TP-LinkLB130 Kasa Smart Light Bulb, Multicolor WiFi Bulbs, Works with Alexa & Google Old Version

I made the jump to a "Smart Home" a little over a month ago after Alexa joined our family. After talking to some friends, doing some research and assesing my needs I settled on TP-Link because of the variety of Smart products they offered, no requirements for a Hub, the lower cost and the ability to control everything from one simple app on my Smart phone and Amazon"s Alexa.I have not been disappointed. After a very short learning curve, I surprisingly found the installation and set-up of all the TP-Link Smart devices extremely easy and intuitive. I have installed several different Smart devices including three different bulbs (LB-100, 120 & 130) depending on the area, as well as, Smart Switches (HB-200) and Smart Plugs. All of it has installed, programed and worked with few problems.The only criticism I have is the Kasa App. I have found it to be a bit bugy at times, but since I use it primarily for programming and setting up new devices and scenes, rather than operationally, it has not been an issue since Alexa handels most of that work. So far, in the six weeks my Smart Home has been in operation I have only had one problem where Alexa and the Kasa app lost communication with most of (but not all) of my TP-Link devices. But after a bit of head scratching I was able to restore communication.So here's a tip to remember: I first tried rebooting the devices by cycling the power breaker, but that didn't work. Probably due to multiple devices signaling simultaneously and overloading Kasa. But, powering each device down for a few seconds then back up, and testing it before moving on ro the next one worked without a problem.I also recommend using a different control application. I only have experience with Amazon Alexa, but it also interfaces with Google Home among others. I have found that controlling scenes from Kasa not to be reluable for some reason, while issuing the scene commands to Alexa works 90% of the time, with repeating the command becoming necessary about 10% of the time. But even with an occasional repeated command being necessary, TP-Link devices respond extremely well through Alexa's control. Plus Alexa is able to easily "group" multiple devices so you can control areas with a single command, or program macro activities that Alexa can perform with a single command. Capabilities Kasa does not have.This is another deficiency of the Kasa app. Without the ability to group devices or run macro routines, it relies on programmed scenes which are very limiting for operational control. So another controlling app like Alexa or Home is essential to the TP-Link Smart Home system.For me, because I have Alexa for operational control, both at home and away, these short comings in the Kasa app are non-issues. But if I didnt have this capability I think I would look to a different Hub controlled platform for my Smart Home lighting and device control.LB-130 Smart Bulb:I first bought the multicolored Smart bulb for my porch light to enhance my Holiday decorations, but I liked it so much I got 4 more for lamps in my living room to set mood and night light scenes for parties, movie/TV watching and minimal light settings for overnight guests.I love the lighting effects you can create with these Smart bulbs so easily with just a few commands, or program a complex scene in minutes that is ready to execute with a single command to Alexa or a single touch of the Alexa app remotely.

These smart bulbs have been a game-changer in our house. I initially bought a few for lights that my hubby would often leave on after getting into bed. It was so nice to be able to turn them off, from my bed, using the friendly Kasa app or through Alexa voice control. We also love being able to set our lights on soothing colors at night when watching tv, or resting before going to sleep.I now have these bulbs throughout the house and have spent some time getting things set up with groups, special scenes and schedules. I love that certain lights will now go on at dusk and auto turn off at my desired time, and also have a few bulbs that are on all night on very dim, soft colors — they don’t bother me when I’m sleeping but provide just enough light if I need to get up to use the bathroom. My husband even began playing with IFTTT and has set certain lights to turn on automatically when he enters our neighborhood, which I can see being extremely useful for people who live alone.One thing that made a huge difference in how useful these bulbs were for me was discovering the default state setting. I always set up the bulbs so that if I turn on a light from the switch (instead of via app or voice), the light will be white and at 100% brightness. This is also useful when we have guests as the lights will work in ways they are expecting and used to. I recently bought another less expensive smart bulb and there is no capability to set a default setting — I couldn’t believe it because that is such an important feature.I’ve now had the TP Link bulbs in our home for two years (or more) and haven’t had any failures. Every once in a while a bulb may become disconnected from the network (easy to fix), but it hardly happens anymore. Possibly firmware updates have addressed that.All in all, this is a great product, especially if you take the time to really set it up! Just make sure that if you buy another brand, you get one that does have the ability to set a default for when the light is turned on at the switch!