The Best Smart Lights in 2026
Wirecutter’s best smart bulb is the WiZ 60W A19 Color, about $22 for a two-pack. It’s easy to set up and has fun, useful modes. PCMag’s best overall, the TP-Link Tapo L535E (about $11), is bright and supports Matter. Apple Home users should get the Meross MSL120.
Disclosure: PickedTech is reader-supported. Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which products we recommend or how we rank them. How we make money.
How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Wirecutter’s best smart bulb is the WiZ 60W A19 Color, about $22 for a two-pack. It’s easy to set up and has fun, useful modes. PCMag’s best overall, the TP-Link Tapo L535E (about $11), is bright and supports Matter. Best smart bulb: WiZ Full Color 60W A19, $22. Best with Matter: TP-Link Tapo L535E, $10.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best smart bulb | WiZ Full Color 60W A19 | most rooms | About $22 (2-pack) |
| Best with Matter | TP-Link Tapo L535E | a cheap Matter bulb | $10.99 |
| Best for Apple Home | Meross MSL120 Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb | Apple Home users | $29 (2-pack) |
| Best for big homes | U-tec Bright A19 1100LM | lots of bulbs in a big home | $17 |
| Best smart lamp | Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp | a smart table lamp | $109.99 |
| Best outdoor | Govee Lynx Dream Outdoor String Lights | a patio or backyard | $59.98 |
We combined Wirecutter’s[1] January 2026 smart bulb guide with PCMag’s[2] June 2026 smart lighting picks (prices checked October 2026). Wi-Fi smart bulbs are the cheapest way to start: they screw into a normal fixture and work without a hub. Lamps and outdoor string lights cover the rest. For Matter-only picks, see our narrower guide.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Light | Price seen | Type | Works with | Who picks it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WiZ 60W A19 Color | $22 (2-pack) | Color bulb | Alexa, Siri Shortcuts, Google, SmartThings | Wirecutter top pick | Most rooms |
| Meross MSL120 | $29 (2-pack) | Color bulb | Alexa, Apple Home, Google, SmartThings | Wirecutter, Apple Home | Apple Home users |
| U-tec Bright A19 1100LM | $17 | Bulb, mesh Wi-Fi | Alexa, Google, SmartThings | Wirecutter, big homes | Lots of bulbs in a big home |
| TP-Link Tapo L535E | $10.99 | Color bulb | Matter | PCMag best overall | A cheap Matter bulb |
| AiDot Linkind Matter | $14.99 | Color bulb | Matter | PCMag best lighting effects | Lighting effects |
| Philips Hue Iris | $109.99 | Table lamp | Alexa, Google Assistant; Bluetooth | PCMag best smart table lamp | A smart table lamp |
| Govee Lynx Dream | $59.98 | Outdoor string lights | Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT | PCMag best outdoor string lights | A patio or backyard |
The picks in detail
1. WiZ Full Color 60W A19
Best for: most roomsWirecutter’s[1] top pick: an affordable bulb that stood out in testing, is easy to set up and includes fun and useful modes and Scenes. It works with Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings and Apple’s Siri Shortcuts, but not Apple Home. About $22 for a two-pack.
Price (Oct 2026): About $22 (2-pack) Source
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy setup
- Useful modes
Cons
- Siri Shortcuts but not Apple Home
2. TP-Link Tapo L535E
Best for: a cheap Matter bulbPCMag’s[2] best overall smart bulb (Editors’ Choice). It’s bright with rich colors, supports Matter, works with numerous home automation platforms and reports power usage. Its lighting effects are limited. $10.99. See also our Matter smart bulbs guide.
Price (Oct 2026): $10.99 Source
Pros
- Bright, rich colors
- Matter
- Power reports
Cons
- Limited effects
3. Meross MSL120 Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulb
Best for: Apple Home usersWirecutter’s[1] runner-up. It works with all the major platforms, but its solid Apple Home support will appeal most to Apple users. Wirecutter calls the app clunky. $29 for a two-pack.
