Smart bulbs definitely simplify tricky wiring setups, but for outdoor spaces, I've found smart switches a bit more reliable long-term. A few reasons:
- Smart switches handle weather extremes better—bulbs outdoors can sometimes struggle with moisture or temperature swings.
- Easier to troubleshoot one switch than multiple bulbs scattered around the yard.
- You can still use regular bulbs, which are cheaper and easier to replace.
Curious though, has anyone had luck with smart bulbs holding up outdoors over multiple seasons?
I've had a slightly different experience with smart bulbs outdoors. About three years ago, I set up a few Philips Hue bulbs around my patio and garden area—mostly because I didn't want to mess with wiring new switches into the old brickwork. Honestly, I expected them to fail after the first harsh winter, but surprisingly, they've held up pretty well.
Granted, I did invest in some decent weatherproof fixtures to protect them from direct moisture exposure, so maybe that's why they've lasted. But temperature-wise, we've had some brutal winters and scorching summers here, and they're still going strong. The only real downside I've noticed is that occasionally one bulb will lose connection and need a quick reset—but that's maybe once or twice a year, tops.
I get your point about troubleshooting though; it's definitely simpler to flip one switch than fiddle with multiple bulbs. Still, for me, the convenience of not rewiring outweighed the occasional hassle.
Interesting perspective—I usually steer clients toward smart switches outdoors because bulbs can be a little finicky, especially in extreme weather. But your setup sounds solid. Curious, did you notice much impact on your electricity bill after going smart bulbs?
I went with smart bulbs initially too, mostly because it seemed simpler at the time. Honestly, I didn't notice much difference on my electricity bill—maybe a tiny dip, but nothing dramatic. The real issue for me was reliability. Last winter we had a nasty cold snap, and two of my outdoor bulbs just refused to connect until things warmed up again. Ended up swapping them out for switches eventually, and it's been smooth sailing since.
Funny enough though, indoors I've had zero issues with bulbs. Maybe it's just the harsher outdoor conditions that make switches more practical? Curious if anyone else has noticed a big difference in reliability between indoor and outdoor setups...
"Funny enough though, indoors I've had zero issues with bulbs. Maybe it's just the harsher outdoor conditions that make switches more practical?"
Yeah, I think you're onto something there. I've had similar experiences—my indoor smart bulbs have been rock solid, but outdoors... not so much. Last fall, I grabbed some budget-friendly smart bulbs for my porch lights thinking I'd save a few bucks. Worked great until winter hit, then they started randomly disconnecting or lagging. Switched to smart switches outside and haven't had a hiccup since. Seems like switches handle temperature swings better, at least from what I've seen.
