What to choose between smart switch vs smart bulb?

Nowadays, there are a lot of smart gadgets on the market and people are looking to make their living space easy to use, save energy and be environmentally friendly. Some popular techniques for the modernization of the old lighting systems include smart switches and smart lights. 

Though each of them has its advantages and peculiarities, the main problem is how smart IoT LED lighting for home can satisfy your needs. We examine all features of smart switches and smart bulbs, list their benefits and shortcomings in this detailed comparison so that you can make the right decision.

Understanding smart switches:

Smart switches are to be a substitute for the regular light switches. They enable users to adjust their lighting remotely, either by voice order or phone apps. These devices utilize your home's existing wiring, therefore requiring the assistance of a professional electrician during installation. 

Smart switches get on well with other smart home devices and you can manage several lights in a room or all over the house from one remote. In addition they have efficient timing and automation features that allow users to set up light schedules that suit their own activities and routines.

Pros of smart switches:

1. Compatibility: Smart switches are compatible with most traditional light fittings and don't require any special LED bulbs; hence, they can be employed to enhance a myriad of lighting configurations.
2. Permanent solution: After being installed, the smart switches will continue to be a permanent part of the wiring of your home, so no more part or accessories will be needed.
3. Better control: Smart switches provide you with the option of dimming lights, setting schedules and detecting when someone is in the room which make your home more comfortable and help in saving energy consumption.
4. Integration: Smart switches work with familiar smart home systems like Apple Home Kit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant without any issues. This will let you run your whole home and control it by your voice.

Cons of smart switches:

1. Difficulty of installation: Installing the majority of smart switches can be done only by a professional, which is extra costly and inconvenient.
2. Limited compatibility: The old home houses might not match with the smart switches, which would amount to a lot of work either to repair or rewire the whole house.
3. Cost: Smart switches are typically pricier than smart lights, with installation fee sometimes being an extra cost.

Understanding smart bulbs:

The smart bulb is the LED bulb that can work on its own and has inbuilt Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. It means that a user can handle them either from their phones or smart home platforms which work with them. 

Smart bulbs are different from smart switches in this aspect as they are plug and play devices and can be screwed into the existing sources of light. They have a myriad of features such as lucentness, color temperature, and RGB color that can be changed. This offers a wide variety of lighting choices to set the atmosphere as each scene demands.

Pros of smart bulbs:

1. Easy to Install: Smart lights do not require professional installation, so they are a good choice for the people who love to do things by themselves.
2. Flexibility: As you can alter color and light levels with smart bulbs, this type of lighting offers you more control to create the desired mood and atmosphere in your house.
3. Cost-effectiveness: Smart lights are relatively cheaper than smart switches, which is a good thing if one does not have a lot of money to spend but still wants to install smart lighting in his/her home.
4. Portability: Smart switches stay in one position, whereas smart lights are moveable and can be moved from one light fixture or room to another in a short time, therefore, giving you more options and easing your life.

Cons of smart bulbs:

1. Dependence on bulb: Smart bulbs are limited to the bulb itself to join and control, which makes them less useful where there are a lot of other light sources or fixtures.
2. Problems with compatibility: Some smart bulbs may not be compatible with older light fixtures or dimmer switches, which means that the user might need to buy some extra parts or replacements to make it work.
3. Limited integration: Most of the smart lights work with major smart home platforms, but may not be able to interact smoothly as smart switches; as a result, automation and control could be less convenient.

Which is better

Whether it is a smart switch or a smart bulb, everything is your choice, your demand, your requirement, and your situation. To help you decide, here's a list:

Choose smart switches if:

1. Permanent solution: There is no necessity for replacing the bulbs if you are aiming to revolutionize the lighting system in your home once and for all.
2. Advanced control: You should set lights exactly, adjusting them to dimming, scheduling and detecting whether people are in the room.
3. Integration: For maximum performance smart devices and platforms should be able to communicate among each other easily.
4. Compatibility: The wires in your house are designed for smart switches and you are not afraid of hiring a professional to install them.

Choose smart bulbs if:

1. Easy installation: A product that can be achieved with no professional’s help is what you need.
2. Flexibility: Most probably you would prefer to be able to adjust the color temperature, brightness and even the colors for fitting different circumstances and feelings.
3. Cost-effectiveness: It is important that we make it affordable, especially if you want smart lighting in an older home with a limited budget.
4. Portability: You will be able to replace the bulbs in spaces or fixtures where they are demanded.

In conclusion:

To conclude which one is better between smart switches and smart bulbs is impossible because each has pros and cons that fully meet the different requirements and preferences. It all boils down to whether it is convenient to run, how well compatible it is, how much you have, and what you want to possess. Smart switches could be the correct choice for the homeowner who wants a stable and all-embracing option with sophisticated automation features. 

Nevertheless, the smart bulbs might be perfect for those people who are on a tight budget and find the atmosphere is easy to do and can be used whenever they want. Be it which option you choose, the first action you must take to a well-lit and connected home is to select smart IoT LED lighting that will manually light up for you.