I've tried a variety of automated light bulbs and these are the best. They offer ease of setup, the most deeply saturated variety of colors, the best software, the widest variety of third-party software, and they work beautifully with Alexa. On the other hand, they're the most expensive light bulbs I've encountered.
My journey with Philips Hue began with this three-bulb starter kit, which included the Hue Bridge. The whole thing was an absolute breeze to set up, where I plugged the bridge into my router and followed the software directions. I installed two of the bulbs in a sconce I have in my office that is reminiscent of Roman ruins of Ionic columns. As you can see by my photos, there's quite a variety of effects you can choose, particularly with a pair of them -- one of these light bulbs is pointing up and the other one pointing down.
My only complaint besides their excessive expense is the fact that when you place a lightbulb in a fixture, the switches that previously controlled that fixture are suddenly superfluous. I partly solved that problem with one of Phillips's smart dimmer stitches, which allows the uninitiated to my abode to turn these lights on and off in the traditional way. However, that switch doesn't let you control the spectacular color spectrum of which these lights are capable.
Overall, I'm impressed with the color range and quality of these lights, and I ended up adding another to my collection. I only wish that other companies (I'm looking at you, Lutron, which just discontinued its only Hue-compatible switch) would simplify their compatibility with these remarkable lights. Alas, we'll have to wait until the hyper-competitive "smart home" market shakes out and someone creates an easy-to-use control system that rules them all. Even without that, these Phillips Hue bulbs are a worthy addition to my automated lighting system.
| Brand | PHILIPS |
|---|---|
| Light Type | LED |
| Special Feature | Adjustable |
| Wattage | 10 watts |
| Bulb Shape Size | A19 |
| Incandescent Equivalent Wattage | 60 Watts |
| Specific Uses For Product | Indoor |
| Light Color | Hue White |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Color Temperature | 2700 Kelvin |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Brightness | 800 Lumen |
| Shape | a19 |
| Material | Glass |
| Model Name | Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 60W Equivalent |
| Connectivity Technology | Normal bulb |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Controller Type | Amazon Echo |
| Included Components | 3 Hue White and Color Bulbs^ 1 Hue bridge |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Connectivity Protocol | Zigbee |
| Color Rendering Index | 80 |
| Power Consumption | 60 Watts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Light Source Type | LED |
| Specification Met | Energy Star |
| Item Weight | 544 Grams |
| Light Source Wattage | 10 Watts |
| Product Dimensions | 7.6"W x 3.74"H |
| Control Method | Voice |
| White Brightness | 800 Lumens |
| Manufacturer | CQMTO |
| Part Number | 464479 |
| Item Weight | 1.2 pounds |
| Item model number | 464479 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 4 Piece Set |
| Color | White and Color Ambiance |
| Style | White and Color Ambiance |
| Special Features | Adjustable |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Polymer |
| Warranty Description | 2 year warranty. |
