Philips Hue Smart Hub (Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant)

It works. It comes with a Philips-branded, bright-colored case. Fun fact: 9 volt AC adapters fit the same size hole as 5 volt AC adapters. If you accidentally plug a 9 volt AC adapter into the Philips Hue Smart Hub, it will fry the Hub immediately, and you'll have to buy another one here on Amazon and then leave a review warning people to be careful. To be fair, Philips' AC adapter is white, just like the Hub, so it's easy to tell they're related. As a result, Philips went above and beyond - short of creating a one-of-a-kind link - to assist others in avoiding making the same error. The Hub does not backup your programmed routines, rooms, or lights to your iPad or whatever device you used to set up the Hue system, which was a disappointing discovery during this experience. Everything is kept in this Hub - So, if you fry it, you have to teach a new one everything by hand all over again; I only had a few dozen lights, routines, and rooms to set up again, but it would have been much worse for someone with more. Perhaps one of Philips' frequent updates will include backups.

Ray Pineda

| Jun 01, 2021

In my experience, the hub worked perfectly, setup was simple, and I've had no issues with it. Since most people looking at the hub are probably interested in the Hue system as a whole, I'll focus my review on my experience with a Hue system that's been up and running for a few weeks. br>br>At the moment, I have two BR-based systems. In my theater room, I have 30 multicolor lights, three in my kitchen, a LightStrip with multiple extenders in the bedroom, and two A7 lightbulbs for our nightstand lamps. Prior to the Hue lights, the only "smart" home products I owned were two Nest thermostats and a Ring doorbell, so my knowledge of this technology was limited. br>br>In general, these lights are a lot of fun. It was simple to add lights to the system, and the automatic detection functioned well. It was also simple to assign individual lights to rooms and set up scenes. The Hue app is fairly simple to use, though some of the UI decisions in the most recent version of the app are a little irritating (for example, having separate "tabs" for individual lights and scenes). When setting up scenes, I've had a few issues getting individual lights to "group" together for color changes, but they've been few and far between. Setting up scenes was simple, though I must admit that I almost immediately deleted the majority of the included presets because I found them odd. Individual scenes, on the other hand, were a breeze to set up, with custom colors and brightness. br>br>Learning how to use an app - as opposed to light switches has proven to be a difficult task. This isn't a flaw with the Hue system, but it is, in my opinion, a factor in the transition to smart lighting. I still use my light switches by accident after a few weeks. I'm excited to get my hands on some Hue motion sensors to see if I can fully automate the system. The idea of lights turning on and off automatically based on need appeals to me, and I believe it will greatly enhance my experience with the system. For the time being, however, getting used to turning on your lights with an app (and carrying a phone around) rather than the much more convenient light switch will take some getting used to. br>br>The main issue I've had so far is that individual lights have been listed as "unreachable" for extended periods of time; interestingly, the lights still respond to scene changes even when they're listed as "unreachable," but I can't control "unreachable" lights individually. I'm not sure what the problem is, and I've double-checked that the lights' firmware and the iOS app are both up-to-date. date. This appears to be most common with the bedroom lights, which are upstairs while the hub is downstairs, and I'm wondering if this is a contributing factor. Perhaps as I continue to expand the system and build a stronger mesh network throughout the house, this will become less of an issue. However, I must admit that this has been a major annoyance that I have yet to fully resolve. br>br>Because of this issue, HomeKit integration has been spotty for me. br>br>This isn't enough to make me stop buying Hue lights, but it is something to be aware of if it is enough to make you think twice. br>br> While the Hue app allows me to change the lights via scenes even if they're "unreachable," HomeKit does not. As a result, I rarely use HomeKit and, to be honest, I prefer the Hue app. I don't need the deep integration and automation that the HomeKit system can provide because I don't have a lot of smart devices. br>br>Due to the granularity of the brightness and color settings, you can create almost any lighting scenario you can think of; your imagination is the only limit. For day- Most of these features are unnecessary for day-to-day use, though using some of the different colors can be entertaining at times. On a daily basis, the brightness and color warmth adjustments are extremely useful. However, I can see this as a great addition to parties or large gatherings. Overall, do I believe the Hue system is worth the admittedly high price tag? After spending about $600 to light three rooms, I have to say no. I'll keep expanding the system because it's a lot of fun, but I don't see it as a big game. changer. Maybe it's because I'm not making full use of the system (e. g. , smart thermostat integration), but I see this as nothing more than a very expensive amusement. Hopefully, the lights will last a long time: at $30-$40, they should. With a replacement cost of $40, this system can quickly become prohibitively expensive. But, if you're willing to pay the high price for the ability to fine-tune your home lighting setup, I'd definitely recommend it. However, before you spend a lot of money on whole-house lighting, try it out in a few rooms to see how it works. lighting for your home.

