diff --git a/esphome/components/light/base_light_effects.h b/esphome/components/light/base_light_effects.h
index d6d930e9d4..775ee363af 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/base_light_effects.h
+++ b/esphome/components/light/base_light_effects.h
@@ -11,6 +11,40 @@ inline static float random_cubic_float() {
   return r * r * r;
 }
 
+/// Pulse effect.
+class PulseLightEffect : public LightEffect {
+ public:
+  explicit PulseLightEffect(const std::string &name) : LightEffect(name) {}
+
+  void apply() override {
+    const uint32_t now = millis();
+    if (now - this->last_color_change_ < this->update_interval_) {
+      return;
+    }
+    auto call = this->state_->turn_on();
+    float out = this->on_ ? 1.0 : 0.0;
+    call.set_brightness_if_supported(out);
+    this->on_ = !this->on_;
+    call.set_transition_length_if_supported(this->transition_length_);
+    // don't tell HA every change
+    call.set_publish(false);
+    call.set_save(false);
+    call.perform();
+
+    this->last_color_change_ = now;
+  }
+
+  void set_transition_length(uint32_t transition_length) { this->transition_length_ = transition_length; }
+
+  void set_update_interval(uint32_t update_interval) { this->update_interval_ = update_interval; }
+
+ protected:
+  bool on_ = false;
+  uint32_t last_color_change_{0};
+  uint32_t transition_length_{};
+  uint32_t update_interval_{};
+};
+
 /// Random effect. Sets random colors every 10 seconds and slowly transitions between them.
 class RandomLightEffect : public LightEffect {
  public:
@@ -22,10 +56,14 @@ class RandomLightEffect : public LightEffect {
       return;
     }
     auto call = this->state_->turn_on();
-    call.set_red_if_supported(random_float());
-    call.set_green_if_supported(random_float());
-    call.set_blue_if_supported(random_float());
-    call.set_white_if_supported(random_float());
+    if (this->state_->get_traits().get_supports_rgb()) {
+      call.set_red_if_supported(random_float());
+      call.set_green_if_supported(random_float());
+      call.set_blue_if_supported(random_float());
+      call.set_white_if_supported(random_float());
+    } else {
+      call.set_brightness_if_supported(random_float());
+    }
     call.set_color_temperature_if_supported(random_float());
     call.set_transition_length_if_supported(this->transition_length_);
     call.set_publish(true);
diff --git a/esphome/components/light/effects.py b/esphome/components/light/effects.py
index 9f017de98b..08a78d90ed 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/effects.py
+++ b/esphome/components/light/effects.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ from esphome.const import (
 from esphome.util import Registry
 from .types import (
     LambdaLightEffect,
+    PulseLightEffect,
     RandomLightEffect,
     StrobeLightEffect,
     StrobeLightEffectColor,
@@ -152,7 +153,27 @@ def automation_effect_to_code(config, effect_id):
     yield var
 
 
-@register_rgb_effect(
+@register_monochromatic_effect(
+    "pulse",
+    PulseLightEffect,
+    "Pulse",
+    {
+        cv.Optional(
+            CONF_TRANSITION_LENGTH, default="1s"
+        ): cv.positive_time_period_milliseconds,
+        cv.Optional(
+            CONF_UPDATE_INTERVAL, default="1s"
+        ): cv.positive_time_period_milliseconds,
+    },
+)
+def pulse_effect_to_code(config, effect_id):
+    effect = cg.new_Pvariable(effect_id, config[CONF_NAME])
+    cg.add(effect.set_transition_length(config[CONF_TRANSITION_LENGTH]))
+    cg.add(effect.set_update_interval(config[CONF_UPDATE_INTERVAL]))
+    yield effect
+
+
+@register_monochromatic_effect(
     "random",
     RandomLightEffect,
     "Random",
diff --git a/esphome/components/light/types.py b/esphome/components/light/types.py
index 4bca266b67..7c96cda7b1 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/types.py
+++ b/esphome/components/light/types.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ LightTurnOffTrigger = light_ns.class_(
 
 # Effects
 LightEffect = light_ns.class_("LightEffect")
+PulseLightEffect = light_ns.class_("PulseLightEffect", LightEffect)
 RandomLightEffect = light_ns.class_("RandomLightEffect", LightEffect)
 LambdaLightEffect = light_ns.class_("LambdaLightEffect", LightEffect)
 AutomationLightEffect = light_ns.class_("AutomationLightEffect", LightEffect)