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There are tons of Smart LED bulbs to choose from nowadays - and come in a number of styles and specifications to suit any smart home. Most are connected via a local Wi-Fi network, the phone's Bluetooth connection or a Zigbee hub, each requiring a slightly different setup process.

Last week I bought some Wi-Fi enabled Wyze bulbs, Enabled via Bluetooth C from GE bulbs and activated Zigbee Philips Hue bulbs and spent a day installing them and taking notes. Here's my quick and easy guide to installing a smart Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Zigbee bulb.

wifi

Not only that dimmable white lights, high-performance Wi-Fi LEDs, with lots of great value features, are also easy to install.

1. Download the Wyze app and create an account.

2. Select "Add a product" from the menu in the upper right corner of the home screen.

3. Select Wyze Bulb from the list of devices.

4. Make sure your phone is connected to the 2.4 GHz wireless network.

5. Screw the bulb on and off and off three times. You are now in pairing mode (the bulb will blink).

6. Enter your Wi-Fi name and password.

7. Connect to the Wyze smart bulb Wi-Fi network in your settings.

8. Return to the application and the bulb will automatically connect.

That's it, you're done. The app will ask you to create a unique name for the light, and then you can configure custom shutdown programs and connect your Wyze bulbs to Alexa or Google Assistant.

Other smart bulbs enabled Wi-Fi: Lifx.

Bluetooth

The C by GE Soft White White smart bulbs come in a two-dollar package. Unlike the Wyze bulbs, these GE LEDs connect via Bluetooth to the home phone. Here's how to get started:

1. Download the C by GE application and create an account.

2. Select the "plus" icon in the top right corner of the home screen and then "Add new devices".

3. Select "Lights" from the device list.

4. Screw the bulb and turn on the light.

5. Wait a few seconds for the light bulb to flash three times.

6. Select "Continue with application C through GE" and you are done.

If you want to control these LEDs when you go beyond the Bluetooth domain, you have two other options. First, you can buy C by Reach Smart Bridge C by GE for $ 50 - or you can use a Smart speaker or Google Nest display act as a Wi-Fi hub for bulbs. The C by GE bulbs also work with Alexa and Siri via HomeKit, but you will need a C-Reach hub.

Other smart bulbs compatible with Bluetooth: Philips.

ZigBee

White Zigbee bulbs from Philips Hue require an extra step than Wyze and C by GE. It has a Philips hub called Hue Bridge that connects to your Wi-Fi router. A Hue Bridge is included in the $ 70 Hue White LED packaging. Installation is still simple, but it takes a few minutes (and I'm not a fan of the app).

1. Download the Philips Hue app and create an account.

2. Connect the Hue Bridge to the Wi-Fi router and plug the adapter into an outlet.

3. Screw on the bulb and turn it on.

4. Select "Search" in the application and you will find the Hue bridge.

5. Press the button in the center of the Hue Bridge.

6. Your LED will automatically connect.

The Philips Hue app is by far the most fiddly of the three. The app asked me to share my Home Data to connect to Siri and HomeKit multiple times, despite the lack of interest (the bulbs work with Alexa and Google Assistant). However, it connects quickly, despite the extra step of the hub. And the app offers a lot of functions, from dark to programming, grouping and creating scenes.

Other smart bulbs compatible with Zigbee: Sengled.

Want to know more about LEDs? Check it out this handy guide featuring the best bulbs to buy for every room in your home.