Controlling the light via smartphone, voice command or automatic rule is cool and practical.What is there, what is necessary to get started and how much does it cost?We clarify that and give tips for the initial setup and operation."Alexa, turn on the light in the kitchen!" This simple command is enough and the light bulbs light up.What used to be science fiction can now be realized very easily.Smart lighting makes it possible.It is very easy to be able to switch on all the desired lamps at once in exactly the right color and brightness.The possibilities of always designing the right lighting mood are great.And with automatic functions, smart lamps can be set so that they only burn at the right time and not unnecessarily when nobody is there.Anyone dealing with smart light for the first time often feels overwhelmed by the variety on offer and technical details on compatibility and operation.The following tips literally bring light into the darkness.Here we present the different types of wireless lamps and possible areas of application, so that entry into the smart home is possible for every budget.This guide is aimed at anyone who is looking for initial information on smart light sources or who wants to get a general overview of the subject.If this information is too general for you, we advise you to take a look at our Smart Lighting theme world.There we compared, among other things, 5 Zigbee LEDs with E27 sockets, showed smart outdoor lighting for retrofitting or introduced vintage LEDs.Smart light sources look like normal LED lamps and lights, but are equipped with a radio chip and control electronics.This allows them to be integrated into the home network and controlled remotely when they are connected to the power supply.This is the decisive difference to classic, non-smart lights, which only turn on and off with a light switch.Instead, wireless lamps can be switched on and off, dimmed and tinted in a specific color temperature or color nuance via smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, voice command or an automatic rule created via an app.The included control electronics can also be programmed so that radio lamps only light up in certain time windows or when accessories with sensors send an automatic switching signal.[Radio standards] Would you prefer to radio the light with WLAN or ZigBee?Two radio standards are particularly common among smart light sources.ZigBee and WiFi.Both have advantages and disadvantages.ZigBee automatically builds a mesh network and thus plugs dead spots.As a result, switching signals are still reliably transmitted to all light sources, even in large smart homes.However, the initial setup is more complex because ZigBee devices require a control center that serves as a radio bridge to the WLAN router.It "translates" the switching signals that users want to transmit to the lamp from their smartphone or smart speaker in the home network.This box, also known as a gateway, hub or bridge, must be purchased separately and needs space next to the Internet router.Lamps that transmit with WLAN do not need these small exchanges.They can directly process the switching signals that reach them from the smartphone via the home network.For optimal reception in large buildings, however, WLAN repeaters may be necessary.ZigBee systems don't need that.Because WLAN chips are larger, WLAN lamps are sometimes very clumsy.In addition, the power consumption of WLAN lamps when switching is higher than those with ZigBee.However, the difference is only significant if the device is switched on and off very frequently.The standby consumption, on the other hand, is on the same level. Bluetooth is used much less frequently than ZigBee or WLAN.The radio standard is great for beginners because it can be set up so quickly.This is because the smartphone and light source make direct contact with each other and do not require any additional control components.Neither a radio control center nor coupling to the WLAN home network are required.On the other hand, the range is shorter and the number of illuminants that can be connected is lower.Bluetooth is therefore not ideal for large smart homes and light installations. Lamps that transmit via DECT ULE, Z-Wave and Thread are rarities.Nothing wrong with that.Anyone who relies on it just has to be aware that he or she is accessing an isolated solution that is hardly suitable for planning light installations on a larger scale.Large scope for design thanks to LEDAs in all modern light sources, only light-emitting diodes instead of filaments provide light in the smart versions.This offers great design freedom.Instead of illuminating with a fixed color temperature, many models can cover the entire white spectrum from cold white to warm white.Higher-quality light sources are equipped with RGB light-emitting diodes, which theoretically mix and reproduce 16 million color nuances from the primary colors red, green and blue.Light-emitting diodes, radio chips and microcontrollers are now so cheap that many manufacturers offer them in an almost unmanageable range of light sources for various purposes.The following are the main categories and brands.Smart wireless bulbs for basic lightingThere are also smart lamps that can be screwed into the socket of a ceiling, wall, floor or table lamp.They are a particularly easy way to replace conventional light sources for basic lighting with radio-controlled ones.Unscrew the old bulb and put the new one in.You don't need more craftsmanship.The E27 base has the largest selection, followed by E14 and GU10.There are many models available in different housing shapes and sizes - from the classic bulb to small candles to bulbs for spots.With a brightness of up to 800 lumens per lamp, the normal basic lighting in the living room, bedroom and kitchen can be made smart - with the option of being able to provide colorful lighting moods with RGB LEDs.A recent trend is smart retro bulbs with a transparent housing and imitation filaments.They are more common for the E27 socket than for the E14.They come into their own in floor lamps that do not have a shade covering the base.They are often only available with a warm white color temperature, more rarely with RGB diodes.The main brand is Philips Hue.It's expensive but offers the widest range and most