Does Amazon Make Smart Bulbs in 2022? (All You Need to Know)
Smart bulbs have become increasingly popular in recent years as more people look to make their homes smarter and more automated. With smart bulbs, you can control your lights right from your smartphone or with voice commands using virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa. But does Amazon actually make their own smart bulbs?
The short answer is yes – Amazon offers a line of smart bulbs under its AmazonBasics brand. However, there are also many other options available on Amazon from brands like Philips Hue, TP-Link, and more.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore everything you need to know about Amazon‘s smart bulb offerings and other Alexa-compatible options available on Amazon as of 2022.
Overview of Smart Bulbs
Before diving into the specifics of Amazon‘s bulbs, let‘s quickly cover what smart bulbs are and how they work.
Smart bulbs are LED light bulbs that can connect to your home WiFi network and be controlled remotely. This allows you to turn lights on/off, dim, change colors, and automate lighting – all from your smartphone or through voice control using a virtual assistant.
Most smart bulbs connect via Bluetooth or WiFi to a hub or bridge, which allows you to control them using an app on your phone or through smart speakers like the Amazon Echo. Many also work directly with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and more for voice control capabilities.
Some key features and benefits of smart bulbs include:
- Remote control – Turn lights on/off from anywhere via app or voice
- Automation – Schedule lights to turn on/off automatically at certain times
- Lighting scenes – Program bulbs to display preset colors/brightness
- Voice control – Use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant to control lights
- Energy savings – Smart scheduling/dimming can reduce energy usage
- Fun and convenience – Dynamic lighting scenes liven up any space
Now let‘s look at the smart bulb options available directly from Amazon.
AmazonBasics Smart Bulbs
Amazon makes their own line of affordable smart bulbs under the AmazonBasics brand:
- AmazonBasics 60W Equivalent LED Smart Bulb – A19 size, 800 lumens, doesn‘t require a hub
- AmazonBasics 75W Equivalent LED Smart Bulb – BR30 size, 1100 lumens, doesn‘t require a hub
- AmazonBasics 100W Equivalent LED Smart Bulb – BR30 size, 1500 lumens, doesn‘t require a hub
These bulbs connect directly to your WiFi network without the need for a separate hub or bridge. You can control them using the Alexa app and Amazon Echo devices via voice commands.
AmazonBasics smart bulbs have the following features:
- Color temperature adjustable from soft white to daylight
- Scheduling so lights turn on/off automatically
- Compatible with Alexa, Echo, Fire TV Cube (no hub required)
- Estimated 22 year lifespan based on 3 hrs/day usage
- No need for a separate app, controls through Alexa app
- Utilizes AES-128 encryption to protect wireless network
These straightforward smart bulbs are a good entry-level option if you‘re looking for basic voice-controlled lighting. And with prices starting at just $14.99, Amazon‘s smart bulbs are quite affordable.
Other Smart Bulb Brands on Amazon
In addition to the AmazonBasics line, there are many other high-quality smart bulb brands available on Amazon that work with Alexa:
Philips Hue
Philips Hue is likely the most popular and well-known smart lighting brand. Hue bulbs feature tons of options like:
- 16 million colors
- Tunable white for adjustable color temperature
- Brightness ranging from soft glow to full light
- Sync with music, movies, and games
- Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit
- Wide range of bulb shapes and sizes
However, most Hue bulbs and fixtures require the Hue Bridge hub in order to connect. This adds to the total cost, but makes setup straightforward.
Some popular Phillips Hue products include:
- Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit – $99, includes hub and 4 bulbs
- Philips Hue BR30 Downlight – $54.99, recessed lighting (requires hub)
- Philips Hue LightStrip – $79.99, flexible LED strip (requires hub)
Overall, Philips Hue bulbs are on the pricier side, but provide tons of features and excellent smart lighting capabilities.
TP-Link Kasa
TP-Link‘s Kasa smart home line includes a variety of affordable smart bulbs that work with Amazon Alexa. Some options include:
- Kasa Filament Smart Bulb – $21.99, vintage Edison-style glass bulb
- Kasa Color Smart Bulb – $18.99, tunable white and colors
- Kasa BR30 Bulb – $16.99, adjustable white colors
Kasa bulbs connect directly to WiFi without a hub and also work with Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana. The companion Kasa app lets you schedule lights, set timers, light scenes, and automate your bulbs.
