The Best App for Controlling Your Lights From Anywhere
Smart lighting has quickly gone from being a luxury to a staple in modern homes. The ability to turn lights on and off, adjust brightness, or even change colors without leaving your seat feels both futuristic and practical. But the real magic comes when you can control your lights from anywhere in the world, whether you’re at work, on vacation, or simply relaxing on the couch.
The secret lies in choosing the right app. With so many lighting brands and smart home ecosystems available, finding the perfect app can feel overwhelming. Some apps work exclusively with one brand, while others integrate with multiple platforms, offering seamless control across your devices. Some prioritize simplicity, while others appeal to power users who crave customization and automation.
If you’re considering stepping up your smart lighting game, here’s an in-depth guide to the best apps that let you control your lights from anywhere.
Philips Hue App
Philips Hue has long been a leader in smart lighting, and its companion app is one of the most polished and feature-rich options available. The app works with both the Philips Hue Bridge and newer Bluetooth-only bulbs. From the app, you can dim or brighten lights, set schedules, create colorful lighting scenes, and even sync lights with movies, games, or music for a completely immersive experience.
The Hue app is especially useful for anyone who enjoys experimenting with different moods. For example, you can create a calm warm glow for evenings, bright daylight tones for working, or vibrant colors for a party. The app also offers automation features, such as turning on lights when you arrive home or dimming them gradually at bedtime.
For the best experience, a Hue Bridge is recommended. It unlocks full functionality, including remote access from anywhere and support for larger setups. While the app is occasionally criticized for being complex, it remains one of the most advanced platforms for smart lighting control.
SmartThings
Samsung’s SmartThings app goes far beyond lighting control. It serves as a hub for a wide variety of smart devices, from thermostats to cameras to appliances. If you’re looking for one app to manage your entire smart home, SmartThings is a strong contender.
When it comes to lighting, SmartThings offers excellent flexibility. You can control bulbs, switches, and dimmers from multiple brands, set up routines, and even create automations triggered by other devices. For instance, you could set your hallway lights to turn on automatically when a motion sensor detects movement.
The appeal of SmartThings lies in its ability to bring multiple brands under one roof. If your smart home includes devices from different companies, this app can help you avoid juggling multiple apps and instead centralize everything in one place.
Smart Life and Tuya Smart
For anyone looking for budget-friendly lighting control, Smart Life and Tuya Smart are top picks. These apps are compatible with a wide range of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, especially those sold under lesser-known or affordable brands.
The setup process is straightforward, and once your lights are connected, you can control them individually or in groups. Features include setting timers, creating lighting scenes, and integrating with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
The main advantage of these apps is their broad compatibility. Many inexpensive smart bulbs, plugs, and switches on the market use the Tuya platform, which means you can manage them all from one app without being tied to a premium brand. This makes Smart Life or Tuya Smart an ideal choice for anyone building a smart home on a budget.
Kasa Smart
Kasa Smart, developed by TP-Link, is another excellent app for straightforward and reliable smart lighting control. It supports TP-Link’s line of bulbs, plugs, switches, and cameras, offering a complete ecosystem within one app.
With Kasa, you can turn lights on or off remotely, dim them, and set schedules or timers. It also integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for voice commands. One standout feature is its away mode, which turns lights on and off randomly to make it look like someone is home, adding an extra layer of security when you’re away.
Kasa Smart is ideal for those who want a user-friendly experience. It doesn’t have the flashy extras of Philips Hue, but it delivers reliable and practical control for everyday lighting needs.
WiZ Connected
WiZ Connected is a strong contender for anyone who wants smart lighting without the need for an extra hub or bridge. WiZ lights connect directly to your Wi-Fi, and the app lets you manage them with ease.
The WiZ app is designed with simplicity in mind. You can group lights by room, choose from preset modes like focus or relax, and schedule lights to match your daily routine. Remote access is available through the cloud, so you can adjust your lights from anywhere with an internet connection.
Because WiZ doesn’t require a hub, it’s a cost-effective solution for smaller setups or for people who don’t want the hassle of extra hardware. While it may not offer as many advanced features as Philips Hue, it strikes a nice balance between affordability and functionality.
Home Assistant
For advanced users who want complete control, Home Assistant is an open-source platform that goes far beyond most commercial apps. It supports a wide range of devices and protocols, including Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Matter.
One of Home Assistant’s biggest advantages is local control. Unlike many other apps that rely on the cloud, Home Assistant keeps your data and automations within your home network. This not only improves privacy but also ensures faster and more reliable performance.
Home Assistant offers endless customization. You can create complex automation scripts, integrate multiple systems, and design a dashboard that looks and functions exactly the way you want. It does, however, require some technical knowledge to set up, making it best suited for smart home enthusiasts and tinkerers.
Apple Home
For iPhone and iPad users, Apple’s Home app provides a seamless experience for controlling HomeKit-compatible smart devices, including lights. The app is simple yet powerful, allowing you to control lights individually or in groups, create scenes, and set automations triggered by time, location, or other devices.
Apple Home stands out for its integration with the broader iOS ecosystem. You can control lights directly from the Control Center, ask Siri to dim the lights, or even include them in automations with other HomeKit devices. For those already invested in Apple’s ecosystem, this app is a natural choice.
Wemo App
Wemo, from Belkin, specializes in smart plugs, switches, and lighting accessories. The Wemo app lets you control these devices remotely, schedule them, or pair them with motion sensors to create automated lighting.
It’s particularly handy for people who prefer using smart plugs to control lamps or other non-smart lights. For example, you could plug a floor lamp into a Wemo smart plug and control it through the app just like a connected bulb.
The Wemo app may not be as flashy as some others, but it’s reliable and works well for practical lighting setups.
Choosing the Right App
The best app for controlling your lights depends largely on your setup and preferences. If you’re already invested in a particular brand, such as Philips Hue or TP-Link, their dedicated apps will give you the best experience. If you have devices from multiple brands, SmartThings or Smart Life may be the better choice. Advanced users may prefer Home Assistant, while Apple users will find the Home app the most convenient.
It’s also worth considering what matters most to you. Do you want advanced features like syncing lights with music and movies? Do you prefer simple on/off control? Are you looking for affordability or willing to invest in premium options? Answering these questions will help you narrow down the choices.
Final Thoughts
Smart lighting isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating an atmosphere that suits your lifestyle. The right app can transform the way you interact with your home, making it more comfortable, secure, and even more energy-efficient.
Whether you prefer the polished ecosystem of Philips Hue, the versatility of SmartThings, the affordability of Smart Life, or the deep customization of Home Assistant, there’s an app that fits your needs. And as smart home technology continues to evolve, these apps will only become more powerful and user-friendly.
If you’re ready to take control of your lighting from anywhere, start by choosing the app that matches your devices and your lifestyle. Once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
