How to choose your LED bulb

Verdict:

This kit is first of all interesting by its composition 2 white LEDs and the Zigbee gateway and its reasonable price. Admittedly, the gateway imposes its presence, but it is compact, only mobilizes an Ethernet port and allows remote access and connection of cloud services such as IFTTT. Difficult to pass for someone who is looking for lighting that is at least intelligent.

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Brightness variation – Programming of Golocalization atmospheres (ignition when smartphone nearby)
Gateway + 2 LEDs
Zigbee + Ethernet
E27, white
9.5 W / 806 lumens / 2700 K
HomeKit, IFTTT, Works with Nest, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
11 Ă— 6.1 cm
Color LED, GU-10 spot, light fixtures, LED strip, Zigbee switch…

Technical sheet
+

Verdict:

Imposing in size, the Awox Smart LED is characterized by its low price and its light output of 1030 lumens, one of the highest in this dossier. This white bulb with adjustable color temperature is based on a mobile application that is fairly simple to use (the same one that controls Awox's smartplug). An interesting product if you are not looking for complications. Two variations exist, less powerful (560 and 680 lumens).

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Brightness / color temperature variation Programming Disco presence detection
1 LED
Bluetooth
E27, white
13 W / 1030 lumens / 2700-6000 K
no
13.2 Ă— 7 cm
White or color LED, LED with smoke detector, fragrance diffuser or speaker

Technical sheet
+

Verdict:

The Lifx adopts Wifi, which naturally gives it an IP address and controls it outside the home. It is also characterized by its fairly strong light power (1055 lumens) and its price quite high, especially in comparison with the Philips kit. Add the color, however. The application is rather neat and contains many functions: programming, scenarios, multiple effects, etc.

more

Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Variation in brightness / color temperature Choice of colors Programming Ambiences Golocalization Lighting effects
1 LED
Wifi n
E27, color
11W / 1055 lumens / 2500-9000 K
IFTTT, Works with Nest, HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
11.5 Ă— 6.3 cm
White LED, bayonet size B22

Technical sheet
+

The omnipotent smartphone becomes a central element of the smart home and invests in the most basic actions of our daily lives. Press a switch to turn on or turn off a light? Even this banal gesture is now part of the remit of our mobile devices.

Of course, this is not obvious: you need the help ofconnected bulbs, in other words communicating. The smartphone then serves as a new generation switch, but does not stop there: it allows you to program the operation of this bulb, adjust the color or intensity of the light it puts on, etc. Would this be a solid starting point for the Home Smart Home so much hoped for by techies?

The answer depends on the communication protocol used. Bluetooth bulbs are generally autonomous objects, closed to interactions with third-party objects. It's nice, but it doesn't go very far. However, WiFi bulbs or those accompanied by an IP gateway are naturally interoperable and ready to form or integrate a home automation system. They then become a brick of the whole Smart Home.

>>> Smartplug: what is the best connected electrical outlet?

What is a LED bulb used for?

We will not talk about the usefulness of the lighting itself, that goes without saying. We are talking about the interest of the connectivity of an LED bulb (which we contract in LED later). The first answer is trivial: like all other connected objects, a connected LED can be controlled by a smartphone or a tablet. It is sort of the modern version of an old principle, namely the remote control of lighting. The smartphone, the mobile application and its graphic interface supplant the mini-remote controls which are sometimes difficult to handle. Everyone will judge whether it is essential or not.

Image 7: Connected bulbs: which is better?

Extra functions

Manual and remote switching on and off, changing the intensity or color temperature and even choosing a color if the LED allows are among the essential functions available. Fortunately, that's not all, because a simple switch / dimmer can do almost as much. So add the programming, the time delay (or gradual shutdown at certain times), and for the most sophisticated models, remote use (presence simulation in particular), geofencing (on and off according to the user's geographic position), synchronization with the rhythm of the music played by the smartphone (Ambify function from Philips or Disco from Awox) …

Wireless switch

However, do not condemn the switch, away from there. Philips had the good idea to market a wireless switch dedicated to the hue range which offers some basic controls. Schneider Electric did the same by joining forces with Awox: the first provides the switch, the second the LED connects, and the two communicate via Bluetooth. By the way, Awox has also designed its own switch, the SmartPebble. Therefore, it is no longer worth grabbing your smartphone for a function as harmless as turning on or turning off an LED.

