Best Philips Hue Alternatives Worth Considering
A Philips Hue user is able to adjust the color and brightness of all the products associated with their version of the app. Plus, various performance schemes are available to simulate different lighting patterns. Light timing can also be controlled through the integrated scheduling software.
When Philips introduced their hue lighting systems a few years back, they became pioneers in smart home lighting systems. They offer variations in bulb type and color, and their systems are also easy to install, even if you aren’t the most tech-savvy.
However, these are no longer the only option available; there’s now a variety of decent options available that can meet your smart lighting needs. We’ll help you pick the best one by reviewing the five best Philips Hue alternatives.
Top Philips Hue Alternatives
Smart light systems can be a practical and entertaining addition to your home. You can use them to create certain light moods or for decorative purposes. Not only that, but they also function as effective night lights.
The Philip Hue lighting system is considered as a premium product among the smart lights that are present, but the brand is no longer the only one leading the market and there are other Philips hue like products. With the smart bulb market exploding there are now many alternatives to the Hue bulbs of which some are cheaper and more cost effective choices.
 |  |  |  | |
| LIFX | Ikea Tradfri | GE Link Connected LED | TP Link LED Bulbs | |
| Rating | ||||
| Available in Color? | - | |||
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee | Wi-Fi, ZigBee | Wi-Fi |
| Max Output | 1,055 lumens | 980 lumens | 800 lumens | 800 lumens |
| Requires Hub? | - | - | ||
| Dimmable | ||||
| Geofencing | - | - | - | |
| Amazon Alexa | - | |||
| Apple HomeKit | - | - | - | |
| IFTTT | - | - | - |
These Philips smart lighting products have been wildly popular since they have been released. In fact, they are the most-included brand on PC Mag’s list of the Best Smart Light Bulbs of 2018. These products are praised for their versatility, compatibility, and viability in any lighting setup.
However, not every user will like the hub-based connectivity that a Hue system requires. Luckily, the vast popularity of this product line has spawned many comparable products. If you are considering a smart light bulb purchase in the future, read on to learn about these viable alternatives to the Philips Hue.
LIFX Smart Lights – Best Overall
The LIFX smart lights system is nearly identical to that of the Philips Hue. It’s compatible with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and Microsoft Cortana. No wonder it has such a high price tag!
With a wide color temperature range and 11 watts, this is the brightest and highest performing option on our list.
Controlling this light system is a breeze with the LIFX app, compatible with both iOS and Android. You can change the light colors using the 16 million colors available or choose your preferred scene from the pre-programmed options.
As with other options, you can control these bulbs individually, or you can group them. You can also set schedules for turning the lights on and off. They’re available as a single or 4-pack, and there’s a BR30 variation available for this bulb.
The LIFX lighting system is a little bit more expensive than the Phillips hue alternative at $99 each. They can seem to be very pricey, but they are still able to offer you some advantages. The most outstanding advantage is, the lighting system does not need a bridge, so essentially all you will need for this particular product is your Smartphone and a companion app. The bulb is available in two different colors, just to give you a little variety; this is in white or metal gray. The product still looks great in whichever color, not something most can brag about.
As we know, each Philips hue alternatives you can find have their downside. For this particular product, the companion app has not received great reviews from customers, but the bulb has been received positively. The reason being, it can put out quite a range of vibrant colors, this is up to 1,000 lumens, which makes you wonder if this could be better than Philips. The product has been rated to give you 40,000 hours, not bad, so you will not have to worry about changing the system soon.
The other downside of this product is they have not been able to fix in the number of features Phillips hue offers. The features that are available are, the morning or evening dimming, music sync IFTTT integration and social media alerts, hopefully other features are on their way.
Read – We compare the LIFX bulbs with the Philips Hue system
Features
- Watts: 11 watts
- Lifespan: 25,000 hours
- Color Temperature: 2500K–9000K
- Luminous: 1100LM
- Wireless Requirement: 2.4GHz only
- Supported Systems: iOS, Android
Pros
- Compatible with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and Microsoft Cortana
- Wide color temperature range
- Brightest alternative, 11 watts
Cons
- Expensive compared to other options
AL Abovelights E27 LED Smart Lights – Runner-up
These smart bulbs from AL Abovelights are available in a pack of two with the option to buy them in a bundle of six. They’re compatible with the Smart Life app, and they come ready to configure with both Alexa and Google Assistant.
With a lifespan of 35,000 hours, these have one of the most extended life spans for a smart light. Moreover, at 9 watts, they’re one of the brightest options on our list.
These bulbs give you multiple options for customization, such as warm white and 2700K. You can adjust the brightness and color saturation, but not the intensity. This shouldn’t pose a problem, though.
You can change the light color to over 16 million color hues easily by using the in-app color wheel. Additionally, you have the option to schedule ON/OFF timings and group light bulbs together for easier control.
A nice little perk is when you’re adjusting the bulb setting, your smartphone app will reflect those changes. That way, if you can’t physically see the bulb, you still have an idea how you’re setting it up.
These bulbs don’t reset to the default setting after turning them off or even unplugging them. So, if you have them set up for colorful blinking at 50% brightness before turning them off, then that’s what you’ll get when you turn them on again.
Features
- Watts: LED 9 watts
- Lifespan: 35,000 hours
- Color Temperature: 2700K
- Luminosity: 810LM
- Wireless Requirement: 2.4GHz only
- Supported Systems: iOS 8.0+, Android 4.4+
Pros
- Brighter than other alternatives
- Long lifespan compared to other alternatives
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Configuration with the smart app may take longer than stated in instructions
- Only warm light option
Gosund LED E27 Smart Lights – Best For Parties
Gosund bulbs are compatible with the Smart Life app. Optionally, you can download the Gosund app to manage your lighting. These bulbs also work with Alexa and Google Home.
The Gosund bulbs have some cool presets that you can customize if you want, and you can control them from anywhere as long as they’re connected to Wi-Fi.
They’re energy-saving and dimmable, and they’re available in single, double, and 4-pack options.
An added feature you get with this light bulb is that you can sync it to respond to music beats. This is a pretty cool option to have if you’re having a party!
Features
- Watts: LED 8 watts
- Lifespan: 20,000 hours
- Color Temperature: 2700K
- Luminous: 800 LM
- Wireless Requirement: 2.4GHz only
- Supported Systems: iOS, Android
Pros
- Flights respond to music beats
- Energy-saving
- Customizable settings
Cons
- Shorter lifespan than other alternatives
LIFX Light Strip – Best Light Strip Alternative
Light strips are perfect for decorative purposes or backlighting. You can place them around your bookcase or bar for a fun look, or even around your entertainment center.
You have two options when it comes to the LIFX light strip. There’s the starter kit, which includes a 2-meter long light strip, and is length adjustable. They also have a 1-meter extension available if you need more.
Your other option is the Z-TV Smart LED Light Strip bundle, which is designed specifically for use with your TV or entertainment center.
Controlling this one is easy through the LIFX app, which is available on iOS, Android, and Windows. You also have the option to configure it with HomeKit, Alexa, Echo, and Google Home.
A nice little perk is the option to customize each 1-meter section, so you can create fun and creative lighting possibilities.
Features
- Watts: 17 watts
- Lifespan: 35,000 hours
- Color Temperature: 9000K
- Luminous: 1400LM
- Wireless Requirement: 2.4GHz only
- Supported Systems: iOS 8.0+, Android 4.4+
Pros
- Compatible with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home Assistant
- Adjustable length
- You can customize the lights in each 1-meter section to behave differently
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoor use
- Relatively expensive
LUMIMAN E26 LED Smart Lights
This 2-bulb pack from LUMIMAN is compatible with Alexa and Google Home. To control these bulbs, you can download LUMIMAN’s PlusMinus app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android. Alternatively, you can use the Smart Life app.
If you want to use these bulbs with Alexa or Google Home, then the Smart Life app is a better choice. That’ll give you the added advantage of out-of-home light control and voice commands.
One of these brand’s unique advantages is that you can control how cool or warm the light is, as the bulb has a wide color temperature range. You can use the 16 million colors wheel to create the ambiance you want.
Alternatively, you can select one of the preset scenes.
You also have the option of grouping several light bulbs, so you can easily control them using a single command instead of adjusting each one separately.
These bulbs come with pre-programmed settings, some of which you can adjust. You also have the option of programming an ON/OFF schedule for your bulb. Luminosity is at 800 LM, which makes the bulb ideal for lighting small to medium-sized rooms. If you need to light up bigger spaces, then you can always use more than one bulb. LUMIMAN offers multiple bundle options; apart from this double pack, they also have a 4-pack available.
Features
- Watts: 7.5 watts
- Lifespan: 30,000 hours
- Color Temperature: 2700K–6500K
- Luminosity: 800LM
- Wireless Requirement: 2.4GHz only
- Supported Systems: iOS, Android
Pros
- Warm-Cool color temperature range that’s not available in most other alternatives
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Echo, and Siri
- Voice control available
- Affordable
Cons
- The LUMIMAN’s app has some glitches
IKEA Tradfri
Ikea have released their own range of smart bulbs called IKEA Tradfri and they are well priced and work well. You can even get them to work with Philips Hue too. They can replace a brightness of around a 70-watt incandescent bulb and can be adjusted and dimmed via the dimmer remote you can buy for this.
They currently do not have color bulbs, but the company states they will be releasing the same soon. For the price point they are great and if you just want white bulbs then these are worth considering, I am sure over time the system will grow and expand and likely include color bulbs too.
GE Link Starter Kit
GE Link LED bulbs use the Wink app via your phone to connect and work with the bulbs. This enables you to control them from any location. You can control individual bulbs or group them and adjust his way too.
Using the hub you can connect these to Amazon Alexa, the starter kit comes with white bulbs and at the moment there is no option to use color bulbs.
The GE Link bulbs are affordable and attractive. They are recommended to people who are trying out smart lighting systems for their home for the first time.
TP-Link LB130 Multicolour Smart LED Bulb
The first alternate lighting system on our list is the TP-Link LB130. This bulb functions similarly to a Philips Hue, making use of an app-based system that allows the user to control their lights from anywhere. The app, called Kasa, controls the color, brightness, and scheduling of each light associated with it. These bulbs, which install in a standard socket, are capable of producing millions of colors. Plus, they are compatible with the Amazon Alexa voice control system.
On the other hand, LB130 bulbs may not be as effective when used in metal lamps or fixtures. Such materials can cause the effectiveness and strength of the wi-fi connection of the bulb to be greatly diminished. They are also not to be used with standard dimmer switches, as these can damage the bulb.
Despite these flaws, many users have praised the hub-less system offered by this bulb. Plus, the brightness of the bulb left little to be desired as it performed excellently in most situations. Overall, this is a pretty good replacement for the Philips Hue – although it is not as widely-compatible with other devices.
What Should You Look For in Philips Hue Alternatives?
Philips has set the bar pretty high when it comes to Smart Light systems for the home. They offer a variety of options with technologically advanced capabilities. Yet, you still can get a decent outcome from some of the alternatives available.
There are four main aspects you should consider when making your choice.
Customization
Adding a Smart Light system to your home should be smart. So, you need to be able to customize it according to your preferences. This means the bulbs should have a wide range of colors and scenes.
It should also allow you to set schedules and generally be able to make the light behave the way you want it to when you want it to.
App Integration & Controls
A smart light system should be easy to control via your smartphone. This can be done using the brand’s app. Alternatively, it should be compatible with other smart apps such as the Smart Life app, which all our picks are.
Smart Home Systems Compatibility
If you already have a smart home platform, like Alexa, or if you’re planning to install one, then check that the light system you’re picking is compatible with the platform of your choice.
Most Philips Hue alternatives are compatible with at least one of these systems. All our picks are compatible with Alexa and Google Home.
The LIFX light strips are also compatible with ECHO and HomeKit, while the LIFX regular light system is additionally compatible with Microsoft Cortana.
This will allow for a smoother and easier set-up process. Additionally, it’ll allow you to make use of other benefits such as voice commands.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
The bulb should have the capacity to connect to Wi-Fi. Most options on the market respond to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection, so make sure one is available.
How to Make the Most out of Your Home Smart Light System
Most of the options on our list can operate correctly without the need for any extra gadgets. However, some accessories will allow you to take advantage of the full range of benefits that these smart lights can offer.
Here are our favorite accessories that you can pair with your smart lights to enhance their usage and performance.
Motion Sensor
You can configure this gadget to change scenes just by using motion! This motion sensor from Eve is compatible with Apple HomeKit; you can control this motion sensor’s settings using Siri or your apple device from anywhere.
Smart Plugs
A smart socket or plug will allow you to use your smart bulbs without fixtures, meaning you don’t have to screw them in a lamp. This is an ideal solution if you want to use smart bulbs as a nightlight, for example.
FAQs
Looking for more information? These are some of the top questions we get from customers.
Can you use other bulb brands with Philips Hue systems?
Philips Hue operates using Zigbee technology. The good news is that some of the smart lights on the market have started using this technology, which should make them compatible with the Philips Hue bridge.
ERIA and SYLVANIA both offer Zigbee technology bulbs, which are expected to connect with a Philips Hue bridge or base.
Are all smart bulbs multi-colored?
The options included in our list are. However, you’ll find some options that only provide white light. Always check the bulb’s color range before buying it to ensure you get the bulb with your preferred specs.
Can I use my smart light system outdoors?
Unless it specifically says so in the light system’s manual, we don’t recommend using smart bulbs outdoors, as their efficiency may be affected.
However, you’ll find that strip lights are more flexible in terms of outdoor use, so you can opt for those instead of regular pulps.
Final Thoughts
Though myriad alternatives for Philips Hue lights that exist on the market today, the original product still reigns superior in the smart lighting world. They offer the best compatibility, brightness, and controls. In PC Mag’s list, Philips Hue products received both “Editor’s Choice” tags. Despite this, there are viable alternatives (especially if you need a hub-less lighting system).
Whether you decide to use a Philips Hue or one of the alternatives we have listed here, you will not regret your decision to adopt smart lighting. Being able to perfectly curate your home lighting experience can help you to feel more at ease in your house. Plus, these types of lights can even provide distinct health benefits to those with seasonal affective disorder.
Money can be saved on the Hue eco system by buying used or refurbished Hue bulbs.
All-in-all, a smart lighting system is a perfect addition to any home. It is especially useful for those who already use digital assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa. You will have a better at-home experience with a well-curated custom lighting scheme, made available by Philips Hue and similar products.
Smart lights are fantastic additions to any home; you can literally and figuratively light up your home with them. There’s an abundance of alternatives for the Philips Hue light system that you can choose from; you’re not limited to one option.
LIFX is the closest in performance to Philips Hue and would’ve been our top choice if it wasn’t highly-priced. Our favorite 2-bulb bundle is the LUMIMAN, with AL Abovelights as a close runner-up.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a light strip alternative, then the one from LIFX is your go-to. Or, if you’re the life of the party and looking for a light system that will complement your lifestyle, you may want to consider the Gosund!
Founder & Editor
Mike is the founder of Hue Home Lighting, a huge Hue fan with far too many lights, covering home and garden. A smart home gadget addict and also enjoys the odd bit of DIY
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