features.Many newer Hue bulbs can be put into operation via Bluetooth without a bridge.However, only the ZigBee mode, the main wireless standard from Philips Hue, offers the full range of functions.Those looking for more affordable ZigBee alternatives will find an increasing selection at Ikea Tradfri.Less known but no less interesting options come from Innr, Paulmann and Tint.The latter brand is specifically aimed at beginners because the lamps can only be operated with an optional remote control instead of an app.Osram's successor, Ledvance, is playing less and less with ZigBee lamps.Instead, the brand relies on WiFi.In addition to Ledvance, inexpensive basic lighting with WLAN radio is available from Luminea, TP-Link, Wiz and Yeelight, for example.Lifx is one of the more expensive providers.Smart radio-controlled sockets as an alternative to replacement bulbsIf the housing of a floor or table lamp is too small for a wireless lamp, there is still a way to smartly retrofit it.Smart plug adapters (guides) step into the breach.They can also be controlled remotely using the built-in radio chip and microcontroller.In this case, they serve as smart on and off switches.Thanks to time, sensor and voice control, they can also be operated much more flexibly than conventional switching adapters.The range of available models is very large.With Philips Hue, Ikea, Innr, Ledvance, Luminea, Tint and Wiz, many of the light source manufacturers mentioned also have adapter plugs in their range.In addition, practically every system manufacturer for smart home accessories also offers at least one socket.A tip for cheap and good models are those from Meross.Everything complete: Smart ready-made lights with built-in LEDsAnyone who values ​​sophisticated designs should consider smart lights with non-replaceable LEDs.Because the diodes are permanently integrated, much more compact designs can be implemented than would be possible with replaceable lamps.An example are flat LED panels for walls and ceilings from Philips Hue, Ikea, Ledvance, Innr, Tint and Paulmann.Examples of particularly sophisticated designs are the ceiling lamps from the Q series by Paul Neuhaus and the Hue lights from the Signe, Sana and Iris series.If the manufacturer does not have to consider the possibility of opening the housing, it is also much easier to seal it against dust and water.This enables use in damp rooms or in the garden.For example, the Adore mirror light from Philips Hue for use in the bathroom is sealed against splash water according to protection class IP44.A disadvantage compared to replaceable light sources: If the built-in LED breaks or reaches the end of its life, the entire light is usually ready for scrap.A change outside of the warranty period is expensive and, in the worst case, not even planned.Smart light switches as an alternative and supplement for wireless lampsIf the smart replacement bulbs or ready-made lights are installed, the answer is: "Keep your hands off the light switch!"This can be avoided with battery-operated wireless pushbuttons.A classic tip is the dimmer switch from Philips Hue (guide) for 20 euros.With additional covers from Samotech, they can be placed over the conventional light switch for less than ten euros.Alternatively, the old light switch can be completely removed and replaced with smart flush-mounted actuators with decorative panels.An advantage of this option: It makes the replacement of the "dumb" lamps superfluous.Because such wireless switches are connected to the house power supply, the power circuit of the ceiling and wall sockets can be closed or separated.LED strips and more: mood with smart decorative lightsIt is often enough to set a color accent to achieve the perfect lighting mood.This can be achieved more precisely with special decorative lights than with replacement bulbs or ready-made lights for basic lighting.They are connected to the wall socket with a power cable.No analogue light switch can spoil the smart operation. The most common form is flexible light tubes, which can be attached to furniture edges, window frames or skirting boards with a self-adhesive underside.Such light strips are now part of the standard range of many suppliers.Recommended branded products come from Philips Hue, Innr, Tint, Ledvance, Cololight, Eve Systems and Yeelight, for example.[Costs]What does smart lighting cost?What happens when you get started with smart light and expand the lighting ensemble depends on the brand, quality, category of light source and the need for a control center.Getting started is now very cheap.A warm white radio bulb is available from Ikea for less than eight euros.So that it is ready for use, there is also a remote control for ten euros and a ZigBee gateway for 30 euros on top.E27 bulbs that cover the white and RGB spectrum are available from Ikea for 20 euros.Ledvance, Yeelight and Wiz, for example, charge 20 to 30 euros for color WiFi lamps.As high-priced providers, Philips Hue and Lifx charge between 40 and 60 euros for it.With Philips Hue, there is an additional 60 euros for a control center.Ready-made lights for basic lighting start at 60 euros and sometimes don't stop at 400 euros.Branded lightstrips usually cost between 50 and 120 euros, depending on length and range of functions.For starter sets for LED panels (comparison), Nanoleaf and Lifx have established a price of 200 euros.Reasonable smart adapter plugs are available from around 20 euros.If they offer multiple slots or are sealed for outdoor use, they cost up to 100 euros.Smart light switches are available as battery-operated wireless pushbuttons from around 20 euros.Complete flush-mounted actuators with wiring for the house electricity network cost 100 euros or more.Design panels drive up the price.More expensive providers justify the surcharge with a larger range of functions, for example in the form of more light control options, more available language assistants and better cooperation with products from other manufacturers.The light quality is also important.More expensive bulbs usually reproduce colors more cleanly.In the case of ready-made luminaires, an unusual design also drives up the price - as with non-smart variants as well.What is necessary to set up smart light?The mechanical assembly is usually simple.Screwing a lamp into