Koogeek E27 8W Smart Light Bulb

Priced at £35.99 this is an alternative to the Phillips Hue or other smart lights but this Koogeek bulb connects directly with no hub required and works directly with Amazon and Google voice-controlled home automation. Unusually, it also works with the Apple Assistant, Siri, which few of the budget rivals do. Of course, for this to work you will need an Amazon Echo, Google Home or Apple HomeKit device but even without it you can still fully control the bulb through wifi.

The standard sized E27 screw bulb arrived in an attractive and robust presentation box. Inside with the bulb was a well printed and easy to read User Guide in colour. I enclose a scan of it on the end of my unboxing video, switch to full screen and pause as needed to read it. The bulb is quite large and heavier than some of the budget rivals I have tried but it has the feel of a quality piece of kit.

To use the bulb first download the Koogeek app. This app also works with a wide range of smart devices and is not used with the bulb alone. After installation follow the in-app instructions to add a new device. The procedure is simple enough and is well explained in the app. You will have to input your wifi password into the app and this is then sent to the bulb’s built-in wifi connection. The bulb will then automatically connect to your home wifi as long as the power supply to it is connected. Remember not to turn the bulb off at the socket, but always through the app or voice commands. What happens when the wifi is off, you may ask? With no wifi, t can still work as a normal bulb and can be switched off and on from the power socket or lamp switch.

Once online and registered with the app you can then turn the bulb off and on, engage a range of preset lighting patterns as well as manually selecting the colour and brightness you want. Once the Koogeek Alexa/Google skill has been enabled and the bulb named and recognized you can then perform most functions just by voice alone. You can turn it Off a..