Smart lights vs smart switches for yard setup?

Totally hear you on the “weatherproof” bulbs - mine lasted about as long as a snowman in April. I tried those smart color bulbs for a hot minute, but after the novelty wore off, it was just another thing to troubleshoot. Swapped to smart switches last year and haven’t looked back. It’s way less e-waste too, which makes my inner tree-hugger happy. Only thing I miss is dimming for “mood lighting,” but honestly, my backyard BBQs aren’t that fancy anyway.

Smart Switches Are a Game Changer

Honestly, I think you nailed it with the switch to smart switches - way less hassle in the long run. I used to mess around with those “weatherproof” bulbs too, and half the time they’d flicker or just die after a couple storms. The e-waste thing bugs me too, so I totally get that. If you ever want to bring back some dimming for mood lighting, there are a few smart dimmer switches out there that work with outdoor-rated fixtures. Not perfect, but better than juggling a bunch of finicky bulbs. For most backyard hangs, simple on/off is all you really need anyway.

For most backyard hangs, simple on/off is all you really need anyway.

Couldn’t agree more - sometimes simple is just better. I’ve seen folks get caught up in the “smart everything” hype, only to end up frustrated with apps and firmware updates. I swapped out a bunch of old switches myself last year, and it’s been so much smoother. Still, I do miss having dimmers for those rare evenings when you want a little ambiance. Smart dimmers are a decent middle ground, but yeah, reliability is key, especially outdoors.

- Tried the “smart” route once - ended up yelling at my phone in the dark because the app crashed.
- Switched to basic outdoor switches. Cheaper, less drama, and I don’t have to explain to guests how to turn on the lights.
- Miss having dimmers for BBQ nights, but honestly, my wallet’s happier this way.

Miss having dimmers for BBQ nights, but honestly, my wallet’s happier this way.

I get where you’re coming from - simplicity wins a lot of the time. Had a rental where I tried to impress tenants with all the smart bells and whistles in the backyard. Ended up fielding late-night calls about “why won’t the lights turn on?” or “what’s the WiFi password again?” Now I stick to manual switches, but I do splurge for dimmable ones. There are some decent outdoor dimmers that aren’t “smart” but still give you that mood lighting for BBQs. Costs a bit more up front, but way less hassle long-term. Sometimes tech just overcomplicates a good thing.