HomeKit Homekit compatible LED 100w equivalent lightbulb (a19 or a21)

[phillyman]

Hi All,

Please be gentle. I'm dipping my toe into the HomeKit world and have had difficulty finding "standard" lightbulbs (a19 or a21) for 360 degree light that fit what I consider standard needs.

I'd like to find a 100w or higher equivalent bulb. I like a warm light but bright.... I haven't experimented with lumens and light temperatures but would like to. I need some bulbs for example in the kitchen as my main light. The brighter the better.

I would like to have bulbs that don't need an extra bridge (I think that rules Hue out) and that are HomeKit compatible.

Am I being unreasonable or not looking for the right thing?

I found a Feit bulb that I will experiment with but that is not HomeKit compatible.

Thanks for any and all help,

Philly

 

[hg.wells]

I think you are going to struggle finding a 100w equivalent. I highly recommend lifx bulbs as they don’t need the additional hub.

 

[Itinj24]

Here’s the Apple Website that has all the compatible light bulbs.

Home app - Accessories

Over 50 brands worldwide offer products that are compatible with HomeKit and your Apple devices — with more and more on the way.

www.apple.com

I personally use Philips Hue but I prefer a ZigBee bridge to Wi-Fi. Other than Hue, I only have experience with VOCOlinc bulbs. They’re not the brightness you’re looking for but were pretty solid connection wise. Most are gonna be in the 60W equivalent range.

Have you considered using smart switches instead, so you can use any dumb bulb you like? If you don’t require color changing, smart switch is the way to go

 

[waw74]

I'm not sure why everyone hates on the separate bridge. just set it next to the router and you're done.

It keeps extra devices off of your wifi network. More devices = slower wifi. Things like bulbs don't use much bandwidth, but they are still using time on the wifi hardware.

If you're adding smart bulbs to existing fixtures, you need to be mindful of the wall switch, Switch goes off, you can't control the lights anymore. and depending on how that particular light works, sometimes missing devices can slow down the entire system.
Homekit is also a bit slow, so if you've got multiple bulbs, when turning on the lights, they'll probably turn on one by one, It's not bad, but it is noticeable. For 5 lights, it might be a second total between the first and last light to turn on.


Another option would be to replace your existing wall switch with a homekit switch**, and just keep your "dumb" bulbs in the fixture. This simplifies control, since there is still a wall switch. You don't have to explain to guests, "ok, just shout 'hey Siri .....' if you want lights in the kitchen". they can just flip the switch like they always have. You also don't have to make sure there is a Siri device close enough to hear you or any guests
you also don't have to worry about people accidentally turning off the switch.




**replacing wall switches is fairly basic home electric work, but you need to make sure you COMPLETLY know what you're doing. Wiring something wrong could do anything from damage the devices, to a very worst case scenario of starting a fire. And as with any electrical work there is a chance of electrocution/death if done incorrectly. If you're not sure, find a "handy" friend to help out (and teach you as they go), or hire an electrician.

 

[Itinj24]

I'm not sure why everyone hates on the separate bridge. just set it next to the router and you're done.

It keeps extra devices off of your wifi network. More devices = slower wifi. Things like bulbs don't use much bandwidth, but they are still using time on the wifi hardware.

If you're adding smart bulbs to existing fixtures, you need to be mindful of the wall switch, Switch goes off, you can't control the lights anymore. and depending on how that particular light works, sometimes missing devices can slow down the entire system.
Homekit is also a bit slow, so if you've got multiple bulbs, when turning on the lights, they'll probably turn on one by one, It's not bad, but it is noticeable. For 5 lights, it might be a second total between the first and last light to turn on.


Another option would be to replace your existing wall switch with a homekit switch**, and just keep your "dumb" bulbs in the fixture. This simplifies control, since there is still a wall switch. You don't have to explain to guests, "ok, just shout 'hey Siri .....' if you want lights in the kitchen". they can just flip the switch like they always have. You also don't have to make sure there is a Siri device close enough to hear you or any guests
you also don't have to worry about people accidentally turning off the switch.




**replacing wall switches is fairly basic home electric work, but you need to make sure you COMPLETLY know what you're doing. Wiring something wrong could do anything from damage the devices, to a very worst case scenario of starting a fire. And as with any electrical work there is a chance of electrocution/death if done incorrectly. If you're not sure, find a "handy" friend to help out (and teach you as they go), or hire an electrician.

I completely agree with you on the separate bridge. I make it my business to use devices that specifically use a bridge, especially when there are a lot of devices to be connected like light bulbs, and door/window sensors. ZigBee is faster than Wi-Fi and much more reliable for connectivity. That’s why I’m a huge fan of Aqara.