The Wyze Bulb Color: A Promising Smart Bulb with Room for Improvement
Introduction
Wyze Labs has released its highly anticipated Wyze Bulb Color, a budget-friendly Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled smart bulb. Priced at $35 for a four-pack, the Bulb Color offers a range of features, including sleep/wake routines, vacation mode, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Design and Features
The Wyze Bulb Color is an A19 bulb with a classic Edison shape and an E26 base. Rated to last 25,000 hours, it can emit white light ranging from a warm 1,800 Kelvin to a cool 6,500 Kelvin and glow in up to 16 million colors. With a brightness of up to 1,100 lumens, it provides ample illumination.
Setup and Control
Setting up the Wyze Bulb Color is straightforward using the intuitive Wyze app. It can be controlled via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, although Bluetooth control requires close proximity. The app allows you to group multiple bulbs, create lighting scenes, and schedule the bulb’s brightness and color temperature.
Key Features
Sleep/Wake Routines: The bulb can be programmed to gradually dim or brighten over a specified period, creating a calming or energizing wake-up experience.
Vacation Mode: This feature turns the bulb on and off at random intervals to deter burglars while you’re away.
Smart Integrations
The Wyze Bulb Color is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for hands-free control. It also supports IFTTT for connecting with other smart home devices.
Limitations
Limited Scheduling and Trigger Options: Currently, you can only schedule the bulb’s brightness and color temperature. Color selection and lighting scenes are not yet available for schedules and triggers.
No Circadian Rhythm Mode: The bulb lacks an automatic mode to adjust color temperature based on the time of day.
Unreliable Interoperability: While the bulb can integrate with other Wyze devices, its ability to change color based on trigger events is still under development.
Conclusion
The Wyze Bulb Color offers a solid set of features at a budget-friendly price. However, it falls short of being the ideal smart bulb due to limitations in scheduling and trigger options. As Wyze continues to refine the bulb’s software and expand its compatibility, it has the potential to become a top choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Recommendations
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly smart bulb with basic features, the Wyze Bulb Color is a viable option. It provides ample brightness, customizable lighting scenes, and smart integration options. However, if you require more advanced scheduling and trigger functionality, you may want to consider other smart bulbs with more comprehensive features.
