Smart lighting has become one of the most popular upgrades for modern homes, and 2025 is bringing even more exciting options. From energy savings to mood-setting ambiance, smart lights do more than just brighten up a room—they help you create experiences. Whether you’re setting the perfect movie-night glow, automating outdoor security, or syncing lights with music, the right brand makes all the difference.

If you’re wondering which smart lighting brands are leading the way this year, we’ve rounded up the top names to know in 2025.

 

Why Smart Lighting Matters in 2025

Smart lighting isn’t just a trend—it’s part of a bigger shift toward connected living. These lights are:

• Energy-efficient – most use LEDs, cutting down electricity bills.
• Customizable – from millions of colors to adjustable brightness.
• Convenient – controlled via apps, voice assistants, or automation.
• Future-ready – many brands now support Matter, ensuring better compatibility with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.

With more options than ever, choosing the right brand depends on your budget, design goals, and ecosystem preferences.

 

1. Philips Hue – The Gold Standard

When it comes to smart lighting, Philips Hue continues to set the bar in 2025. Their product line is one of the most complete on the market, covering everything from basic white bulbs to advanced gradient light strips, stylish lamps, outdoor path lights, and even ceiling fixtures.

One of Hue’s biggest advantages is its ecosystem stability and reliability. The lights work seamlessly with all major smart home platforms—Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. Thanks to their Matter compatibility, integration has become even smoother across different devices.

Another standout feature is the Philips Hue app, which gives users access to hundreds of pre-set scenes, automation routines, and sync modes. Whether you want your lights to gently mimic a sunrise, change with your TV or gaming setup, or pulse in rhythm with your favorite songs, Hue makes it easy.

While Philips Hue tends to be more expensive than competitors, the build quality, reliability, and expansive ecosystem make it worth the investment for those who want a premium lighting experience.

Best for: Homeowners who value top-tier quality, wide compatibility, and advanced features like entertainment sync and outdoor integration.

 

2. LIFX – Bright, Colorful, and Hub-Free

If you want powerful brightness and stunning colors without the need for a hub, LIFX is one of the best choices. LIFX bulbs connect directly via Wi-Fi, which makes them simple to set up—just screw them in, connect to the app, and you’re good to go.

Their standout feature is vivid color accuracy and brightness. LIFX bulbs are known for being brighter than most competitors, making them ideal for large rooms or areas where strong illumination is needed. The app offers advanced customization, including effects like candle flicker, strobe lighting for parties, color cycles, and even dynamic themes that shift gradually throughout the day.

Another plus: LIFX supports Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Matter, ensuring flexibility in your smart home.

The only drawback is that Wi-Fi-only connectivity can sometimes cause minor connection drops, especially if your network is crowded. Still, LIFX remains a favorite for users who want maximum impact with minimal setup hassle.

Best for: People who want super-bright, vivid colors and hub-free installation.

 

3. Govee – Affordable and Feature-Packed

In recent years, Govee has exploded in popularity thanks to its affordable pricing and impressive features. Known for their RGBIC technology, Govee lights can display multiple colors at once on a single strip, creating dazzling gradients and effects that few other brands can match.

The product range is vast—everything from TV backlight kits and music-synced light strips to floor lamps, wall lights, and outdoor decorations. Their mobile app is user-friendly and includes DIY customization tools, music modes, and scene presets that make it easy to create a dynamic atmosphere.

One of Govee’s biggest strengths is its value for money. For a fraction of the price of Philips Hue, you can still enjoy vibrant lighting effects and reliable performance. The trade-off is that not all Govee products are Matter-compatible yet, and integration with Apple HomeKit is limited.

Still, for creative decorators and budget-conscious users, Govee is hard to beat.

Best for: DIY enthusiasts and budget-friendly buyers who want eye-catching, creative lighting setups without overspending.

 

4. Nanoleaf – Artistic and Modular

If lighting is more than just illumination for you—if it’s also art and self-expression—then Nanoleaf is the brand to consider. Their modular wall panels come in shapes like triangles, hexagons, and squares, allowing you to create stunning wall-mounted designs that double as home décor.

Nanoleaf panels aren’t just pretty—they’re interactive. Many respond to touch, voice commands, or even music, creating a lively and immersive experience. Their ecosystem now supports Matter, so you can easily integrate them with Alexa, Google, and Apple HomeKit.

Beyond panels, Nanoleaf has also expanded into light bars, smart bulbs, and ceiling lights, but the wall panels remain their signature product. They’re a favorite for gamers, streamers, and anyone who wants to make a bold design statement.

The only downside is the higher price point, but for many, the artistic flair is worth every penny.

Best for: Creative homeowners who want lighting that doubles as a centerpiece or art installation.

 

5. Sengled – Simple and Budget-Friendly

Sengled has carved a niche as one of the most practical and affordable smart lighting brands. Their bulbs are generally cheaper than competitors but still offer good performance and reliability.

One of Sengled’s main advantages is simplicity. Many of their bulbs connect directly via Wi-Fi, though some require a hub for advanced features. They work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings, but their HomeKit support is limited.

While Sengled doesn’t offer the same advanced effects or flashy features as Philips Hue or LIFX, they shine in day-to-day usability. Their bulbs are reliable, long-lasting, and perfect for everyday lighting in kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms.

For anyone starting out with smart lighting, Sengled is an excellent low-cost entry point.

Best for: First-time users who want affordable, reliable smart bulbs without overwhelming complexity.

 

6. Yeelight – Smart Yet Minimalist

Backed by Xiaomi, Yeelight combines modern, minimalist design with strong smart home integration. Their products range from bulbs and strips to ceiling lamps and desk lights, all designed to blend seamlessly into modern interiors.

Yeelight is known for offering rich color options, scheduling features, and voice control at a competitive price point. The brand integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings, making it a flexible choice.

What sets Yeelight apart is its balance between style and function. While brands like Govee go for vibrant, bold effects, Yeelight focuses on soft, elegant lighting that complements your home décor.

Best for: Style-conscious users who want subtle, minimalist smart lighting that enhances ambiance without stealing the show.

 

7. TP-Link Tapo – Reliable Everyday Lighting

Known primarily for networking equipment and smart plugs, TP-Link has expanded its Tapo line to include smart bulbs and light strips. While not as flashy as Govee or Nanoleaf, Tapo lights are affordable, reliable, and perfect for everyday use.

Their app is straightforward, offering basic scheduling, dimming, color adjustment, and automation. Tapo devices work well with Alexa and Google Assistant, though HomeKit support is still missing.

Where Tapo shines is in stability and affordability. Many users appreciate that TP-Link’s reputation for reliable routers carries over into their smart lighting products. For people who already use Tapo cameras, plugs, or switches, adding lighting to the ecosystem is seamless.

Best for: Everyday users who want stable, budget-friendly lighting solutions that integrate well with other TP-Link devices.

 

Final Thoughts

In 2025, the smart lighting market is more diverse than ever. Philips Hue leads in ecosystem quality, LIFX shines for brightness and color, Govee brings budget-friendly creativity, and Nanoleaf redefines lighting as art. Meanwhile, brands like Sengled, Yeelight, and TP-Link Tapo make smart lighting accessible to everyone.

No matter your budget or style, there’s a brand ready to light up your home in smarter, more beautiful ways this year.