Best Smart Bulb Under £100
Upgrade your home lighting without breaking the bank. We have compared the top-rated smart bulbs under £100 based on brightness, colour accuracy, ecosystem compatibility, and reliability.
Quick answer
The Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 is the best smart bulb under £100 for its rich colour range, reliable app, and stable Zigbee hub. For a budget-friendly pick that works without a hub, the TP-Link Kasa Smart KL125 is the clear runner-up.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Tested on specs (lumens, colour temperature, wattage)
- Ecosystem & hub compatibility compared
- Aggregated owner reviews from major retailers
- Build quality & warranty checked
- Brand reliability (Philips, TP-Link, Sengled, etc.)
- No fake hands-on claims
Research updated June 2026.
Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19
Vivid 16 million colours, smooth dimming, and rock-solid Zigbee hub.
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 | Overall best | 800 lm, 16M colours, hub required | 4.7/5 | Check Amazon |
| TP-Link Kasa Smart KL125 | Budget no-hub option | 800 lm, tunable white, Wi-Fi | 4.5/5 | Check Amazon |
| Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED | Best value multipack | 800 lm, 2700K-6500K, Wi-Fi | 4.4/5 | Check Amazon |
| Wyze Bulb Color | Best for Alexa/Google | 800 lm, 16M colours, Wi-Fi | 4.3/5 | Check Amazon |
| LIFX Color A19 | Best no-hub colour | 1100 lm, 16M colours, Wi-Fi | 4.2/5 | Check Amazon |
Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19
Best OverallPros
- Rich, accurate colour reproduction
- Reliable Zigbee mesh network
- Works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit
Cons
- Requires Hue Bridge hub
- Premium price per bulb
The Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 is the benchmark for smart bulbs under £100. It delivers 800 lumens of warm-to-cool white light plus 16 million colours, all controlled through the polished Hue app. Owner reviews consistently praise the colour saturation and smooth dimming from 1% to 100%.
The main downside is the need for a Hue Bridge hub, which adds to the initial cost. However, the Zigbee mesh network means bulbs respond instantly and stay connected even with many devices. For a complete, hassle-free smart lighting system, this is the top choice.
TP-Link Kasa Smart KL125
Best Budget / No-HubPros
- No hub needed, works over Wi-Fi
- Very affordable single-bulb price
- Reliable Kasa app with scheduling
Cons
- White light only, no colour
- Wi-Fi can lag with multiple bulbs
The TP-Link Kasa Smart KL125 is the best budget-friendly smart bulb under £100. It connects directly to your home Wi-Fi, so there is no extra hub to buy. The tunable white range from warm 2700K to cool 6500K covers most needs, and the dimming is smooth down to 1%.
Owner reviews highlight the easy setup and stable app, though a few note that Wi-Fi bulbs can be slower to respond than Zigbee models. If you only need a few bulbs and want to keep costs low, the KL125 is a strong choice.
Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED
Best Value MultipackPros
- Great price per bulb in multipacks
- No hub required
- Simple app with voice control
Cons
- No colour options
- App can be slow to load
The Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED is the best value choice when you need multiple bulbs. A 4-pack costs less than many single premium bulbs, making it perfect for whole-room setups. Each bulb delivers 800 lumens of tunable white light and connects directly to your router.
Owner feedback is generally positive, with users praising the low cost and easy setup. Some report that the Sengled app is less polished than Philips or TP-Link, but it works reliably for scheduling and dimming. For outfitting an entire house on a budget, this is the smart pick.
Wyze Bulb Color
Best for Alexa/GooglePros
- Full colour range at a low price
- Works with Alexa and Google natively
- No hub required
Cons
- No HomeKit support
- Colour accuracy not as good as Hue
The Wyze Bulb Color brings 16 million colours to your home without needing a hub. It is one of the most affordable colour bulbs under £100 and integrates seamlessly with Alexa and Google Assistant. The Wyze app is simple to use for setting scenes and schedules.
Owner reviews note that the colour saturation is decent for the price, though not as vivid as the Philips Hue. A few users mention occasional Wi-Fi disconnects. For a low-cost colour bulb that works well with voice assistants, the Wyze Bulb Color is a solid option.
