I've noticed Wi-Fi bulbs tend to drop out more often, especially when the router gets overloaded. Zigbee setups have been pretty stable for me—just make sure you've got enough repeaters around. Have you considered how many bulbs you'd be controlling?
"Zigbee setups have been pretty stable for me—just make sure you've got enough repeaters around."
Yeah, totally agree with this. I've had Wi-Fi bulbs before, and they were fine at first, but once I started adding more devices (smart speakers, cameras, etc.), things got pretty flaky. Switched to Zigbee bulbs and haven't looked back since. One thing I'd add though—placement of repeaters matters a lot. I had one bulb that kept dropping until I moved a repeater closer... weird how just a few feet can make such a difference.
I've had pretty good luck with Zigbee bulbs too, but honestly, Wi-Fi bulbs aren't always a disaster. I think it depends a lot on your router and how crowded your network is. When I first started out, I grabbed some cheap Wi-Fi bulbs on sale, and they worked fine for months. But once I added a bunch of other smart devices, things got messy fast—random disconnects, bulbs not responding, etc.
Eventually switched to Zigbee, and yeah, repeaters definitely help. But another thing that made a big difference for me was upgrading my Zigbee hub placement. Originally had it tucked away behind the TV stand (out of sight, out of mind), but moving it up higher and more central in the room improved reliability noticeably. So if anyone's struggling with dropouts, maybe try repositioning your hub before buying extra repeaters. Could save you a few bucks...
"Wi-Fi bulbs aren't always a disaster. I think it depends a lot on your router and how crowded your network is."
That's a fair point, but I'd argue that relying heavily on Wi-Fi bulbs isn't the best long-term strategy, especially if you're considering energy efficiency and sustainability. Wi-Fi bulbs typically consume more standby power compared to Zigbee or Z-Wave options, which can add up over time—especially if you're installing multiple bulbs throughout your home.
Also, from my experience, Wi-Fi bulbs tend to have shorter lifespans. I've had several fail prematurely, possibly due to overheating or cheaper components. Zigbee bulbs, on the other hand, seem to hold up better over the years, making them a more sustainable choice overall.
Hub placement definitely matters, though—I agree with you there. But before investing too heavily in repeaters or repositioning hubs, it might be worth considering bulbs that use protocols specifically designed for low-power, mesh networking. It could save you headaches down the line and help reduce your home's overall energy footprint.
Interesting points, but honestly I've had Wi-Fi bulbs running smoothly for years now without any noticeable lifespan issues. Maybe I've just been lucky...or my router's secretly amazing? Still, might check out Zigbee next time around—never hurts to explore options.
