There seems to be no escape fromsmart technologylately. It feels like it s becoming more prevalent (and more ridiculous) by the day, with no product truly safe from needless smart integration. Smart fridges, smart ovens, smart toilets and now, smartlight bulbs. Don t let curiosity get the best of you without considering the potential downsides of a smart light bulb. While these products advertise innovative features and great convenience, there are five valid reasons to avoid a new smart light bulb today. Let s review them all below.
5 Must-Know Facts About Smart Light Bulbs
Smart light bulbs are energy-efficient LED bulbs that connect to your Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth devices. They can typically be controlled using a smartphone app or voice commands.
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06/27/2023 08:41 pm GMT
The History of Smart Light Bulbs
In today s era of rampant IoT (or Internet of Things) devices, it s easy to chuckle at the idea of a smart light bulb. Is this really something we need? After all, we ve done just fine without them for all these years since the invention of the incandescent light bulb in the late 19th century. Nevertheless, an increasing number of light bulb brands continue to unveil their own takes on the smart light bulb. It all began in the early 2010s.
As more companies made the switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs in the early 10s, it was only a matter of time before companies such as Philips and Belkin took advantage of the tech. Because LEDs were smaller, more durable, and consumed less electricity than incandescent bulbs, they could readily serve as the foundation for the development of smart light bulbs. By 2012, smart home technology brought forth the first generation of smart light bulbs.
These smart light bulbs utilized wireless connectivity and could be controlled through smartphone apps or home automation systems. Initially, smart bulbs required additional hardware to connect with a home s Wi-Fi network. However, as technology advanced, newer smart bulbs found ways to connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and effectively eliminate the need for additional hardware.
Smart assistant integration came after, allowing users to speak commands to adjust the brightness, color, or on/off status of their bulbs. Color-changing bulbs followed suit. Today, smart light bulbs continue to evolve with advancements in connectivity, energy efficiency, and functionality. They have become an integral part ofsmart homeecosystems, seamlessly integrating with other devices like thermostats, security systems, and entertainment setups.
Smart light bulbs wirelessly connect to your devices through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
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Why Avoid A New Smart Light Bulb Today?
Before you go out and buy a set of new smart light bulbs, consider this: There are some serious problems with this technology you won t find in the product s listing. We ve compiled the five most common complaints below. It s important to hold off on your purchase until you weigh these factors against the potential benefits of smart bulbs. You should also consider your specific needs and preferences before making a final decision. Let s take a look at the five reasons to avoid a new smart light bulb today.
Cost Per Bulb
One reason to avoid a new smart light bulb today? The sheer cost of each bulb. Smart bulbs are far more expensive than traditional bulbs. If the average home has around 40 bulbs, it might cost you $500 or more to replace them all. While the price of a smart bulb has decreased over the years, the upfront cost remains far higher than a basic traditional bulb.
Complicated Setup
Did you ever think there d come a time when you needed to set up your light bulbs? It s a ludicrous thought. But, it s the reality for smart light bulb owners. This is another reason to consider avoiding smart light bulbs: needlessly complicated setup. From connecting to a Wi-Fi network to downloading an app to troubleshooting your bulb s features, it s all just too much to handle for some. If you d rather just screw in the bulb and be done with it, then you definitely don t want a smart bulb.
Reliable Connection Needed
Smart bulbs rely on the strength of your home s technology infrastructure. In order to function properly, they need a stable Internet or Bluetooth connection and a network of compatible devices to communicate with. If you have frequent issues with your Wi-Fi connection or don t have a proper Bluetooth device to control your bulbs, then you might want to avoid a new smart light bulb. These bulbs need state-of-the-art technology to avoid disruptions or malfunctions, and if you can t provide that, then you shouldn t buy any.
Weak Security
Smart bulbs are part of the IoT trend. Short for Internet of Things, IoT devices include smart bulbs, smart thermostats, smart appliances, or smart doorbells. These trendy tech products have very poor security measures in place, but they still connect to your Wi-Fi regardless. This makes them very susceptible to hacking. It doesn t take much work for a hacker to access your network through a weak IoT device. If you have privacy concerns, then you definitely don t want to put some smart bulbs in your home.
Short Lifespans
Smart light bulb brands claim their products can last 20,000 to 50,000 hours or more. That might seem like a lot, especially compared to an incandescent bulb s measly 1,000 hours or less. Let s compare this to an LED bulb s lifespan, though. Your typical LED bulb can last upwards of 100,000 hours in all. Looking at it this way, smart light bulbs actually have significantly less life than a normal, non-smart-equipped LED bulbs. (That s not even touching on any potential shortcomings in the actual smart components themselves, which might not last anywhere near 50,000 hours.)
It s hard to justify the cost of a smart light bulb when traditional bulbs are so affordable.
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In Review: Reason To Avoid A New Smart Light Bulb
While the allure of smart light bulbs may be strong, it s important to carefully evaluate whether they truly align with your needs and priorities. Consumers should not overlook these potential drawbacks, from cost implications to complex setups and privacy concerns. It s essential to consider factors such as your budget, technological comfort level, and the long-term viability of smart components before checking out. By weighing these considerations against the promised benefits, you can make the most well-informed decision about whether to embrace or avoid a new smart light bulb.
Reasons To Avoid A New Smart Light Bulb
Cost per smart bulb is much higher than the price of traditional bulbs
Setup for smart light bulbs is much more complicated than screwing in a non-smart bulb
Smart light bulbs need a reliable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to work properly
IoT devices such as smart light bulbs are more susceptible to security breaches
The lifespan of a smart light bulb is shorter than a non-smart LED bulb
