It seems like every day, a new type of smart bulb hits the market. These bulbs are touted as being more energy efficient and longer lasting than traditional light bulbs.
But with prices that can often be twice as much as a standard light bulb, most people, like you and I, always wonder why these bulbs are so expensive.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the costs associated with LED lighting and try to answer the question: why are smart bulbs so expensive?
After researching and interviewing several experts in the LED lighting industry, here’s a summary of all that I learned;
The high price tag of smart bulbs is due to a number of factors, including the cost of research and development, the cost of materials, and the fact that these bulbs are often sold in smaller quantities than traditional light bulbs.
While the upfront cost of a smart bulb may be higher than a traditional light bulb, the long-term savings in energy and maintenance costs can make them a wise investment.
Stick around as I shed more light on why smart bulbs are so expensive. By the end of this article, you’ll have a much better understanding of the costs associated with LED lighting and why these bulbs are often worth the investment.
What Are Smart Bulbs?
Smart bulbs are LED light bulbs that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app or voice assistant. These bulbs offer a number of advantages over traditional incandescent or CFL bulbs.
As we all know, traditional light bulbs use a lot of energy. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting accounts for about 15% of the average home’s electricity usage.
Smart bulbs, on the other hand, are much more energy-efficient. LED bulbs, in particular, use about 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer.
This means that, over time, you will save a lot of money on your energy bill by switching to LED lighting.
In addition to being more energy-efficient, smart bulbs are also more durable and long-lasting than traditional light bulbs. While a traditional light bulb might last for about 1000 hours, an LED bulb can last for 25,000 hours or more.
This means that you will likely never have to replace a smart bulb as long as you own your home. And, even if you do need to replace one eventually, the cost of a single smart bulb is much less than the cost of 25 traditional light bulbs.
Now that we know a little bit more about smart bulbs let’s take a look at some of the costs associated with these bulbs.
Reasons Why Smart Bulbs Are So Expensive
There are a lot of things that come together to influence the cost of a product, and that is especially true for smart bulbs. Here are some of the primary reasons that smart bulbs tend to be more expensive than traditional bulbs:
1. The Cost of The Technology
The technology inside smart bulbs is more complex than traditional bulbs.
Smart bulbs contain chips and other electronic components that allow them to connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and be controlled by your smartphone.
This technology doesn’t come cheap, and it adds to the overall cost of the bulb.
Additionally, the manufacturing process for smart bulbs is more complicated and expensive than for traditional bulbs.
The chips and other components inside smart bulbs have to be assembled in a clean room environment to avoid contamination. This raises the cost of manufacturing and contributes to the higher price of smart bulbs.
2. The Cost of Research and Development
One of the main reasons why smart bulbs are so expensive is because of the cost of research and development.
It takes a lot of money and time to develop new technology, and that cost is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices.
Smart bulbs are still a relatively new technology, so the cost of research and development is still high.
As the technology matures and becomes more commonplace, the cost of research and development will go down, and the price of smart bulbs will become more reasonable.
3. Smart Bulbs Lasts Longer
As far as smart bulbs go, you are often going to be paying for the value in the long run.
Smart bulbs use less energy than traditional bulbs, which means they last longer.
While the initial cost of a smart bulb may be higher than a traditional bulb, you will save money in the long run because you won’t have to replace the bulb as often.
Additionally, many smart bulbs come with a warranty, so if something does go wrong, you will be covered.
4. They’re More Efficient
Another important reason why smart bulbs are so expensive is that they are more efficient than traditional bulbs.
Smart bulbs use less energy, which not only saves you money on your utility bills but also helps to reduce your carbon footprint.
The cost of smart bulbs may be high, but the long-term savings and environmental benefits make them worth the investment.
5. They Are Designed To Have More Features
The number of features you would have with a smart bulb is way more than a traditional one.
Not only can you control the light with your voice or smartphone, but some smart bulbs also come with features like color-changing and remote dimming.
These extra features add to the cost of the bulb, but they also add to the overall value and experience.
If you’re someone who loves to automate and have the latest technology, then a smart bulb is worth the investment.
6. They Often Come With Apps
A lot of the smart bulbs we have on the market today come with their own apps and software.
These apps allow you to control the light with your voice or smartphone, and they also add extra features like color-changing and remote dimming.
The cost of developing these apps and software is hefty, and as a result, it drives up the price of the bulbs.
However, many people feel that the convenience and extra features are worth the price.
7. They May Require A Smart Hub
While some smart bulbs can connect directly to your home’s Wi-Fi, others may require a smart hub.
A smart hub is a device that connects all of your smart devices and allows them to be controlled from one central location.
If you don’t already have a smart hub, you will need to purchase one in addition to your smart bulbs.
The cost of a smart hub can range from $10 to $100, depending on the features and brand.
8. The Cost of The Bulb Itself
The cost of the bulb itself can be a major contributory factor to the overall expense of a smart bulb.
The price of LED bulbs has been dropping in recent years, but they are still more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs.
This is due to the fact that LEDs are more efficient and last longer than traditional bulbs.
While the initial cost may be higher, you will save money in the long run because you won’t have to replace the bulb as often.
9. Smart Bulbs Require Licensing
Last but not least, another thing that makes smart bulbs expensive is that they often require licensing.
For example, many of the popular smart bulbs on the market today use the Zigbee protocol.
Zigbee is a low-power wireless communications standard that is used in a wide range of devices, including smart bulbs.
The cost of licensing Zigbee can add up, and as a result, it drives up the price of smart bulbs. Why are these licensing important?
They help to ensure that the bulbs are compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms.
Additionally, they help to ensure that the bulbs will work with future devices and technologies.
How To Purchase Smart Bult At A Cheap Price
Now that we’ve looked at all of the reasons why smart bulbs are so expensive let’s take a look at how you can purchase them at a cheaper price.
Here are a few tips:
- Purchase smart bulbs during sales and promotions. Many retailers offer discounts on smart bulbs during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other major sales events.
- Look for coupons and promo codes. You can often find coupons and promo codes for smart bulbs online.
- Buy in bulk. Many retailers offer discounts when you purchase smart bulbs in bulk.
- Do your research. Compare prices across different retailers before making a purchase. Wait for price drops.
- The price of smart bulbs tends to drop over time as the technology becomes more affordable.
So, there you have it! Now you know all about the cost of smart bulbs and how to
Final Words
Overall, smart bulbs are so expensive for several reasons.
The technology is more complex, the manufacturing process is more expensive, and the research and development costs are higher.
Additionally, smart bulbs last longer, use less energy, and often come with apps and extra features.
For many people, the benefits of smart bulbs outweigh the cost, but it’s important to know all of the factors involved before making a purchase.
Hopefully, this article has helped to shed some light on the matter! (Ha! See what I did there?)”
If you’re considering purchasing a smart bulb, it’s important to do your research to make sure you know all of the reasons why they are more expensive.
