BBy Bikram Nath·Researched from UK Amazon listings·Updated 2026-10-26·6 products compared
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide contains Amazon affiliate links, and we may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you — but it never changes our rankings.
What are the best smart light bulbs to buy in the UK?
Our top pick for Smart Light Bulbs in the UK is the Philips Hue Essential A60 Smart LED Bulb, White and Colour Ambiance, 806 Lumens.
The Philips Hue Essential A60 suits buyers who want colour and white light from 2200K to 6500K at 806 lumens, with Bluetooth control in the Hue app and Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home named on the listing.
The Philips Hue Essential A60 smart bulb is our top pick because its listing states 806 lumens at 8W, white light from 2200K to 6500K plus millions of colours, dimming down to 2%, and control from the Hue app over Bluetooth or by voice with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home. For a vintage look, the Philips Hue Filament A60 is an E27 filament bulb that dims down to 0.2% and has a 2 year manufacturer warranty. For Wi-Fi control, the Tapo L530E (E27, 806 Lumens, 2500-6500K) and the Avatar Controls 2 Pack (B22, up to 900 lumens per bulb, 2700K-6500K) both say no hub is required.
This guide compares six smart light bulbs from Philips Hue, Tapo, Avatar Controls, Lighting master and Govee, using what each listing states: cap, brightness, power, colour temperature, dimming, control and warranty. Stated brightness runs from 580lm on the Hue Filament to 1280LM on the Lighting master; the Tapo and Hue Filament are E27, the Avatar Controls, Lighting master and Govee are B22, and the Hue Essential's title names both.
Buying guide
What should you look for in Smart Light Bulbs?
1Cap: the Philips Hue Filament and Tapo L530E are E27; the Avatar Controls and Lighting master listings describe B22 bayonet fittings, and the Govee is B22. The Philips Hue Essential title names both E27 and B22, so check which cap the listing supplies before buying.
2Brightness and power: 580lm at 7W (Hue Filament), 800LM at 9W (Govee), 806 lumens at 8W (Hue Essential), 806 Lumens with a 60W equivalent and no wattage stated (Tapo), up to 900 lumens at 9W per bulb (Avatar Controls) and 1280LM at 12W (Lighting master).
3White and colour: the Hue Essential states 2200K-6500K, the Tapo 2500-6500K, the Avatar Controls 2700K-6500K and the Lighting master 2700K-6000K, each with colour too. The Govee lists 16 million colours without a kelvin range, and the Hue Filament listing describes white light only, with no kelvin figure.
4Hub and app: the Tapo and Avatar Controls listings say no hub is required, and the Avatar Controls and Govee ask for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Both Philips Hue bulbs use Bluetooth in the Hue app, with a Hue Bridge as an add-on, and the Lighting master uses Bluetooth and the BRmesh app with no Wi-Fi.
5Warranty: 2 year manufacturer on the Hue Filament and the Tapo, 2-year on the Lighting master, 1 year manufacturer on the Hue Essential and 1 year on the Avatar Controls. The Govee listing states no warranty term.
Our process
How do we choose our picks?
We don’t lab-test products ourselves. Instead we synthesise current Amazon UK listings and published specs into clear, honest recommendations. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, but that never changes which products we rank.
Current UK availability
We check each pick against live Amazon UK catalogue data rather than last year’s model lists. Stock moves fast, so a listing can sell out after we publish.
Published specs
We compare manufacturer specifications so each pick is right for a real budget and use-case.
UK-specific fit
We factor in UK voltage and plug/fitting standards — details that generic global lists miss.
Bluetooth Hue app; Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home
Wi-Fi, no hub required; Tapo app, Alexa and Google Assistant
Bluetooth Hue app; Matter compatible for Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home
2.4GHz Wi-Fi, no hub; AvatarControls app, Alexa and Google Assistant
Bluetooth BRmesh app, no Wi-Fi; Alexa with an Echo device
2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Govee Home app; Alexa and Google Assistant; Matter and SmartThings…
Power
8W
—
7W
9W per bulb
12W
9W
Warranty
1 year manufacturer
2 year manufacturer
2 year manufacturer
1 year
2-year
—
Colour Temperature
2200K-6500K, plus millions of colours
2500-6500K, plus 16M colours
—
2700K-6500K, plus 16M colours
2700K-6000K, plus 16 million RGB colours
—
Dimming
Down to 2% in the Hue app
1 to 100 percent
Down to 0.2% of total brightness
—
1-100%
—
The rankings
The best Smart Light Bulbs, ranked
1
Philips Hue
Top Pick
Philips Hue Essential A60 Smart LED Bulb, White and Colour Ambiance, 806 Lumens
The Philips Hue Essential A60 suits buyers who want colour and white light from 2200K to 6500K at 806 lumens, with Bluetooth control in the Hue app and Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home named on the listing.