Price (Oct 2026): $29 (2-pack) Source
Pros
- Solid Apple Home support
- Works with all major platforms
Cons
- Clunky app
4. U-tec Bright A19 1100LM
Best for: lots of bulbs in a big homeWirecutter’s[1] pick for big homes. It’s brighter than many bulbs Wirecutter tested and uses mesh Wi-Fi to link all the bulbs in your home. It works with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings. The app needs work. $17.
Price (Oct 2026): $17 Source
Pros
- Bright
- Mesh Wi-Fi between bulbs
Cons
- App needs work
- No Apple Home
5. AiDot Linkind Matter Smart Light Bulb
Best for: lighting effectsPCMag’s[2] pick for lighting effects (Editors’ Choice). It has rich colors, Matter support, custom and music-themed effects and power usage reports. It maxes out at 800 lumens. $14.99.
Price (Oct 2026): $14.99 Source
Pros
- Music-themed effects
- Matter
Cons
- Maxes out at 800 lumens
6. Philips Hue Iris Table Lamp
Best for: a smart table lampPCMag’s[2] best smart table lamp. It has a wide color and white temperature range, a stylish design, Bluetooth for app control without a hub, and Alexa and Google Assistant support. Some features need a Hue Bridge. $109.99 at Best Buy.
Price (Oct 2026): $109.99 Source
Pros
- Stylish
- Works without a hub over Bluetooth
Cons
- Some features need a Hue Bridge
7. Govee Lynx Dream Outdoor String Lights
Best for: a patio or backyardPCMag’s[2] best outdoor string lights. They have lots of customizable effects, work with Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT, and need no hub. The bulbs are spaced far apart, and there’s no HomeKit support. $59.98.
Price (Oct 2026): $59.98 Source
Pros
- Lots of effects
- No hub required
Cons
- Bulbs spaced far apart
- No HomeKit
Also considered
GE Cync Full Color Direct Connect: Wirecutter’s[1] pick for task lighting: an ultra-bright 100-watt-equivalent bulb.
RCA Smart Wi-Fi A19: Wirecutter’s pick for simple control ($25 for two); Alexa and Google Home only.
Roku Smart Bulb SE: PCMag[2] pick ($9.45).
Pure Smart A19F filament bulb: PCMag’s best filament smart bulb ($24).
Pick by smart-home platform
Most Wi-Fi bulbs work with Alexa and Google Home. Apple Home is where they differ: the WiZ uses Siri Shortcuts instead, while the Meross MSL120 supports Apple Home directly. Matter bulbs like the Tapo L535E work across platforms. See our Matter smart bulbs and Matter starter kit.
Make an existing lamp smart
If you love a lamp that takes an unusual bulb, a smart plug can switch it on and off on a schedule. See our smart plugs and Matter smart plugs guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best smart light bulb?
Do smart bulbs need a hub?
What is the best smart bulb for Apple Home?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
Related
The Best Matter Smart Bulbs
Matter bulbs work with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings at once. The main choice is Wi-Fi (no hub) or Thread (needs a border router).
best ofThe Best Smart Plugs
Kasa is the reliable workhorse without a required subscription. Amazon Smart Plug is simplest for Alexa-only homes. Wemo fits Apple HomeKit-centric setups when the SKU supports it.
best ofThe Best Matter Smart Plugs
Matter plugs work with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings out of the box. The real differences are energy monitoring and Wi-Fi vs Thread.
best ofMatter Starter Kit: What to Buy First
Start with one Matter controller and Thread border router that matches your phone and voice assistant, then add two or three Wi-Fi Matter plugs or bulbs. Most starter kits cost $150–$250.
best ofThe Best Smart Locks in 2026
Wirecutter’s best smart deadbolt is the Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt ($199). It’s easy to install, works flawlessly and provides robust security. If you use Apple Home, look at the Yale Assure Lock 2 ($195) or the Aqara U100 ($150). Renters can keep their deadbolt and add a retrofit lock instead.