LIFX Color A19
Best No-Hub ColourPros
- Very bright at 1100 lumens
- No hub needed, Wi-Fi direct
- Rich, saturated colours
Cons
- Higher price than similar Wi-Fi bulbs
- Occasional connectivity issues reported
The LIFX Color A19 stands out for its brightness, delivering 1100 lumens compared to the standard 800 lumens of most competitors. It connects directly to Wi-Fi and produces vivid colours without a hub. The LIFX app offers advanced features like schedules, scenes, and integration with Alexa and Google.
Owner feedback is mixed on reliability, with some users praising the colour quality and brightness, while others report Wi-Fi dropouts. It is the most expensive bulb on this list, but for those who want maximum brightness and no hub, it is a strong contender.
What to check before buying a smart bulb under £100
Hub vs. no hub: Zigbee bulbs like Philips Hue need a hub for a stable mesh network. Wi-Fi bulbs connect directly to your router but can slow down if you add many bulbs. For 1-5 bulbs, Wi-Fi is fine. For whole-home setups, a hub is better.
Brightness and colour: Most bulbs offer 800 lumens, which is equivalent to a 60W incandescent. If you need a brighter light, look for 1100+ lumens. Decide if you want tunable white (2700K-6500K) or full RGB colour. Colour bulbs cost more but offer more flexibility.
Ecosystem compatibility: Check that the bulb works with your smart assistant (Alexa, Google, HomeKit). Some bulbs like Philips Hue support all three, while others like Wyze only work with Alexa and Google.
Mistakes to avoid when buying smart bulbs
Ignoring the hub requirement: Many buyers buy a Philips Hue bulb without realising they need the Hue Bridge hub. Factor the hub cost into your budget. Wi-Fi bulbs avoid this but can strain your network.
Buying too few bulbs: Smart bulbs work best when you can control multiple lights in a room. A single smart bulb in a multi-bulb fixture can look odd. Consider buying a multipack to start.
Overlooking dimmer switch compatibility: Most smart bulbs require the wall switch to be left on. If you use a physical dimmer switch, it can cause flickering. Use the app or voice commands instead.
FAQs
Do I need a hub for smart bulbs?
Not always. Wi-Fi bulbs like TP-Link Kasa and Wyze connect directly to your router. Zigbee bulbs like Philips Hue require a hub for communication.
Can smart bulbs work with a normal light switch?
Yes, but the switch must be left in the on position for the bulb to receive power. Use the app, voice, or a smart switch instead.
What is the best smart bulb under £100 for colour?
The Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 is the best for colour accuracy and reliability. For a no-hub option, the LIFX Color A19 is very bright.
Are smart bulbs energy efficient?
Yes, most use 8-11W while providing 800 lumens, which is much less than a 60W incandescent. They also have long lifespans of 15,000-25,000 hours.
Can I use smart bulbs outdoors?
Only if the bulb is rated for damp or wet locations. Most indoor smart bulbs are not weatherproof. Look for outdoor-rated smart bulbs from Philips or Sengled.
Do smart bulbs work with HomeKit?
Philips Hue bulbs support HomeKit natively. Some others, like LIFX, also support HomeKit. Check the product specs before buying.
What is the difference between Zigbee and Wi-Fi bulbs?
Zigbee uses a mesh network via a hub, offering better range and reliability for many bulbs. Wi-Fi bulbs connect directly but can slow your network with many devices.
How many smart bulbs can I connect?
Wi-Fi routers typically handle 10-20 bulbs before slowing down. Zigbee hubs can manage 50+ bulbs without issues.
Can I schedule smart bulbs?
Yes, all smart bulbs under £100 offer scheduling in their apps. You can set timers for sunrise/sunset or specific times.
Are smart bulbs dimmable?
Most are dimmable via the app, but they require a constant power supply. Do not use them with an old-style wall dimmer switch.
What is the lifespan of a smart bulb?
Most LED smart bulbs last 15,000 to 25,000 hours, which is 13-22 years of typical use.
Can I use smart bulbs without Wi-Fi?
No, smart bulbs need a Wi-Fi or Zigbee network to receive commands. Without internet, you can only use the physical switch.
Our verdict
The Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 is the best smart bulb under £100 for its superior colour quality and reliable Zigbee network. For budget buyers, the TP-Link Kasa Smart KL125 offers excellent value with no hub required. Choose based on your need for colour and the number of bulbs you plan to install.