>>> >>> What is the best alarm connected?

Diameter, fixation, power… how to choose your connected bulb?

Image 8: Connected bulbs: which is better?

The variety of these connected LEDs is constantly growing, with manufacturers little responding to all lighting needs. The first discriminant is the type of light provided, white or colored. The White LEDs produce a warm (color temperature around 3000 Kelvin), cold (greater than 5300 K, corresponding to daylight) or adjustable light. Those are the most economical: they are sold around 30 , in sentend connect version. The RGB LEDs have the attraction of their palette of 16 million colors, ideal for creating original and decorative atmospheres, and are also capable of producing white light. This has a cost: Hue White and Color bulb from Philips, price close to 60, for example.

Lifx went a little further than its competitors with the Lifx +, the particularity of which is to put in the infrared. This function alone has no interest. On the other hand, it is interesting when a surveillance camera is present in the room: the night vision of the camera, in particular at the door, clearly improves.

What model?

With regard to mounting, these LED bulbs mainly include E27 / E14 thread caps (diameter of 27 mm or 14 mm), B22 bayonet or GU-10 / GU-5.3 pin, which corresponds to the majority of situations encountered in French homes. Their form is classic, that is to say quasi-spherical (A70), conical, spot type The oval shape called flame, studied for suspensions and chandeliers, exists at Osram and Philips. Many decorative and all-in-one products (LED strips, lighting, table lamp) have also appeared.

Philips and Osram, as historical lighting manufacturers, logically offer the largest catalog. We find in particular in Osramexterior lighting and ceiling lights of 1800 lumens, power adapts a room of 10 m2. The Philips hue range also includes several models (spot, bollard) designed to work outside, and therefore weatherproof. Otherwise, most of these LEDs require less than ten watts, the equivalent of 60 to 80 watts for old incandescent bulbs, and benefit from a light output of around 7,800 lumens. It is sufficient for ambient lighting, no more.

Finally, manufacturers communicate very little about the scattering angle. The smaller it is, the more the light beam is concentrated and directive, which can serve to enhance an object, a painting. For a more general and homogeneous lighting, a higher angle close to 180 or beyond is recommended. Philips indicates an angle of 180 for the LED that we tested and Osram, which names it beam angle, 190.

a consumes more than a normal LED? Is it also sustainable?

Image 9: Connected bulbs: which is better?

It makes sense thata connected LED consumes more than a normal LED but the manufacturers do not specify in what proportions. The Philips data sheet nevertheless indicates that the white hue LED consumes 0.5 watt in standby, and it is probably the maintenance of the connection which is responsible. For a full year, this consumption amounts to 5kWh, or less than one euro, at the current average price per kWh (around 15 cents). This same LED has an overall power of 9 W, according to Philips, and would cost less than 15 years if it stays on 24 hours a day. We can therefore consider that the connection overhead is negligible.

As for the reliability, it is even more difficult to pronounce. The longevity of an LED is said to exceed ten or so, due to a few hours of use per day, and these connected models are just as durable to believe the manufacturers. But does this lifespan announce 15,000, 20,000 hours and more take into account that of on-board microcomponents, which deal with connectivity in particular? This is a question that remains unanswered. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and even Zigbee components have, after all, had the opportunity to be proven everywhere in recent years. But contrary to popular belief, an LED heats up, certainly much less than in the past, the incandescent bulb, and this heat could degrade these electronic components in the long run. As there is a lack of perspective, it remains to be hoped that the engineers have done their job well.

How does he communicate?

