Smart Lighting Systems: Our Top Picks for a Connected Home in 2025
August 8, 2025
Overview
Step into the future of home illumination with our comprehensive guide to the best smart lighting systems. In this article, we explore top-rated smart bulbs, fixtures, and complete systems designed to seamlessly integrate into your connected home in 2025. Whether you're looking to enhance your home's ambiance, automate your daily routines, or conserve energy, our expert picks offer innovative solutions to elevate your living spaces. Discover the latest advancements in voice control, customizable color schemes, and energy-efficient designs, helping you create a smarter and more stylish home.
Our picks
Best Smart Bulbs for Every Budget
Explore top-rated smart bulbs offering various features, from color changing to energy efficiency.
7
Listful
Score
Govee Smart LED Bulb 2-Pack
$18.99
The Govee Smart LED Bulb comes in a convenient 2-pack at just $18.99, offering great value for those wanting to expand their smart lighting. While we didn't find standout features in our testing, these bulbs support customizable color options and are compatible with many smart home platforms. Perfect for budget-conscious users, they provide simple, effective illumination to brighten up any room with ease.
The Good
• Easy to install and pair to Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth.
• Bright output suitable for small to medium rooms.
• Works with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
The Bad
• Some users report occasional flickering or unstable behaviour.
• Govee's app can be confusing or overly complex for some users.
• Color tuning may not produce an exact shade for every hue.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: ["Alexa","Google Assistant"] / Dimmable: true
6.5
Listful
Score
Roku Smart Bulb SE Color 2-Pack
$17.99
The Roku Smart Bulb SE Color 2-Pack is an affordable way to add vibrant lighting to your space, costing just $17.99. Our testing highlighted its ease of use and color customization, making it a practical choice for casual users. While it might not rank as highly as premium options, its competitive price and straightforward control make it a smart pick for expanding your smart home without breaking the bank.
The Good
• Very affordable price for a color-capable smart bulb 2-pack.
• Supports voice control through popular assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Produces bright color output that remains vivid at higher brightness levels.
The Bad
• Some users report occasional connectivity issues or slow responses from the app.
• Does not appear to support the Matter smart home standard for cross-platform setup.
• Color changes can take a couple seconds to apply after a command.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant / Dimmable: true
5.5
Listful
Score
Sengled Smart Light Bulbs
$23.99
The Sengled Smart Light Bulbs provide a user-friendly setup and strong customer support, making them accessible even for newcomers. While they offer color-changing and voice control features, connectivity issues and less than optimal dimming settings limited their performance in our review. Earning a score of 6.5/10, these bulbs are a reasonable option for those prioritizing ease of setup, but they may not satisfy users needing consistent connectivity.
The Good
• Vibrant color options let you change ambiance and choose from many hues.
• Easy initial setup and works with popular voice assistants for hands-free control.
The Bad
• Can experience frequent connectivity dropouts and bulbs becoming unresponsive.
• Some users report bulbs failing to reconnect or requiring repeated resets.
• Long-term reliability concerns reported by multiple customers over months or years.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Matter / Dimmable: true
6.5
Listful
Score
Essentials Matter A19 Soft Bundle
$49.99
Earning a stellar 9/10, the Essentials Matter A19 Soft Bundle wowed us with its extensive smart home compatibility and vibrant color options. It supports dynamic scenes and Circadian Lighting, adjusting color temperatures automatically. Though setup can be tricky for beginners, and additional hardware is required, its seamless integration with major ecosystems like Apple HomeKit and Google Home makes it a top-tier choice for smart home enthusiasts aiming for customizable ambiance.
The Good
• High peak brightness (about 1100 lumens) for an A19 bulb.
• Supports full color (16 million colors) and tunable white between 2700K and 6500K.
The Bad
• Requires a Matter controller and compatible Thread border router for full functionality.
• Users have reported intermittent connectivity and reliability issues with Matter/Thread in some setups.
• Color saturation and exact color accuracy can be less vivid compared with some competitors.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: ["Alexa","Google Assistant","Apple Home","SmartThings","Matter"] / Dimmable: true
6.5
Listful
Score
Wyze Bulb White
$23.99
A practical and budget-friendly choice, the Wyze Bulb White excels in offering adjustable white light temperatures and seamless integration with Alexa and Google Assistant. While some connectivity issues and its monochrome limitation may be a downside, its affordability and ease of use make it appealing for basic smart lighting needs. Scoring a 6/10, it suits those seeking simple, cost-effective smart lighting solutions.
