Question 1

What’s the difference between White ambiance and White smart light bulbs?

Accepted Answer

Philips Hue smart bulbs are available in three color ranges: White, White ambiance, and White and color ambiance. A White light bulb offers dimmable, soft warm light. A White ambiance bulb offers dimmable light in thousands of shades of warm-to-cool white light.

Learn about the color ranges

Question 2

How long do smart light bulbs last?

Accepted Answer

The exact lifespan of Philips Hue smart lights differs slightly depending on whether you have a smart bulb, fixture, or lightstrip. There’s also a difference in how long Philips Hue lights of different generations last. First-generation smart lights last up to 15,000 hours, while second- and third-generation lights last up to 25,000 hours.

Learn about smart bulb lifespan

Question 3

How bright are smart bulbs?

Accepted Answer

Smart bulbs generally produce around 800 lumens, which is roughly equivalent to a 60 W incandescent light bulb or a 12 W LED bulb. Standard Philips Hue White ambiance smart bulbs and Philips Hue White and color ambiance smart bulbs offer 800 lumens. The Filament range offers 550 lumens, while the Lightguide range offers 500 lumens. Some other Philips Hue smart lights are even brighter, while others cast softer, lower light.

Learn about bulb brightness

Question 4

Do smart bulbs work even when the Wi-Fi is down?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Philips Hue smart bulbs can be controlled by Bluetooth or the Bridge, which uses Zigbee to communicate with the bulbs.

Learn about smart lighting

Question 5

How do smart led light bulbs work?

Accepted Answer

Smart bulbs feature a tiny computer chip that lets them communicate with your phone, smart assistant, or accessories, whether through Bluetooth or Zigbee.

See how smart bulbs work

Question 6

Do smart bulbs work in any lamp?

Accepted Answer

Philips Hue lights come in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning they fit into almost any standard light.

Shop Philips Hue

Question 7

Do all smart led bulbs need a smart hub?

Accepted Answer

No. Philips Hue smart light bulbs are Bluetooth capable, meaning that you can choose to use them without the Bridge. However, adding the Bridge unlocks the full suite of smart lighting features, including away-from-home control, automations, and more.

Learn about the Bridge

Question 8

What are the types of security light bulbs?

Accepted Answer

Most security light bulbs are floodlights or spotlights with a high lumen output. Philips Hue offers outdoor floodlights and spotlights perfect for security lights. And with Philips Hue Secure cameras and sensors and the Security Center in the Philips Hue app, you can do even more to safeguard your home with light.

Learn about security lighting

Question 9

I need help with my smart light bulb. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Have a question? Read through our FAQs to find the answer!

Read smart bulb FAQs

Question 10

Are smart bulbs Bluetooth compatible?

Accepted Answer

Yes — you can control newer generations of Philips Hue bulbs with Bluetooth. However, if you have older bulbs, they may not have been manufactured with a Bluetooth chip. An easy way to tell? Look on the bulb or its packaging — if it has the Bluetooth logo, it's compatible!

Learn about Bluetooth control

Question 11

Are all smart light bulbs LED?

Accepted Answer

Usually! All Philips Hue lights are LED, but other brands' smart lights may use different technology.

Smart LED light bulbs

ST23 - E26 smart bulb

ST19 Edison - E26 smart bulb

Starter kit: 2 E26 smart bulbs (60 W)

Guide to smart LED light bulbs