The answer is yes and no. Philips Hue light strips are wireless in the sense that they can be controlled via Bluetooth or Zigbee, but they still need a power adapter to work. If you are looking for a smart LED strip light that can add a pop of color and ambiance to any space, Philips Hue light strips might be a good option for you. But before you buy them, you might want to know more about how they work, what features they offer, and what are the pros and cons of using them. In this article, we will answer these questions and more, so you can decide if Philips Hue light strips are worth your money.
Philips Hue light strips are flexible LED strips that can produce millions of colors and shades of white light. They can be attached to any surface, such as cabinets, furniture, walls, or ceilings, and bent, shaped, cut, or extended to fit your space and decor. Philips Hue light strips are part of the Philips Hue smart lighting system, which includes smart bulbs, lamps, switches, and accessories. You can control your Philips Hue light strips with the Philips Hue app, voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, or smart accessories like dimmer switches or motion sensors. You can also sync your Philips Hue light strips with your music, movies, or games, to create immersive lighting effects.
How do Philips Hue light strips work?
Philips Hue light strips work by using two wireless technologies: Bluetooth and Zigbee. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless connection that allows you to control your light strips directly from your smartphone or tablet, without the need for a hub or bridge. Zigbee is a low-power mesh network that allows you to connect up to 50 Philips Hue devices and extend the range of your wireless control. To use Zigbee, you need a Philips Hue Bridge, which is a small device that plugs into your router and acts as the brain of your smart lighting system.
The advantage of using Bluetooth is that it is simple and convenient. You just need to download the Philips Hue Bluetooth app, pair your light strips with your device, and start controlling them. You can also use voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant, if you have a compatible smart speaker. The disadvantage of using Bluetooth is that it has some limitations. You can only control up to 10 Philips Hue devices, you need to be within 30 feet of your light strips, and you cannot use some advanced features like routines, scenes, or entertainment.
The advantage of using Zigbee is that it is more reliable and versatile. You can control up to 50 Philips Hue devices, you can access them from anywhere in the world, and you can use all the features of the Philips Hue app and ecosystem. You can also integrate your Philips Hue light strips with other smart home devices and platforms, such as Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, or IFTTT. The disadvantage of using Zigbee is that it requires an additional device, the Philips Hue Bridge, which costs around $60.
What are the types of Philips Hue light strips?
There are different types of Philips Hue light strips, depending on the size, shape, and function. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus: This is the basic and most versatile Philips Hue light strip. It comes in different lengths, from 40 inches to 80 inches, and can be extended up to 32 feet with extensions. It can produce white and colored light, and can be dimmed, brightened, and changed to any color or shade. It can be controlled via Bluetooth or Zigbee, and can be used indoors or outdoors. It costs around $100 for the base kit, and $40 for each extension.
Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip: This is a special Philips Hue light strip that can produce gradient effects, meaning that it can blend multiple colors along its length. It is designed to be used behind TVs or monitors, to create a surround lighting experience that matches the content on the screen. It comes in different sizes, from 32 inches to 75 inches, and can be mounted with clips or adhesive tape. It can only be controlled via Zigbee, and requires a Philips Hue Bridge and a Philips Hue Sync Box, which are sold separately. It costs around $200 for the base kit, and $70 for each extension.
Philips Hue Outdoor Lightstrip: This is a Philips Hue light strip that is specially designed for outdoor use. It is weatherproof, durable, and flexible, and can withstand rain, snow, and dust. It can produce white and colored light, and can be dimmed, brightened, and changed to any color or shade. It can only be controlled via Zigbee, and requires a Philips Hue Bridge. It comes in different lengths, from 80 inches to 197 inches, and cannot be extended. It costs around $130 for the 80-inch version, and $220 for the 197-inch version.
What are the pros and cons of Philips Hue light strips?
Philips Hue light strips have many advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs, preferences, and budget. Here are some of the main pros and cons of using them:
Pros:
They can add color and ambiance to any space, and create different moods and atmospheres.
They are easy to set up, use, and customize, and offer a lot of flexibility and creativity.
They can be controlled with your smartphone, voice, or accessories, and offer a lot of convenience and functionality.
They can sync with your entertainment devices, and create immersive lighting effects that enhance your viewing or gaming experience.
They can integrate with other smart home devices and platforms, and offer a lot of compatibility and interoperability.
Cons:
They are expensive, especially if you want to use the full potential of the Philips Hue system and ecosystem.
They still need a power adapter, which can limit where you can place them and how you can hide the wires.
They can have some connectivity issues, especially if you use Bluetooth or have a large network of devices.
They can have some compatibility issues, especially if you use third-party products or platforms that are not certified by Philips Hue.
They can have some security and privacy risks, especially if you use remote access or voice control, or if you do not update your devices and apps regularly.
Conclusion
Philips Hue light strips are wireless in the sense that they can be controlled via Bluetooth or Zigbee, but they still need a power adapter to work. They are smart LED strip lights that can produce millions of colors and shades of white light, and can be attached to any surface, bent, shaped, cut, or extended. They are part of the Philips Hue smart lighting system, which includes smart bulbs, lamps, switches, and accessories. They can be controlled with the Philips Hue app, voice assistants, or smart accessories, and can sync with your music, movies, or games. They can also integrate with other smart home devices and platforms, such as Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, or IFTTT.
Philips Hue light strips have many pros and cons, depending on your needs, preferences, and budget. They can add color and ambiance to any space, and create different moods and atmospheres. They are easy to set up, use, and customize, and offer a lot of flexibility and creativity. They can be controlled with your smartphone, voice, or accessories, and offer a lot of convenience and functionality. They can sync with your entertainment devices, and create immersive lighting effects that enhance your viewing or gaming experience. They can integrate with other smart home devices and platforms, and offer a lot of compatibility and interoperability. However, they are also expensive, especially if you want to use the full potential of the Philips Hue system and ecosystem. They still need a power adapter, which can limit where you can place them and how you can hide the wires. They can have some connectivity issues, especially if you use Bluetooth or have a large network of devices. They can have some compatibility issues, especially if you use third-party products or platforms that are not certified by Philips Hue. They can also have some security and privacy risks, especially if you use remote access or voice control, or if you do not update your devices and apps regularly.
If you are looking for a smart LED strip light that can add a pop of color and ambiance to any space, Philips Hue light strips might be a good option for you. But before you buy them, you might want to know more about how they work, what features they offer, and what are the pros and cons of using them. We hope this article has helped you answer these questions and more, so you can decide if Philips Hue light strips are worth your money.
