HomeKit Blog

The HomePod, with its stunning sound and Siri voice controls, is simply the best smart speaker around for those that want all things Apple. The HomePod can do it all, from Stereo Pairing that creates an immersive home theater experience, to a HomeKit smart home command center — it is an essential part of Apple's ecosystem. This year, Apple has introduced a smaller, more affordable option, the HomePod mini, that still offers excellent sound and can go just about anywhere.

Source: Joseph Keller/iMore

Apple's larger HomePod makes it incredibly easy to get started with a premium music experience. With a simple plug and play design, voice controls, and sound that automatically adapts to your environment, it can be up and running in minutes. The HomePod mini, while dramatically smaller, features all of the same great extras as the HomePod, but also adds in a new Thread wireless radio that allows it to act as a hub for HomeKit accessories. The smaller size means it isn't as powerful as a speaker as the original HomePod, but it can still fill a room with great.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday on the horizon, there may never be a better time to add your first HomePod or to add a HomePod mini or two to other rooms in your home. Here are the best Black Friday HomePod deals that you can find now, and be sure to check out our guide to the best Apple Black Friday deals for even more savings!

Black Friday HomePod deals

Despite being on the market for over a few years already, Apple's original HomePod doesn't go on sale very often. However, for special shopping days, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we typically see discounts of around $100, so if you have been holding out, this is the time to pick one up.

Also, since the HomePod mini just hit stores, merely finding one before the end of this year may be an issue, so we suggest jumping on one at the full retail price if you manage to track one down.

The original HomePod only gets better over time, with the latest additions being a slick intercom feature and home theater capabilities. Of course, the HomePod still offers some of the best sound available in a smart speaker, making it a fantastic choice for the living room.

Apple's HomePod mini packs in premium sound and Siri smart home controls into an ultra-compact speaker with a small price to match. Even without any special Black Friday deals, just finding one before the end of the year is a big deal.

Black Friday and beyond

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just over a week away, we are bound to see more and more early deals go live on everything from kitchen appliances, clothes, and electronics. We are keeping on our eyes on all of the best deals, so be sure to check back often for the latest Black Friday deals on the HomePod and more this shopping season.

The best
HomeKit filament bulbs
immoral
2020

Looking to jump on smart home lighting gasoline, but don't want to compromise your aesthetics? Then HomeKit filament bulbs are perfect for you. With these bulbs, you get modern capabilities, such as dimming, programming and voice control, but with a modern and attractive design, instead of the minimal and functional look of other smart bulbs. Here are all the best HomeKit compatible filament bulbs you can find right now.

Favorite staff

The Philips Hue ST19 filament bulb is the only HomeKit bulb around that has the classic filament bulb shape. This thinner bulb works great with industrial-style luminaires and keeps things well lit with up to 530 lumens of brightness. The Philips Hue filament line also supports Bluetooth for direct control, as well as the Philips Hue Hub, which allows HomeKit and Siri.

$ 28 at Best Buy

The Sylvania Smart + Filament bulb is the brightest of the groups, illuminating areas with up to 650 lumens of elegant power. This is not, however, because this bulb is also the only one that connects directly to the HomeKit via Bluetooth, giving you Siri and automation without the need for an additional hub. This means that this bulb can be set up quickly and easily right from the Home app.

• $ 21 on Amazon

• $ 20 at Walmart

The regular A19-shaped bulb from the Philips Hue line houses an elegant spiral design that looks amazing when lit. This glass bulb can emit up to 530 lumens of pure white light, perfect for lighting fixtures or lamps. Because this light bulb is part of the Hue ecosystem, it can slide directly into scenes you may already have and works with accessories such as remote controls.

• $ 25 at Best Buy

• $ 25 at Walmart

Ikea Tradfri LED Filament Bulb is the cheapest in the group, especially if you already have Tradfri Gateway in your home. This cheap bulb mixes a three-spiral filament like a design with a tinted brown glass globe, giving it the true retro look. The only disadvantage of this bulb is that it is not the brightest, providing an insensitive light of 250 lumens, relegating it to lighting tasks or simply as a decoration.

$ 10 at Ikea

The G25 Hue White Filament bulb has a larger, rounder and clearer globe than in summer, which makes it excellent for wider shades and bodies. This dimmable bulb works with only 7 watts of power and can be set to the ideal light level via the Hue app or through your voice with Alexa, Google Assistant and, of course, Siri. Keep in mind that you will need a Philips Hue Hub to make all those connected goodies happen.

• $ 33 at Best Buy

• $ 33 at Walmart

Compatible with HomeKit and Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings, this Edison bulb-shaped lamp is the equivalent of 60 W that will add both style and smart to any space.

• $ 30 on Amazon

• $ 30 at Best Buy

Clearly beautiful

HomeKit filament bulbs are some of the easiest to install, accessories with the most beautiful appearance around, because they add intelligent lighting capabilities, inside an elegant exterior. Simply screw in one of these bulbs and watch it light up your room with vintage charm. Once configured, these bulbs can work right alongside all the other HomeKit devices in your home, making them work automatically or on demand through automation.

We like Philips Hue White Filament ST19 for the combination of a filament-style coil and the slimmer and longer classic design. This bulb is also extremely capable, working with all major voice assistants when paired with the Philips Hue Hub, and works directly on your phone using Bluetooth.

Want a filament bulb, but don't want to sacrifice shine? Then check the Sylvania Smart + Filament LED bulb. This bulb is the brightest option available, capable of illuminating an area with up to 650 lumens of adjustable white light. Regardless of the bulb chosen, your home will be comfortable and more elegant due to these beauties.