Smart features
Still, lighting specs are only half of the story here. The GE Link is built to compete with other connected LEDs, so you'll want to be sure and factor in the smart features and the usability of the app before making a buying decision.
To access those smart features, you'll need one of three hubs to act as translator between your phone's Wi-Fi and the bulb's Zigbee. Your first option is the Link Hub, a small $30 device that simply plugs into a spare socket, then talks to the bulbs and nothing else. Next up is the Wink Hub , a $50 gadget with additional radios built in, allowing it to control more than just your lighting. Finally, there's the soon-to-be-released Wink Relay , a futuristic, Android-powered touchscreen wall panel that'll sell for $300.