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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

LIFX vs Google Home

LIFX logo

LIFX

IoT & Smart Home

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Google Home logo

Google Home

IoT & Smart Home

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Home has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LIFX the Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.; Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, Google Home covers Google Assistant.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and Google Home actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and Google Home differ
AttributeLIFXGoogle Home
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS
Founded20122016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in LIFX

  • No Hub Required
  • 16 Million Colors
  • WiFi Direct
  • High Brightness
  • HomeKit
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings

Only in Google Home

  • Google Assistant
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps

Both cover

  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot Google Home
  • Gaming setupnot Google Home
  • Photography lightingnot Google Home
  • Smart homenot Google Home

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot LIFX
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot LIFX
  • Creating automation routinesnot LIFX
  • Managing household device settingsnot LIFX
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot LIFX

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

LIFX

  • The Internet Archive's capture of LIFX's products page on 19 July 2016 priced the White 800 bulb at $39.99 USD (890 lumens) and the Color 1000 bulb at $59.99 USD (1,055 lumens); this is a 2016 capture and current prices likely differ.

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

On request
  • LIFX Bulb$40/month
    • 16M colors
    • WiFi direct
    • No hub required

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

Which should you pick?

Choose LIFX if

  • You need no hub required.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS.
  • You also want 16 million colors.
LIFX review

Choose Google Home if

  • You need google assistant.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want voice control.
Google Home review

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or Google Home better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and Google Home at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or Google Home?
Google Home has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LIFX and Free for Google Home.
Does LIFX or Google Home run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Yes. Google Home has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LIFX starts at On request.
What is LIFX best used for?
LIFX is most often used for ambient lighting, gaming setup, photography lighting, smart home. Of those, ambient lighting and gaming setup are not what Google Home is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that Google Home cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. Both handle IOS support, Android support.
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