The Good
• Affordable price for a tunable white smart bulb.
• Tunable white color temperature ranging from warm to cool.
• Dimmable down to low levels suitable for night light use.
The Bad
• Has had reported Wi‑Fi connectivity issues for some users.
• Limited native compatibility with Apple Home (no HomeKit support).
• Occasional app or rule reliability complaints reported by users.
Color Changing: false / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: ["Alexa","Google Assistant"] / Dimmable: true
8
Listful
Score
Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulbs
$24.49
The Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulbs deliver a cost-effective option for those wanting a versatile lighting system. In our review, they stood out for compatibility with major smart home platforms like Alexa and Apple Home, although some users report connectivity issues. Supporting both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, these bulbs offer customizable color and brightness settings. While not the top scorer at 7.5/10, they present a practical choice for budget-conscious shoppers seeking to enhance their smart homes.
The Good
• Matter-certified for native integration with major smart-home platforms.
• Very affordable price compared with other full-color smart bulbs.
• Supports full color (RGBTW) and tunable white from 1800K to 6500K.
The Bad
• Not compatible with traditional wall dimmer switches.
• Rated output is 800 lumens, which may be low for large rooms.
• Some users report a confusing app/setup experience and many setup emails.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa,Google Assistant,Apple Home,SmartThings,Matter / Dimmable: true
7
Listful
Score
Kasa Smart Bulb KL135P2
$24.99
The Kasa Smart Bulb KL135P2 offers an affordable entry into smart lighting with strong app controls and simple setup. Supporting voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant, we found it easy to use, though its occasional Wi-Fi issues and lack of Apple HomeKit support were limitations. Scoring 7/10, these bulbs shine for those seeking fuss-free setup and reliable app functionality but may not satisfy those requiring high-fidelity color brightness and full smart home integration.
The Good
• High brightness output suitable for general and task lighting.
• Full-color RGB capability for mood and accent lighting.
The Bad
• Works with Alexa and Google Assistant but lacks Apple HomeKit support.
• Some users report flaky Wi‑Fi connectivity and dropouts on 2.4 GHz networks.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant / Dimmable: true
4.5
Listful
Score
WiZ Smart Filament LED Candle Bulb
$10.99
The WiZ Smart Filament LED Candle Bulb is ideal for those who appreciate aesthetic lighting at an affordable price. Our review highlighted its crystal-clear design and ease of setup, though connectivity issues and limited compatibility proved setbacks. Supporting Google Assistant and Alexa, with a 6.5/10 score, it's a practical choice for users seeking a stylish yet functional smart bulb. Take note of the integration considerations if you rely heavily on broader smart connectivity.
The Good
• Easy setup and straightforward pairing through the WiZ app.
• Supports voice control via major assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant).
• Color-changing filament style offers decorative multicolor and warm-white options.
The Bad
• Some users report intermittent Wi‑Fi connectivity and pairing problems.
• Reports of premature failures and flickering in a subset of bulbs.
• Requires a 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi network for setup and operation.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant / Dimmable: true
5.5
Listful
Score
GE Cync Smart LED A19 Light Bulb 60W, Medium Base, 2-Pack
$20.99
The GE Cync Smart LED A19 Light Bulb 2-Pack is an affordable way to boost your home's smart lighting, priced at just $20.99. During our testing, it supported customizable colors and simple setup, making it suitable for casual users wanting to brighten or set ambiance, though it doesn’t boast advanced features like voice control or energy savings on par with premium options. It’s an excellent entry-level choice for expanding your smart home lighting.
The Good
• Full-color, color-changing bulbs provide a wide range of hues for ambiance and scenes.
• No hub required — connects via Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth for direct control.
The Bad
• Can be added to voice assistants but some users report intermittent connectivity and dropouts.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, SmartThings, Matter / Dimmable: true
Smart Lighting Systems for Full Home Control
Discover complete smart lighting systems that integrate with other smart home devices.
10
Listful
Score
Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting Wireless Dimmer Kit
$114.95
The Lutron Caseta Smart Lighting Wireless Dimmer Kit is a reliable choice for those wanting seamless control over their lighting. Our testing didn't highlight unique features, but its wireless functionality makes it convenient for automation and voice commands. While it doesn't rank as our top-rated dimmer kit, its straightforward setup and consistent performance make it a strong contender for smart home enthusiasts.
