Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance Starter Kit
The most reliable way to start smart lighting, and the layer that survives you changing your mind about ecosystems. It works with Alexa, Google and HomeKit alike, so your lighting is not locked to whichever hub you bought this year.
Our editorial rating, not aggregated user reviews
The highest score on the site, and it earns it by not failing at anything. Reviewers have called Hue the market leader for years and still do, because the Zigbee Bridge keeps bulbs responsive in a way cheap Wi-Fi bulbs simply are not, and the accessory range is unmatched. What stops it reaching the nines is cost and ergonomics rather than function: the Bridge needs a spare Ethernet port and a socket at your router, the app is more capable than it is intuitive, and you pay a real premium per bulb. Those are prices to pay, not flaws that would send anyone elsewhere.
Pros
- Reliability is the reason to buy it: the Zigbee Bridge keeps bulbs responsive when Wi-Fi bulbs stutter
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, so your lighting is not locked in
- The largest smart lighting ecosystem, with the widest range of accessories
- Wide colour range and genuinely smooth white transitions
- Strong automation, scenes and geofencing in the app
Cons
- The Bridge must plug into your router by Ethernet, so you need a spare port and a socket
- The app is powerful but reviewers find it unintuitive
- A real premium per bulb over budget Wi-Fi alternatives
- Bulb cap varies by region. Check the fitting on your listing before ordering
- Kit contents vary by market, so confirm the bulb count you are buying
Specifications
- Included
- Colour bulbs + Hue Bridge (count varies by market)
- Colours
- 16 million, 2000-6500K white range
- Protocols
- Zigbee (via Bridge)
- Voice control
- Alexa, Google, HomeKit
- Hub required
- Yes (included; connects by Ethernet)