The Bluetooth is the most widespread mode of communication, more precisely its 4.0 Low Energy variant (or Bluetooth Smart) designed for the connected objects market. Available on Android smartphones since version 4.3 and on iPhones since iOS 5, the Bluetooth Smart has become democratic, as will undoubtedly be the Bluetooth 5.0, finalized in 2017. The connection between the LED and the mobile device has the advantage of being direct, without recourse to third party equipment such as a gateway. The downside is that you have to be in the bulb, about ten meters, to control or configure it. Adopted in summer 2017, the Bluetooth Mesh is no longer affected by this limitation. The connection is no longer established point – point: compatible connected objects form a mesh network thanks to which the instructions are relayed from one object to the other. So you can control a Bluetooth LED in the bedroom while you are in the living room, a floor below, as long as there is another LED or another intercalating object that carries the message. Signed Awox, the SmartLight Mesh range is the first to use this communication technology.

Whatever the version of Bluetooth, one drawback remains: control outside the home is impossible. The BeeWi LED is an exception thanks to an optional Bluetooth gateway, connected to the Internet.

>> read also: IP surveillance camera: which is better?

After Bluetooth, Wifi and Zigbee

The Wireless used by Lifx, Konyks and Xiaomi also has the advantage of being universal and allowing natural remote access, since this Wi-Fi network generally comes from an Internet box. It is however less widespread than Bluetooth.

The Zigbee (and its Zigbee Light Link declination) used by Philips and Osram, is even less widespread. It is a radio protocol for home automation, transport in 868 MHz or 2.4 GHz, which is not integrated as standard on smartphones, tablets and other household equipment such as an Internet box. A Zigbee LED actually requires a third party device, in this case a gateway that will play the role of intermediary between the smartphone, used indoors or outdoors, and the Zigbee LED (s). note that there are other models of LEDs or sockets that use the Z-Wave, another radio protocol dedicated to home automation.

Finally, Philips has just announced a hue range that supports two protocols: the Zigbee, still, and also Bluetooth. So we could consider directly controlling a Hue LED from the smartphone.

Is it easy to install?

The Bluetooth LEDs do not require any third party equipment: just screw them at least for the threading models in the selected socket, then download the manufacturer's iOS or Android application, which activates Bluetooth and detects the bulb by question once it is worn (a maximum of ten meters). This identification phase takes only ten seconds. The installation of the Lifx, which uses Wifi, is a little longer, because the application must first connect to the Wifi network set by the LED, then transmit the password of the domestic Wifi network that the user will have previously informed. Operating also in Wifi, Konyks Antalya needs to enter the mobile application with the Wifi password and then a code sent beforehand by email, in order to finalize the operation. Nothing very restrictive…

Gateway

Regarding the Philips and Osram systems, one bridge (supplied) is necessary: ​​as its name suggests, it realizes the communication, here via the Zigbee protocol, between the smartphone and the LED (s). This gateway connects via Ethernet (Philips) or Wifi (in the case of Osram) to the Internet box or to the home router. The process is then the same download of the application, detection and takes a little longer with Osram Lightify in the sense that, as for the Lifx bulb, you have to enter the password of the local Wifi network. Anyway, we see that simplicity is in order: we do not fight to successfully install and it is appreciable.

Image 10: Connected bulbs: which is better?

It should be noted that the Philips and Osram systems accept up to 50 bulbs per gateway, which makes it possible to cover a dwelling of good size. The other systems are generally content with a maximum of 8 bulbs.

Is it interoperable? Can these LED bulbs fit into a home automation installation?

The question ofinteroperability remains sensitive in terms of Smart Home. The fact that Bluetooth is used by the majority of these connected LEDs is a priori a good sign. After all, a Bluetooth headset works today with any smartphone and mobile app. And yet, in the case that interests us here, it is not. The Awox bulb is not identified by the Elgato app, the Bee-Wi bulb is ignored by the Megaman app and so on. The Bluetooth Smart was designed to minimize the energy consumption of these objects and of the smartphone, but does not impose instructions which could found a common language.