Madalyn Noble

| Aug 20, 2021

I've updated my review to include the following: The hub itself continues to function normally, but because the hub's primary purpose is to power bulbs, the problems with their down lights are inexcusable. For more information, see my review there, but in general, they're loud, overheat, and refuse to turn off when hot. So, while I thought the Hub deserved a five-star rating, it represents the Hue system. which, after some time, I've come to realize is only useful for a handful of applications: LED strips, spotlights (outdoor or bloom), Go lamps, and other similar items all fail miserably when used as ceiling mounted downlighting. Three stars seems generous. br>br>I'm not sure why some reviews claim these don't work, or why one specifically claims Philips products don't work; I haven't found that to be the case. In my experience, Philips is a good company to work with. The Hue is currently one of their flagship products, and it is well-known and widely used. br>br>The setup is a shambles. (With the exception of a few reviews, I believe I have proof. ) You connect the hub to your router using the included Ethernet cable, then plug it into a power strip / outlet using the adapter (see note about 5v adapter below). It will automatically detect and set up the Hub if you're on the Wifi for the network the Hub is on (if you're using a wireless AP like me or bridge mode etc. , it will connect to either router, regardless of which one has its radios on) and as long as you're on the Wifi for the network the Hub is on (if you're using a wireless AP like me or bridge mode etc. , it will connect to either router, regardless of which one has its Simply press the large button on the hub's top to turn it off. The only thing to keep in mind is that you'll want the hub to be within easy reach because any app that connects, connects Alexa, and so on will require you to press that button, which will be a pain if it's out of the way. If that doesn't work, something is wrong. br>br>In my office, I keep mine next to my AP router. br>br> I'd double-check that your phone is connected to the correct network, that the hub is plugged in (though the status light on most routers will show orange or flash until it's set up, it's still an indicator it's plugged in and recognized), and that you're not out of range. If it refuses to be recognized by the app, it could be defective, but more likely, something is wrong, such as the phone not being connected to the internet. I believe that 99% of people will have a very simple setup. br>br>In terms of Hue, it has its advantages and disadvantages. It is by far the best "easy setup" smart light solution, and it also includes features that more involved solutions do not, such as color, color animations, and so on. If you want to be able to adjust the color temperature of your lights (and there's a big difference between a very cool, 6-degree light and a very warm, 6-degree light), this is the light for you. 7000 K light and a very warm 3000 K light, the former being basically orange and the latter having a blue tint to it), the Hue is probably your best option, and if you like to go for full mood lighting, pretty much everything is offered in a full-mood lighting setting. Version in color. There are a few direct competitors, such as TP-XXXXXXXXXXXX Link or other smart lights that do not require a hub are less expensive. However, that's about the extent of their advantages. I've got a few rolls of toilet paper on hand. Link lights are difficult to group and control, don't work well with Alexa, and seem to forget what they're supposed to do at times. When it comes to them, forget about scheduling or doing much in the way of animation, and third-party app support is limited, and the TP-100 isn't one of the best. The Link app isn't as good as Philips'. Hue takes a little longer because you have to set up the hub before any lights will work, but considering the Hub costs less than $50, it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things, especially when single lights like the BR30s can cost $50. Philips is far ahead of the competition in terms of quality and longevity when it comes to color smart lights. br>br>In terms of smart-home lighting, Lutron is the main competitor, in my opinion, because it takes a completely different approach to smart lighting. It, too, requires a hub (which is more expensive), and instead of replacing your bulbs, you replace your dimmers with Caseta line wireless switches and dimmers, which can be detected by the Lutron app and added to room groups, among other things. This is by far the most cost-effective option for a whole house. If you have recessed ceiling cans, as I do, you're looking at a range of 4 to 8 hours. Each room