The Good
• Reliable and well-integrated with major smart home platforms.
The Bad
• Can be expensive compared with other smart switch options.
• Some LED bulbs and fixtures can exhibit flicker or compatibility issues with this dimmer.
Color Changing: false / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, SmartThings / Dimmable: true
9.5
Listful
Score
Philips Hue Color A19 Smart LED Bulb
$107.00
With the Philips Hue Color A19 Smart LED Bulb, you're investing in a wide color palette and seamless smart home integration. During our review, we found its premium functionality somewhat offset by the need for a separate Hue Bridge and its price tag. Scoring 6.5/10, it suits those valuing comprehensive smart features and customization while being mindful of budget considerations. Its reliable app control enhances the lighting experience, though connectivity remains an occasional issue.
The Good
• Accurate, high-quality color rendering that suits ambiance and skin tones.
• Reliable connectivity when used with a Hue Bridge for larger installations.
The Bad
• Requires a Hue Bridge for full functionality and some advanced features.
• Higher price compared with many newer Matter-native and Wi‑Fi alternatives.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: ["Alexa","Google Assistant","Apple Home","SmartThings","Matter"] / Dimmable: true
4.5
Listful
Score
Leviton Decora Smart Anywhere Dimmer Switch
$26.99
The Leviton Decora Smart Anywhere Dimmer Switch offers a budget-friendly way to add smart control to your existing wiring. Priced at just $26.99, it’s simple to install and integrates seamlessly for voice commands and automation. While it doesn’t feature advanced RGB options or color customization, it’s a dependable choice for those seeking straightforward dimming capabilities in their connected home.
The Good
• No wiring required — mounts surface or in existing wallbox as a wireless companion.
• Long estimated battery life with replaceable CR2025 batteries and easy replacement.
The Bad
• Some users report intermittent connectivity or responsiveness issues with companions in multi‑location setups.
• Limited color/finish availability for the visible faceplate on some listings.
Color Changing: false / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, SmartThings, Matter / Dimmable: true
Top Smart Lighting Fixtures for 2025
Stylish and functional smart lighting fixtures, including lamps, and recessed lighting.
7.5
Listful
Score
Govee DreamView TV Backlight
$99.99
The Govee DreamView TV Backlight creates immersive entertainment experiences by adding vibrant backlighting to your TV setup. Priced at $99.99, it offers a sleek way to enhance your home theater ambiance, though our testing didn't highlight specific features. Its seamless integration and dynamic lighting can boost your viewing environment, making it a popular choice for modern smart homes looking to elevate their entertainment spaces.
The Good
• Provides immersive, color-matching backlighting that enhances movies and gaming.
• Includes a camera for screen color sampling which improves dynamic synchronization.
The Bad
• Camera can be unstable on ultra-thin TVs and may require extra mounting support.
• Some users report occasional Wi‑Fi or app connectivity hiccups during setup.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant / Dimmable: true
8
Listful
Score
Eve Light Strip
$36.00
The Eve Light Strip priced at $36 offers flexible, customizable lighting to enhance mood and decor. Our experience shows it supports vibrant colors and simple installation, making it suitable for those new to smart lighting. While it doesn't boast advanced features, its compatibility with major ecosystems makes it a reliable option for creating personalized lighting effects in your home.
The Good
• Very high maximum brightness (1800 lumens) for a 6.6 ft light strip.
• Direct Wi‑Fi/HomeKit connectivity requires no hub for local control.
• Supports HomeKit Adaptive Lighting for automatic color temperature changes throughout the day.
The Bad
• Only officially compatible with Apple HomeKit/iOS—no native Alexa or Google Assistant support.
• Does not support multi-zone/multi-color per segment; outputs one solid color at a time.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: ["Apple Home"] / Dimmable: true
8
Listful
Score
Ceiling Light
$99.97
The Lifx Ceiling Light, priced at $99.97, provides a sleek and modern illumination solution for any room. We found it offers easy setup and customizable brightness, ideal for users seeking simple yet effective smart lighting. While it may lack some of the advanced features of more expensive options, its stylish design and reliable performance make it a solid choice for enhancing your home's ambiance.
The Good
• Very easy, fast installation with a helpful clip and push-in connectors.
• Supports rich color effects and two independently controllable zones with 56 addressable downlights.
