# Calex Smart — user reviews > 112 indexed App Store user reviews of Calex Smart by Electro Cirkel Retail B.V, rated 4.30/5 from 35 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calex-smart/id1471978691/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calex-smart/id1471978691.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 20 · 4★ 11 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 2 ## What do users think of Calex Smart? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 💡 Good value for money - 👍 Intuitive and flexible app - 💡 Lights work well - 💡 Easy to use app - 💡 Good control over brightness and hue - 💡 Superb app and devices - 💡 Robust and reliable - 💡 First class equipment - 💡 Does what it says on the box **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent connection issues - 🐛 App crashes frequently - 🐛 Difficult device pairing - 🐛 Poor integration with Apple Home - 🐛 Devices go offline randomly - 🐛 App is clunky and rubbish - 🐛 Requires frequent re-setup - 🐛 Unreliable connectivity - 🐛 Inconsistent performance - 🐛 Frustrating user experience - 🐛 Advertisements in the app - 🐛 Poor Apple Watch integration - 🐛 Data privacy concerns - 🐛 Overcomplicated setup - 🐛 Basic functionality missing - 🐛 App updates cause issues - 🐛 Lights flashing unexpectedly - 🐛 Poor remote access - 🐛 Unskippable ads - 🐛 Bluetooth control issues - 🐛 Misleading packaging **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when changing color - App crashes on iPhone - App keeps crashing or losing connection - App loses connection for no reason - Devices go offline and won't reconnect - App duplicates automation routines on edit - Light stops responding, app stops responding - Smart plug flashing blue and won't reset - Bulb in disco mode, app refuses to pair - Lights start flashing sometimes - App can't find devices - Scheduled automations don't happen - Verification code not sent - Popup about bad signal obstructs settings - Timer function randomly closes app - App no longer allows music sync for lights - App gives non-stop reviews - Bluetooth connection issues, app hardly recognizes bulbs - App forgets bulbs after going to home page - Cannot change warmth of light, stuck on cool white - Bulb appears offline when away from home - App refuses to pair - Unskippable ad to turn off light - Advertisements every time app is opened - Device doesn't connect sometimes - Randomly loses connection and lamp flashes - App crashes - Account cannot be verified or network error - Cannot reset password, account doesn't exist - Devices keep dropping out and need re-adding - Bulb goes offline and needs resetting - Siri integration doesn't work, custom keyword reverts - Annoying dialog after executing a task - Bulb keeps going offline and flashing - Getting alerts outside of scheduled times - Pairing process is terrible for multiple devices - Cannot pair all bulbs on a single switch - App keeps losing connection with the watch - Apple Watch integration is poor - Randomly woken up by light turning on/flickering - App doesn't realize bulb isn't responding - Bulb doesn't respond to commands - Update made lights unusable, cannot connect - Disconnects randomly - LEDs started flashing and couldn't be turned off - Have to sign back into room every time - Half of LED strip fell off - Doesn't change colors, only dims - Cannot link lamp - No option to use as Bluetooth bulb - App requests location services to add devices - Old version of Apple widgets used **Most requested features** - Widget support for Home Screen - Dark mode - Better Apple HomeKit integration - Create widgets for iPhone Home Screen - Integrate with Apple Shortcuts for custom automation - Add colour changing cycle to a scene - Link items together to sync - Proper control of colour cycling timings - Sync multiple lights - Add colour cycle to a scene - Camera mode to sync lights with TV colors - Dusk-dawn switching that follows sunset/sunrise - Lock Screen widget for quick control - Ability to turn all devices in a room on/off with one touch - Scenes for entire rooms or home - Fade up and fade down options - Chain tasks together (e.g., 'turn off all lights') - Define sets of colors for tasks - Preview of color when setting up a task - Use alternating color