This article was taken from the June 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
Each bulb was plugged in to a series of lamps (standard, desk, with or without dimmer) and tested for brightness and, in the case of dimmers, whether the light flickered. For audio, multiple tracks were played. WIRED listened close up, at a distance and in different directions. We tested the simplicity and efficiency of the pairing process and how far away the bulb could communicate with the handset.
Unlike the Sound Shine, this works with lights fitted with dimmers, though this is not recommended as it flashed intermittently with the light turned off. Also, you need to have it turned up to full on the light -- you then dim it via the app. Setup wasn't flawless, but the app helped. Once the phone and bulb "saw" each other, operation was simple. You can adjust the brightness through an in-app dial, or by shaking the phone. Sound was clear, but the tinniest on test, especially during orchestral pieces. Still, voices came through strongly. It's well-suited to somewhere with background noise, such as a utility room, and the light was bright and solid -- definitely acceptable when being used for light alone. The app has further features such as wake-up, which turns the light and music on at a set time, as well as a sleep mode which does the reverse. 5/10 £59
Compatibility: Android, iPhone apps; Bluetooth/A2DP Dimensions: H 140mm, D 85mm Brightness: 3W Speaker power: 3W Dimmable: Yes Fitting: Screw
A light-bulb speaker will never replace a full-size audio setup, but Ion has a neat compromise: you can connect two to make a stereo pair. Whether your lamps are in just the right places to make the most of this is another matter. In mono, the Sound Shine sounded the best on test, partly down to the bigger bulk of the bulb, which may limit the sockets it can fit into. The iPhone and Android app works only to change the brightness of the bulb -- but you can turn the light off. 8/10 £80
Compatibility: iPhone, Android apps; Bluetooth/A2DP Dimensions: H 140mm, D 90mm Brightness: LED light 3W, 320 lumens (60W eqv) Speaker power N/A Dimmable: Yes Fitting: Screw
The neatest design of the bulbs here, the Olixar is slim and has a petal-shaped speaker in the top (or bottom if you're ceiling-mounting it). This does affect its lighting prowess, but it's perfectly fine if it's not your main light source. For audio it was nearly on a par with the Sound Shine, though let's not kid ourselves -- fussy audiophiles will need to look elsewhere. Its small size means it's also the least intrusive device in our test group, but unlike some, this light is not dimmable. One other clever detail: though the Light Beats has a screw fit, the company has included an adaptor, so it will work with bayonet (E22) fittings, too. 7/10 £25
Compatibility: Bluetooth/A2DP Dimensions: H 126mm, D 50mm Brightness: 3W Speaker power: 3W Dimmable: No Fitting: Screw or bayonet
This light changes colour constantly while it's turned on, so it's great for parties. (A white-only version is also available.) The MiniSun lacks visual charm, due to the gap in the middle which lets the sound out, and its rather plasticky build. But most of it can be hidden by a lampshade. It's also not dimmable, and you don't get to listen without the light show. The MiniSun is the cheapest bulb on test, though the superior sound on the Olixar makes it better value. 6/10 £19
Compatibility: Bluetooth/A2DP Dimensions: H 160mm, D 70mm Brightness: LED 3W Speaker power: 3W Dimmable: No Fitting: Screw or bayonet
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