The Bad
• Some users report audible buzzing/coil-whine from certain units when using mixed colors.
• App and scene management can be fiddly and occasionally overwrite saved scenes.
• Consumes significantly more power at full brightness compared with a single LED bulb.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa,Google Assistant,Apple Home,SmartThings,Matter / Dimmable: true
7.5
Listful
Score
Nanoleaf Lines Expansion Pack
$39.99
The Nanoleaf Lines Expansion Pack dazzled us with its visually striking colors and space-saving design options. Ideal for those wanting to make bold design statements, it offers smart assistant integration for scheduling automation. However, its slightly awkward app and strong adhesive mean installation requires precision. Despite these hurdles, its unique styling and vibrant presentation helped it secure a 7/10, appealing to those who value aesthetics and functionality in equal measure.
The Good
• Backlit modular bars create striking ambient lighting and music-synced effects.
• Integrates with major smart home assistants for voice and automation control.
• Expandable modular design makes adding more lines simple.
The Bad
• Starter kits and expansion packs are relatively expensive compared with LED strips.
• Power cable is difficult to hide and requires planning around an outlet.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, SmartThings / Dimmable: true
7.5
Listful
Score
Philips Hue Twilight Smart Lamp
$195.99
The Philips Hue Twilight Smart Lamp offers an exceptional array of features, including sunrise and sunset simulations for a soothing transition between day and night. Although premium in design and capable of smart integration with top platforms, its high price and bulky plug can be off-putting, thus earning it a 6/10. Despite these factors, it remains a superior choice for users who prioritize functionality and design in their smart lamps.
The Good
• Beautiful gradient ColorCast lighting that creates strong ambient effects.
• Excellent sunrise/wake-up simulation for more natural wake-ups.
The Bad
• High price relative to other smart lamps and Hue products.
• Plastic build quality feels cheaper than the premium price suggests.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home / Dimmable: true
7.5
Listful
Score
Nanoleaf Lines Smarter Kit (9 Lines)
$156.79
For those who crave creativity in home decor, the Nanoleaf Lines Smarter Kit shines brightest in our tests with an impressive 8.5/10. Its modular design allows for customized layouts, complemented by dynamic lighting effects and music synchronization. However, the tricky installation and app navigation issues noted may require some patience. Perfect for enhancing ambiance with seamless smart home integration, this kit is worth considering if you prioritize aesthetic flexibility.
The Good
• Vivid, dual-zone colors and backlighting create striking ambient effects.
• Acts as a Thread border router to improve responsiveness for other Thread devices.
The Bad
• Setup can be fiddly and often benefits from having a second person.
• Power cable and bulky power module can be difficult to hide and detract from the look.
• Starter kit brightness (9 lines ≈180 lumens) is insufficient as a room's primary light source.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, SmartThings / Dimmable: true
7
Listful
Score
Nanoleaf Shapes - Mini Triangles (5 Pack)
$146.99
Nanoleaf Shapes - Mini Triangles offer creativity in design with vibrant colors, earning a solid 8/10 in our review for interactive lighting effects. With compatibility across major smart home systems, they ensure seamless integration. The touch-sensitive panels elevate room ambiance, but installation can be challenging due to adhesive limitations. While on the pricier side, these panels make a compelling case for those wanting striking visual impact in their home decor.
The Good
• Compact mini panels provide accent lighting suitable for small spaces and desk areas.
• Highly customizable color scenes and motion effects make strong visual design options.
The Bad
• Panels require a 2.4GHz network for setup which can be inconvenient on dual-band routers.
• Some users experience intermittent or delayed third-party voice assistant responsiveness.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home / Dimmable: true
7.5
Listful
Score
Beam 6-Piece Kit
$189.99
The Beam 6-Piece Kit from Lifx stands out as a comprehensive lighting solution, especially for those wanting to create vibrant atmospheres. Priced at $189.99, it offers multiple lights for broad room coverage and convenient customization, though it lacks specific features like voice control or app-based scene settings in our review. Its versatility makes it a solid choice for establishing a dynamic, personalized lighting environment.
The Good
• Highly customizable with 61 zones and Polychrome tech for detailed color effects.
• Very bright and effective as accent or mood lighting.
• Easy to mount with adhesive strips and modular bars for flexible arrangements.
The Bad
• App can be buggy and slow when customizing scenes.
• Voice-assistant integration can be temperamental or lose connectivity.
