Joe TriesSmart bulbs compatible with Apple Home
There are three ways a bulb gets into Apple Home, and each one changes what you buy. Matter over Wi-Fi bulbs pair directly, with no bridge. Matter over Thread bulbs pair directly too, but only if you own a HomePod mini, a HomePod (2nd generation), or a recent Apple TV to act as the Thread border router. Zigbee bulbs, including Philips Hue, need their bridge; used over Bluetooth alone, Hue bulbs do not show up in Apple Home.
- Compatible, in our catalog
- 33 of 69 smart bulbs
- Work without any hub
- 16 of 33
- Need a hub first
- 10 of 33
- Price range
- $6 to $200
Check these before you buy
- If you already own a HomePod mini, a HomePod (2nd generation), or an Apple TV 4K from 2021 or later with an Ethernet port, Thread bulbs are an option. If not, stick to Wi-Fi Matter bulbs or plan on a bridge.
- Any smart bulb goes offline when someone flips the wall switch off. Pair bulbs with a smart switch or a battery remote if the wall switch stays in use.
- Automations (lights on at sunset, off when you leave) need a home hub in the Home app, the same HomePod or Apple TV.
Connects directly 6
The maker built this connection to Apple Home. Some of these still need the maker's own hub, and the line under each product says so.
Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, no hub needed.
Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, no hub needed.
Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, no hub needed.
Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, no hub needed.
Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, no hub needed.
No hub needed.
Connects through Matter 17
These join Apple Home through Matter, a shared standard, so no maker's cloud sits in the middle. The ones that use Thread also need a Thread border router, a radio built into some smart speakers and hubs.
Matter over Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, or add to any Matter controller.
No hub needed.
Matter over Thread; needs a Thread border router (IKEA DIRIGERA, Apple/Google/SmartThings hub).
Matter over Thread; needs a Thread border router (IKEA DIRIGERA, Apple/Google/SmartThings hub).
Matter over Thread; needs a Thread border router (IKEA DIRIGERA, Apple/Google/SmartThings hub).
No hub needed.
Matter over Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, or add to any Matter controller.
Matter over Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, or add to any Matter controller.
No hub needed.
Matter over Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, or add to any Matter controller.
Matter over Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, or add to any Matter controller.
Matter over Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, or add to any Matter controller.
Matter over Wi-Fi; works standalone via the brand app, or add to any Matter controller.
Needs a Thread border router
Optional hub.
Needs a Thread border router
Requires a Thread border router (a Matter controller such as an Apple TV, HomePod, Echo, or Nanoleaf hub).
Needs a hub first 10
These reach Apple Home only through a hub, usually the maker's own. If you do not own that hub yet, add its price to the device's.
Requires an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub
Requires an Aqara Zigbee hub.
Requires an Aqara Zigbee hub; exposes to Apple Home, Alexa, Google, and SmartThings through the hub.
Works over Bluetooth for a single room; a Philips Hue Bridge adds remote access, automations, and full ecosystem support.
Works over Bluetooth for up to 10 bulbs in one room; a Philips Hue Bridge adds remote access, automations, and full ecosystem support.
Works over Bluetooth for up to 10 bulbs in one room; a Philips Hue Bridge adds remote access, automations, and full ecosystem support.
Works over Bluetooth for up to 10 bulbs in one room; a Philips Hue Bridge adds remote access, automations, and full ecosystem support.
Works over Bluetooth for up to 10 bulbs in one room; a Philips Hue Bridge adds remote access, automations, and full ecosystem support.
Works over Bluetooth for up to 10 bulbs in one room; a Philips Hue Bridge adds remote access, automations, and full ecosystem support.
Works over Bluetooth for up to 10 bulbs in one room; a Philips Hue Bridge adds remote access, automations, and full ecosystem support.
Not on this list?
That does not mean it will not work with Apple Home. It means we have not confirmed a path for it yet, and we add connections as we confirm them against the maker's documentation. How we check
Already own some gear? Check what works together