LIFX Mini White is a great budget option for a hub-free HomeKit bulb
If you’re looking for the cheapest entrance into HomeKit, LIFX Mini White is a good option. It’s only $59 on its own, but it’s also available as part of an “Explore” package which includes three different color bulbs, one motion sensor and two keychains. The only downside to this bulb is that it doesn’t have any options for scheduling or syncing with Apple Watch. But if you’re just dipping your toes into HomeKit, these are small sacrifices to make when saving $60. For more information on the Explore package visit LIFX.com/explore.
HomeKit-based solutions are getting cheaper and more innovative, but they’re also becoming more complex. LIFX is one of the most interesting home automation companies that currently offer HomeKit products, and today, we’re reviewing its entry-level product: the $59 white bulb and $30 sensor.
LIFX Mini White is a hubless smart bulb that connects to your Wi-Fi network using your iOS or Android device. It works with Siri for voice control (active last week on iOS 9) as well as Apple Watch for simplified brightness control, and it even works with Amazon Echo for voice commands. The bulb is also HomeKit-compatible (other LIFX products are too), so you can add it to your Home app and get notifications on your iPhone. But, and this is where the complexity comes into play, there are two different models of LIFX Mini White and each one is different: The white bulb itself has two physical pads that you place on your ceiling or wall. The sensor connects to these pads using a magnetic receiver, which plugs into the bottom of the bulb.
Newer model with built-in stand. Older model with external stand.