Mix Bluetooth LEDs and equipment, like sensors, which do not have the same origin, is therefore not not allowed. You have to stick to the same catalogs. For example, you can create home automation mini-scenarios (an event implies an action) by combining certain BeeWi products (LED and sensor), controlled by the mobile application of this company. Admit that it is limited. Bluetooth Mesh could, however, be a game-changer and improve interoperability between products from various manufacturers.

We say that the Zigbee works at Philips and Osram will behave better. Nay: an Osram LED remains under the radar of the Philips gateway and vice versa. This incompatibility will not surprise connoisseurs of home automation, the Zigbee so renowned for this big disadvantage. This also prompted Philips to design its own Zigbee motion and light detector, which integrates perfectly with the Hue ecosystem.

Image 11: Connected bulbs: which is better?

Online is different

Interoperability is not an empty word, however, when the LED, via Wifi or an IP gateway, is linked to the Internet. provided that the manufacturers deign to offer Apis (Application Program Interface), cloud services and platforms, such as Works with Nest and IFTTT (If This Then That), can serve as a support for the interactions of basic foreign products. Thanks to IFTTT, you can for example easily create a recipe, in this case a scenario, involving a boiled bulb and a Netatmo weather station (turn on the lamp in red if the CO2 level exceeds a certain threshold, etc.).

This is also the aim of a platform such as Apple HomeKit to federate all these objects and, on this basis, to authorize the creation of home automation scenarios and to control the whole voice, via Siri. The LEDs from Philips and Lifx are HomeKit compatible. They also interact with voice assistants from Google and Amazon, as does Konyks' Antalya

Finally, the integration of more sophisticated home automation systems remains very rare. Due to its relative popularity and its age, hue is supported by some home automation boxes. These include Somfy Tahoma, eedomus and HomeWizard. The point is to control the hue LEDs and add them to home automation scenarios using a single interface, that of the box. For those who want to build their Smart Home, this is a considerable advantage.

Verdict:

Signed Xiaomi, this LED stands out for its ability to produce a white or colored light and its Wifi connection. With its 800 lumens, it is a little behind its direct competitors positioned on the same niche (Lifx and Konyks in particular) but its quality / price ratio is nonetheless high. The Mi Home mobile application also offers several interesting functions (color temperature, programming, etc.) and the possibility of creating scenarios including other Xiaomi products. The Yeelight app is also compatible and proves to be a little more intuitive to our eyes. Finally, the interoperability with voice assistants from Google and Amazon is noted.

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Luminosit / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions

Other products available in the range

Variation in brightness / color temperature – Choice of color – Timer / programming – Atmospheres – Auto variation (Flow) – Scenarios
1 LED
Wifi n
E27, color
10 W / 800 lumens / 1700-6500 K
Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT
12 Ă— 5.5 cm
Desk lamp – Yeelight LEDs

Technical sheet
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Verdict:

Konyks is a private label of Apynov and LED Antalya is part of a larger offer of connected objects. This color model, combined with an E27 base, is distinguished, like the Lifx, by its Wifi connection: it can be piloted away from home, if necessary, and interacts easily with services such as IFTTT, Alexa or even Google Assistant. Despite its low price, it has good power (1050 lumens) and is accompanied by a fairly neat mobile application and its range of functions: adjustments of light intensity, color, color temperature (except the temperature of white alas), predefined atmospheres, programming. In addition, there is the possibility of creating home automation mini-scenarios involving other Konyks products (smartplug, opening detector, etc.) and third-party services (weather, air pollution, etc.). All in all, this is a very interesting LED.

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Variation in brightness / color temperature Choice of colors Atmosphere Programming Home automation scenarios
1 LED
Wifi n
E27, color
10 W / 1050 lumens / nc
IFTTT, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
13.3 Ă— 7 cm
GU-10 spot, LED tape, WiFi switch

Technical sheet
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Verdict:

This pack is the result of a partnership between Schneider Electric, which supplies the wireless switch, and Awox, which supplies the LED. After an ultra-fast initialization phase, the switch allows to turn on / off the LED and to control the brightness and the color temperature of white (a color pack is also available). The mobile application, on the other hand, is used to define the action of the Favorite button on the switch and offers other functions, such as programming. But we can very well do without it. Bluetooth Mesh is another notable feature, although it is still a little early to know if this protocol will upset the Internet of Things. This pack is nonetheless interesting and easy to access.

