Albeit smart LED bulbs rising popularity among LED manufacturers, for the time being these are still novelty products that only adventurous consumers with enough patience in sorting out the set up will try out, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Traditional wall switches still work better than smart LED bulbs, the report duly noted. Turning on lights becomes a complicated process with smart LED bulbs, due to all the Apps, controllers, and limitations of wireless connections. The process of turning on lights using smart LED bulbs can be painstakingly slow compared to the simple light switch, Apps still do not work as smoothly as light switches when it comes to turning on lights.  

The report tested five LED smart bulbs including Philips Hue Lux, Belkin WeMo, Insteon, Lifx and GE Link. The findings are summarized in a chart that can be found here. According to the report’s findings, not all smart LED bulbs apps work smoothly, and there are limitations in the app design that might prevent users from adding alarms or for Apps to work with other platforms. The US $60 Philips Hue Lux was chosen by Wall Street Journal as the best designed LED bulb.

Additional hubs and controllers can also come with a fairly high price tag, which may put off consumers. Prices for additional wireless controllers and hubs can range from US $50 to US $120. Wireless controls do not work too well in large houses, and if the smart LED bulb is used in a metal shades that can block out signals.

The solution is probably not connected smart bulbs, but better connected smart switches. It is hoped with tech giants Apple and Google joining the smart home bandwagon, a better solution to smart light software can be developed.