Almost every area of our life is being improved by smart technology. The Philips Hue is a wonderful illustration of how these new gadgets are beginning to affect more and more ordinary items. In this post, we will look at the best lamp for Philips Hue, which will allow you to take advantage of the features of this smart light, such as being able to operate it with your voice, set timings from your phone, and even change the light temperature to simulate daylight.
What is Philips hue light?
Philips Hue elevates ordinary illumination to amazing levels. They’ve been in the lighting industry for a long time and were one of the first to provide smart lighting solutions. Hue’s color-changing lights were initially released in October 2012; the first version of Philips Hue was a huge success, earning the title of “Best Product of 2012.”
Philips Hue has been upgraded twice since then: in 2015 (2nd generation) and 2016. (3rd generation). All three Philips Hue versions are available and fully compatible with one another. So, in this post, we’ll look at the distinctions between Philips Hue bridge generations, Philips Hue light bulb generations 1 vs. 2 vs. 3, and we’ll also take a look at Philips Hue Lux.
Philips hue generations and differences
Before we begin comparing the three generations, let’s have a look at the product lines available in each iteration. Philips Hue is made up of two parts: the Philips Hue Light Bulbs and the Philips Hue Bridge. The bridge employs Zigbee technology, which enables Internet communication with Philips Hue light bulbs (app). You won’t be able to operate your smart light bulbs until you have the Hue bridge, so make sure you purchase one for your smart home lighting setup.
#1. Philips hue generations
Philips Hue provides three types of light bulbs in each generation: Philips Hue white, Philips Hue white ambiance, and Philips Hue white and color ambiance. The names are rather self-explanatory, but we’ll go over a few minor points. Philips Hue White Light Bulbs are intended to provide solely gentle white light with a color temperature of 2700K. With Philips Hue White Ambiance, you may select between cold white, soft white, and warm white, with color temperatures ranging from 2200K to 6500K. And Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance provide not just all white hues, but also 16 million additional colors. It’s also worth noting that the more colors you have control over, the more benefits you gain with Philips Hue.
Philips Hue has launched three generations of light bulbs in the previous six years. Each successive generation of Philips Hue light bulbs introduces minor but significant improvements in technical characteristics such as lumens, color intensity, and dimming choices.
The Philips Hue bridge was only upgraded once, at the launching of the second generation. As a result, both the second and third-generation starting kits have identical Philips Hue bridges.
All Philips Hue light bulbs and bridges are backward compatible, regardless of generation. That means you’ll have no trouble managing third-generation Philips Hue light bulbs using the bridge’s first version.
All Philips Hue kits may be readily classified according to generation (first, second, and third) and color (white, white ambiance, white and color ambiance). However, the Philips Hue Lux Kit is also available on Amazon. Philips Hue Lux is simply another name for the original Philips Hue white kit. The package includes the first-generation bridge (round form) and Hue Lux Light Bulbs, which are nearly identical to the first-generation Philips Hue white light bulbs. If you’re an Android user seeking smart soft white light bulbs, this is a great starting place for you. You may also purchase Philips Hue white and color ambiance lights individually if you want to add some color.
Differences between Philips hue generations
#1. Philips Hue bridge
Philips Hue Bridge – While Philips Hue light bulbs have been updated twice, the Philips Hue bridge has only been updated once. As a result, the Philips Hue bridge has just two options: 1.0 and 2.0.
What’s the difference between Hue Bridge 1 and Hue Bridge 2? The Hue Bridge 1.0 (the first-generation bridge) is circular in form and does not work with Apple HomeKit. The Hue Bridge 2.0 (the second-generation bridge), which has a square form and, unlike the previous model, supports Apple HomeKit, is generally included in the second and third-generation starting kits. You may use the Philips hue bridge 2.0 (square-shaped) to tell Apple’s Siri, “Set my Movie scene,” and the lights will lower to the level you’ve selected for the Movie setting. These things are not possible with the first-generation bridge (round-shaped).
So, with the exception of the all-new look and HomeKit integration from Apple, the two Philips Hue bridges offer identical functionality.
If you use Android and aren’t a huge fan of HomeKit and Siri, there’s no need to purchase the 2nd/3rd generation bridge. Not to mention that both bridge 1.0 and 2.0 are compatible with all three versions of Philips Hue light bulbs.