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Brightness / color temperature variation Programming Presence detection – Disco
1 LED + 1 switch
Bluetooth Mesh
E27, white
9 W / 806 lumens / 2700-6500 K
no
11.5 Ă— 6 cm
Color Kit (with RGB LED) – Weapon Kit (with fragrance LED)

Technical sheet
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Verdict:

The application, for starters, lacks clarity and does not offer any advanced functions, except for integration with the Works with Nest program. We are hungry. More serious, the update of the gateway systematically failed despite all our efforts. WiFi is certainly quite practical, but not always very reliable. We therefore invite Osram to review his copy. It should be noted that this kit is almost no longer sold today.

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Variation in brightness / color temperature Choice of colors Ambiences – Time delay (timer)
Zigbee gateway (WiFi) + 1 LED
Zigbee + WiFi n
E27, color
10 W / 810 lumens / 2000-6500 K
HomeKit, IFTTT, Works with Nest, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
11 Ă— 6 cm
White LED, spot (indoor or outdoor), LED strip, wall / ceiling lamp

Technical sheet
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Verdict:

Sleep Companion is a special kind of color LED, intended to equip a bedside lamp and to rush the user into Morphe's arms, or to extract it quickly. SleepCompanion is also able to measure noise, temperature and brightness in the bedroom to analyze the quality of sleep. Or even more by connecting a bracelet from Withings or the Nest Weather Station. However, Holi has shut down and this LED will only be sold while stocks last. And the servers becoming inoperative, certain functions (statistics of the night) are no longer accessible.

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Color brightness / temperature variation Color choice Programming Relaxation Progressive switching on and off Data analysis (temperature, etc.)
1 LED
Bluetooth Smart
E27, color
nc / 700 lumens / 2500-6000 K
Works with Nest, Netatmo, Fitbit, Jawbone
11.5 Ă— 6 cm
Smart lamp

Technical sheet
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Verdict:

The mobile application, which we already encountered during our test of smart plugs, has a pleasant interface and offers classic functions such as varying the light intensity or choosing the diffuse color. We regret however that the terminology of certain functions is also confusing (time delay for programming for example). Other more or less bright versions are available. BeeWi is now part of the HBF group and associates the Otio brand.

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Functions

Box contents

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Brightness / color temperature variation Choice of colors Programming
1 LED
Bluetooth Smart
E27, color
9 W / 750 lumens / 3000-6000 K
no
12, x6.5 cm
Bluetooth gateway, GU-10 color LED, E14, LED strip

Technical sheet
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Verdict:

With its consumption of 7 watts, Avea is the most sober LED in this file and therefore one of the least powerful (430 lumens). What is more damaging is that the application, despite its neat interface, grants little freedom in the end. Another criticism is that the only intelligent function available, the alarm clock, requires leaving the smartphone nearby and Bluetooth activated. It’s impractical.

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Choice of predefined ambience (with brightness / saturation variation)
1 LED
Bluetooth Smart
E27, color
7 W / 430 lumens / 3000 K
no
12 Ă— 7 cm
Sphere and Flare lights

Technical sheet
+

Verdict:

Megaman is a newcomer to the French market for connected LEDs and some mistakes are often inviting. It is not so much the LED that is at fault, although it would have been appreciated that the temperature of the whites is adjustable. Our criticisms are directed more towards the mobile application, not translated and the very austere interface. And its functions are also quite limited. An overhaul is required.

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Functions

Contents of the box

Mode of communication

Type of LED

Power / Brightness / T color

Interoperability

Dimensions (lengthxdiameter)

Other products available in the range

Brightness variation Programming (1 time slot per day) Atmospheres
1 LED
Bluetooth Smart
E27, white
11 W / 810 lumens / 2800 K
no
12.5 Ă— 6.5 cm
GU-10 spot, spots for integration

Technical sheet
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