LIFX (A19 & Strips)
VERDICT
If you want raw brightness and vibrant colors without plugging a plastic box into your router, LIFX is the answer. It is significantly brighter than Hue and offers deeper saturation. However, because it relies on Wi-Fi, connection stability is entirely dependent on your router quality.
The Big Picture
LIFX built its reputation on two things: Brightness and Simplicity. Unlike Philips Hue, there is no "Bridge." Every bulb has a Wi-Fi chip inside. You screw it in, open the app, and connect. It appeals to renters and people who just want to light up one room without investing in a complex system.
☀️ Raw Brightness (1100+ Lumens)
LIFX bulbs are blindingly bright.
The Difference: While standard smart bulbs hover around 800 lumens, LIFX pushes past 1100 lumens. The colors are also richer; the greens look deep emerald, and the blues are electric. If you love "saturated" lighting for gaming or parties, LIFX wins visually.
🎨 Polychrome Technology
This is where LIFX destroys the competition.
Multi-Zone: Their light strips (Z Strips) and beams have multiple "zones" of color that can be painted individually in the app. You can have a single strip showing pink, blue, and orange simultaneously. Most competitors (until recently) could only show one color at a time.
✅ The Pros
- No Hub required (Direct Wi-Fi).
- Incredible maximum brightness and color depth.
- "Polychrome" allows multi-color gradients on strips.
- Excellent integration with Razer Chroma for gamers.
❌ The Cons
- Can be unreliable if your Wi-Fi router is weak or old.
- Bulbs are slightly larger/heavier than Hue.
- No official physical remote/switch (must use app or voice).
🤔 Should you buy it?
YES if you have a modern mesh Wi-Fi router and want the brightest, most colorful lights possible for a gaming setup or bedroom.
NO if you have spotty internet or want to light up an entire 4-bedroom house (too many Wi-Fi devices will clog your network).
See the showdown: LIFX vs. Philips Hue Comparison