the socket or sticking Lightstrips to the skirting board does not require any special manual skills.Drilling a ready-made smart light into the ceiling or sticking LED panels to the wall can be fiddly in individual cases - but no more so than with non-smart products. With ZigBee, integration into the smart home network requires the installation of a gateway.It does not necessarily have to come from the same manufacturer of the lamps.The Hue Bridge also accepts lamps from Ikea or Ledvance, for example.Furthermore, some smart speakers from Amazon like the fourth-generation Echo (test report) support ZigBee.This means that a separate gateway is not absolutely necessary.The respective ZigBee control center needs a parking space, electricity and a connection to the WLAN router, sometimes via a LAN cable.The rest of the setup is carried out using a smartphone app, just like with the smart light source. No matter which radio standard is used: Next, you go to the manufacturer app to search for the radio signals of the smart light source.These should be ready for pairing.How to activate the mode depends on the manufacturer.Once the illuminant has been found, the access data for the WLAN must be entered.This is not necessary for the direct operation of Bluetooth lamps.Allocating the lamps to a room and giving them a memorable name makes it easier to keep track of them and to use voice commands later.The smart light is then ready for use.[Operation]How can smart light be operated via app?The basic functions are the same everywhere.With the manufacturer app, smart lamps can beWith the gradient effects, the software alone decides which illuminant or which LED cluster should adopt a specific color.In the Philips Hue app, for example, the "Tropical Twilight" scene colors some of the room's lamps in warm white and others in violet.This creates a very cozy and relaxing lighting atmosphere.Instead of working with templates, the manufacturer apps can also be used to individually specify and save which lamp should light up in which color and how brightly.In addition to these classic manual commands, more and more manufacturers are also offering an automatic system for the so-called circadian rhythm.The software automatically regulates the color temperature over the course of the day from an activating cold white in the morning to a relaxing warm white in the evening.This is built right into Wiz and the Ledvance WiFi app.With Philips Hue and Eve Systems, iPhone users can retrofit the function with the Apple Home app.It is called adaptive light there.All of the control commands mentioned can usually be started not only by app button, but also by voice command or automatic rule.What can smart light control with language assistants?Practically all smart lamps can be controlled with one or more of the three major language assistants Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri from Apple.It's particularly easy to get started if the voice capability is integrated ex works.For Amazon and Google, a link must be created in the Alexa and Google Home apps.That's very quick.Some ZigBee bulbs like Innr and Tint need a guest gateway like Philips Hue to connect to Alexa and Google Assistant.With Siri, contact is made automatically if the light source is compatible with the HomeKit standard.However, users must introduce the bulb to HomeKit via a QR code in the Home app.If it says "Works with Siri Shortcuts" on the packaging, the bulb cannot be controlled right away with command sets from Apple's voice assistant.Instead, each individual command is cumbersome to create in the app called Siri Shortcuts before it works.Almost everything can be controlled by voice, which is also possible with a button in the manufacturer app.This applies to control commands such as on, off, brightness, full colors or scenes.Typical voice commands are: "Alexa / Ok, Google / Hey Siri, turn on / off the light in the hallway" "Alexa / Ok, Google / Hey Siri, turn on / off the floor lamp in the living room" "Alexa / Ok, Google / Hey Siri, dim the light in the bedroom to 40 percent" "Alexa / Ok, Google / Hey Siri, start orange light in the living room" "Alexa / Ok, Google / Hey Siri, activate relaxation light in the bathroom" If you don't want to lift a finger for this, but want to create lighting moods as if by magic, he sets up automations.[Automations]By magic: how can wireless bulbs be automated in the smart home?A smart home is only really smart if you don't have to keep telling it what to do.It is much more convenient if it automatically knows when to use which lamp.This is not a problem with automatic processes.Some things can be set up in the manufacturer app.If more complex scenarios are involved, additional apps or cloud platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Conrad Connect, IFTTT, Olisto and Yonomi help to implement them.This is practical if the lamps of your choice come from different manufacturers or should harmonize with other smart home components.For example, the following is possible:Smart lamps can not only be a nice gimmick, but also practical.They prevent unnecessary power consumption when they switch off automatically because a motion detector does not detect anyone in the room.They lift the mood because they wake you up in the morning with activating light.They save you running around the apartment to turn off all the lights before home theater night.This is much more convenient using a voice command or a smartphone button.In combination with smart smoke detectors and surveillance cameras, they also ensure more security.Getting started no longer has to be expensive.There are now many cheap and at the same time good offers.Setup and operation are usually easy.It is important to proceed systematically from the outset and decide on a radio standard or a smart home system.This makes it easier to expand the light installation step by step and enjoy it for a long time.Would like more?Then we recommend our Smart Lighting theme world.There we compared 5 Zigbee LEDs with E27 sockets, showed smart outdoor lighting for retrofitting or introduced vintage LEDs.- The links marked with are commission links (affiliate links).If an order is placed via such a link, TechStage receives a commission.This does not result in any additional costs for the buyer.