Philips Hue Discussion

[vipergts2207]

I'm just starting to dip my toes into the smart home stuff and I'm looking at the Hue lights. Beyond the obvious, what is the difference between the White and White + Color sets besides the color version costing about 2x the White only version?

If I buy the white only version, will I be able to add color lights down the line (is the hub the same between the two versions)?

For people who have the color version, why did you choose that over the white only version?

Which "white only" version are you talking about? There's the simple white bulbs, which only do a single color temperature of ~2700K (warm white) and the white ambiance bulbs which go from 2200K (quite red) to 6500K (quite blue). There's only a single hub and it's compatible with all the different bulbs.

In any case, I went all white+color bulbs because I got them for $27 a piece on cyber Monday. I was originally going to go with only white ambiance bulbs, but being that the color ones were only $2 more each, it made sense to just go with the color bulbs.

 

[jdechko]

Which "white only" version are you talking about? There's the simple white bulbs, which only do a single color temperature of ~2700K (warm white) and the white ambiance bulbs which go from 2200K (quite red) to 6500K (quite blue). There's only a single hub and it's compatible with all the different bulbs.

In any case, I went all white+color bulbs because I got them for $27 a piece on cyber Monday. I was originally going to go with only white ambiance bulbs, but being that the color ones were only $2 more each, it made sense to just go with the color bulbs.

Sorry. I didn't know there was more than one "white only" version. I'm referring to the white ambience that can change temperature.

Good to know that there's only one hub so regardless of what I start out with, I'll be able to add the other ones later.

 

[wesley96]

I'm just starting to dip my toes into the smart home stuff and I'm looking at the Hue lights. Beyond the obvious, what is the difference between the White and White + Color sets besides the color version costing about 2x the White only version?

If I buy the white only version, will I be able to add color lights down the line (is the hub the same between the two versions)?

For people who have the color version, why did you choose that over the white only version?

In a practical sense, there have been two versions of the Hue Bridge, the older round one without HomeKit support and the newer square one with the HomeKit support. Both can add any Hue products, old and new. So a good strategy would be to get one of those starter kits and try to water down the cost of the bridge as much as possible.

If colour is not important but cost is, White or White Ambience are better than Color Ambience since the price difference is 2x-3x. All you lose is colour selection.

 

[madeirabhoy]

Sorry. I didn't know there was more than one "white only" version. I'm referring to the white ambience that can change temperature.

Good to know that there's only one hub so regardless of what I start out with, I'll be able to add the other ones later.

it depends on what type of bulb though. fors gu10 led lights theres only white ambience, but for the other fittings theres cheaper white.


my bulbs have been sitting in my amazon basket for days as I cant decide whether to dip my toe in the water or go all in. as the starter kits are 3s and the 3 for 2 option needs to be a 3, but ive got 3 bulbs in lounge (bare minimum to do) and then 4 in hall and 2 in one bathroom, so its either a starter and 3 bulbs or a starter and 9 bulbs and I cant decide...

 

[jdechko]

In a practical sense, there have been two versions of the Hue Bridge, the older round one without HomeKit support and the newer square one with the HomeKit support. Both can add any Hue products, old and new. So a good strategy would be to get one of those starter kits and try to water down the cost of the bridge as much as possible.

If colour is not important but cost is, White or White Ambience are better than Color Ambience since the price difference is 2x-3x. All you lose is colour selection.

Thanks. Yeah I’m looking at the starter kits. I got an Echo for Christmas and couldn’t resist picking up a dot for $30. Glad that the latest version supports all of the major platforms.

Madeirabhoy, most of what I have are the A19 standards. I’m also in an apartment with very few overhead fixtures, and it’s not like I’m allowed to re-wire stuff.

 

[wesley96]

Thanks. Yeah I’m looking at the starter kits. I got an Echo for Christmas and couldn’t resist picking up a dot for $30. Glad that the latest version supports all of the major platforms.

Madeirabhoy, most of what I have are the A19 standards. I’m also in an apartment with very few overhead fixtures, and it’s not like I’m allowed to re-wire stuff.

A19 refers to the shape of the bulb, not the base, although it’s likely the base would be E26 or E27, which is what the regular Hue bulbs use.

Interesting enough, I live in an apartment where most lighting fixtures do not use bulb-type lights. So what I did was to install new fixtures with bulb receptacles, with the plugs added to the wires to be plugged into nearby outlets. Hue bulbs act as secondary / complementary lightings. I have no intention of these acting as primary because they aren’t bright enough in the first place.

 

[cynics]

I'm just starting to dip my toes into the smart home stuff and I'm looking at the Hue lights. Beyond the obvious, what is the difference between the White and White + Color sets besides the color version costing about 2x the White only version?

If I buy the white only version, will I be able to add color lights down the line (is the hub the same between the two versions)?

For people who have the color version, why did you choose that over the white only version?

Because I thought it would be cool.

However once the honeymoon period wore off and I showed some friends and family I never change the colors from ~2700k white.

I'm fairly particular and very critical of how my home looks. And with the styling choices I've made up until now different colors just don't work. It looks "tacked on", borderline garish and takes away from other things I would prefer being noticed.

There are plenty of houses that various color lights looks cool, modern, trendy, etc. I've noticed in houses that do benefit from colored lighting look the best with strategic placement. But they still have the "main lighting" that is your preferred white temperature operating in conjunction.

Since I like 2700k white I "regret" (I use that word loosely because I don't actually care) not just getting the $10 white dimmable Philips bulbs instead of the color and white ambience bulbs.

I see this thread continues so this is likely already been answered but white = 2700k white (normal incandescent coloring), white ambience = wide range of white colors from warm to cool, white + color is going to be the spectrum of colors including the white temps.

And yes, once you have a Hue hub you'll be able to add any Hue product.

 

[madeirabhoy]

i can see the argument between colour and white ambient. i dont think i would buy the plain white. ive gone for white ambient in the bathrooms and colour in the lounge and dining room. so far i like different colours, maybe ill get bored of that but id rather pay for colour and not use it than get white and wish id got colour.

biggest thing for me hasn't been the colours, its been being able to use our ceiling lights as without dimmers they are too bright, and using motion sensors for the hall lights to come on when i come into the flat and in the bathroom.


a couple of questions though


1. any way to make the lights change colour randomly and slowly to create a mood

2. any way to get the lights to either flash or change colour in time to music

3. ive set all the lights up separately with the philips app, the google app (i have google home) and the apple home app. what are the strengths and weaknesses of using one over the other?

4. to use timers do i have to use home kit and either have an iPad left at home or buy an apple tv box?

5. whats the most compatible wall socket switches that will work with at least apple and google?