Reliable smart bulbs
Discussion
I have had some TP-Link Tapo smart bulbs for a few years but they are failing one after another at the moment. Annoyingly it doesn't appear to be the LEDs reaching end of life, but the supporting electronics.
What's the PH recommendation for bulbs that actually last? Any longer term opinions on Ikea bulbs (I have their hub for other stuff so not so painful to add some bulbs...)
I feel like I'm doomed to have to set up something like home assistant to link up various manufacturer products though!
What's the PH recommendation for bulbs that actually last? Any longer term opinions on Ikea bulbs (I have their hub for other stuff so not so painful to add some bulbs...)
I feel like I'm doomed to have to set up something like home assistant to link up various manufacturer products though!
Hue still requires its own hub doesn't it? And the prices are eye watering...
I'm leaning towards trying some Ikea stuff since I already have the hub and the prices are sensible (and they have plenty of options with sensors & switches etc). Having said that I do wonder if the best thing would be to just swap the wall switches for something smart and take the bulbs out of the equation entirely!
I'm leaning towards trying some Ikea stuff since I already have the hub and the prices are sensible (and they have plenty of options with sensors & switches etc). Having said that I do wonder if the best thing would be to just swap the wall switches for something smart and take the bulbs out of the equation entirely!
egomeister said:
Hue still requires its own hub doesn't it? And the prices are eye watering...
I'm leaning towards trying some Ikea stuff since I already have the hub and the prices are sensible (and they have plenty of options with sensors & switches etc). Having said that I do wonder if the best thing would be to just swap the wall switches for something smart and take the bulbs out of the equation entirely!
You can control Hue lamps (a limited number) without their hub using Bluetooth - but in my World would be a pain in the arse! Read this for clarity...........I'm leaning towards trying some Ikea stuff since I already have the hub and the prices are sensible (and they have plenty of options with sensors & switches etc). Having said that I do wonder if the best thing would be to just swap the wall switches for something smart and take the bulbs out of the equation entirely!
https://www.philips-hue.com/en-gb/products/smart-l...
Ikea lamps are now compatible with the Hue bridge so 'savings' could be made there? But you're gripe is with longevity of your existing lamps and I have no idea how good Ikea ones are. What I and many others on here (including Bigdom who has just posted) know that Hue lamps last a very long time.
Another vote for Hue.
I have two bridges due to the number of bulbs, sensors, strip lights and switches. Some of my bulbs must be 10 years old. I think I have had to replace just one bulb so far. The strip lights however seem to be a bit fragile and I have had to replace a couple. Yes they are not cheap, but if you keep an eye out on Amazon you can pick up them up with a decent discount.
I have two bridges due to the number of bulbs, sensors, strip lights and switches. Some of my bulbs must be 10 years old. I think I have had to replace just one bulb so far. The strip lights however seem to be a bit fragile and I have had to replace a couple. Yes they are not cheap, but if you keep an eye out on Amazon you can pick up them up with a decent discount.
Another vote for Hue from me.
But with the caveat that I use a Hue bridge (and app) to control a mixture of Hue and Ikea bulbs indoor, and Innr fixtures outside. Works really well and no issue with compatibility. Hue bridge means it is compatible with Amazon/Google Home too, plus integration with stuff like IFTTT.
But with the caveat that I use a Hue bridge (and app) to control a mixture of Hue and Ikea bulbs indoor, and Innr fixtures outside. Works really well and no issue with compatibility. Hue bridge means it is compatible with Amazon/Google Home too, plus integration with stuff like IFTTT.
egomeister said:
...I do wonder if the best thing would be to just swap the wall switches for something smart and take the bulbs out of the equation entirely!
Installing smart into the fabric of the house can be a right pain when selling the house as you either need to uninstall and reinstate the old fittings or possibly leave the hub and give over your login and lots of instructions to the new owners.It is very tedious having to re-setup a smart house from scratch years after the initial install when everything was fresh.
The same goes for smart heating systems as registering with a new login may then require all the heating profiles to be re-entered.
Another vote for Hue. Have tried INNR and Ikea and with both you would get the odd bulb failing to respond from time to time, i.e. in a run of 4 IKEA bulbs in the kitchen fairly often only 3 would turn on.
More annoyingly I used INNR on a garage so had 12 of them and every time at least one would fail to respond, I say more annoying as it meant I had to pay for 12 HUE GU10s which as mentioned are expensive, but they do just work
More annoyingly I used INNR on a garage so had 12 of them and every time at least one would fail to respond, I say more annoying as it meant I had to pay for 12 HUE GU10s which as mentioned are expensive, but they do just work
Turtle Shed said:
Tapo. £6-£7 each from Toolstation. No hub needed, works flawlessly with Alexa.
I have at least a dozen in operation.
Are the ones from toolstation more reliable than those from other retailers? I have at least a dozen in operation.
Seems like a lot of votes for Hue... I might have to reconsider them if they are truly more reliable. The cost is painful though!
egomeister said:
Are the ones from toolstation more reliable than those from other retailers?
Seems like a lot of votes for Hue... I might have to reconsider them if they are truly more reliable. The cost is painful though!
The trick is wait until they are on offer, which they almost always are. Then they are merely expensive rather than eyewateringly soSeems like a lot of votes for Hue... I might have to reconsider them if they are truly more reliable. The cost is painful though!
egomeister said:
Turtle Shed said:
Tapo. £6-£7 each from Toolstation. No hub needed, works flawlessly with Alexa.
I have at least a dozen in operation.
Are the ones from toolstation more reliable than those from other retailers? I have at least a dozen in operation.
Seems like a lot of votes for Hue... I might have to reconsider them if they are truly more reliable. The cost is painful though!
Reviews of Tapo bulbs are decent enough too.
p.s - Just counted, seven outside, six inside, plus another three in the bathroom celing of the GU10 variety.
Bite the bullet or pretend you're happy Bulbs I have and use.
TP-Link Tapo - not failed (yet) but I have some GU10 smartbulbs in the kitchen in a group and they don't always all come on at the same time.
Phillips Hue - one of them randomly turned itself on, no routines set, no reason to turn on but it did. Resets didn't help. I don't use a bridge, the bulbs are setup with the app and controlled by Alexa/Echo voice commands.
Govee - awkward setup process compared to others but a lot of customisations.
TCP - so far the best ones, nice hues and easy setup.
All Alexa controlled.
I'd buy more TCP bulbs.
TP-Link Tapo - not failed (yet) but I have some GU10 smartbulbs in the kitchen in a group and they don't always all come on at the same time.
Phillips Hue - one of them randomly turned itself on, no routines set, no reason to turn on but it did. Resets didn't help. I don't use a bridge, the bulbs are setup with the app and controlled by Alexa/Echo voice commands.
Govee - awkward setup process compared to others but a lot of customisations.
TCP - so far the best ones, nice hues and easy setup.
All Alexa controlled.
I'd buy more TCP bulbs.
Turtle Shed said:
Well I can only speak as I find, but I have lots and they all just work. It's not as if Hue make better photons. For the record, I tried Wiz ones, they were poor.
Reviews of Tapo bulbs are decent enough too.
p.s - Just counted, seven outside, six inside, plus another three in the bathroom celing of the GU10 variety.
How long have you had them? I seem to be getting about 3 years before they start to fail, normally on the power side from what I can tell. Standard bayonet/edison screw bulbs rather than GU10.Reviews of Tapo bulbs are decent enough too.
p.s - Just counted, seven outside, six inside, plus another three in the bathroom celing of the GU10 variety.
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