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Discover top smart lighting options that offer more features or better value than Philips Hue.
Many consumers are looking for alternatives to the Philips Hue Starter Kit due to its premium pricing, desire for different features, or to integrate with other smart home ecosystems. When choosing an alternative, consider factors like compatibility with existing smart home systems, the range of colors and brightness, ease of installation, and the cost of additional bulbs and accessories. In this guide, we'll explore some of the best alternatives to Philips Hue, each offering unique advantages for different needs and budgets.
The LIFX Color A60 offers a robust alternative to the Philips Hue Starter Kit with Wi-Fi connectivity, eliminating the need for a separate hub. It features 16 million colors and adjustable white light, along with high brightness levels. The LIFX app is user-friendly and integrates well with major smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. This option is ideal for those seeking a hassle-free setup and seamless integration without sacrificing color variety or brightness. The price range for the starter kit is around $90-$110.
Key Difference: No hub required, direct Wi-Fi connectivity.
Price: Slightly more expensive than the Philips Hue Starter Kit, but offers more value with no additional hub cost.
For budget-conscious consumers, the Wyze Bulb Color is an excellent choice. Priced at around $20-$30 for a single bulb, it provides a broad spectrum of colors and tunable white light. The bulb connects directly to Wi-Fi and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, making it easy to integrate into existing smart home setups. While it lacks some of the advanced features of higher-end systems, it's a great entry-level option for those looking to dip their toes into smart lighting. Best suited for budget-focused users or small-scale home automation projects.
Key Difference: Extremely affordable with a wide color range.
Price: Significantly cheaper than the Philips Hue Starter Kit, though it lacks some premium features.
The Nanoleaf Essentials Smart Bulb is perfect for those already invested in the Nanoleaf ecosystem or looking to expand their smart home setup. These bulbs offer millions of colors, adjustable white light, and compatibility with Thread and Matter protocols, ensuring future-proofing and seamless integration with other smart home devices. The Nanoleaf app is intuitive and feature-rich, allowing for advanced scheduling and scene creation. Priced around $50-$60 per bulb, it's a solid choice for those who value ecosystem integration and advanced control features.
Key Difference: Excellent integration with Nanoleaf ecosystem and future-proofing with Thread and Matter.
Price: More expensive per bulb than Philips Hue, but provides enhanced ecosystem integration.
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Light Bulb KL130 is renowned for its simplicity and ease of use. With a straightforward setup process and a user-friendly app, it's perfect for those who prefer a no-fuss smart lighting solution. It supports millions of colors and tunable white light, and integrates well with Alexa and Google Assistant. At around $25-$35 per bulb, it's a cost-effective choice for those who want reliable performance without the complexity of more advanced systems. Ideal for beginners or anyone seeking a straightforward smart lighting experience.
Key Difference: Exceptionally easy to set up and use.
Price: Cheaper than Philips Hue, offering good value for basic smart lighting needs.
Govee Smart Light Bulbs stand out for their music synchronization feature, allowing the lights to dance to the rhythm of your music. These bulbs offer 16 million colors and adjustable white light, and they integrate with Alexa and Google Assistant. The Govee app is packed with features like scene customization and scheduling. Priced at around $30-$40 per bulb, they are a great choice for those who enjoy a dynamic lighting experience that reacts to music. Perfect for parties or entertainment setups.
Key Difference: Unique music synchronization feature.
Price: Competitive with Philips Hue in terms of price, but offers specialized music-sync capabilities.
The Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED Multicolor A19 Bulb excels in voice control capabilities, offering seamless integration with Alexa and Google Assistant. It features a wide range of colors and adjustable white light, making it versatile for various lighting needs. The Sengled app allows for scheduling and scene creation, enhancing the user experience. Priced at around $15-$25 per bulb, it's an affordable choice for those who prioritize voice control and basic smart lighting features. Suitable for users who frequently use voice commands to control their smart home.
Key Difference: Strong focus on voice control integration.
Price: Much cheaper than Philips Hue, providing good value for voice control enthusiasts.
Compare key specs and features of all our recommendations side-by-side
| Product | Recommendation | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 LIFX Color, A19 800 lumens, Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb, Billions of Colors and Whites, No Bridge Required, Compatible with Alexa, Hey Google, HomeKit and Siri (2 Pack) 2 Count (Pack of 1) Multicolor Rank #1 | 4.4 4.4 | Check price | |
Debt-Free Forever: Take Control of Your Money and Your Life Rank #2 | 4.6 4.6 | ||
 Nanoleaf Essentials Smart Light Bulbs, Matter Smart LED Bulbs Work with Alexa & Google Home, 1000lm 16M+ RGBTW Color Changing Light Bulb, Music Sync A19 E26 2.4GHz WiFi Bluetooth Light Bulb 60W, 4PK 4 Pack Rank #3 | 4.2 4.2 | Check price | |
TP-Link Kasa KL110 Smart Light Bulb Voice Control Energy Save Dimmable TPLink Rank #4 | 4.4 4.4 | ||
Govee Smart Light Bulbs, Color Changing Light Bulb, Work with Alexa and Google Assistant, 16 Million Colors RGBWW, WiFi & Bluetooth LED Light Bulbs, Music Sync, A19, 800 Lumens, 4 Pack Rank #5 | 4.6 4.6 | ||
Govee LED Smart Light Bulbs, 1000LM Color Changing Light Bulb, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Light Bulbs, Work with Alexa and Google Assistant, Dimmable RGBWW A19 75W Equivalent Smart Bulbs, 2 Pack Rank #6 | 4.6 4.6 |
