How Do Alexa Controlled Lights Work?
There are a lot of ways to get started with smart lights. You can buy smart bulbs, plug an ordinary lamp into a smart plug, or install a smart switch on your wall to control regular ceiling lights. There are two kinds of smart bulbs: bulbs (like LIFX) that have integrated Wi-Fi and work on their own, or bulbs that need to connect to their smart hub (usually using the Zigbee wireless networking standard). Philips Hue is probably the best example of a hub-based lighting system. Then there are smart plugs. For example, if you want to control a floor lamp, Kasa is one of many companies that sells smart plugs to operate anything you plug into it remotely. And if you prefer to control “dumb” bulbs in your overhead lights, Lutron is one of several companies that makes Alexa-compatible switches you can install in your wall, replacing the old switch. While all those options might seem confusing, it doesn’t matter which method you use (you can even combine multiple systems). Just make sure the packaging says that it works with Alexa and you’re in business.
How to Set up Alexa Controlled Lights
To get started with your smart lights, you need to first set them up with your Alexa using the official app. Here’s what to do:
How to Control Lights With Alexa
After the setup is complete, there are two ways to control the lights:
Say “Alexa, turn on [name of light].“Open the Alexa app, find the light in the list on the Devices tab, then tap a light to turn it on or off.
There are also a number of things you can say to control brightness, and if your lights support it, change their color. Here are some common commands:
“Alexa, dim the bedroom light.” “Alexa, make the bedroom brighter.““Alexa, set the bedroom light to 50 percent.““Alexa, make the bedroom light blue.““Alexa, turn off the bedroom light.”
If you install more than one light in a room, you can group them so a single command turns them on or off together. In fact, the lights don’t even need to be in the same room. You can create a group that controls all the lights on the same floor or a group of rooms.
How to Schedule and Automate Lights With Alexa
Alexa gives you the ability to completely automate your lights. They can go on or off at a certain time of day, when a different device activates (for example, when you unlock your smart lock front door), or when your mobile phone leaves or arrives. You have a lot of options using a feature the Alexa app calls Routines.