Cap
E27 and B22 both named in the title
Brightness
806 lumens
Power
8W
Colour Temperature
2200K-6500K, plus millions of colours
Dimming
Down to 2% in the Hue app
Control
Bluetooth Hue app; Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home
Warranty
1 year manufacturer
What we like
+Millions of colours plus white light from 2200K to 6500K
+Voice control with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home, per the listing
+The listing says you screw it in and control it from the Hue app, with a Hue Bridge as an add-on to expand the setup
+Dims down to 2% in the Hue app
Worth noting
–The title names both E27 and B22, so check which cap the listing supplies before buying
–Warranty is 1 year manufacturer, per the listing
£19.99Amazon.co.uk price as of 03 Nov, 18:00 (London time). Details
Tapo L530E E27 Multicolour Smart Bulb, 806 Lumens (2-Pack)
The Tapo L530E suits E27 fittings and Wi-Fi control without a hub: the listing states 806 Lumens, 2500-6500K white plus 16M colours, 1 to 100 percent dimming and a 2 year manufacturer warranty.
Cap
E27
Brightness
806 Lumens (60W Equivalent)
Colour Temperature
2500-6500K, plus 16M colours
Dimming
1 to 100 percent
Control
Wi-Fi, no hub required; Tapo app, Alexa and Google Assistant
Warranty
2 year manufacturer
What we like
+No hub required: the listing says it connects to home Wi-Fi
+Schedules, timers and Sunrise and Sunset Modes, plus an Away Mode that switches the lights on and off randomly
+Device sharing gives family members control of the bulbs, per the listing
+2 year manufacturer warranty
Worth noting
–The listing states no wattage, only a 60W equivalent
–The listing names Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control and does not mention Apple Home
View on Amazon UKAmazon UK shows no offer for this product as of 03 Nov, 18:00 (London time). Details
3
Philips Hue
Philips Hue Filament A60 E27 Smart Bulb, 580lm
The Philips Hue Filament A60 suits a decorative E27 fitting: a vintage Edison-style smart bulb with 580lm at 7W, dimming down to 0.2%, Matter compatibility and a 2 year manufacturer warranty.
Cap
E27
Brightness
580lm
Power
7W
Dimming
Down to 0.2% of total brightness
Control
Bluetooth Hue app; Matter compatible for Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home
Warranty
2 year manufacturer
Design
Vintage Edison style with a visible inner coil
What we like
+Vintage Edison-style filament with a visible inner coil, per the listing
+Dims down to 0.2% of its total brightness, per the listing
+Matter compatible for Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home
+2 year manufacturer warranty
Worth noting
–White light only: the listing does not mention colours, and it states no colour temperature in kelvin
–At 580lm it states the lowest brightness of the six bulbs in this guide
–The listing says more advanced controls and automations come with a Bridge or Bridge Pro, sold separately
£19.99Amazon.co.uk price as of 03 Nov, 18:00 (London time). Details
The Avatar Controls B22 2 Pack suits bayonet fittings and Wi-Fi control without a hub: the listing states up to 900 lumens from each 9W bulb, 2700K-6500K white plus 16M colours and a 1 year warranty.
Cap
B22 bayonet
Brightness
Up to 900 lumens per bulb
Power
9W per bulb
Colour Temperature
2700K-6500K, plus 16M colours
Control
2.4GHz Wi-Fi, no hub; AvatarControls app, Alexa and Google Assistant
Warranty
1 year
What we like
+Fits standard B22 bayonet holders, per the listing
+No hub required, on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
+80+ scenes and music sync, plus timers and routines in the app
+Compatible Avatar Controls lights can be grouped to control a room together, per the listing
Worth noting
–Warranty is 1 year, per the listing
–The listing describes smooth dimming but states no dimming range
£13.77£15.96−14%Amazon.co.uk price as of 03 Nov, 18:00 (London time). Details
The Lighting master 4 Pack suits B22 fittings in an Alexa home: Bluetooth bulbs with 1280LM at 12W, 2700K-6000K white plus colour, control from the BRmesh app or an Echo device, and a 2-year warranty on the listing.
