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Smart Home · head to head

LIFX vs Nest

LIFX logo

LIFX

Smart Home

WiFi-enabled smart lights with no hub required

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Nest logo

Nest

Smart Home

Google's smart home hardware and software ecosystem

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.; Nest pricing not published in support documentation; individual product prices vary significantly
  • They diverge on capability: LIFX covers No Hub Required, Nest covers Learning Thermostat.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LIFX and Nest actually diverge.

Attributes where LIFX and Nest differ
AttributeLIFXNest
PlatformsIOS, Android, Windows, MacOSHardware, Mobile, Web
Founded20122010

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

Only in Nest

  • Learning Thermostat
  • HD Cameras
  • Smart Alerts
  • Energy Savings
  • Google Assistant
  • Third-party apps
  • Works with Nest
  • Web support

Both cover

  • Google Home
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

LIFX

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

Nest

  • Households already invested in Google Home ecosystem seeking integrated smart thermostat, camera, and door locknot LIFX
  • Users wanting unified control of temperature, security, and entertainment across multiple devicesnot LIFX
  • Organisations deploying Google-based smart building solutions with Nest hardwarenot 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.

Nest

  • Pricing not published in support documentation; individual product prices vary significantly
  • All Nest products require Google Home ecosystem integration for full functionality
  • Smart home devices operate only within the Google Nest ecosystem; limited third-party interoperability
  • Support and product documentation dispersed across Google support rather than centralised Nest site

Pricing, plan by plan

LIFX

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

Nest

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Nest 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 Nest if

  • You need learning thermostat.
  • You work on Hardware, Mobile, Web.
  • You also want hd cameras.
Nest review

Questions people ask

Is LIFX or Nest better?
Neither clearly leads. LIFX starts at On request and Nest at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LIFX or Nest?
LIFX starts at On request and Nest at On request.
Does LIFX or Nest run on more platforms?
LIFX runs on IOS, Android, Windows, MacOS. Nest runs on Hardware, Mobile, Web.
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 Nest is typically brought in for.
What can LIFX do that Nest cannot?
LIFX covers No Hub Required, 16 Million Colors, WiFi Direct, High Brightness. Nest covers Learning Thermostat, HD Cameras, Smart Alerts, Energy Savings. Both handle Google Home, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LIFX: Does LIFX require a subscription to use its smart lighting products?

No, LIFX products do not require a subscription. Bulbs and fixtures connect directly via Wi-Fi with no hub, wiring, or recurring fees.

Source
Nest: Where can I find Google Nest pricing?

Google Nest pricing is available on the Google Store website (store.google.com), but the main category page requires first selecting your region and language. Specific product prices appear on individual product pages after region selection.

Source
LIFX: What is LIFX's return policy?

LIFX offers a 30-day return window for customers who are unsatisfied with their purchase.

Source
LIFX: Do LIFX light bulbs have a trial or money-back guarantee?

Yes, LIFX provides a 30-day return period. Additionally, first-time customers can apply coupon code Welcome20 to save 20% off their first order.

Source
LIFX: What shipping costs apply to LIFX orders?

LIFX offers free shipping on orders over $79. Individual product prices range from $17.50 to $199.99 depending on the type of light.

Source
LIFX: Does LIFX offer commercial or bulk pricing for businesses?

Yes, LIFX references 'Lighting at scale' and provides a Bulk Order Enquiry contact page for commercial customers, though specific enterprise pricing details are not disclosed on their homepage.

Source
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