#2. Technical specs
Technical specs – The second and third generations of Philips Hue light bulbs have identical technical characteristics that are somewhat superior to the first generation of Philips Hue bulbs. The second and third-generation Hue light bulbs are 25% brighter than the first-generation bulbs. The first-generation light bulbs have a lumen rating of 600, whereas the second and third generations have a lumen rating of 800.
#3. Color
Colors are the third distinction. When it comes to colors, Philips Hue has always struggled to provide green, cyan, and blue. This problem, however, has been resolved with the third generation of light bulbs. There will be no more yellowish-green instead of brilliant, vivid green. You may experience deeper colors that truly fit the spectrum you’re searching for with the third-generation Philips Hue lights.
#4. Dimming level
The third-generation lights may dim to considerably lower levels than the first and second generations. Even though Philips Hue claims the same dimming level for gen 2 and 3 light bulbs (dimming solely through RF down to 5%), there is a significant variation. Philips Hue 3rd generation light bulbs may be dimmed completely, which is useful when utilizing the comfort dimming feature to fall asleep.
#5. Design
When it comes to bridges, it’s easy to distinguish which are Gen 1 (round-shaped) and which are Gen 2/3. (Square-shaped). When it comes to bulbs, it can be a little more difficult to tell them apart based on their packaging because it doesn’t specify whether they’re Gen 1, 2, or 3. This is a major mistake on Philips’ part that generates a lot of uncertainty for customers.
If you’re looking for Gen 1 bulbs, they’re still available on Amazon as part of a beginning set with the Gen 1 bridge. Be wary of fraudulent product advertising. Some sellers may advertise a picture of a square-shaped bridge as a Gen 1 bridge. — That cannot be correct. They will either give you a round-shaped bridge or the incorrect title, which should be Gen 2 bridge instead of Gen 1.
The first image, as shown on the Amazon product page below, displays the Gen 2/3 bridge rather than the advertised Gen 1. However, when you go to the second image, you’ll notice that the package includes the round-shaped, Gen 1 bridge. So, you’ll get exactly what the title implies, except that the initial image in this product offering may completely mislead buyers. Those who haven’t read our guide, in particular.
The front of the Gen 2 Starter Kit includes a tiny stamp that states “Works with Apple HomeKit” in the lower-left corner. And the 3rd Generation Starter Kit features a tiny light bulb label that states “Richer Colors” in the upper right corner of the front side of the box.
Also, if you look at the light bulbs aside from their packaging, you can see the difference between the 1st/2nd generation and the 3rd generation. The first and second generations of light bulbs feature silver lettering, whereas the third generation has a gold inscription.
Benefits of having the best lamp for Philips hue
Philips Hue lighting is truly the lamp of the future. It is not unreasonable to assume that most houses will have some type of ‘smart’ lighting system in the future, and Philips is leading the way. Finding the proper bulb might benefit you in ways you may not have thought.
Many individuals use smart lights for their sleep cycles since the patterns can be configured to mirror daylight and get your body ready to get up in the morning and then sleep in the evening. These rhythms may be quite beneficial for anyone who suffers with their sleeping habits and can assist you in maintaining a regular daily routine.
Another advantage of these lights’ ability to mimic more natural light is that they can aid with SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. The body receives the same advantages as being exposed to sunshine, which helps keep emotions elevated. You may also experiment with the color and lighting settings. Some of the lamps listed, for example, will even sync with games or movies to provide ambient or mood lighting and enhance your experience.
The light hues may also be adjusted to be more soothing or more conducive to concentration, depending on your needs. A white color temperature is more likely to aid concentration, whilst warmer yellows may aid relaxation in the evening.
Considerations when choosing the best lamp for Philips hue
Because these goods are relatively new to the market, having a buying guide may be quite beneficial if you are determining which characteristics would best suit you. In this article, we attempted to go into both the benefits of Philips Hue bulbs as well as the various features that may help you get the most out of your lighting. Not everyone knows how extremely beneficial these items may be in the long term.
The following are what we believe to be the most useful and significant features of your Philips Hue light. Each of these characteristics should be considered. Consider how they will influence the exact location in which you intend to set your light.
#1. Colors & Lighting options
Some of the lights in the range merely cover the warming spectrum. Everything will have a ‘tint’ of white to it, with some having a warmer, more tungsten-like feel and others having a brilliant, white light. This is an option on all of the lights in the line. Whether it’s a basic or complex product, you can easily adjust the temperature.
The sophisticated bulbs, on the other hand, now have complete color control. Some of the most expensive lamps have over a million (yep, you read that properly) tint and color choices. All of the hues in the rainbow, plus a lot more. This is ideal for mood lighting, gatherings, or simply viewing a movie.
