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BeOn's smart bulbs keep an ear out for trouble (pictures)

These smart lights might be some of the smartest we've ever tested.

Ry Crist
Originally hailing from Troy, Ohio, Ry Crist is a writer, a text-based adventure connoisseur, a lover of terrible movies and an enthusiastic yet mediocre cook. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking.
Ry Crist
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1 of 15 Tyler Lizenby/CNET

BeOn Starter Pack

BeOn Bulbs are innovative, feature-rich smart lights with a focus on home security. Click through to see everything they can do.

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Modular design

The first thing you'll notice about BeOn's bulbs is that each one has a removable battery pack in the center. That yellow pack also houses the bulb's Bluetooth radio.

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3 of 15 Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET

Click n' go

To get started, just click the batteries into place, screw the bulbs in and pair them with the app like you would any Bluetooth device.

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Bulb specs

Once they're up and running, the bulbs will work just like normal. Each one puts out the same amount of brightness as a 60-watt incandescent while using a power draw of just 10 watts.

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No power? No problem

Thanks to the built-in batteries, BeOn's bulbs will work when things are switched off -- or when the power is out.

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6 of 15 Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET

Home screen

The app does a good job of organizing all of the bulb's features, and divides them into three categories.

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7 of 15 Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET

Security lighting

Activate "Security Lighting" mode, and the bulbs will automatically begin to mimic your normal usage patterns to help create the impression that you're home.

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8 of 15 Screenshots by Ry Crist/CNET

Doorbell training

You can also train the bulbs to listen for the sound of your doorbell. They'll come on automatically whenever they hear it, which could potentially scare off a burglar who was trying to determine if anyone was home.

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9 of 15 Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET

Welcome home

If you're coming home to a dark house, you can pull out your app and activate "Welcome Home" mode. It'll turn all of your bulbs on for three minutes to help light up your entry.

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10 of 15 Screenshot by Ry Crist/CNET

Safety lighting

The app also offers a few safety-minded features.

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Exit lighting

Like with your doorbell, you can train the bulbs to listen for your smoke alarm or burglar alarm. If they hear it, the lights will come on automatically, even if things are switched off.

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Future features

Moving forward, new modules could offer new features -- but BeOn isn't promising anything specific just yet.

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Price per bulb

BeOn's bulbs cost $75 each, which makes them some of the most expensive smart bulbs we've ever tested. They aren't available outside of the US just yet, but BeOn hopes to expand internationally in 2016. That price comes out to roughly £50/AU$105.

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Starter pack pricing

You can also buy a three-bulb starter pack for $200 (about £130/AU$285).

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Worth it

That's a lot to spend on light bulbs, but these LEDs have some of the most unique and intriguing features we've seen. Are they worth the high cost of buying in? Check out our full review to see what we think.

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