Cap
B22 Bayonet
Brightness
1280LM (120W Equivalent)
Power
12W
Colour Temperature
2700K-6000K, plus 16 million RGB colours
Dimming
1-100%
Control
Bluetooth BRmesh app, no Wi-Fi; Alexa with an Echo device
Warranty
2-year
What we like
+1280LM at 12W, which the listing gives as 120W equivalent
+Connects by Bluetooth to the BRmesh app, with no Wi-Fi, registration or network needed, per the listing
+2700K-6000K white plus 16 million RGB colours, with 1-100% brightness
+2-year warranty stated on the listing
Worth noting
–The listing names Alexa as its voice assistant, and the title says Echo devices are required
–The listing says Alexa voice commands cover 15 RGB colours; the full colour range is in the BRmesh app
£22.49£26.99−17%Amazon.co.uk price as of 03 Nov, 18:00 (London time). Details
The Govee RGBWW B22 4 Pack suits B22 fittings and buyers who want Matter and SmartThings compatibility and music sync, at 800LM and 9W; its listing states no warranty term.
Cap
B22
Brightness
800LM
Power
9W
Control
2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Govee Home app; Alexa and Google Assistant; Matter and SmartThings compatible
Scenes
54 preset scene modes, music sync
What we like
+Compatible with SmartThings, Matter, Alexa and Google Assistant, per the title
+54 preset scenes and music sync through your phone's microphone in the Govee Home app
+Timer and schedule, including Sunrise and Sunset modes
+Group control with other Govee smart products, per the listing
Worth noting
–The listing states no warranty term
–The listing states no colour temperature range in kelvin and no dimming range
–Music sync uses your phone's microphone and, per the listing, only works when the microphone is not occupied
£35.99Amazon.co.uk price as of 03 Nov, 18:00 (London time). Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of 03 Nov, 18:00 (London time) and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Editor's Note
All six listings state brightness, but only four give a colour temperature range in kelvin: the Govee lists colours with no kelvin range, and the Hue Filament describes white light without a figure. The Philips Hue Essential title names both E27 and B22 caps, and Matter is named on the Govee and Hue Filament listings and not on the other four.
Our Take
As a default, pick the Philips Hue Essential A60: 806 lumens, 2200K-6500K with colour, dimming down to 2% and Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home named on the listing. For Wi-Fi bulbs with no hub, the Tapo L530E for E27 fittings or the Avatar Controls 2 Pack for B22; for a vintage look, the Philips Hue Filament A60.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions
Do Philips Hue bulbs need a bridge?
Not the two in this guide: the Philips Hue Essential A60 and Philips Hue Filament A60 listings describe Bluetooth control in the Hue app, with a Hue Bridge as an add-on. The Filament listing says a Bridge or Bridge Pro, sold separately, adds more advanced controls and automations; the Essential listing says adding a Hue Bridge and other Hue products expands the setup to home security features and content syncing.
What is the difference between E27 and B22 Philips bulbs?
B22 is a bayonet cap, as the Avatar Controls and Lighting master listings describe their B22 bulbs, while E27 is the cap named on the Philips Hue Filament A60 and the Tapo L530E. The Philips Hue Essential A60 title names both E27 and B22 and its listing says to screw the bulb in, so check which cap you are buying and match it to your light fitting.
Which smart bulbs are compatible with Philips Hue?
Of the bulbs in this guide, only the two Philips Hue models, the Hue Essential A60 and the Hue Filament A60, describe working with the Hue app and a Hue Bridge. The Tapo, Avatar Controls, Lighting master and Govee listings do not mention Philips Hue; each uses its own app (Tapo, AvatarControls, BRmesh and Govee Home).
Which smart bulbs use Wi-Fi?
The Tapo L530E, Avatar Controls 2 Pack and Govee RGBWW B22 are the Wi-Fi bulbs in this guide: Tapo and Avatar Controls say no hub is required, and Avatar Controls and Govee ask for 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. The Lighting master connects by Bluetooth with no Wi-Fi, and the two Philips Hue listings describe Bluetooth app control.
Which smart colour light bulbs are brightest?
The Lighting master states the highest brightness in this guide, 1280LM at 12W, which its listing gives as 120W equivalent. The Avatar Controls states up to 900 lumens per 9W bulb, the Philips Hue Essential A60 and Tapo L530E 806 lumens and the Govee 800LM; the white-only Philips Hue Filament A60 states 580lm.
Which smart bulbs work with Apple Home?
The Philips Hue Essential A60 and Philips Hue Filament A60 listings name Apple Home; the Filament says it is Matter compatible for Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. The Tapo, Avatar Controls and Govee listings name Alexa and Google Assistant, and the Lighting master names Alexa only, with Echo devices required.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. UKPicks earns a small commission from qualifying purchases made via links on this page. This does not affect our editorial recommendations or the price you pay.
