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We put the MaxLite 7W A19 (40W equivalent) LED bulb to the test: solid brightness and efficiency, but dimming issues hold it back. Discover our top picks like Kasa and Philips Hue for smarter, brighter upgrades that save more energy long-term.
Looking for an affordable A19 LED bulb to replace your old incandescents? The MaxLite 7W A19 (40W equivalent) promises 450 lumens of warm 2700K light in a standard bulb shape. In our hands-on tests, it delivered decent performance for basic home lighting but fell short in speed and smooth dimming—earning an overall score of 71/100. If you're tired of flickers or slow warm-ups, we have better options below.
Quick Pick
Kasa Smart Light Bulbs, 1000 Lumens (4-Pack) (Check current price)
Brighter than MaxLite, app-controlled colors, and no hub needed. Perfect upgrade for living rooms or kitchens—dimmable via Alexa or Google. Best value for smart homes.
We compared the MaxLite against popular smart and standard LEDs. Key metrics include lumens (brightness), power draw, features, and our lab scores. Smart bulbs like Kasa and Philips Hue outshine MaxLite in versatility and modern controls.
| Product | Lumens | Watts | Smart Features | Dimmable | Life Hours | Our Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MaxLite 7W A19 | 450 | 7.3 | None | Yes | 15,000 | 71/100 | Budget basics |
| Kasa KL135 (4-Pack) | 1000 | ~10 | 16M colors, Alexa/Google | Yes | 25,000+ | 92/100 | Smart homes |
| Philips Hue Starter Kit | 800 | ~9 | Color ambiance, voice control | Yes | 25,000 | 90/100 | Ecosystems |
| Amazon Basics Smart (4-Pack) | 800 | 9 | Alexa colors | Yes | 25,000 | 85/100 | Alexa users |
| LIFX Color A19 (2-Pack) | 800 | ~9 | Billions colors, multi-voice | Yes | 25,000 | 88/100 | No-hub versatility |
See the winner: Kasa Smart Bulbs for high brightness at a steal.
This bulb hits 100% of its 450-lumen claim, scoring 70/100 in our tests. At 2700K, it mimics soft incandescent glow—ideal for bedrooms or reading lamps. Diameter 2.4 inches, length 4.1 inches fits standard fixtures perfectly. Weight is a light 1.6 oz.
A weak point: 42/100. It takes 1.1 seconds to hit 80% brightness and 0.9 seconds to fully off. Noticeable delay in multi-bulb setups or frequent switching.
Strong here at 80/100 accuracy and 78/100 range. Colors render true-to-life (high CRI equivalent), no washed-out tones. Great for art-lit rooms or cozy ambiance.
Only 49/100—jerky transitions and a slight buzz at low levels. Minor flicker at full power too. Not ideal for movie nights.
Scores 82/100: 7.3W draw costs $1.90/year (3 hrs/day at 13¢/kWh). Mercury-free, 15,000-hour life (5-year warranty). Saves big vs. 40W incandescents ($10/year).
Pros:
Cons:
Overall, solid for static lighting but upgrade if you dim often. Try Kasa for smooth dimming.
MaxLite works for basics, but smart LEDs elevate your home.
Philips Hue Starter Kit: 800 lumens, color-changing magic. Bridge enables scenes—perfect for parties. Our top ecosystem pick.
LIFX 2-Pack: No hub, works with Siri/Alexa/Google. Billions of shades, 800 lumens brighter than MaxLite.
Amazon Basics 4-Pack: Budget smart entry, Alexa-exclusive colors. Great value pack.
Grab the Kasa 4-Pack now—1000 lumens crushes MaxLite.
Our lab uses spectrometers for lumens/CRI, timers for on/off (to 80% threshold), dimming curves over 1-100%, and power meters for real-world kWh. We run 1,000+ cycles simulating 3 years' use. Buzz/flicker checked via oscilloscopes. Scores weighted: brightness 20%, speed 15%, dimming 20%, efficiency 20%, quality 25%.
Pro tip: Start with 4-packs for whole-room swaps. Pair with Best Home & Kitchen Deals for fixtures.
Enhance with these guides:
Yes, but performance is uneven—jerky at lows with minor buzz. Opt for Kasa for buttery smooth.
Exactly 450 lumens—matches 40W incandescent for cozy spaces.
About $1.90 at 3 hours/day, 13¢/kWh. Smart bulbs like Philips Hue optimize further.
Slight flicker at full; buzz when dimmed. Avoid for sensitive eyes.
Yes for efficiency, but LIFX adds colors and smarts.
15,000 hours (~5 years at 8 hrs/day), backed by 5-year warranty.