Lifx
Lifx makes WiFi-enabled smart bulbs that boast bright output and tons of features:
- Over 16 million colors
- 1,100 lumens of brightness
- Tunable whites from warm to cool
- Sync with music, movies, and games
- No hub required
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit
Some of their most popular bulbs include:
- LIFX Mini Color Smart Bulb – $34.99, A19 size, 800 lumens
- LIFX BR30 Smart Bulb – $49.99, BR30 size, 1100 lumens
- LIFX Z TV Lightstrip – $89.99, 2 meter flexible light strip
Lifx bulbs are on the pricier side, but provide superior brightness and light features compared to many competitor bulbs.
Sengled
Sengled makes affordable smart bulbs that come in a variety of shapes like A19, BR30, and E12 candelabra bases. Some top options are:
- Sengled Smart Bulb – $9.97, A19 basic smart bulb
- Sengled Color Changing Bulb – $17.99, A19 tunable white and color
- Sengled Multicolor Bulb – $19.99, A19 RGBW multicolor
- Sengled PAR38 Bulb – $29.88, floods and spots ideal for recessed lighting
These bulbs don‘t require a separate hub, connect directly via WiFi, and work with Amazon Alexa right out of the box. Sengled also offers smart switches, lights strips, and more.
Additional Smart Bulb Brands
Some other quality smart bulb brands with Alexa compatibility include:
- GE – Budget A19 and BR30 bulbs starting under $15
- Feit Electric – A19 bulbs with tuneable whites around $20
- Leviton – Decora smart dimmers, switches, plugs that work with bulbs
- Luminoodle – Smart plug-in light strips starting at $39.95
So in summary, while Amazon offers their own AmazonBasics smart bulbs, there are also tons of options from Philips Hue, Sengled, TP-Link, and more – all compatible with Amazon Alexa.
How Much Do Amazon Smart Bulbs Cost?
One of the best aspects of Amazon‘s own smart bulbs is how affordable they are. Here‘s a quick look at the pricing:
- AmazonBasics 60W Smart Bulb – $14.99
- AmazonBasics 75W Smart Bulb – $17.99
- AmazonBasics 100W Smart Bulb – $17.99
These are very budget-friendly prices, especially compared to many competitor bulbs that can cost $50 or more per individual bulb. The affordable pricing makes outfitting your entire home with smart lighting much more achievable.
If you want even more features like color changing, extended brightness, or specialty shapes, expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $50+ per bulb for third-party brands like Philips Hue, TP-Link Kasa, and Lifx. So AmazonBasics is certainly the most wallet-friendly.
How Long Do Amazon Smart Bulbs Last?
AmazonBasics smart bulbs are rated to have an exceptional 22 year lifespan. This is based on 3 hours of use per day – a typical amount for most households.
Thanks to solid state LED technology, LED smart bulbs last significantly longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, which may need to be replaced yearly. You likely won‘t have to swap out your Amazon smart bulbs for over two decades.
Other brands like Philips Hue and Lifx estimate their smart LED bulbs can last 15,000-25,000 hours or 15-25 years. So you can expect reliable long-lasting light from any good quality smart bulb.
Benefits of Amazon Smart Bulbs
Here are some of the great benefits you‘ll enjoy by using Amazon smart bulbs:
Voice control with Alexa – The key benefit is the ability to control your lights with your voice using an Echo device and other Alexa-powered platforms. This hands-free convenience is a game-changer.
No hub required – Amazon‘s bulbs connect directly to WiFi without the need for a separate hub, making setup simple and cost-effective.
Scheduling and automation – Program lights to turn on or off at certain times throughout the day or night. Automate your home lighting needs.
Remote access – Control your bulbs even when away from home using the Alexa app on your smartphone.
Affordability – Amazon‘s bulbs offer basic voice-controlled smart lighting at a very wallet-friendly price point.
Long lifespan – A single LED smart bulb can last over two decades, saving you maintenance hassle and cost.
For the price, Amazon‘s smart bulbs check all the key boxes and make an excellent smart home starter product. They provide a straightforward introduction to the convenience of voice-controlled lights.
