I purchased these bulbs mid-October based on the product reviews. At the time, there were only Vines approved reviews stating how great they were. I bought them and installed them, but they were acceptable, not perfect or fully functional.
The Good:
1. They were probably the cheapest color changing smart bulbs from a reputable brand. It’s a pretty good deal compared to the Hues.
2. Being able to control each individual light bulb was nice.
The Bad:
1. I had issues with the color changing function. It didn’t work properly. Whenever I tried to change colors, the bulb would change the color, but would strobe non-stop. I am not sure if it there was an issue with the app, firmware, or my router (Google mesh-network).
2. I had a lot of recessed ceiling lights (about 14) just on the first floor. Because each one is connected to the router, I had a lot of items connecting to my network. This was just on the first floor. I don’t know if it was warranted, but I started feeling concerned that it will eventually slow my bandwidth and eat away at things if I kept that many devices on the network.
3. Power consumption. In order for these things to work, they have to be powered through the light switch. That means they are on all the time even though the light isn’t turned on. It has to be done this way in order to allow your phone on demand access to wirelessly turn on the lights. I don’t know how much power these things draw, however, the thought of having these vampire devices drawing power when I’m not home bothers my wallet.
4. As mentioned previously, these things are powered through the connection of the light switch. It’s really annoying when I head for bed and hit the light switch, only to realize I have to turn the light back on or else the smart function will not work. I have to shut these lights off with the app. It’s extra annoying when you have guest staying over who don’t have access to the app. The Philips Hue system has a special light switch that can be purchased to resolve this. I am not sure if these guys have a similar product. Either way, that’s an extra expense.
Summary:
These do not seem to be completely ready for prime time yet. The non color changing light function works well, but the color changing function does not for some reason. It might have to do with my Wi-Fi network, but I am not about to change all that out for these bulbs. I ended up returning all of these and just getting smart light switches instead. Smart light switches do not offer as much control, but they are more economical and convenient in the long run. I do not have to worry about whether or not I turned off the light switch.
| Manufacturer | LEDVANCE |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 75688 |
| Item Weight | 1.44 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 3.74 x 3.74 x 5 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | 75688 |
| Color | Br30 Full Color |
| Material | Plastic |
| Shape | BR30 |
| Power Source | AC |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Wattage | 8.5 watts |
| Item Package Quantity | 4 |
| Number Of Pieces | 4 |
| Type of Bulb | Dimmable |
| Luminous Flux | 700 Lumen |
| Special Features | Not compatible with Apple HomeKit, Must be connected to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, For indoor use only. Not for use with fully enclosed fixtures |
| Usage | For indoor use only |
| Included Components | 4 LED Bulbs |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 2 years. |
