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 Lucca

These outdoor Philips Hue lights are next in line for a big rumored upgrade

By David Nield published

Philips Hue has been busy upgrading several product lines recently, and the Lucca series is said to be next.

Smart Lights
Montage of three Philips Hue smart lights on black cyberpunk-inspired background

I test smart lights for a living, and these are my top 3 Philips Hue smart lights to brighten up any space

By Cat Ellis published

Give any room a glow-up and set the mood with these color-shifting smart lights.

Smart Lights
VARMBLIXT donut lamp

A behind-the-scenes look at the 5 best upgrades in the new IKEA donut lamp

By Ruth Hamilton published

Exclusive: 'It felt like a really good place to show how smart features can genuinely improve everyday life.'

Smart Lights
IKEA Varmblixt

IKEA exec shares the secrets behind the brand's new-and-improved donut lamp

By Ruth Hamilton published

One of IKEA's most popular products has had a glow-up – I got the low-down on the new-look donut lamp.

Smart Lights
The Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp shines a multicoloured aurora effect onto a slanted ceiling.

The best smart lights 2026: light up your life with smart bulbs and lamps

By Cat Ellis last updated

Updated We've tested the best smart light bulbs and light panels from all the big brands including Philips Hue and Nanoleaf.

Updated
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
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
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