Limitations of Amazon Smart Bulbs
AmazonBasics bulbs do have some limitations compared to higher-end competitors:
Limited colors – Amazon‘s bulbs only produce soft white to cool daylight shades. No full color spectrum or rgb capabilities.
No lighting recipes – You can‘t program complex lighting routines with different color zones. But scheduling and basic automation is still possible.
No syncing – Higher priced bulbs can sync and react to music, movies, and games. Amazon‘s bulbs lack these advanced features.
Basic shapes – Currently Amazon only offers A19 and BR30 shapes. No recessed lighting or specialty options.
WiFi only – Some systems like Philips Hue use a separate Zigbee protocol for better home connection. Amazon relies on standard WiFi.
But for the affordable price, most buyers will be very satisfied with the decent range of features. The average user will not necessarily need or want those higher-end capabilities lacking in Amazon‘s smart bulbs.
How Amazon Smart Bulbs Work with Alexa
Amazon smart bulbs integrate directly with Alexa, Amazon‘s virtual voice assistant. This allows you to control the bulbs completely hands-free using an Alexa-enabled device like an Amazon Echo.
To set up your Amazon smart bulbs with Alexa:
Install bulbs – Screw bulbs into light fixtures as usual.
Connect bulbs to WiFi – In Alexa app, go to Add Device > Light and follow prompts to connect each bulb to your WiFi.
Discover devices – Alexa will automatically discover all your connected bulbs.
Begin voice control – Now you can control your lights with commands like "Alexa, turn on the living room light."
With Alexa discovery and built-in WiFi connectivity, Amazon smart bulbs are designed for straightforward integration. Just connect to your wireless network and Alexa will handle the rest.
Smart Bulb Alexa Voice Commands
Here are some of the voice commands you can use with Amazon smart bulbs and Alexa:
- "Alexa, turn on/off the [room name] light"
- "Alexa, dim the kitchen light to 50%"
- "Alexa, brighten the ceiling light"
- "Alexa, set the light color to soft white"
- "Alexa, turn on bedtime lighting scene"
- "Alexa, turn lights off in 10 minutes"
You can customize device names in the Alexa app to match the name of each room or light. This lets Alexa understand commands using your own names that you set up.
With voice control through Alexa, you can operate lights in any room hands-free, schedule automatic on/off times, create lighting presets for different needs or occasions, and automate for convenience.
Smart Home Uses for Amazon Smart Bulbs
Here are some common and creative ways to use Amazon‘s smart bulbs in your home:
Bedrooms – Use bulbs on nightstands or overhead to turn on/off with voice while in bed. Set automatic shutoff times.
Kitchens – Put smart bulbs under cabinets for handy voice-controlled task lighting. Automate brightness by time of day.
Home offices – Adjust office bulb color tones to be warmer and more focused during work hours, cooler in evenings for relaxation.
Bathrooms – Pair smart bulbs with humidistat sensors to automatically turn on lights when someone enters a dark bathroom.
Outdoor lighting – Install weather-resistant bulbs on porches or patios to control exterior lighting. Brighten walkways at certain hours.
Accent lighting – Use color-capable bulbs to create fun, vibrant scenes in entertainment spaces on demand.
With smart bulbs and Alexa, the possibilities are nearly endless for home lighting automation. Get creative with the ways you implement voice-controlled and scheduled lighting to enhance convenience, ambiance, and functionality.
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide provided you with a thorough overview of Amazon‘s smart bulb options and how Alexa-compatible bulbs can be used in your smart home.
The key takeaways are:
Amazon sells their own affordable AmazonBasics smart bulbs starting at just $14.99. These provide simple, reliable voice control for basic smart lighting applications.
There are also many other quality smart bulb brands available on Amazon like Philips Hue, Sengled, TP-Link Kasa, and more. These offer a wider range of features and capabilities.
Smart bulbs provide both convenience and potential energy savings thanks to remote control and automation features. LED bulbs can last over two decades.
Alexa integration allows total hands-free voice control using an Echo device or other Alexa-powered platform. Just speak commands to operate your smart lights.
Alexa-compatible smart bulbs are a fun way to add automated, voice-controlled illumination to just about any room or space inside or outside your home.
Ready to give smart bulbs a try? Amazon provides the simplest and most budget-friendly options that integrate seamlessly with Alexa. Click the links in this guide to check out all the bulbs and get started creating your own intelligent lighting today.
