Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a smart home columnist, has been testing connected devices since 2013. Previously worked with Wirecutter, Wired and BBC Science Focus.
Wyze’s new BR30 colored Wi-Fi bulbs fill a gap in the recessed lighting lineup for budget smart home companies. The BR30 is typically installed in a hole in the ceiling and has a directional light, making it ideal for large spaces such as kitchens and living areas. The new bulbs are available for $23.99 plus $5.99 shipping for a set of two and just $12.50 each (plus shipping) for a set of four bulbs, making the Wyze Bulb Color BR30 a great value , if not a good deal. Very cost effective.
By comparison, Philips Hue’s colorful BR30 bulbs cost $100 for two, but you can find high-quality, affordable BR30 Wi-Fi bulbs in two-packs from brands like Wiz ($28) and Sengled ($35). However, both lamps have lower light output, making the Wyze a brighter budget lamp.
Wyze’s bulbs work with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control to turn on/off, adjust brightness, or change color, but Wyze hasn’t announced plans to support the new Matter smart home standard. The full-color, dimmable smart bulb provides a variety of customizable shades of white light, from warm 1800K to cool 6500K, with a maximum brightness of 950 lumens and a color rendering index (CRI) of 90+.
The more expensive Bluetooth/Zigbee powered Hue bulbs have a lower (less accurate) CRI rating of 82, but have a higher lumen output of 1200. Hue works with Apple Home via Bridge, but Wyze does not. Meross’ $39 2-piece 1,300-lumen Wi-Fi light kit provides brighter light and Apple Home compatibility.
Wyze smart lights, including the new BR30, have a feature that most competitors don’t have: a built-in natural light setting called Sun Match. This automatically adjusts the lamp’s color temperature throughout the day, simulating that of the sun. This is similar to Apple Home’s adaptive lighting feature, which works with Hue, Nanoleaf, and LIFX bulbs, but you’ll need an Apple Home hub to enable the feature. The Wyze version only requires the free app.
Other Wyze app features that work with the new BR30 bulbs include a vacation mode that simulates being at home, and a sleep program that gradually turns the lights up or down. When used with other Wyze products, there is also the ability to set lighting on a schedule and create automations.
Post time: Oct-31-2023