should have at least six lights, with some having many more. That adds up at $50 per person. I think I have about 20 cans in total, plus a few closet lights and bathroom cans that are slightly different. So, unless you opt for the adjustable white lights, which are slightly cheaper, the hub will set you back $1000 to get Hue up and running in your home. By comparison, Lutron costs around $50 per dimmer, or less if it's just a switch, and that covers each room, so ignoring bathrooms and closets, etc. , I'd have a total of 6 (Bedroom, Guest/office, 4 switches in the main Kitchen/Dining/Living room) for $300, making the extra money on the Lutron bridge insignificant. They work with Alexa just like Hue and are simple to set up scenes with, though you're only limited to brightness - Change the bulbs if you want to change the color temperature. You could technically use Hue bulbs in lights controlled by a Lutron Caseta dimmer, but that's overkill; you can already control them completely through the Hue app/other apps/Alexa, so it's either one or the other. You can't do colors, and you can't really switch bulbs for colors unless you have a bunch of different colored bulbs. That simply isn't possible. br>br>So, if cost is your primary concern and you have a large home, and you don't mind the colors, go for it. Lutron is an option to consider. br>br>On the other hand, if price isn't an issue and you want the option of color lighting, Philips will meet your needs. They even sell wall-mounted remote/switches that are removable and don't require any wiring - You could, in theory, have your lights hardwired and only use the app and remote to control them. There's also the "click," which is cool because it uses the energy generated by your clicking to send a signal, eliminating the need for batteries. and it can store up to four presets for your most frequently used settings. If you use Hue throughout your home, you'll most likely use the adjustable whites in the majority of rooms. It saves money, and how many rooms do you really need to go out to a nightclub? Of course, if you want to make your entire house feel like a rave, you can do so, but I believe most people will stick to whites for the most part to save money and use color where it's appropriate - for example, in the kitchen. Maybe in a family room for TV lighting (there are some cool cinematic effects you can set up through third-party apps, and the Hue Strip also works well as a behind-the-scenes light). Choosing one room to be all colorful is probably enough, but it's really up to your budget. TV accent glow light), bedroom, whatever, picking one room to be all colorful is probably enough. If you don't have a budget, go for the color ones because they do a good job with whites and can always handle the entire range. If you're on a tight budget, stick to whites whenever possible. Although, if cost is a major consideration, Lutron is unquestionably the less expensive option for getting your home smart-lit. br>br>I'm probably stupid because I have both, but Lutron doesn't offer colors, and I wanted them, so it was a simple choice. I much prefer the Hue, and it was much simpler to set up - Rewiring the dimmers is stressful at best for me because I'm not an electrician; the instructions are fairly clear, but it's still a bit nerve-wracking. Even though there should be no danger with the power off, it's nerve-wracking. I'll probably stick with Lutron for the majority of the house because I already have the hub and everything; it'll just be cheaper to add a few more $50 dimmers or $30 switches (for closets, etc. ) rather than make the closet light switches wireless. It's easier to convert about ten more lights to Hue (overkill) than it is to convert about ten more lights to Hue. But it's really cool to have in my office / studio; I also have a strip under a bookcase in the room that adds to the look, and it's great for changing throughout the day. I can have a cool, energizing white in the morning, a warmer one to make it feel like summer rather than winter, and I can start putting blues up late at night when I'm on the computer or playing games (also in here) to help promote sleepiness - It is also effective. There are a lot of advantages to the colors, which is primarily what Hue provides over the alternatives, and I'm glad I got them. br>br>Please keep in mind that the Hue app is well-known. The situation is not ideal. There are a plethora of third-party apps available, many of which are free, that will suffice. I found one, i Connect Hue, that costs money but allows you to make custom animations and other cool stuff that no other app I've found can do. Only Hue app scenes, according to my research, translate to Alexa, but you can tell Alexa to do any of the scenes from the default App, which includes a different setting for each light if you want it that way - There's also a "colorloop" option that cycles through the colors, though I haven't yet figured out how to tell Alexa to begin a custom animation. Even so, pressing the phone isn't too difficult. br>br>That is most likely the most serious complaint - Hue is an app that allows you to control the color of your room with your phone. However, it functions, and there are a plethora of third-party apps that perform better than Philips'. Furthermore, it's still preferable to any of the knock-offs, in my opinion. color-off / less expensive Using something like TP-Link to change smart LEDs, which don't require hubs but are much more easily disconnected and difficult to group, etc. Link is fine for a single light; however, I wouldn't dare to use it to turn off all of the lights in my house, as it would be a pain. br>br>I'd probably pay attention to the review about 5v / 9v adapters because that could definitely fry a device, but the adapter is white, and unless you're a big apple person, you probably have a lot more black AC adapters than white ones. I have at least eight different pieces of equipment on and around my desk, all of which have black adapters except for the Hue hub, so I doubt I'll plug the wrong one in by accident. However, if you are unfamiliar with the distinction and have misplaced your adapter, it may be tempting to use one that fits - There doesn't appear to be a lesson there. Because I'm not attempting to fry my hub, I can't speak from personal experience. br>br>It's still a long shot, but if you do get a lemon, the choice is between Philips - Amazon, in particular, is much more immediate. You'd have a new one in a matter of days if you called customer service. I don't see how that would ever be an issue on Amazon; at the very least, if you're a prime member, you can simply initiate a return. If it's a defective unit, you can sometimes contact the seller and ask if they'd rather just send you an extra, but this usually only works when the item isn't worth returning - e. g. , heavy, non-absorbent, non-absorbent I'd imagine they'd want the defective unit returned if it was electronic equipment. But it costs you nothing, and at least in this case, it's available right away. You have the option of waiting for the credit or replacing it immediately. But, honestly, the chances of that happening are slim; these are high-quality products, not Chinese knockoffs, that are well-made and durable. If that was the case, Amazon and sellers have always been quick to rectify the situation. br>br>Would definitely recommend, but with the caveat that there are less expensive options for a smart home lighting system if you're willing to rewire your dimmers, etc. , but not with the color options. Of course, there are less expensive colored LED smart lights, but as I previously stated, I would avoid using them to light an entire house or even a single room. If nothing else comes to it, all the effort is worth it when you can just tell Alexa to turn down a light to 10% or tell her to turn a light on if you walk You begin to take it for granted, and you become irritated when you can't simply turn on the lights. The most important feature of any smart home is - Smart curtains, smart locks, and cameras are just a few examples of smart home technology. Lights are probably the most pleasurable and useful, so if you only do one thing with your smarthome, make it lights. Perhaps a lock as well. It's great to be able to enter a code, use your thumbprint, or use a fob to get in, and you can keep track of who enters when, so you can give a cleaning lady a code, etc. You can also set up your own smarthome cameras to keep an eye on things. It's true that once you get started, it's difficult to stop. I'd say Alexa is the most important part of the whole thing; it's nice to use your phone, but it's 10 times better to just tell her what to do. It's ideal for a night's sleep - You can get in and then tell her to turn off the lights, or if you're reading, wait a while; it's great for carrying things, and it's great for being lazy. At the very least, get a couple of refurbished echo dots for around $25 and scatter them around. It will be well worth your time and effort.

Nasir Huynh

| Aug 24, 2021

I only have one complaint about this product: before getting the bridge, I had an Amazon Echo Plus with a built-in hub; after getting the bridge, I had to erase the lights in my house, pair them with the bridge, and then pair them with the echo again so I could use its features. Imagine climbing a ladder and unplugging approximately 20 bulbs just to see the serial number and pair them with the app.

Jaylah Moore

| Feb 24, 2021