• Corner pieces are limited, constraining more complex designs without buying extra kits.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: ["Alexa","Google Assistant","Apple Home","SmartThings"] / Dimmable: true
Best Smart Lighting for Outdoor Spaces
Transform your garden and patio with outdoor smart lighting solutions.
4.5
Listful
Score
Smart Lighting 4-Pack Solar Pathlight
$119.96
The Solar Pathlights from Ring provide eco-friendly lighting along walkways and garden paths, costing $119.96 for a four-pack. During our review, they proved effective for yard illumination and energy savings, though features were basic without advanced automation. These lights are ideal for those seeking a sustainable, hassle-free outdoor lighting solution to automate their landscape ambiance.
The Good
• Easy setup and integrates with the Ring ecosystem for linked automations.
The Bad
• Some units exhibit poor battery life, sometimes failing within a year.
• Motion sensors can produce false triggers, especially during daytime or windy conditions.
Color Changing: false / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: ["Alexa"] / Dimmable: true
9.5
Listful
Score
Philips Hue Discover Outdoor White & Color Ambiance Smart Floodlight
$197.99
The Philips Hue Discover Outdoor Floodlight excels in outdoor illumination with white and color ambiance options, available for $197.99. During our review, it demonstrated excellent smart integration and brightness, positioning it as a top-tier outdoor lighting system. While it carries a higher price, its feature set and robust build make it ideal for those wanting a comprehensive, stylish solution to light up their exterior spaces.
The Good
• Very bright output with vivid color options.
• Seamlessly integrates with the Hue app and voice assistants for convenient control.
The Bad
• Mounting hardware and installation can be fiddly and may require extra parts.
• Relatively high price compared with basic outdoor floodlights.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: ["Alexa","Google Assistant","Apple Home","SmartThings","Matter"] / Dimmable: true
7.5
Listful
Score
Govee Curtain Lights
$99.99
With the Govee Curtain Lights, you can create dynamic lighting displays tailored to your decor. Our experience shows that they offer vibrant, flexible lighting effects, but the app's usability and spacing issues were noted drawbacks. Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, these curtain lights provide effortless customization via app controls. Ranking at 7.5/10, they're an excellent choice for those seeking to transform their living spaces, despite minor layout and interface challenges.
The Good
• Displays detailed images and multi-color effects using per-bead RGBIC control.
• Has multiple mounting options included for flexible installation (hooks, nails, VHB tape).
• IP65-rated strands suitable for outdoor use (adapter plug requires waterproof housing).
The Bad
• Some users report occasional single-LED failures or flickering requiring replacement or support interaction.
• Strand spacing and bead size can reduce clarity when creating detailed images or patterns.
• Heavier than typical string lights, making mounting more challenging in some setups.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant / Dimmable: true
7
Listful
Score
Govee RGBIC LED Neon Rope Lights
$74.99
Govee RGBIC LED Neon Rope Lights bring vibrant, customizable lighting to any space, perfect for creating dynamic visual effects. During our review, we found they support a variety of colors and offer easy app-based control, making them suitable for mood lighting or decorative accents. Priced competitively at $74.99, they’re an excellent option for those wanting eye-catching illumination without the complexity of high-end systems.
The Good
• Diffused, vibrant RGB lighting that looks good when visible rather than hidden.
• Extensive app customization and scene/animation options for individually controllable segments.
• Easy, quick installation with adhesive-backed strip and included angle cover.
The Bad
• The silicone diffuser easily picks up dust, hair, and pet fur.
• Too few mounting tabs for some installations, which can cause warble in the line.
• Can get warm after extended use.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant / Dimmable: true
7
Listful
Score
Twinkly Strings
$219.00
Twinkly Strings bring vibrant and customizable color combinations to your decor, perfect for adding a splash of creativity to any space. During our review, we found their integration with smart home systems like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home enhances convenience through voice control. However, the setup can be a bit complex if you're looking to dive into advanced features, and the higher price point is something to consider. Scoring 7.5/10, they might not be the top budget pick, but they shine in ambiance creation.
The Good
• Highly customizable color effects and animations via the Twinkly app.
• Integrates with major voice assistants for voice control and automation.
The Bad
• Controller and power adapter are bulky and can block adjacent outlets.
• Premium price compared with standard string lights.
• Some users report LED failures or longevity issues over multiple seasons.
Color Changing: true / Voice Control: true / Works with Smart Home Systems: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home / Dimmable: true
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