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LIFX vs SwitchBot

LIFX logo

LIFX

Software

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SwitchBot logo

SwitchBot

Software

Simple automation for any device

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; SwitchBot switchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, SwitchBot covers Button automation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and SwitchBot actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and SwitchBot differ
AttributeLIFXSwitchBot
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSIOS, Android
Founded20122015

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (one-time), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • Windows support

Only in SwitchBot

  • Button automation
  • IR control
  • Schedules
  • Sensors
  • Scene automation
  • Voice control
  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Assistant

Both cover

  • SmartThings
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

LIFX

  • Ambient lightingnot SwitchBot
  • Gaming setupnot SwitchBot
  • Photography lightingnot SwitchBot
  • Smart homenot SwitchBot

SwitchBot

  • Retrofit automationnot LIFX
  • Curtain controlnot LIFX
  • AC controlnot LIFX
  • Simple automationnot 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.

SwitchBot

  • SwitchBot Lock Ultra is priced at 139.99 USD standalone, rising to 299.99 USD bundled with the Touch Doorbell combo

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

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

SwitchBot

On request
  • Bot$29/month
    • Button pusher
    • Schedule
    • Voice control
  • Curtain$89/month
    • Solar powered option
    • Light sensor
    • Schedule
  • Hub Mini$39/month
    • IR control
    • Cloud access
    • Voice assistants

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 SwitchBot if

  • You need button automation.
  • You work on IOS, Android.
  • You also want ir control.
SwitchBot review

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or SwitchBot better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and SwitchBot at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or SwitchBot?
LIFX starts at On request and SwitchBot at On request.
Does LIFX or SwitchBot run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. SwitchBot runs on IOS, Android.
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 SwitchBot is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that SwitchBot cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. SwitchBot covers Button automation, IR control, Schedules, Sensors. Both handle SmartThings, IOS support, Android support.
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