Smart lights have revolutionized the entire smart home arena in recent years. These nifty light bulbs let you switch between different hues and color temperatures. Also, you can save energy in the long run by scheduling them to turn off and on at specific times. The good news is that smart lights are not confined to the indoors. You can use them as porch lights, floodlights, or simple lawn lights.
Unlike their indoor versions, smart outdoor lights are either weatherproof or waterproof. So even if it rains, you needn’t worry about spoiling your lights. And just like their indoor counterparts, you can control them using smart assistants or mobile apps. And yes, some let you play with the color as well. So if you want a mixture of soft colors on your lawn this holiday season, you can now do so.
In this post, we have compiled some of the best smart outdoor lights that you can buy. So without further ado, let’s get started. But first,
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1. Cree Lighting Max Smart LED Bulb PAR38
The Cree outdoor light is one of the inexpensive options on this list. For its price, it delivers a bright light. Moreover, the size is appropriate for outdoor installation. As you may have expected, it’s weatherproof and can take occasional water splashes. More importantly, this smart light is compatible with Amazon Alexa. And if you have an Alexa device such as Echo Spot or Echo Show, you can control the schedules and the colors through voice commands.
It connects to Wi-Fi (2.4GHz). It works independently and doesn’t require any hub to function. However, you must ensure that the installation spot has proper Wi-Fi coverage. If not, you may want to invest in a proper Wi-Fi extender.
Like most typical smart lights, the default color is white. You can change the color or change the brightness through the app or Alexa.
It’s has a few limitations. Quite a few users have reported the installation process is challenging, especially when pairing it to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. Secondly, pairing with Bluetooth also proved to be challenging to some.
2. Sunco Smart Flood Light
Another PAR38 light bulb for outdoor installation is the one by Sunco. This is a 13W light and is considerably bright. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa, and you can control the lights via voice commands. Though these outdoor lights do not have an official waterproof rating, they can withstand some rain and shine.
In a rare review, a user reportedly left the lights out in the open for a year and those lights managed to hold up against heat, cold, and rains.
These smart lights come with the usual smart flavors. You can change the color and the light temperature or schedule a timer.
But at the end of the day, these smart lights are not without limitations, in this case, it’s the brightness. They are bright when white, but the brightness is not as apparent in other colors. And several users have expressed their disappointment in this matter.
On the upside, the setup process is hassle-free. As long as you can connect them to the 2.4 GHz band, you should be on the clear.
3. Kasa Smart Light Bulb
If you are looking for a simple, smart light for your porch or patio, you can have a look at the one by Kasa. It is a little expensive than the ones above. However, you get a durable product. The 60W bulb works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assitant, and you get ample wriggle room to choose the assistant of your choice.
It is an independent device and doesn’t need any hub. Perhaps the best thing about this smart light is its seamless installation process. It connects easily to the 2.4 GHz band of your home Wi-Fi. And yeah, it comes with the usual smart functions like auto-scheduling, temperature change, and color change.
The reception of this product has been on the positive side, with people loving its easy setup process and minimal connection issues. However, it’s not waterproof, which makes it unusable in open settings like lawns or poolside.
However, if you want to automate your outdoor patio lights, it is the perfect pick. It’s not too expensive, and a single bulb will last you around 3-4 years.
4. XMCOSY Outdoor String Lights
If you are looking for smart outdoor light to brighten up your house during the holiday season, you can’t go wrong with the XMCOSY outdoor string lights. These string lights have a solid build and come with built-in scenes and blinking effects. It connects to the 2.4 GHz band and is compatible with Amazon Alexa.
Like any fairy lights, these are not colored and are available in warm white. That said, the length of the XMCOSY lights is customizable, and you can connect up to 3 strings of light.
Setup and installation is a walk in the park, and several users have appreciated this in their reviews. If you are not comfortable with voice commands, you can also use the remote to change the brightness.
The feature that helps it stand apart from the rest is its customer service. They are quick to respond and provide the necessary help in case of any setup issues.
If you want a string of smart fairy lights for your garden or gazebo, then these are the best bet. However, they are a little on the expensive scale.
5. Philips Hue Outdoor Smart Spot Light
Another smart outdoor light that is in the same price bracket is the one by Philips. The Philips Hue Lily is weatherproof and works with several smart assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. Like any Philips smart product, this one is not an independent device and will need a hub to function properly. Hence it makes sense to get one if you are already in the Philips ecosystem.
These are spotlights and are generally placed on walls and pillars to offer a splash-light effect. The fact that you can switch between different spectrums and color temperatures is an added advantage.
Performance-wise, it works as expected. You can either use voice commands or the phone app to change the default white color and the other RGB colors.
They have a solid design and can withstand their share of rain and shine. However, the color may fade if the sun is strong in your area.
Smarten up Your Lawn & Patio
Most conventional bright lights should be okay if you simply want to smarten up your patio and deck. However, the game is a little different when you want to install smart lights on your lawn or walls. And if that’s the case, the best option is to resort to weatherproof smart lights.
When it comes to the outdoors, note that a strong Wi-Fi network is a key to a properly functioning smart house system. If you are struggling to have a Wi-Fi network inside the house, it would be ideal for expanding the network and investing in lights.
Last updated on 02 February, 2022
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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