Smart lighting

Smart lighting covers app-controlled bulbs, LED lighting and the controllers that run them, for homes that want to dim, schedule or recolour lights from a phone or voice assistant. Our range includes Philips, OSRAM, Synergy 21 and Wentronic, plus smaller names such as Shelly, Govee and MiBoxer.

How to choose smart lighting

Connection standard. Wi-Fi lights join your router directly and need no extra hardware, but a large number of them can crowd a home network. Zigbee and Bluetooth lights are lighter on the network, though Zigbee normally needs a bridge or hub. Check the standard before you mix brands, because lights on different standards rarely share one app.

Smart home ecosystem. Confirm that the light works with the assistant you already use, such as Apple Home, Google Home or Amazon Alexa. Matter support is becoming more common but is not yet universal, so look for it on the product page rather than assuming it.

Fitting and form. Match the bulb cap to your existing fittings: E27 and E14 screw caps and GU10 spotlights are the usual household types. LED strips need a power supply and a spot where they can be cut or mounted, and ceiling or wall fixtures are normally wired in, so measure and check before ordering.

Colour and brightness. White-only dimmable bulbs are enough for most lamps. Tunable white, which shifts from warm to cool, suits kitchens and home offices, while full colour (RGB) is mainly for accent and mood lighting. For a main ceiling light, compare the lumen output rather than the wattage.

Switches and controllers. A smart bulb stops responding if the wall switch cuts its power, so decide how the household will switch lights. A remote, a dimmer switch or a wall controller keeps everyone in control without the app. Some brands in our range specialise in these controllers.

Smart lighting brands we carry

• Philips and Philips Hue: Hue is one of the best-known smart lighting systems, built around Zigbee bulbs, a bridge and a large choice of fittings and accessories.
• OSRAM: a long-established German lighting manufacturer, known for LED bulbs and for its Smart+ range of connected lights.
• Shelly: known for compact Wi-Fi relays and dimmers that make existing lights and switches smart, with control that can work locally.
• Govee: best known for LED strips and colourful decorative lighting controlled through an app.
• MiBoxer: makes LED controllers and remotes, which suit strip lighting and multi-zone setups.
• eQ-3: the German maker behind the Homematic IP smart home system, which includes lighting and switching modules.

Also in our range: Synergy 21, Wentronic, Reality, Newgarden and Hama.

Smart lighting FAQ

Do smart bulbs need a hub?

Not always. Wi-Fi bulbs and many Bluetooth bulbs work with just a phone app. Zigbee systems usually need a bridge or compatible hub, which also allows more lights and faster, more stable control across the home.

Can I use smart bulbs with a normal wall switch?

Yes, but the switch must stay on. If it cuts power, the bulb goes offline and cannot be controlled by app or voice. A smart dimmer, a remote or a wall controller avoids this problem.

Do smart lights work without internet?

Many do, to a degree. Bluetooth lights and hub-based systems can often be controlled locally, and a physical remote keeps working regardless. Remote access, voice assistants and some schedules usually need an internet connection.

What is the difference between Wi-Fi and Zigbee smart lights?

Wi-Fi lights connect straight to your router and need no hub, which keeps setup simple. Zigbee lights connect through a bridge and form their own low-power network, which tends to cope better with many lights in one home. The right choice depends on how many lights you plan to control.