Philips Hue offers a robust ecosystem of internet-connected smart bulbs that revolutionize home lighting. With strong manufacturer support and intuitive setup, it's the leading choice for reliable smart lighting—if you're willing to invest upfront.
Hue empowers you with 16 million colors, precise control, automation, and seamless integration into your smart home via stylish LEDs and mobile apps. Here's how it elevates your living space.
Philips Hue supports up to 50 bulbs per system, managed through a central bridge connected to your router. Pair the bulbs to the bridge, and control lighting from anywhere in your home—or globally via the internet.
Starter kits start at around $200 (about £180 in the UK or AU$250 in Australia), available in various styles like chandelier bulbs or larger hanging lamps. Expand easily by adding compatible Hue lights to your existing bridge.
For alternatives, check James Bruce's article Light Your Home With Smart Lights: Here Are Your Options, which explores various smart lighting solutions.
Recent Hue additions include versatile Lightstrips (controllable LED strips), and Bloom or Iris lamps ideal for accent lighting or bedside use.
Beyond basics, Hue excels with geofencing for auto on/off, gentle wake-up alarms, visual timers for cooking or TV, and more creative applications like auto-dimming for bedtime reading or vacation simulations via remote app control. Party modes? Dedicated apps handle that too.
Hue's presets optimize ambiance—relaxing glows, focus-enhancing brightness, energizing boosts, or perfect reading lights. Customize with any of 16 million colors, even inspired by photos.
Your phone or tablet is the Hue command center. Philips' open API has spurred a thriving developer ecosystem with innovative apps.
Essential Philips Hue apps for iOS and Android handle setup, alarms, timers, geofencing, scenes, and presets. Link to the My Hue portal for remote internet control.
Ambilight + Hue (iOS/Android) extends Philips Ambilight TVs with Hue lights for immersive effects—just configure your room setup.
Standouts include Goldee (Free) [No Longer Available] with nature-inspired scenes; QuickHue ($0.99) for fast grouping/control; Lightbow ($4.99) as a multi-brand powerhouse. MagicHue ($0.99) and HueDisco ($2.99) sync lights to music via mic; Philips Lightdance [No Longer Available] uses your camera. Try Hue Remote ($2.99) for simplicity or WAVES for Hue ($2.99) for audio-reactive dynamics. Search 'Philips Hue' in the App Store for more.
Hue Pro ($0.99) offers precise control; Colorful (free) adds animations; LampShade.io (free) excels at grouping. Widgets? Hue Limited Edition. Music sync via Hue Disco ($2.99); automate with Tasker. Search 'Philips Hue' on Google Play.
Community-driven: Oni Light Control ($3.99) with scenes, colors, and voice; My Hue Light Switch ($0.99) basics; Huetro (free); Hue Lumixury (free) scheduler; LightUp ($0.99) room grouping.
Hue integrates seamlessly with IFTTT (If This Then That) for powerful automations—lights as actions triggered by events.
Activate at IFTTT.com/hue. Examples: Nest Protect flashes lights for smoke/CO; auto-off at night; blue for rain; flashes for emails. Eight actions (on/off, dim, flash, color loops) pair with countless triggers like social media or sports scores. See our IFTTT guide for details.
Hue is premium-priced but modular—build gradually. Replacements cost ~$60 per bulb. For budget RGB options, our guide covers Harmony remote control of standard strips.
If smart lighting matters, Hue's ease and adoption make it unbeatable. Share your Hue experiences in the comments.
