Having recently got some of the Alexa gadgets, SWMBO now tells me that she wants certain lights and plugs to be voice and timer controlled.

 

Before I take the plunge, I'd be grateful for any advice regarding the differences between Lifx, Teckin, Hue or any similar bulbs. The first two don't, AFAIK, require a separate hub whereas the Hue does.  I doubt that I'd want to connect extras such as Hive etc but having the ability to program multiple on/off times could be very beneficial so is there a specific app that is compatible which is able to do that?  Obviously the 'branded' items are quite expensive but do the cheaper ones function equally as good? Lifx appears to have the brightest bulbs but are there any other contenders out there?

Depends on the Alexa jobby that you have. One at least has a hue bridge built in. Hue is good and IKEA and innr brand are compatible with it. Many different apps for hue too.

Plugs wise. I would consider meross plugs and extension leads. Full smart control and the ability to set timers. The app is fast a good looking too.  IKEA also do smart plugs but not sure on the Alexa compatibility.

I don’t have any gear with the built in hub as I’d also seen that it was limited in it’s ability to function as a dedicated hub. Maybe that was with Hue and not being able to colour change?

Funny that you mention the IKEA ones as I looked at them over the weekend and there’s no BC holder ability without adapters which seemed odd. Not a total deal breaker but why.......

The plugs sound interesting so will check them out. Do you happen to know if they can store settings or do they need to continually get online commands?

9 hours ago, john999boy said:

 

Funny that you mention the IKEA ones as I looked at them over the weekend and there’s no BC holder ability without adapters which seemed odd. Not a total deal breaker but why.......

 

 

I think the rest of europe uses ES.  The adapters are cheap and work OK although they do add a bit of height to the bulb.

I would avoid going IKEA as a single system. You have to have their control items linked to the bulbs to make them work and the functionality is limited. A couple of bulbs added to a hue system is a good way of keeping the cost down however. When I looked into it, the lifx kit was more per bulb and not worth it for anything over 3-4 lights. As a standalone light it might be an option.

 

Oh yeah, the IKEA kit has limited fittings too as you have found.

The Lifx (which is the brightest bulb available) is currently on offer so making it just extortionate instead of stupidly extortionate. 

The ‘problem’ is that I’ve yet to see any bulbs in a domestic environment but that will change at the weekend when I see some Teckin ones to check their suitability. Maybe they’ll be bright enough - definitely cheap enough!

What apps do you use to control your equipment @MarkyG82?

@john999boy I have Google home devices so sometimes use the home app. It does a reasonable job of collating all our smart objects into one place. You should be able to use it even if you don't have a Google home.

Hue specific apps we use are as follows:

• Hue app - slow but generally essential for updates.
• Hue essentials - much faster, has better customisation for dimmers and other timers etc. (This is the daily app)
• all 4 hue - amazing customisation for dimmers and everything you can imagine, but not for everyday use.

Also use motion sensors in the hall and landing so never have to worry about turning lights on when carrying shopping/children. Used the all4hue app to set the lights to be different colours and brightness at different times of day. Dim red for late at night for eg. 

And we have a harmony hub/remote that has smart home control buttons. Great for turning the hall lights off and setting a nice low level for TV watching.

We have these in the kids' bedrooms. They link with the Echo via the Echo app, or they have their own app. You don't need a hub - they work out of the box.

They are very user friendly with all functions such as dimming or colour change done via the app or by voice via the Echo. When in default mode are very bright - claimed 800lm @6500k.

 

The only issue is they're E27 fitment so we needed an adapter to fit them.

Edited 31 January, 20197 yr by JohnRS

I'd never thought about getting things from AliExpress but will have a search later. Does the app allow multiple timer settings @JohnRS?

26 minutes ago, john999boy said:

I'd never thought about getting things from AliExpress but will have a search later. Does the app allow multiple timer settings @JohnRS?

I bought 2 from the seller linked and they're fine. In fact I've bought a fair bit from AliExpress in general from phones to electronic components. You can get them from Amazon but they're £10 more.

Yes you can set timers via the alexa app, I've never tried on the Yeelight app. For my son I have a series of them go off on a morning to wake him up, like one of those sunrise alarm clocks. It turns his light on half an hour before his alarm and at 5 minute intervals gets brighter and the colour changes, then his echo plays a wakeup tune. 

 

 

 

I went down the Hive route in last years Cyber sales. I have 6 bulbs dotted around the house and have set individual timers for each of them (just in case I am away from home for any length of time).  

 

One nice feature of Hive is that it work with Phillips Hue and also Hive has a function called mimic which can randomly switch a light or group of lights on and off at random to simulate house occupancy. I think it only switches to one pattern, but I could be wrong. Anyhoo I also have a few remote switches too, which mean that if I go to the toilet at night the bathroom light comes on automatically at around 20% brightness while I am in there. Useful if I have had too much 'sauce' the night before.

 

Hive also plays nicely with Alexa and Google, although I choose Google as the commands don't have to be too specific. eg I can say "turn lights on to 20" "Turn lights to 20%" "turn lights up" and it achieves the same result. I can also use the app or even Google on my phone away from home and use the same speech commands. Hive is also a growing ecosystem so there are smart switches and door sensors etc. So far I'm very happy with the system, hopefully I can say the same in a couple of years too. 

 

I don't find the Hub a problem as I also have a Hive thermostat which requires one for it to work and also the switching relay for the call to heat connects to the hub too. Super easy to connect everything up too, well, even I managed it and that included the swapping out of the thermostat  

Edited 31 January, 20197 yr by Lady Elanore