r/Hue • u/Euphoric-Apple88 • 3d ago
Help & Questions What should a newbie know about Hue lights?
I’ve been wanting Hue lights for a couple years but it’s just so overwhelming deciding when there are so many options on the market and Hue is more expensive(but i assume better than other brands?). Can someone pls tell me anything I should know before I bite the bullet?? Just in case someone wants to help, i’ll include what I am looking for below/my dislikes. I understand it’s a big ask lmao. But I appreciate any advise if anyone can give it!!
-I HATE overhead lighting and I hate bright white LEDs. Oh I also hate any lighting where I can see the actual bulb(which seems to be “in” right now).
-Lightbulbs/lighting affects me a lot, whether it be them giving me migraines or lighting in general affecting my mood and behavior. (I’ve been sort of living in darkness with one lamp in the corner of a room, which helps with migraines but leaves me having no motivation). Meaning I rly want intentional lighting(if i was rich i fr would hire an interior lighting expert)
-i live in an apartment so I can’t do any wiring in the wall
-i like the idea of plug-in sconces or those lights you put on the ground where the light kind of shoots up
-i prefer to have something smart (like Hue) but i also want the option to not have to use my phone as the remote(trying to work on phone addiction lol)
-i have a (possibly irrational) fear of knock-off/cheap smart bulbs causing fires, which is why I like the idea of getting Hue since it’s from a well-known, somewhat-reputable company (i say “somewhat-reputable” because how reputable can a company even be these days lol)
Overall I’m almost positive Hue would give me what I’m looking for but it’s all so confusing to me, even after reading about all their products
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u/TheDarkLight1 3d ago
Other people here need to confirm, but I think there’s a new hub about to drop so wait before you pull the trigger
Every lamp in my apartment has a hue bulb in it, I’ve never had one die (knock on wood) since the original a19s came out. 10 out of 10 would recommend
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u/One-Representative84 2d ago
Yeah, start with the kit that comes with the bridge and a couple bulbs. Put them in lamps. Thats how I started and now my entire living room is synced to my TV, all the lamps in bedrooms and basement respond to my Google speakers, and I just bought landscaping lighting on Prime Day. Once you get enough bulbs, some of the "scenes" from the app are really cool.
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u/stokerBlake 2d ago
Hue is absolutely better than other brands, they just always work and I've had them for years. I don't know when the new version of bridge is coming out or how necessary it will be, the existing bridge handles the 30 odd devices I've got easily and the old version will probably go on sale when it does. A starter kit is a good start, you sound like you will get benefit from the colour ones but I find the cheaper ambience ones allow adjustment for just the right shade of white. The dimmer switches make all the difference, I would hate to have to pick up my phone to adjust lights. Google home or Alexa is also great to adjust lights or tell it to turn off all the lights at bedtime. You just tell home to sync hue lights if you add anything and it sorts it out. I also have hue smart plugs for controlling non hue things like fans from the dimmer switches.
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u/funkystay 3d ago
Buy the starter kit and at least two switches. You can program the switches to off/on, dim, scenes, etc. They work on batteries, so no wiring needed.
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u/EverReddyKilowatt 2d ago
I've purchased mostly Hue factory refurbished starter kits at a great savings on ebay and have had no issues. What frequently happens is that someone purchases a starter kit and can't figure out how to use it, or one bulb is dead, so the whole kit gets returned. It can't be resold as new, and if the original store doesn't deal with "open box" products, it gets returned to Hue, who sends it to the company that does their refurbishment (Windsor, in the case of Hue). They're tested, the good ones are repackaged, and the bad are probably recycled, as I can't see how it would be financially feasible to disassemble a bulb, repair it, and put it back together.
I think I have about 7 gen 2 Hue hubs from the starter kits I've purchased. The only products I've purchased new are the 100w color bulbs, as I couldn't find them as refurbs, and Amazon and Costco were having good pricing at the time, relative to the list price..
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u/FatMacchio 3d ago
Hue is the best quality smart led lights on the consumer market imo. Philips knows that, and they charge appropriately…many of us say exorbitantly. Without any true competition for the high end consumer smart lights, they will continue to separate us from our hard earned money, because it is an addiction. LIFX and Govee get close, but I don’t believe either of them rise to the level of Hue.
I’d say hold off until the newer lights and bridge pro come out next month. Even if you’re not looking to get the cutting edge hue stuff, it should make for some ok sales to clear old inventory.
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u/RecursivelyRecursive 3d ago
Interesting, I’d say LIFX is close/equal to Hue but Govee is a very distant 3rd. Quality wise.
Govee’s appeal is their variety of products, and always adding more.
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u/Euphoric-Apple88 3d ago
Well now youve got me (rightfully) freaked out about becoming dependent on them, but thanks for the heads up on the newer lights and bridge pro, i didnt even realize they were being released
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u/FatMacchio 3d ago
I had only a starter kit for years. Your mileage may vary about getting addicted. Over the years I’ve gone a little crazy when good sales happen. But I have paid full price for 100 watt bulbs. The more you buy, the easier it is to justify the high price to yourself. It is nice having my full house with hue bulbs, besides some fluorescent tube lights I have in my basement (that I’m thinking of solutions for)
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u/rolamit 3d ago
Probably not for you in your apartment, but be aware that Hue products are not necessarily "buy once for life". I have had an outdoor sensor mounted under an eave for a couple of years. When I went to replace the batteries, I found the weather gasket basically welded, preventing access to the batteries. I had to improvise a hook tool to get it open, and it doesn't seem like it's going to survive many more battery swaps.
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u/ProxyRed 3d ago
Nobody needs smart lighting. Hue is expensive. It is an indulgence. If you don't have disposable income, you are better off putting the money towards your credit card balance.
That said, Hue can be artistic, convenient, and fun. I have voice and motion control of my lighting throughout my house.
There is typically a learning curve to adapting to whatever method you use to control your lights. You should choose a strategy before you buy and make sure everyone in the household is up for going through the learning and adaptation phase.
There is a new Hue hub coming out. If you are not in a hurry, it may be worth waiting until it is available in your area. There will likely be good discounted deals on starter kits that contain the new hub.
If you are going to use Google Home or Alexa to control your lights, you will want a reliable internet connection and reliable WIFI. If you have an ancient, bottom of the barrel, cheapass router/WIFI AP you may be very unhappy with the performance of your lighting system.
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u/hardleyharley 3d ago
I use Facebook marketplace to find sweet deals. You don't need to fill every room in one day either.
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u/momo6548 2d ago
Regarding living in an apartment and wanting physical switches:
I’m a big fan of the Luton Aurora smart switches. They attach to already existing light switches to make them smart. It keeps the hard wired switch set to “on” and gives you a button and a dimmer for your smart light. No wiring needed, so great for when you’re renting.
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u/chad917 3d ago
Never pay full price.