WHY Does LIFX Get So Much Hate? | LIFX Smart Bulb Review & Redemption
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- We’ve read your comments and we hear your frustration. LIFX smart light bulbs have consistently given our viewers grief and we want to find out why. In this video, we’ll set up a LIFX bulb and try to connect it to both Amazon Echo and Google Home to see if the hate is founded or not.
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Time Stamps
0:00 - Intro
0:57 - Setting Up LIFX
3:08 - Connecting LIFX to Alexa
4:16 - Connecting LIFX to Google Home
5:00 - LIFX features
6:33 - Does LIFX deserve the hate?
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I’ve had zero issues. Have several of them in my home. Just got the path lights. They are amazing work perfectly.
You can get the Hk code with just connecting to the app easily enough if you loose it. Also there is a HK code on the base of the bulb if you loose the instructions in the box
My first time setup experience was bad. But now it’s super easy. Just connect to 2.4ghz wifi on your iPhone and use the Apple Home app to set up. After scanning the QR code it will search for the light which may take about a minute. I think it updates firmware or something, then a very quick flickering and then you get to name your light and start using it. The light automatically shows up in the LIFX and Google Home apps. You can switch to 5ghz wifi once the setup is complete.
I love Lifx bulbs. One thing that I discovered is not to reset a bulb mini until you're ready to set it up. Like, if you're about to set it up, reset it and then immediately set it up. If you don't do this, you'll have connection issues.
I've got a ton of lifx products and had issues untill I upgraded my WIFI hardware and created a new 2.4ghz only ssid just for the lights. Now 95% of the issues are gone.
Oh interesting. When you say Wi-Fi hardware you mean the router?
@@littlefootfeetthis could also mean wireless access points, controller, etc
I have 10 Lifx bulbs and all have been working fine for years. Never had a single one disconnect. Secret is to read the instructions first and make sure you have a reputable brand of router and reasonable wifi signal strength where you plan to install them. You can’t have one router in a large house and expect the wifi signal to be acceptable in all locations. Add access points in low signal areas to get even coverage.
Checking in 1 yr later to give my two cents. Lifx is my fav brand. Have used 3 Lifx z strips (w/ 3 sections each, two on tvs, and one on kitchen cabinets). Also use 8 bulbs, 4 indoors, 4 outdoors. Never have had issues w/ HomeKit. Easy set up. Very bright. Responsive, great themes. Dunno why I still to this day see so much hate.
I have LIFX throughout my whole house. I had more connectivity issues when using my crappy WiFi that was built into my modem/router. I bought a Ubiquiti UniFi WiFi access point (Long Range), disabled the modem’s WiFi and connected LIFX devices to the Ubiquiti Access Point, and the experience has been much better! More reliability, better WiFi connectivity, overall, a lot better.
Concur w the criticisms of Lifx. Really wanted to like Lifx. Got a combo set of 2 bulbs and a Lifx Z strip. Set up was horribly difficult and it turned out that both bulbs and the strip were defective. Lifx sent me replacements (they upgraded the bulbs as well). The bulbs worked for about a year before one failed. Half of the replacement light strip went wonky after about 6 months and now is in a perpetual blinking color cycle that only resets when I unplug and replug the strip. Honestly, it's horrible. My Philips Hue smart lights, which I bought at the same time, were so much more expensive, but worked right out of the box, and are still working well. Will never purchase another Lifx product. It's a real shame considering how much goodwill the company once had through all the positive good reviews they've received online. I'm seriously wondering if they just paid content providers to give good reviews.
I've never had any issues installing them (and I have 14 of them) and never needed a QC code. They were on my 2.4gh wifi, and just come up as a bulb number. Which I quickly renamed to something I will know it by. Some of mine I've had for 5 years and never had any issues with them. Also, the light does not have a "built in microphone". It's listening to the music through the mic in your phone or Alexa/Google home app.
So I've been using your LIFX lights for years now and I keep having issues left and right. I have solid wifi speeds, range extenders + my other devices working properly.. I can say from experience that the user interface is clunky, loses lights on a consistent basis and the bulbs are never stable. On top of that, customer service was lacking when I first reached out for help/replacements. I've owned a total of 14 lights.
I too have read the "negative" reviews and have stayed away from these. I bought into the HUE system which is VERY expensive BUT, they work with no issues all the time. Now that there are "other" vendors out there I've been looking into a more "LESS EXSPENSIVE" options and they are definitely out there! I have not "pulled" the trigger on any of these yet so, please if you have a better "experience" with another brand please share! I use a few Samsung "white only" bulbs and these work great (porch, secondary bedrooms, hallways). Same holds true for Sengled branded bulbs (for my basement via. voice control) but I am using SmartThings and may be totally different on other hubs. For me SmartThings integrates VERY well into the Amazon speaker option and have MANY routines setup for use. I have NO idea how these work with Google or any other setup so this is just my experience and use case.
OMFG, Lifx, I want to like them so much, but I have also had recurring issues over the years with them and have vowed not to buy their products until they are compatible with Thread. Most of my issues come down to connecting them to my wifi network and have them STAY connected. The lights become unresponsive way too often and resetting and reconnecting becomes such a massive PITA. Smart home devices shouldn't be this frustrating. Lifx bulbs and strips have great colors with fantastic saturation and brightness, but if they're unreliable, who cares. Seriously Lifx, start making Thread compatible devices that aren't so damned finnicky.
That DOES sound like a PITA, @Sandro Munoz! (Also great feedback!) Seeing that Amazon eero works with Thread, I wonder if there's a way to bridge those together. Do these problems seem to happen with the more stuff you add onto your network or connect with the LIFX app? I wonder if it steps on its own toes or is just too clunky to work for a whole home.
Really enjoyed your video. And yea the light is not hard to set up at all. Ppl just don’t like to read instructions lol
Setting up these smart bulbs can really make a person thing they’re slow at first but finally figured it out in the long run. Nice too know I’m average.
You definitely aren't alone, Angela!
My Lifx light strips work perfectly. The $60 Clean Bulb on the other hand refuses to stay connected to the network and currently will not connect to the Lifx app. I can still use it through Homekit, but not Alexa... I'm quite frustrated with Lifx and probably done with them.
Ive got a large gaming desk setup and I used multiple lifx strips and bulbs, and use the razer synapse software to make them react to my screen and my only complaint is the slight lag the have changing the colors to match on screen, but that said my overall experience has been fantastic
The analysis in this video is spot on. LIFX fell into the trap many companies fall into of thinking that a beautiful App is a well designed App. CEOs go to conferences and hear that "design" must drive App development. Listen up CEOs, you're being fed BS! User Experience, *not pretty widgets,* needs to drive App development. Do *NOT* give your graphic designer god power.
How bad was the UX of LIFX's iPhone App? A couple months after this video, LIFX went bankrupt. The LIFX assets were purchased by Feit Electric in August 2022.
For LIFX users, just remember that *the "HK" number on the bulb or controller is the important code* that you need to enter during setup. The App does not tell you this!
I have the candle bulbs and while the color and look are great, the software is trash. If you set an FX effect and the app enters background mode (about 30 seconds after leaving the app) the effects stop. Love the hardware, hate the software. Switching to Phlips Hue sadly.
My bulbs didnt even come with instructions. And the QR code on the box didn't work. It was only after learning how to reset it and then trying the connect it 4-5 times that it finally connected. Straight rediculous. Lights are not as bright as I thought they would be. But the lights do look nice.
Did you have any trouble with the effects on Lifx bulb? Every time I close the app, unfocus from it, or put my iPhone to sleep the effects go on pause or effectively stop working. I think the bulb is great but their customer service and development are kinda garbo.
Weird! We never had any issues like that. I was able to just let the effect play in a kind of loop all day.
@@asksafewise Really? Aw man. I have an iPhone so I think the iOS doesn't let Lifx refresh in the background >.> do you happen to have an iPhone as well?
I have apparently miss placed my instruction pamphlet I have it I just can’t find it due to moving four times in the last four years because of my landlord selling out from under me. The new app forcing the HomeKit is just ridiculous the original app worked perfectly and I had a color wheel and certain changes that worked just perfectly what do I do to get that QR code now is it available on their website? I tried using their support website and all it does is lead me through the same crap that the app leads me through entirely frustrating! They do deserve the hate as far as I’m concerned
Same with me, switch WIFI routers and cannot for the life of me find the box with the homekit code. Checked my A60 LED light bulb and no code to be seen. App won’t let me generate a new one
The *"HK"* number on the bulb or controller is the important code that you need to enter during setup. The App does not tell you this! You don't need the QR code. Note that the code format seems to be *"0000-0000"* but the "HK" number format is *"000-00-000"* (it's actually the same number of digits).
My LIFX Lightstrip controller has 11 numbers printed on it, and I had to search the internet before discovering that the "HK" number was the number I needed. Ugh.
What's with the bright light behind you????
Thanks for the honest review. We have been working hard this last year in updating the app to be easier to use and setup lights. We also have a number of new products launching in 2024 that we think you will love.
Hundreds of resets and reconnections and restarting my router just for your shitty a19 dogshit to continue not to work
I always swore by lifx, they are 100% the brightest and the best CRI index wifh a great app BUT.... I had nothing but connection issues on nearly an. Everyday basis. Would just drop connection multiple times a day. Such a shame. I ended up selling all my. Bulbs as they retain value really well.
Well, now I'm in a new home and wanting to fit 8 x GU10 built in downlighter smart bulbs and am stressing over which brand to go with...especially as I'll be buying 8 of them too 😭
What did u end up going with?
@@playdoob Ended up having to go with thr Philips liv4 RGBW Gu10 bulbs. As I needed so many they were my only real possibility.
Got 2x 4pck from Costco online for around £90.. £90 for 8 bulbs is perfect. And they don't seem bad.
Equivalent to a 50w old school bulb, so not as bright as the lifx but then again I am putting 8 up in there
My lights didn’t work with my HomePod mini. Had to return my Mini.
Mine give me a headache every single day ... currently have 1 bulb that decided to disconnect and I haven't been able to reconnect it in a month ...reached out to LifeX multiple times but no help
I got my first LIFX back in ‘13 when they launched and I have since gotten two additional ones. Never had issues- BESIDES the UI of the app, it looks pretty but it’s the most unintuitive unwieldy maddening thing ever. In an early update the app also simply wiped out your saved light settings like ?!?!? Who does that? Update the interface, sure. But how about don’t delete light presets? It was a slap in the face because something as everyday as how my lights were set was gone, it was like someone had broken into my home and put everything slightly askew.
But.. once you get the app and widget set up you don’t have to fight with the UI, so I’m happy with the day to day functional use. But good luck if you want to change the name of a bulb or what bulbs are in which group or location. Yikes. Glad I only have a small place and no need for complicated scenes.
From these comments it kind of sounds like the wifi router might be a cause of issues for folks- making LIFX advantage over HUE - that there’s no hub - also potentially it’s disadvantage.
I also am utterly mind boggled that they don’t also make a smart light sensor and then use that to make the lighting consistent. Like… take my damn money.
I have FIFX string lights. At first, it was great. Colors were awesome until I decided to extend it and make it longer for my balcony. It was a nightmare. I followed the recommendations and was a big fail. It's no longer working and I can't get it work. To get an actual person to help is impossible. I spent 300$ and I am so disappointed.
Werent they just taken over
Have had issues with the app not working, new app download not even letting me log in, and an email chain spanning nearly 2 months and still unresolved. Asked to be compensated for my time replying to all the emails and got a no (I just asked for a free bulb). Pretty small ask for the amount of time. My experience is the lights are great, the app is awful.
This is bullshit. I scanned the QR code that matches up with the SN on the bulb. It stays stuck on preparing device when going through the lifx application, which is what you need to have set up in order to gain access to Alexa functionality.
The issue for me is how it tries to force you to use HomeKit- if you don’t want to use HomeKit you have to reset the bulb then wait 15 minutes for it to go into manual mode so to speak. So stupid
Hold up, fact check..!! Does the bulb have a microphone OR does it use the phone microphone? Mine uses my phone- but it’s also from 2013 so.. maybe it changed since then.
Never had a problem with them. And also people forget that you screw in the light bulb turn it on and off five times and then it goes through a reset process and you're resetting that bulb and then you shouldn't have a problem plain and simple that's one way to get the app to recognize the bulb if it doesn't recognize it right off the bat
Yup. I do that at a minimum of once a week for my 12 Lifx bulbs.
@@halan236 why? Don't you think that's a little unnecessary to reset your bulbs once a week?
@@amyxamyx6621 they no longer respond to the app or Alexa. So a reset is necessary.
@@halan236 really mine have no problem responding whatsoever. Reset your alexa
No issues here either. The app is intuitive and I never needed any code to set it up. I have 2 beams, 4 tiles and 4 bulbs.
The first half of this video was whinging about you not reading the set up instructions… and blaming Lifx…
You make it seem like the qr is the big problem or how to connect them. The problem is the app have a lot of bugs. If you got the 1 and 2 gen the lights sometimes don't turn off or some of them. The 1 gen even have to turn on the app then off and on again to change color every time! And have to do that in 10sec or it doesn't respond anymore. Don't get support updates anymore or what so ever. One light dead after 2 years with normal use. And one dont connect any more.
Maybe the 3 gen you have is good but also you only test one. Test them if you use 8 like a full home. You probably have the same issues. Support su*ks and there not loyal to their customers I feel . for not sending new updates to a unstable gen1 and 2(never fixt firmware). If this bulb was like 20$ I could have understood it more but I paid 70$ a bulb. And I'm switching to Philips hue! Never will bay again. Please watchout what you advise .don't promote this company in a good daylight. people will hate you for the bad advice. And your channel.
Well after five years of usage I think it’s time to throw them in a dustbin, after I changed my modem recently I can’t connect them anymore with the app because those stupids add a home kit code number and my bulbs are old and doesn’t have this code, I don’t know what are they thinking and make the simple thing complicated,who cares for the apple home kit I was always controlled the bulbs with the Alexa echo show and with the google home hub. I think it’s time to move to another brand of smart lights.
Hey George, you're definitely not alone here. We've got a video of our favorite smart lights if you want to get some ideas of what's out there 💡
Life X doesn't have a true orange color. The orange looks red.
I have 12 Lifx bulbs and I have to do system resets on them every few days. Alexa tells me that the bulbs are not responding. These are overpriced crap.
LIFX only sucks when you don’t have your WiFi correctly configured
So your local wifi must change to accommodate Lifx IOT? What is that configuration exactly?
I honestly find you people who have issues with LIFX to be left of the bell curve. Also what smart light do think is easier, ive tried almost all of them and LIFX'sonly drawback is the difficult LAN_API, which is utterly brilliant if you have the patience.
I like my LIFX lights, but yeah grab an android device to set them up. You'll get frustrated on iOS
Interesting! Is the app much different on Android?
Do NOT buy this product unless you have lots of money and even more patience.
The Light works Ok BUT It's BUGGY App ( Android in this case) has driven me off the wall. I have the latest firmware (4.11.2) and still it is almost impossible to use as many changes made seem to require Closing and reopening the App to take effect. If that even works.....
I bought three to evaluate with a total need for 25 but i have now changed my mind and will look for another product that is Tameable.
Too much pain for too little useability.
LOTS
Lifx themes are very limited and are poor. Hue themes are miles better.
Obviously this brands aren't Deaf friendly. eh
LIFX is utter garbage. Getting them to connect and stay connected is a nightmare.
It’s crap I wish I could get my money back
Lifx products and the app you have to use are absolute GARBAGE!
In direct contrast to LIFX, I have use the relatively inexpensive FEIT color bulbs. Their app and connectivity are flawless and the bulbs work perfectly! Lifehacks take notice and correct this stupid app!
Great recommendation, @Robert Seitz! Thanks!
Your LIFX bulbs are now Feit Electric bulbs. It's a magic transformation!
(LIFX went bankrupt and was purchased by Feit Electric in August 2022.)
@@DemPilafian Good update, thanks!