for configuration instead of strobing flash - Add multiple devices at once connecting to the same WLAN - Fade up and fade down instead of just on and off ## Newest reviews (19 of 112) ### 3/5 — Latest Update *2026-06-16, version 6.0.8* What have you done to the iPad landscape camera view?! You can no longer get a full screen view, just some narrow black box in the middle of the iPad screen with a small camera view. Why have you done that? ### 2/5 — Frustrating as hell *2026-01-10, version 6.0.4* This would be so much better if it wasn’t so slow at adding devices! You wait ages the app says it failed to add the device and you have to start all over again! Multiple attempts to add multiple bulbs, really really poor! ### 2/5 — App needs work *2025-12-14, version 6.0.4* Light is good and works well, and the app is designed visually well. My issue is that it continually crashes my iPhone, anytime I change the colour on the app after a few seconds my phone will crash. It only happens on this app when I change the colour which makes the point of buying this light worthless. ### 2/5 — Hier ist nichts smart… *2025-12-03* Kopplung mit WLAN / große Glühbirne: 1. hat nie automatisch funktioniert 2. manueller Modus 2a) hat nur einmal im schnell blinkenden Modus funktioniert 2b) man muss erstmal immer im schnell blinkenden fehlschlagen damit man dann im langsam blinkenden Modus koppeln kann. Warum kann ich nicht direkt immer im langsamen blinkenden Modus bleiben oder diesen als default setzen? 2c) im langsamen Modus springt man in eine falschen Menüpunkt. Das muss man jedesmal manuell korrigieren. 3) ich habe 9 Glühbirnen an der Lampe. Leider ist kein batch koppeln möglich. Also braucht man eine halbe Stunde um alle zu koppeln. 4) reset: dreimal an aus ist sehr Fehler anfällig weil das im Alltag vorallem mit Kindern schnell passiert. Wir mussten jetzt den Lichtschalter abkleben. 5) die Glühbirnen lassen sich nicht auf ein unbefriedigendes Level dimmen. Hätte es gerne dunkler gehabt. 6) App Steuerung ist nicht intuitiv. Sehr undurchsichtig 7) keine echte Apple HomeKit Integration Gäbe es diese Glühbirnen bei anderen Herstellern ich wäre gewechselt. ### 3/5 — Lose connection for no reason *2025-11-20, version 6.0.4* Then a real struggle to reconnect- so annoying ### 3/5 — New version more buggy than last *2025-09-20, version 6.0.4* Editing Automation routines has become a chore, as it duplicates what’s already there on every edit. ### 1/5 — Gut gedacht, aber mehr Fehler als Erfolge *2025-08-14* bei mehrfachen Versuchen geht es nicht, oder direkt nach dem Verbinden heißt es keine Verbindung, Siri Kommunikation die angeblich geht: Fehlermeldung Wenn irgendwas mal geht: 3 Minuten später Fehlermeldung ### 1/5 — Used to work *2025-07-21, version 6.0.1* Used to work really well until the last week. Now all of our devices have gone offline and will not reconnect to the app. Have deleted and re-installed, deleted devices but now can’t add. Disappointed to say the least as it was a good product. ### 1/5 — Drop connection and flash *2025-06-02, version 6.0.1* Junk lights, drop connection and need setting up again every time the router is restarted. App is also awful to set up ### 1/5 — Junk *2025-05-24, version 6.0.1* Bought the bulb and installed it in the light. Downloaded the app and connected the bulb to the wifi. Started changing the colours and it worked great, then the light stopped responding, the app stopped responding, and I had to factory reset the bb. It happened multiple times. Junk. Returning the bulb tomorrow ### 1/5 — Smart plug is hopeless *2025-05-08, version 6.0.1* After using my previous plug for a couple of years it stopped working. I’d bought another one which I’d planned to use for something else but hadn’t yet so replaced the broken one with the new one. Now a few months in and the new one has decided to stop working. It’s just flashing blue and it won’t reset. Very disappointed. Will not be buying any more CALEX products!!! ### 3/5 — Lights work fine but No Siri function *2025-02-14, version 2.5.1* Says there is a function for siri but have put a lot of time into trying to get this to work with no success. ### 1/5 — Not even worth 1 star *2025-01-15, version 2.5.1* Absolute garbage. Bulb is in disco mode, and