Smart lights are LED lights that you can control with a smartphone, tablet or home automation system.

While smart bulbs are more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs or even regular LED bulbs, they use less energy and should last just as long as traditional LED bulbs (around 20 years). They come in standard white or with a color-changing feature, depending on the brand.

Smart bulbs require a smartphone, tablet, or home automation hub to work, as they use wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, or Zigbee to connect to an app on your device or to your automation system. A few brands require a special gateway to work (it’s a small box that talks to the bulbs), such as the Philips Hue Bridge, which is required to control Philips-branded smart bulbs.

Many brands use more than one wireless technology to better integrate your lights with other smart home devices and systems you may already use. For example, a smart light bulb can work with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple HomeKit, so you can configure your smart lighting with the option that works best for you.