Been thinking about finally upgrading my backyard lights, and I'm stuck on whether to go with smart bulbs or just stick smart switches on regular lights. Smart bulbs seem kinda cool—changing colors, brightness, etc., but they also seem pricier and maybe less durable outdoors? On the other hand, switches are simpler and cheaper, but would I miss out on any cool features? Curious what everyone else picked for their yards and if you're happy with your choice...
"Smart bulbs seem kinda cool—changing colors, brightness, etc., but they also seem pricier and maybe less durable outdoors?"
Yeah, durability outdoors is usually my main hesitation with smart bulbs. I've seen a few setups where moisture or extreme temps shortened their lifespan quite a bit. Smart switches paired with quality outdoor-rated fixtures tend to be more reliable long-term, IMO. You do lose the color-changing gimmick, but honestly, how often would you realistically use that feature in your yard anyway?
I've actually been using smart bulbs outdoors for about two years now, and yeah, durability can be hit or miss. Had one bulb die on me after a particularly rainy season, but the others have held up surprisingly well. I do agree that smart switches with good outdoor fixtures probably make more sense long-term, especially if you're not really into the color-changing thing.
But speaking of color-changing...I initially thought it was just a gimmick too, until we had a Halloween party last year. Setting the yard lights to orange and purple was a huge hit, and at Christmas, having red and green lighting outside was pretty festive without needing extra decorations. So, I wouldn't completely dismiss the color feature—it has its moments.
I guess it boils down to how much you value reliability versus flexibility. Has anyone tried those weatherproof smart LED strips outdoors? Curious how they stack up against bulbs or switches in terms of durability and ease of use.
I've been using outdoor smart LED strips for about a year now, and honestly, they're pretty solid if you set them up right. Here's what worked for me:
First off, make sure you get strips specifically labeled as weatherproof or IP65 rated (or higher). Regular indoor ones won't last through a rainy weekend—trust me, learned that the hard way. Once you've got weatherproof strips, mount them under eaves or railings, somewhere they're a bit sheltered. Mine have been through snow, rain, and even a crazy hailstorm, and they're still going strong.
Ease of use is great too—just peel, stick, plug in, and pair with your app. No wiring headaches like switches, and unlike bulbs, you can run them along pathways or deck edges for a nice ambient glow. Plus, color-changing strips are awesome for special occasions. We had a barbecue last summer and setting them to a warm orange-yellow really set the mood without extra decorations.
Bottom line, if you're looking for flexibility on a budget, I'd definitely give the strips a shot. Just don't cheap out too much, or you'll end up replacing them sooner than you'd like...
Gotta admit, hadn't even thought about LED strips for outdoors. Sounds like a pretty chill setup, especially for parties or just hanging out. My only worry is my dog—he chews everything remotely interesting, so I'd probably have to mount them pretty high up. Still leaning towards switches for simplicity, but now I'm tempted to throw in some strips around the deck railing too... decisions, decisions.
