Do the light fantastic
LE Smart Bulbs
From €16
★★★★★
If you’re starting to look at installing smart home devices, the best place to start is lights. Multi-coloured LED wifi bulbs are not only a money saver, but can transform the mood in your home with the tap of an app. A new entrant to the market is LE. They produce various types of smart lights and I found them on Amazon at a price that seemed too good to be true. They are available with either screw or bayonet fittings so you can select which you need when ordering.
The set-up process was straightforward and quick. Firstly, I replaced a bedroom bulb with the new smart one and switched on the light. Then I downloaded the LE Smart app which is available for iOS or Android. The app prompts you to add device, and it identified the bulb immediately. It allows you to name the bulbs, and this is crucial for true smart-home integration. The app also requires you to authorise the bulb to use your wifi.
I then linked my LE app to Alexa. Alexa identified the bulbs and now rather than using the LE app to control the bulbs, I simply ask Alexa to turn them on or change colour.
The LE App allows you to use the lights in two modes, white mode and full-colour mode. It also allows very fine adjustments of the white light. The presets are useful but it is possible to almost perfectly replicate the feel of morning sunlight.
There is a scheduling tool which allows you to automate the lights switching on or off. Also, it’s possible to add actions to the bulbs, that are triggered by other smart devices. This needs some tinkering with, but you could add personal little routines. For instance, you could have the lights automatically come on if your Fitbit detects you getting out of bed, but only if it’s during hours of darkness.
One concern I have is the bulbs only work on 2.4GHz wifi. Most homes have dual-band routers for 2.4 and 5GHz wifi. Another concern may be if you have lampshades that rely on the bulb to stay in place. I was a little cautious letting a bedroom shade rest on the bulb.
Overall though, the bulbs work really well. A comparable bulb from an established lighting maker is more than twice the price, so the LE represents great value.