#2. Size
Examine the space you’re working with and then measure the size of that space to determine whether the light you’re searching for will fit. Some of these are pretty little, and the flush mount alternatives do not dangle too far from the ceiling, so they do not take up much room.
#3. Type of lamp
Naturally, you’ll be looking for a certain sort of lamp. You may be searching for something to place next to your bed, or you may require light to illuminate the entire room and sit flat against the ceiling. You could prefer a portable light; in which case the Philips Hue Go is ideal.
Whatever style or the kind you are searching for, Philips is certain to have something to fit your needs since the variety is always expanding.
#4. Compatibility with smart home technology
If you’re aiming to construct a smart home with as much as possible controlled by voice or apps, you’ve probably already selected a smart home ‘hub.’
It is up to you whether this is the Apple, Google, Samsung, or Amazon choice, but make sure you select a light that is compatible with the brand you have chosen.
If you’ve chosen Amazon Alexa to operate your smart home, there’s no use in purchasing a lamp that won’t work with it. All of the lights on our list are compatible with the most popular smart home applications and technologies.
#5. Installation
Fitting and connecting to your preferred smart home app are both parts of the installation procedure. Some lights are simpler to work with than others. Some will operate right out of the box, while others will require sophisticated installation and may even necessitate the hiring of specialists. Look at the reviews to see what people are saying about the installation complexity level.
#6. Durability
The durability of these lights varies slightly. Some are constructed with a higher level of durability than others. They all come with a two-year warranty, which is a plus, but making sure something is constructed to endure is still important. Because LED-style lights do not usually have changeable bulbs, it is even more important that you use them as much as possible and test their longevity.
***Refer to more: How To Choose Eye Protection Lamps Through 9 Simple Criteria
Review the 5 best lamps for Philips hue
In this article, we looked at a broad range of lamps in various forms and styles. There are several possibilities in terms of size and appearance, but there are also certain technological issues. We considered compatibility (which ‘smart’ gadgets and home control the light can interact with), warranty, and, of course, product quality.
Our team spent a significant amount of time researching Philips Hue technology and the products that have emerged as a consequence, utilizing first-hand knowledge and customer evaluations to develop our guide.
The information is given in the form of a convenient essay that allows you to see the attributes at a glance, as well as in-depth evaluations and a thorough purchasing guide, which should assist you in determining which aspects are most important to you and, ultimately, the ideal lamp for your house.
#1. Philips Hue White and Color Decorative Candle 40W
You may use wireless control on your smartphone or tablet to schedule your own personalized lighting sequences with this lamp. Then, for every mood or activity, such as reading, resting, focusing, or invigorating, select the ideal smart light setting. This is an excellent method to customize your smart home.
Furthermore, the smart light is installed in the same way as a regular bulb is, by connecting it with the Philips hue hub. You can simply integrate your Philips hue white and color ambiance candle with your smart home.
The Philips hue white and color ambiance smart bulb candle is voice-controlled by Alexa (Philips hue hub required, Alexa smart device and hue hub sold separately). If you want to get the complete hue experience and use voice activation, you need to get the Philips hue hub. This E12 LED smart light, which requires the Philips hue hub for a full hue smart lighting experience, is intended to accommodate candelabra bulbs in nightlights, chandeliers, and other fixtures.
#2. Philips Hue White Ambiance smart bulb conversion kit
From distinctive accent lighting to use outdoor or task lighting, there is a Philips Hue bulb to fit every requirement, space of the home, and purpose. The Philips Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb, on the other hand, is a fairly inexpensive and fantastic option to consider for the simplest, most adaptable alternative that you can use pretty much anywhere in your house.
You may use it in a variety of settings, such as replacing an incandescent bulb that is no longer energy-efficient, and you can test out mobile connection through Bluetooth and the new Philips Hue app to see how you like it. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you may switch to the Hue Bridge and configure it for remote access. Then, you may think about expanding the system with more Philips Hue lights from this list, as well as accessories like motion sensors, lamps, light strips, and more.
If you already have a hub/bridge and a few of the finest Philips Hue lights in your house, you may want to spruce up your rooms with smart lighting strips, light bars, or outdoor options like the Discover floodlights. Regardless of how you choose to adorn your house, you’ll be able to enjoy these smart lights for many years to come.
