‎Managing Smart lightbulbs with Smart Things

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AAbbott

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07-29-2026 01:43 PM

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Anyone here use Smart bulbs? I always thought they were kind of stupid, but now I'm having lighting issues and my handyman suggested replacing my kitchen bulbs with smart lights. I think it's an interesting idea and know how to set them up, but I'm curious as to what happens if I have to eventually change a bulb. I assume I have to go through the whole connection procedure for each new bulb. I am wavering between just adding a remote control for my ceiling fan/light kit and just replacing the bulbs in the fixture with smart bulbs, especially since smart bulbs do not appear to come in 100watt equivalent daylight. They all seem to have colors. I don't need mood lighting - it's a kitchen, not a brothel.

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Experiment19
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07-29-2026 02:19 PM

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Here's my 2 cents worth: I have smart bulbs in my kitchen and living room, operated by voice with my Amazon Echo devices. I like to change colors for different atmospheres, but that's just me. You can keep the lights on just white if you want. I use Sengled smart bulbs and they last for years. Literally haven't had to change the bulbs for 10 yrs. You can also get the bulbs that are operated by a physical remote. They last a super long time as well.
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Experiment19
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07-29-2026 03:20 PM

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Hi. The Sengled Smart Bulbs I control with Alexa are 60 Watt/800 lumens. They're pretty bright even in frosted Torchere lamps, but perhaps not enough for you. The Sengled bulbs (for ex.) have a lifespan of 22.8 yrs based on use of 3 hrs a day, but I have both lights (especially the LV room light) on practically 24/7 since I work from home and don't sleep that much 😊 and have never had to change the bulbs, plus I change the colors often, so always messing with them. I'm not promoing the Sengled product in particular. Just happens to be the ones I purchased.
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AAbbott
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07-29-2026 03:46 PM

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Yeah, 800 lumens is not sufficient for me generally speaking, however, in a 4 bulb fixture they might be. Currently in my dining area I have a 5 blub fixture with 100w LED bulbs, but they have amber colored frosted glass cups and even with all of them on at their brightest, it seems a little dim to me. The kitchen lighting, however, has only mesh scups, so light comes out from all sides. I'll see what happens when I put 60 watt eqivs in all four sockets before I make an investment in the smart bulbs. They'd be replacing the lighting of 8 6 foot fluorescents.
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Experiment19
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07-29-2026 05:02 PM

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Sounds good ☺️
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GaryB82
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07-29-2026 02:26 PM

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I use these in my living room and set them to daylight. If a bulb goes bad you have to go through the whole process again to re-setup them up. I use Google Home to control all of my smart bulbs in my house.
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Experiment19
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07-29-2026 05:08 PM

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You've got me thinking about about making a change. Thanks for the link 👍🏽
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Robin621k
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07-29-2026 05:12 PM

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They are amazing and affordable!
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AAbbott
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07-29-2026 06:03 PM

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That's what I would like to do.
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Robin621k
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07-29-2026 05:11 PM

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My whole apartment is automated with all kinds of smart bulbs, plugs, switch bots, drapery bots, air conditioners etc. I even have a switch that press the button to turn on my printer and espresso machine. The best part of all these smart devices is routines. Example, when I am in my elevator, I open the Alexa app and say I'm home, it turns on my hallway 4 bulbs st 50%, turns on 2 of my ceiling fan lights in living room, TV, sound bar and seasonally my air conditioner. There is a routine for everything I do in my home, even using my printer that is shared and not in the same room as my computer.
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Experiment19
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07-29-2026 05:17 PM

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Now I really have to look into that ✨
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AAbbott
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08-12-2026 11:40 AM

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So, I bought 75 watt (1100 Lumens) equivalent Tapo bulbs for my kitchen fixture. They are simply not as bright as the non-smart LEDs I was using - same wattage, same lumens. I suppose I'll get used to them, it's better than trying to cook in the dark. I only bought two bulbs for a four bulb fixture, I just ordered another two in hopes that the 4 together will be as bright as only two of the regular LEDs are.
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weatherfan
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09-3-2026 01:32 AM

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I saw some ge lights on dollar general on Saturday maybe you could get those
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Managing Smart lightbulbs with Smart Things

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