here and it’s got Matter early access
