
#PHILIPS HUE GO ALTERNATIVES INSTALL#
It takes only one person to install a Hue lightbulb. How many people does it take to screw in a smart bulb? But it’s Hue’s vast product lineup, along with tight integration with smart home platforms and the reliability gained by adding a dedicated Bridge, that make it a compelling pick for any smart home enthusiast. If you really want to save cash, Wyze lightbulbs are $22.98 for a two-pack. Comparatively, you can get a Lifx Proud Parents Bundle for $62.95 (originally $89.95) that includes a total of five bulbs - four white and one color-changing - no bridge or hub required. For color bulbs, you’ll pay $199 for four of them, plus a Hue Bridge. How it compares: Philips Hue is one of the most expensive smart lighting options.

Using the included Bridge, however, not only allows you to create groups of lights within your home but lets you control them all from anywhere. The four Bluetooth-enabled bulbs in the $199 White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit can be tuned to one of 16 million different colors and can be used without the Bridge as long as you’re in range. The four included in the $119 White Ambiance Starter Kit produce varying shades of white light, but they don’t support Bluetooth - meaning they need the Hue Bridge to work. What you need to know: Both of these starter kits include the Hue Bridge and four bulbs, but all Hue Bulbs are not created equal. Both provide a simple entry point into the Philips Hue ecosystem, with four lightbulbs and a Hue Bridge to provide better connectivity and more control.


Who’s it for: Both Philips Hue starter kits are for anyone looking to get started with a set of smart lights.
