Lighting solutions: Ketra Lighting by Lutron vs. LIFX Clean Antibacterial Smart Bulbs
Quick Verdict
Ketra is a premium lighting solution with advanced features and ecosystem integration, while LIFX offers antibacterial properties and ease of use at a potentially lower cost.
- Ketra offers superior color accuracy and dimming capabilities.
- LIFX provides antibacterial features and easier installation.
- Ketra integrates deeply with Lutron's ecosystem, while LIFX offers broader smart home compatibility.
Key features – Side-by-Side
| Attribute | Ketra Lighting by Lutron | LIFX Clean Antibacterial Smart Bulbs |
|---|---|---|
| Color Temperature Range (Kelvin) | 1,400K to 10,000K | 1500K to 9000K |
| Brightness (Lumens) | Up to 1050 lumens (Modulus Bullet Light), 1100 lumens (S30 Track Luminaire) | 1100 lumens (US version), 1200 lumens (International version) |
| Color Accuracy (CRI) | Above 90 when the lighting color is set between 2700K to 5000K | 80 (Some sources say 82) |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Lutron's connected control systems, HomeWorks, Athena, Savant, Control4, Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Josh.ai | Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Alexa, SmartThings, Home Assistant, Razer Chroma, Cortana, Siri |
| Antibacterial/Disinfection Features | Not available | Emits High Energy Visible (HEV) light (around 405nm wavelength) to kill bacteria |
| Energy Efficiency (Watts) | 19W (Ketra G2 Linear LED Accent Light), 12W / 14W (S30 Track Luminaire) | 11.5W at full brightness. Standby power is less than 0.5W. |
| Lifespan (Hours) | Color quality is maintained for the lifetime of the light source | Approximately 22.8 years |
| Dimming Capabilities | Smooth, flicker-free dimming, dims down to 0.1%, warm dimming feature shifts color temperature as light dims | Software dimming from 1% to 100% |
| Installation Requirements | Requires expert installation | Connects directly to Wi-Fi (2.4GHz). No hub or bridge required. Simple to install. |
| Warranty Period | 5 years, starting at the date of shipment | Two years (730 days) |
Overall Comparison
Color: Ketra wins; Antibacterial: LIFX wins; Installation: LIFX wins
Pros and Cons
Ketra Lighting by Lutron
Pros:
- Faithfully replicates natural light with a high CRI and R9 value above 90 between 2700K and 5000K
- Offers smooth, flicker-free dimming down to 0.1%
- Features Warm Dimming technology that shifts color temperature as light dims
- Integrates with Lutron's connected control systems and other smart home ecosystems
- Provides seamless customization through mobile apps
Cons:
- Requires expert installation
- All assigned Type X devices must be within 75 ft of the gateway
- Mount at least 3 ft away from interference sources in the 2.4 GHz band
- Lutron lighting products should not be connected to, or directly controlled by, AC mains line voltage dimmers
- No evidence of antibacterial or odor elimination features
LIFX Clean Antibacterial Smart Bulbs
Pros:
- Simple to install
- Fast and easy setup
- Responsive app
- Effective antibacterial properties
Cons:
- No major disadvantages reported.
User Experiences and Feedback
Ketra Lighting by Lutron
What Users Love
- Excellent color rendering capacity
- Seamless customization
- Smooth, flicker-free dimming
- Greater reliability with hard-wired solutions like HomeWorks QSX
Common Complaints
- Successful integration relies on the local network for all devices to function properly
Value Perception
- More energy-efficient than traditional bulbs
User Recommendations
- Ketra lighting is designed to replicate natural light more faithfully than other LED sources by mixing colors to create a broader palette of white light.
- Ketra allows for seamless customization, from subtle daylight adjustments to vibrant, colorful scenes.
- Lutron Ketra lighting systems provide smooth, flicker-free dimming.
- Ketra's Warm Dimming technology allows for a gradual shift in color temperature as the light is dimmed, emulating the warm glow of a sunset and can dim down to 0.1%.
- HomeWorks QSX is a hard-wired solution, offering greater reliability.
LIFX Clean Antibacterial Smart Bulbs
What Users Love
- Accurate and vibrant colors
- Simple to install
- Fast and easy setup
- Responsive app
Common Complaints
- No major complaints reported.
Value Perception
- No value feedback reported.