app refuses to pair with it. Smart bulb? Whatever. ### 1/5 — the lights just start flashing sometimes *2025-01-12, version 2.5.1* its reallt odd ### 1/5 — Not so smart *2025-01-06* This must be one of the worst smart lights ever. We have two ceiling bulbs and one LED string, and all are awful execution. The internet is always on, 5G steady, close by too, and yet the app can’t find the devices, going into faq mode. This is every day and every time we want to either switch the lights on/off or toggle intensities. Opted now to schedule and of course nothing happens. The app itself could be a bit more accessible, without having to click into so many windows, just have the device directly maybe? All the faff of the rooms… Anyway, don’t waste your time/money, even if it’s on offer. ### 1/5 — Verification code problems *2024-12-25, version 2.5.1* Iv sent several different e-mails and no verification code has been sent through ### 1/5 — No good for Apple devices *2024-12-16, version 2.5.1* Does not work with Siri ### 1/5 — Good but *2024-12-03, version 2.5.1* I like this light, I got it on sale from the supermarket and only paid £2 I’ve had it about 6 months and it works perfectly, very bright and app is easy to use, however My Wi-Fi signal is perfectly fine, I use a very expensive high speed broadband and for at least 10 meters outside of my house I get full bars of wifi and signal, however every single time I open the app to change the colour or brightness of the bulb I have to wait about 30 seconds for the app to get rid of a popup which tells me that my signal is bad, which is in the way of the colour change settings, It would be so much easier if this popup was just moved slightly or put on the homepage or something as it’s really in the way ### 2/5 — Not great *2024-10-27, version 2.5.0* Pain in the neck where multiple lamps are on one switched supply and WiFi isn’t great for one if the lamps, incredibly to get that lamp into pairing mode by solely switching it on and off. Need a rethink here. It’s connected by Bluetooth, so why go into pairing mode, surely Bluetooth connection should enable control? Not great. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — awful *2026-06-28, version 6.0.9* the app is awful. when i try to connect it either says cannot find wifi or failed to connect, whenever i try go to the help centre its useless, this app is so bad and the lights are expensive and dont work ### 1/5 — Blinkt nur *2026-06-15* Die Lampe kann sich nicht mit dem Handy verbinden und blinkt nur. Muss sie zurückschicken… ### 1/5 — Very poor *2026-04-03, version 6.0.5* Tried to adjust light after changing phone, impossible to reconnect ### 1/5 — Wtf *2026-01-03, version 6.0.4* WiFi to use little mood light ? Brilliant cause I wanted surf the internet with it ### 1/5 — keine Verbindung *2025-12-11* Leute das ist echt traurig- weder funktioniert die Kopplung auf dem IPad noch IPhone und ja habe sogar das 5 gHZ wlan ausgeschalten - für mich somit unbrauchbar ### 1/5 — No integration with apple home *2025-12-07, version 6.0.4* Absolutely garbage i will be returning all bulbs. It’s 2026 get your integrations working!!! ### 1/5 — Shocking bad *2025-12-06, version 6.0.4* It took three different email addresses to register the app. Once the app was working it kept crashing or loosing connection to the light. It’s going back to the shop and if they don’t give me my money back it’s going in the bin. ### 1/5 — Don’t bother *2025-11-17, version 6.0.4* Bought a lightbulb from Tesco says it’s works with Siri I was like cool ,plugged it into the light fitting after downloading the app told me to put the WiFi password in did that and then it was doing its thing connecting and what not and failed apparently couldn’t connect to the router tried several times not worth the effort ### 1/5 — Worst smart lights ever *2025-11-08, version 6.0.4* Lose connection frequently and need setting up again. App is rubbish and clunky. ### 1/5 — Light keeps disconnecting *2025-09-11* First of all, everytime you start this app you have to login again, it wont save your login data. Then every 3-4 weeks you need to reconnect your lights to this or they will just keep flickering like the first time setup because they somehow forget they are already