Philips Hue Tap Vs Hue Dimmer Vs Smart Button – The Differences
The great thing about the Hue system is that there are a few accessories you van buy that give you a physical switch for the system meaning there is no need to always rely on your phone and also better way for guests to turn lights on and off.
Philips have three official switches on the market, the Hue tap, the Hue dimmer and the new smart button. All are slightly different in their own ways, but if you are looking to buy one and not sure which, then this guide should help.
Differences between Philips Hue Buttons and Dimmer
We have broken the comparison down into different sections, while their function is slightly different, there are also other things that make them different that are good and not so good.
The Differences
This table compares the Hue tap, dimmer and the hue smart button. The size of the Smart button wall mount varies depending on your region, it is different in the US to the UK for example, however the button itself is the same size.
Setting up
For both of them setting up is the same, out of the box you can pair them with your bridge using the Philips Hue app. It is quick and easy and the same process for both. In this case there is no winner as they are both a breeze to get going.
Hue products are very quick and easy to set up and there are no issues with any of these switches.
Read our guide to setting up the Hue dimmer here.
Winner: All
Power
A section for power you may think is not needed or important, however there is a difference between the two. The dimmer switch uses a thin coin battery which comes supplied, whereas the tap uses kinetic energy gained through button clicks on the unit itself. So there are no batteries. This may sound like a good thing, however the downsides are it can be a little less responsive than the battery powered dimmer, and you also do need to press the button.
The dimmer is easy to use and with a click there is little delay before the lights change, with the tap it is certainly more of a push that a tap to get the lights to change. With that although the kinetic energy function works and sounds good, I prefer the battery powered dimmer.
The new smart button uses a small coin battery to power it just like the dimmer, it works well and has no issues.
Winner: Dimmer & Smart Button
Design & function
Both are stylish looking devices, the dimmer comes with a wall mount which is around the same size as your traditional light switch, the dimmer buttons are on a remote device that can be removed from the wall mount and used just like TV remote. When not in use you can place back in the wall mount where it is held by magnets.
On the dimmer are 4 buttons, from top to bottom you have the on switch, then a brighter button, dimmer button and then the off button. All are press buttons and feel sturdy and robust. The on button can be press multiple times to cycle through up to 5 scenes giving it more flexibility and use.
The tap is a circular designed device that has the style of a Nest device which you may already have, again this can be wall mounted or used as a standalone device. On it are 4 buttons, the buttons are marked by small dots, 1 dot on button one, 2 on two, 3 on three… you get the idea. Although stylish the dots are not as clear, and with the device being round it means that when it comes to pressing the correct button it does take a little more effort to make sure you are pressing the correct one. This may sound silly but for ease of use the dimmer is slightly better.
The 4 buttons on the tap can be set to different scenes, allowing you to easily have a button for a different scene, ideal for living rooms, bright light, movie night, reading and party. There isn’t any dimmer functionality on this device where as the dimmer is specifically designed for this.
The smart button is a single switch, one push button that can be set to cycle through scenes or act as a dimmer. Although one button is can be set for different settings, however as it is just one button it isn’t as easy to use as other physical switches and also not so simple for someone that wants to use it like a normal switch.
For me the winner for design and ease of use is the dimmer, it is easy to use, responsive and well laid out.
Winner: Dimmer switch
Cost
For me there is only one winner here and that is the dimmer, the tap is nearly double the price and although has its uses, the cost difference for anyone that wants a physical switch in their home for their hue system makes the dimmer the easy winner here.
The cost of the smart button seems to vary and is sometimes cheaper than the dimmer, however for value the dimmer is the better option.
Winner: Dimmer switch
Which to Buy?
Both are slightly different and it depends on what function you need, however both can be taken further by the use of third party apps where you can change the buttons on both a bit more and also add in extra functions by holding the dimmer buttons for example on the dimmer switch.
As for which to buy, our choice would be the Hue dimmer, it works well, you can still cycle through scenes as you can on the tap, it is cheaper and I love that you could install it over your existing light switch.
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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Mike
I’ve got a tap and don’t like it, it works and does what I want it too, but much prefer the design and feel of the dimmer in my other room.
Ramon
I just purchased the Hue dimmer two days ago. And works pretty well for my attended function for it which is to control one of the bathroom lights so that no one is trying to talk to Google assistant in the middle of the morning or trying to operate the smartphone app. That being said I was still interested in purchasing the Hue tap. Now correct me if I’m wrong the four buttons on the Hue tap can be set to control different lights in different rooms. The dimmer can be set to control only one set of Lights. If I am correct that gives the Hue top a huge advantage over the dimmer switch. I only mention this because your review of the dimmer seem to be very biased for the product like more. But if they Hue dimmer only controls one set of Lights as you seem to indicate in your review then I will not purchase this product. Cuz if that is the case you have to products to do the exact same thing, I am hoping that the hue tap is more
Raphael Diaz
I have a long hallway can the Phillips Hue Dimmer be used as a 3 Light switch?
Tony P
Yes, you can have a whole room controlled by the dimmer, in your case the hallway.
Mike P
An omission in the otherwise great comparison is how the smart switch is time-dependent, which I really like. It will switch on in 4 different scenes depending on time of day.