Editor's Pick: The Brilliance of Wireless and Smart Lightbulbs in 2024

By Shoshana Oppenheim

I want to talk about something I'm excited about for home design in 2024: Wireless light bulbs and smart light bulbs. Okay, these ideas have been around for a bit, but it's still surprising to me how many of my friends and family either haven't heard about them or aren't sure if they're worth the hype.

I've moved around a bunch over the last 15 years, and one thing that's always bugged me is feeling stuck with certain lighting setups just because of where the electrical outlets are. Renting most of my life meant no interest in messing with electrical work. Ever tried hiding an extension cord strategically under furniture? Yeah, not fun and it doesn't look cute.

Enter the realm of rechargeable light bulbs. My first encounter with them was while watching one of my favorite lifestyle bloggers showcase beautiful wall sconces installed without any wiring. She effortlessly cut the cords, affixed them to her wall, and screwed in a pair of USB rechargeable light bulbs. I was both amazed and excited. The era of tripping over cords and leaving sconces boxed up due to reluctance in hiring an electrician was over. Welcome to 2024, my year of ambient lighting, fireplace sconces, bedside lamps, and a myriad of design opportunities that I've missed for YEARS.

In a nutshell, here's why you absolutely need wireless light bulbs in your life:

1. No More Cord Chaos: Say farewell to the tangled mess of extension cords.
2. DIY Design: Empower yourself to design without the constraints of outlet locations.
3. Portable Lighting: Take your favorite light source wherever you please.

What I found: Neporal MagicGlow Rechargeable Light Bulbs with Remote

What I love about it: The remote control, the energy efficiency, and they're great for power outages.

Now, let's dive into my second obsession. They might not be wireless, but smart light bulbs are just too cool not to give a shot—at least once—and trust me, you might get hooked for life.

Why you need smart light bulbs:

1. Smart Control: Adjust lighting with a tap on your phone or a voice command.
2. Mood Lighting: Customize colors and brightness to match your vibe.
3. Energy Efficiency: You can set timers to turn on/off your smart light automatically based on your routine.

What I found: Meross Smart LED Light Bulb

What I love about it: It's surprisingly easy to install and control and works even when the wifi goes out.