Philips Hue Smart Button User Review
We review the new Philips Hue smart button, the small and discreet Smart button has a magnetic base and lets you control your smart lights with just one touch, but is it worth the investment?
Hue Smart Switch Review
This is a review of the UK model, the difference between this and the US version is the back plate which is taller compared to the square UK version.
The supplied plate measures 7.6 x 7.6 CM and then the magnetic button can be removed. This can be wall mounted and a great option to use instead of the Hue tap or Hue Dimmer switch. The back of plate has holes for small screws, or you can use the 3m tape that is there too, it is also magnetic, so there are a range of options to attach this depending on where you will use it.
The small button itself is magnetic, so it can be attached the to wall plate supplied, or to something metal such as a fridge door. The button comes with a small adhesive magnetic pad, this allows you to stick this to anything you like, such as on the wall if you don’t want to use the wall plate.
In terms of size, the button is small, and the packaging it comes in is certainly over sized for what is within.
The button is a simple push button, you cannot twist it or turn it. When you push the button there is a small LED inside that shines through. The button has two uses (Single Press and Long Press), push once to turn on, push again to turn off, you can also push and hold to use as a dimmer too.
- With one push, you can choose whether it uses time-based automations or cycles through a set of five different scenes
- For Long Press, you have three options; Dimming, All lights off or Do nothing.
The switch is simple and basic, it is well built and looks nice and works well with the Hue system as expected. The downsides is that is is almost too simple, for your money you don’t get very much other than a slightly smarter on off switch.
It has a very limited use in HomeKit and although there are options via the Hue app, it is again limited. Finally there is no Bluetooth, so you require a Hue bridge to use this, it will not work with Bluetooth bulbs without a bridge.
How can is be used?
Via the Hue app you can adjust the settings, making it turn the last state of your Hue lights on. You can use the time based settings for different light states depdning on the time of day and when the button is pressed.
Holding down the button allows you to dim light, turn them all off, or just do nothing. For dimming, you press and hold the button and the lights will dim down as you’re pressing the button until off.
The button is useful if you want a physical switch and can be used like a tradition light switch where it is on or off. With only one button is is more limited than the dimmer and Hue tap where you have other buttons you can configure.
How to set it up
The smart button is quick and easy to set up, out of there box there isn’t anything to do, load up your Hue app on your phone, go to settings and search for a new device, it should find and pair with the hue button.
Once connected you can then set what the button does and which lights it controls.
Should you buy it?
It’s not cheap for what it is, it is well built and a reliable button however it is limited. It looks nice and works well, and if you are after a nice little on off switch for your Hue lights then actually this is ideal.
Other Switches
Other Hue buttons that they offer are:
There are also a range of compatible switches by ‘friends of Hue’ partners and third party companies that work with Hue, and also look more like a traditional wall 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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