No Hub Required |
Hub Required |
Buy LIFX (A19) on Amazon | Buy Philips Hue on Amazon |
Smart locks keep you safe and smart thermostats can save you money, but isn’t a tiny part of having a smart home because it’s just fun? Enter Lifx and Hue color changing light bulbs. There really isn’t much cost savings with either of these bulbs, nor will color changing lights ward off any intruders while you’re away, but being able to change light colors in different rooms or while it’s raining is just a fun feature to have in your house. Plus, there are many other benefits to smart bulbs than just the “fun” factor. Color changing light bulbs can be easier on your eyes, create ideal lighting for photos, and give your home an elegant and sophisticated feel.
Lifx vs Philips Hue: Cost Comparison
Both bulbs are going to set you back more than your average light bulb. You can expect both the Lifx and Hue to cost around $45 for a single bulb, with that price going down as you buy in bulk quantities.
- Lifx A19:
per bulb (single)
- Lifx A19 multi-pack:
per four-pack
- Hue A19:
per bulb (single) – does not include hub
- Hue A19 starter kit:
(includes 3 bulbs and hub)
- Hue Bridge (Hub):
Lifx vs Hue: Features
Both Lifx and Hue bulbs have gone through multiple generations of hardware, which means that you can expect most bugs that come with this kind of “relatively new” technology to be worked out. In terms of features, both bulbs are cloud controlled and allow you to choose from tons of color schemes that can all be controlled from your smart phone. Both of these bulbs work with Alexa and Google Home smart speakers, but it should be noted that Phillips Hue only can turn lights on and off from Alexa, while Lifx can actually change colors by voice control.
One big advantage Lifx has over Phillips Hue is that it doesn’t require a hub or bridge to work. You simply plug the light bulb in and you can begin using your app to control the lights. Philips Hue requires a hub to connect to your wifi. This comes at added cost and makes setup a bit more complicated.
Philips Hue vs Lifx: Brightness
Both bulbs put out a decent amount of light (750-1,100 max lumens depending on color), but the Lifx basic bulb does outperform the Hue in most color-to-color tests in terms of brightness. Additionally, the Hue’s basic brightness level is above 1,000 lumens, while the Hue is closer to 500 (you can adjust each bulb via the app).
Lifx vs Hue: App Comparison
An important aspect is the user friendliness of the app you use to control your smart lights. Both Lifx vs Hue have their own dedicated apps that go along with the previously mentioned voice control ability they have with smart speakers like Alexa. Both apps are compatible with iOS and Android devices, and both apps allow you to control your lights, set schedules and colors, and even have some fun features you can play with like brightness and dimming features. Neither app really separates itself from the other, but Lifx does allow for more control on a single screen, whereas the Philips Hue forces you to choose a color, then jump to another screen to set the brightness. Hue does all of that from one location which makes tweaking your smart lights to your preference a breeze.
And the winner is…
Based on simple set up, a slightly better software experience, and similar pricing, the clear cut winner for the best smart bulb on the market is the Lifx A19 color changing bulb. Both bulbs’ lifespan depend greatly on how bright you set your lights and how often you use them, but you can expect 10,000-15,000 hours if you keep the brightness relatively low. These bulbs are a fantastic addition to any smart home and should be considered if you want to upgrade to the latest and greatest trend in smart lighting today.
No Hub Required |
Hub Required |
Buy LIFX (A19) on Amazon | Buy Philips Hue on Amazon |
Learn more about LIFX in this video: