TCP Smart Wi-Fi LED Filament Lightbulb Classic E27 Warm White Dimmable

I’m going to start this review with a little hack you may be unaware of..These type of lights use the same programmers app software from (Smartlife from Tuya Technology Co., Ltd)They may have different name but they use the same platform from TUYA. This means that you may not have to use 2 or 3 different apps to control loads of lights..Example is TCP, V-Tac smartlife. All use the same control platform, labelled individually for each of there brands..So instead of using different rebranded apps , just pair the bulbs 💡 to one app..NOW TO THE REVIEW OF THE BULBThe bulb is a good quality Led bulb, has Alexa functionality once set up in the appropriate app..I have tried this with TCP app and have it setup in V-tac app currently, both have the same functionality..The bulb is very bright, and does dim down to around 40-50% of the original brightness..It doesn’t dim as low as I would really want it, but I think this seams to be pretty standard in this type of bulb..An alternative to bulb for a lower dimmed light level would be a hive bulb, but these are fair more expensive to purchase and require a hub.Talking of hub the TCP bulbs don’t need one, as they are run from the cloud and need internet connection. This is set up via the app.. firmware updates also come from the internet and can be set up via the app..You can set up scenes etc and triggers like weather or dusk via the app.Plus the usual Alexa routines..

These lights are a nice idea but in reality they're pretty annoying to install.First of all is the installation process, not supported by 5ghz unsure how this affects other item in the same network that are operating at 5ghz so I won't comment on that but because of this, I did have to go through the 'alternative' set up as my router doesn't distinguish between the 2/5ghz bands which is also, long and disorienting sitting in a room for ages with a flash in white light.Secondly, these lights for the life of me just will not stay connected, if I want them white it's fine they will stay connected. As soon as i set a color, then when I next turn them on they have lost all network settings and I have to do the annoying process over again. They will not use their old ID in the app so the app ends up getting filled with loads of different ID's for the same bulb, you have to set up through Google / alexa AGAIN with the new ID, seriously not worth the effortThirdly, the lights will always flash white, then to the color selected when you turn them on, not a biggie but makes the lights feel cheaply made.Fourth-(ly?) - these lights are sooo dim, when using a color if you have a TV or a lamp in the same room, it will wash out all the color from the bulb and you won't even notice its on. White is very bright, I'll give it that, but that's not why I brought the colored one...(for anyone wondering whether my connection issues stem from a weak Internet signal--one is about 3 metres away from the router - the other is about 5- so very unlikely)To summarise I brought these to try and make my other half see that they would look really cool - I've given them a chance and tried to defend them--but it's endless problems and has just given her lots of 'I told you so' ammo... Have gone back to normal light bulbs.

A royal pain to get connected but once on the network it can be dimmed using app. Getting it to connect with Alexia is another story. Got a wrong user/password error, seems to be part of the frequent asked questions with a "try again later" as a resolve to the problem. Actually asking to resend password won't work either!This company needs to up their game. I bought 2 bulbs but I understand I'm going to need to take out an hour or 2 out of my life before I get that installed. I think actually getting up to turn off the light might give me the time back in way of exercise!Edit, I tried one more time and found the best course is through the alexia skills as opposed to what the bulb company tell you. Ironically found when you read how to connect an alexia dot up for first time. Why tech has to be so ruddy difficult beats me. Get these working and you should be able to get a certificate in IT skills!

Arrived really quickly, followed instructions to set up but couldn't get connected after numerous attempts. Checked online and found Help video on AO.com where the instructions differed (minimum of 4 on/off switches not 3 required). Within minutes of trying it this way all 4 bulbs were connected on the TCP app! After another 10-15 mins I had them set up as a group and working with Alexa!

I have lots of smart bulbs so I'm used to how tricky they can be to setup initially. It helps if the instructions are correct, these aren't.You need to turn off-on, off-on, off-on, off-on, so 4 times, not 3, in order to get them flashing for pairing. One they're in the right mode, they pair with no problems.Some tips for newbies:-- Make sure your phone is connected to 2.4ghz wifi, NOT 5ghz (your router probably broadcasts both).- you may have to 'forget' your 5ghz wifi to stop your phone switching back to it automatically.- If you're adding a single bulb to a multi bulb pendant, instead of switching off-on at the switch to get them into pairing, screw the bulb in and out to power on/off, saves putting them ALL into pairing modeThese bulbs work with the Tuya Smart Life App, so no need to download the TCP app. Add then first in Smart Life (or TCP app if you wish) and only then go into the Alexa app to group them.I could not group TCP bulbs with other brand bulbs in the Smart Life app (I could add them, but they wouldn't all control together) , but I could in Alexa and they work fine.So, for £8 these work just fine, you just need to spend a bit of time setting up which, if you have other smart devices, you're probably used to already.