#3. Philips Hue White Ambiance BR30 2-Pack Dimmable LED
This strong floodlight can generate 680 lumens of brightness in a room when installed in a typical 5-6-inch recessed can, completely changing the ambiance in a space such as a kitchen or a bathroom. Not only will you get strong and focused light where you need it the most, but you’ll also be able to pick from 50,000 different colors of white light to create the ideal ambiance for a dinner party or a relaxing night in.
It, like other Hue lights, can be controlled remotely by Bluetooth or the accompanying Hue Bridge using a smartphone or tablet and the app, enabling you to add it to scenes, schedules, timers, and routines, and is compatible with Nest, SmartThings, and Wink home automation systems. You can also operate a compatible smart device, such as a smart speaker, with your voice using Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant. You may even expand your system by controlling hundreds of different lights and accessories with a single Hue Bridge.
#4. Philips Hue Dusk-to-Dawn Outdoor Optical Device
This bulb adds another specialized usage for your Philips Hue and expands your possibilities. Because it is integrated with a Philips Hue outdoor motion sensor that detects outdoor activity, it is ideal for a variety of yard purposes. Because of the broad observation angle and detection range, the outdoor sensor will detect any movement near your smart house and will switch on your outside lights to expose burglars while also turning on inside Hue smart lighting to make it appear as though you are home even when you are not. It is waterproof for outdoor usage, which means that even somewhat harsh weather can be handled by this lamp, and you don’t have to worry every time it rains!
Moreover, the usual two-year guarantee has been reinstated, as have the 16 million hues that Philips Hue lights can provide. It, like the majority of these items, maybe chained together and used in conjunction with numerous other Philips Hue compatible bulbs on the same power source. It can turn on both indoor and outdoor Philips Hue lighting.
#5. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 60W
This beginning package is excellent in comparison to others. It includes four of Philips’ popular White and Color Ambiance A19 60W-equivalent LED lights as well as a smart hub/bridge, all of which may be purchased separately. That implies that by purchasing this kit, you are not only kicking off your smart home, but you are also saving money.
These bulbs fit in most conventional sockets and lamps and can be programmed to produce over 16 million different colors and hues of light, including various degrees of white light. You can use the Philips Hue app to configure them to create certain scenes and moods, and you can control them with your voice using Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.
Philips says that these bulbs would survive for 25,000 hours, which is more than four years if left on all day, every day. However, because no one does that (ideally), they should more than pay for themselves. The supplied hub/bridge allows you to connect up to 50 Philips Hue devices, however, it does require a physical connection and plug-in to your network, so make sure you have space for both.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are Philips Hue lamps worth it?
Overall, Philips Hue light bulbs make life easier and more pleasurable at home. Philips Hue smart lights are ideal for technology beginners since they are simple to set up and use straight out of the box, but they are also ideal for tech enthusiasts.
How long does Philips Hue bulb last?
The Hue bulbs, as opposed to fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs, use LEDs. Philips says that each bulb has a lifespan of up to 15,000 hours and that, despite the Wi-Fi connectivity, each bulb consumes 80 percent less power than a typical incandescent light.
Do Philips Hue bulbs dim over time?
Yes, you can dim Philips Hue lighting using a variety of techniques (including voice and app control) – you don’t need to buy the Hue Dimmer Switch separately.
What is the difference between Philips Hue’s white and white ambiance?
White is the only color produced by Philips Hue white bulbs. Okay, this is self-evident, but it bears repeating: you cannot modify the hue of the bulb; they can only generate 2700 kelvin “warm white.” This is fantastic for working late at night, or you can lower it (all of Hue’s lights allow dimming) and get great ambient lighting for relaxing. What isn’t so wonderful about “warm white” is that it seems a little off during the day. After all, during the day, you’ll have natural sunshine (4600-6500 kelvin light) flowing through your windows, followed by a distinct color from your overhead lamp.
However, Hue’s White Ambiance range allows you to adjust the “color temperature” of the white hue, which means you can go from bluey white to yellow white and anything in between.
Can Philips Hue change color automatically?
The ability to instantly cycle between colors is one feature missing from the official Philips Hue applications. However, if you utilize a bridge app. It has the ability to do this, so you can have shades of color gradually shifting until you switch a bulb off or alter its setting.
Conclusion
We hope this essay has given you an insight into the Philips hue lamp. You may then choose the best lamp for Philips hue that fits your needs. If you have any more questions, please leave them in the comments area at the bottom of this page, and we will try our best to answer them.
