{"id":3865,"date":"2019-12-05T18:57:32","date_gmt":"2019-12-05T18:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thesmartcave.com\/?p=3865"},"modified":"2020-03-04T15:12:11","modified_gmt":"2020-03-04T15:12:11","slug":"smart-bulb-vs-smart-switch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartcave.com\/smart-bulb-vs-smart-switch\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Bulb or Smart Switch: Does it really matter?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Smart lighting is one of the best ways to use smart home technology. But doing it well takes a little planning. Part of that planning is deciding when to use smart bulbs and when to install smart switches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people may try to convince you that you need to have all<\/em> smart bulbs or all<\/em> smart switches. Don’t listen to them. I have lots of experience using both devices. Often times, an even better result can be achieved with a mix of both. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Smart bulbs can bring dynamic, mood enhancing color into any room. Whereas smart switches make a more user friendly experience for you and your family. What follows is my advice on when to use each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The big problem with smart bulbs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Don’t be this guy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What do you do with the wall switch?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you install a smart bulb, your wall switch can become a nuisance. If you or someone else uses your standard wall switch to turn off your smart bulb, the lights will turn off. However, the power for your bulb’s wireless communication will turn off too. Therefore, you will lose any ability to control the light with your smart home until you manually turn the switch back on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine. I’ll just stop using the wall switch and always use voice to control the lights. No big deal, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many times when a good old-fashioned wall switch is the best, most convenient way to turn on the lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also universally understood. Family members or visitors may not know the proper voice command, but everyone knows how to use a light switch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You never want something as simple as turning a light on or off to become confusing or difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The big problem with smart switches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The world is cooler with color and smart switches don’t do color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A smart switch replaces your old wall switch and controls the power to your light fixture. Most people install standard lights in the fixture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have no desire for color changing bulbs, then you don’t really have a decision to make. Smart switches are the better choice for sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, if you’re like me and think color lights are awesome (more on that below), it makes things more complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5 More Factors to Consider<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the big problems described above will usually be enough to decide whether you want a smart bulb or a smart switch, there are a few other factors and situations that might sway the decision towards one or the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Smart bulbs are easy to install<\/h3>\n\n\n\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>