Do you often forget to turn the lights off before you leave the house? Wanted to dim the lights for a film but forgot to do it before you sat down? Worry no more.
The best smart lighting kits will mean you can control the lights through your voice or on your phone to suit any occasion.
They can help you save money on bills, allowing you to turn lights off from wherever you are. And a smart lighting kit can also be scheduled, so you have soft lighting in the morning for a nice way to get out of bed.
Naeem Adam, computing expert at AO.com, said: “Smart lighting is a great way to bring some atmosphere to your home, whether you’re looking to bring the cinema feel to your living room, or just introduce some zen into your daily routine.
"Another great benefit to smart lighting is convenience – many models have the capability for you to set timers for your lights to come on, meaning you won’t have to lift a finger!"
We've rounded up the best smart lighting kits below to make life at home easier for everyone.
Best smart lighting kits for 2021
1. Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance E27 Bridge + Dimmer Starter Kit - A+ Rated
Set the tone for a romantic night in with this ambient smart lighting kit.
"If you’re new to smart lighting, we would recommend opting for the Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance E27 Bridge and Dimmer Starter Kit," says AO.com's Naeem Adams. "It contains a smart light bulb that can be controlled from your tablet or smartphone, and you’ll be able to choose from 16 million shades to find the perfect setting for your cosy night in!”
Price: £129, AO - buy here now
2. Sengled Element Plus Smart LED Lighting Starter Kit
Want to wake up to a soft light that won't glare or hurt your eyes? You can schedule wakeup and sleep modes with this smart lighting kit.
It works with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice control, so you can enjoy hands-free lighting adjustments. If you're going away, you can use your smartphone to control the lighting to make it look like someone is home, without leaving them on the entire time.
And, if you leave the house without turning the lights off, it's an easy fix from your smartphone.
Price: £24.75, Amazon - buy here now
3. Linkind Smart Zigbee E27 LED Bulb Starter Kit
This affordable and easy-to-use smart lighting kit can be shared with the whole family on the app, so everyone can ensure they've turned off their bedroom lights.
The kit is compatible with Alexa and Google Home for handy voice-activation, and is brilliant for adjusting light for different occasions, whether you're reading, watching a movie, or eating.
You can dim the light to the lowest setting for a night light, or tell Alexa to 'turn on the bedroom light' before you've even got up. You can also set a schedule for your lights to fit your routine.
One Amazon customer said: "I love smart bulbs, they have made such a difference to my life. With the use of smart bulbs and Alexa I can turn my light on without even being in the building. Perfect for going away too, as you can turn lights on and off remotely with your phone or by setting a routine wherever you are in the world. I particularly like that you can alter the brightness to suit the mood and make your house more eco-friendly."
Price: £23.50, Amazon - buy here now
4. Philips Hue Play (Twin Pack)
Elevate your TV or gaming experience with this smart lighting kit.
You'll need to buy the Philips Hub Bridge separately and connect it up before controlling the play bars through the app. You can close from 16 million colours to light up the walls, or even use the sync software to link them to action in your films and games for an immersive experience; light changes colour in time with your TV screen or monitor.
The lights are also dimmable for the perfect atmospheric movie night, and you won't have to lift a finger if you forgot to turn them down before you put your feet up.
You can also save money on bills by turning the lights off from your phone if you accidentally left them on.
Price: £119, AO - buy here now
5. Wiz Wi-Fi Colour & Tunable White Smart Lightstrip 2M
Want to add a little bit of atmospheric lighting to your home? This smart light strip is an easy and affordable way to do it.
Simply stick the strip to your desired surface (under cabinets or shelves) for a lovely ambience that you can control from your smartphone. Simply plug in your new light, download the WiZ app and you can control it from anywhere.
It's also compatible with Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa and has 16 million colours and glow effects.
One reviewer wrote: "The strip light is brilliant. Ideal for increased light under wall cupboards. Easily connected to the app to adjust colours for all occasions. Easy to extend with push fit connections and extension strips. Pastel shades for romantic dining moments at the breakfast bar. Can also be used under the main units to light up the floor."
Price: £41.99, Argos - buy here now
6. IKEA Tradfri Gateway smart lighting kit
This ready-to-use smart lighting comes with a remote control and two E27 light bulbs so you can easily change the mood in the room.
You can switch and dim the lights with the remote, or download the Ikea Home smear app to create several groups of light sources and control them from your phone.
Choose bright light if you're working, or dim if you're enjoying a Netflix binge. It couldn't be easier.
Price: £25, IKEA - buy here now
7. Hive Starter Kit 19 Hive Hub and 2 x Hive Light B22)
If you have a Hive Hub at home, this smart lighting kit is the perfect addition.
Simply replace your existing bulbs with the Hive bulbs, and you'll be able to schedule and personalise your lighting, control the bulbs remotely if you forgot to turn them off, and dim them directly from the sofa for movie nights.
They are very energy efficient, and can ensure your lighting is exactly how you want it for any occasion with the tap of a button. And, of course, they're also compatible with Alexa for voice-activated control too.
One Amazon customer said: "Very pleased with the system overall. Very handy if you're coming home at night into a room carrying bags - just shout 'Alexa light on' and it saves you searching for wall lights with your hands full."