connected. very annoying ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Perfect garden lights *2024-11-18, version 2.5.1* The app works really well. Easy to connect the lights. Intuitive and flexible ### 5/5 — Odd.. *2024-07-18, version 2.0.5* Lights won't turn on red, how do I fix it? + very good app 👍 ### 5/5 — Calex *2024-07-07, version 2.0.5* I love this light ### 5/5 — Add this *2024-05-15, version 2.0.5* there should be a mode so we can have a camera on our phone and a set it up infront of my tv so the lights sync with the main colour it sees ### 5/5 — Took a wrong turn at cereals & then I found the light… 💡😎 *2024-04-10, version 2.0.5* Best impulse buy I made after going to Tesco for a few bits and taking a wrong turn into an isle I’d normally never venture down (silky cushions & stuff) but like a fly to pat I saw some electrical gear so took a look see and found the callex E1 and didn’t believe what I was looking at so bought one to see. Straight out the box and no messing like I had with my Hue Go (which cost 4x more & does 4x less) it was all but 5 mins until I had it paired to the app & set up on my iPhone and Apple Watch,& also with Siri in shortcuts - Phillips don’t do any of that! It has a load of features to the app,some of it will be seen as overkill and won’t like the access asked of them like location for weather and mic for music modes as that may drain our phones battery so I’ll be watching that,modes that sync up to your music or tv etc much like govee. But if it is set to only whilst using when opened then it should be ok. I’ll definitely look at more of their gear as I’m just starting to sort out my flat and it’s a mishmash of all sorts now govee stuff hue amazon gear etc think to have a load all set up in callex would be easy and v reliable. The others all crash constantly,then need re-pairing,it’s a real problem. Yet to even go near the Alexa app with this and not sure I’ll need to now. If you like the Hue Go I’d suggest getting yourself 4 of these instead. They have loads of smart stuff from plugs to cams,usual stuff to kit out smart homes.🏠 Thank you callex… 🤩 💡📲⌚️🎶🪩 ### 5/5 — Just fantastic *2023-10-18* My previous smart plugs and bulbs where starting to get very temperamental and would sometimes let me down on a daily basis but with Calex on offer at a near by store I took a chance by buying one plug and one bulb. That was four weeks ago and my home is now fully fitted with Calex lights and bulbs. They are 100% better than previous smart devices and pair almost immediately, no turning your own light on and off 20 times to pair it as Calex bulb and plug tries to find you once plugged and to add a bit extra to having Calex my first electric bill came down with them so all I can say is a big THANK YOU keep up the good work and don’t go the way of previous smart companies did but continually up grade your firmware and the options on devices. I have also suggested it to my employers to refit there entire building and four floors. So thank you again for a wongmmer ### 5/5 — Super Appli - Super Ampoules !!! *2023-10-10* Nous utilisons cette Application et ces Ampoules et caméras depuis des années. Nous sommes, dans l’ensemble très satisfait. L’association se fait rapidement (par rapport aux autres marques que nous avions avant). Lorsqu’il y a une coupure de courant (pendant quelques temps) il faut bien sûr ré associer les appareils. Mais avez CALEX, l’appli et Alexa tout fonctionne bien. Il y a parfois quelques problèmes (certainement lié à des modifications aux niveaux des serveurs) mais c’est assez Rare. 5 caméras et 12 ampoules fonctionnent très bien via l’appli, les scripts Alexa (pour la programmation couleurs, heures, groupes) ou vocalement avec Alexa… ### 5/5 — Question *2023-10-05, version 1.1.9* Is there a way to set up a widget so I can turn off the light from my Home Screen rather than open the app? ### 5/5 — Superb *2023-10-04, version 1.1.9* Well done to the team for providing a great app with bundles of fairly price smart devices. ### 5/5 — Robust and reliable *2023-09-12, version 1.1.9* Happy customer Please can we have a feature on the app for dusk dawn switching that follows the changes in sunset/sunrise? --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*