There’s no better time than Amazon’s Prime Day spectacular to stock up on Philips Hue smart lights, and this year we have an expansive crop of discounted bulbs and downlights.
But wait–Prime Day is already over, right? Well, good news: Philips Hue has announced that it is expending some of its Prime Day deals until July 21, so you have a few more days to save.
A wide variety of Hue A19 bulbs are on sale, including “starter kits” that come bundled with the Hue Bridge (which is necessary for more elaborate smart lighting setups). There’s also at least one remaining deal on a four-pack of recessed Hue downlights.
I’ve worked as a consumer tech writer and editor for more than 20 years, and I know a good Philips Hue smart bulb deal when I see one. When considering which deals to pick, I considered such factors as the size of the discount, the price histories of the various products, Amazon customer reviews, and any direct experience I’ve had with the featured items.
Prime Day 2024 deals on Philips Hue smart lights
- Philips Hue A19 White and Color Ambiance bulbs, 3-pack, $75.99 (44% off on Amazon)
- Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit, 2 White and Color Ambiance bulbs with Hue Bridge, $89.99 (31% off on Amazon)
- Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit, 3 White and Color Ambiance bulbs, 1 Smart Button, Hue Bridge, $125.99 (30% off on Amazon)
- Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit, 2 White and Color Ambiance bulbs, 1 Dimmer Switch, 1 Hue Bridge, $119.99 (25% off on Amazon)
- Philips Hue Smart Recessed 5/6-inch White and Color Ambiance downlights, 4-pack plus 1 Hue Dimmer Switch, $180.10 (20% off on Amazon)
If you’re just getting started with smart lights, you can’t go wrong with Philips Hue’s various starter kits, each of which comes with the optional Hue Bridge for enabling more advanced smart lighting scenarios (more about the Hue Bridge in a moment).
If you already own the Hue Bridge or you’re content to control your Hue lights via Bluetooth, consider a Hue bundle that doesn’t include the Bridge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Philips Hue Bridge required to use Philips Hue smart lights?
With a few exceptions, all recent Philips Hue can be controlled via Bluetooth. That said, you’ll be missing some cool smart lighting features without the Hue Bridge.
Installing the Bridge will allow you to control more than 10 Hue bulbs, and you’ll also be able to take charge of your Hue lights when you’re away from home. The Hue Bridge also enables more elaborate automations, including sunrise and sunset routines, as well as the ability to group your bulbs.
What’s the difference between Philips Hue’s “White and Color Ambiance,” “White Ambiance,” and “White” bulbs?
A White and Color Ambiance bulb from Philips Hue is color-capable and dimmable, and its white-light color can be turned from a comfy warm glow to a cool light suitable for illuminating workspaces.
A White Ambiance bulb is both tunable and dimmable, but doesn’t offer color.
Finally, a White bulb is dimmable but not tunable (it’s generally set at a warm 2,700-Kelvin white-color temperature).
What’s the difference between an A19 bulb and a BR30 bulb?
An A19 bulb (aka an “Edison” bulb) has the familiar shape of a standard light bulb, while a BR30 bulb has the thick, wide, circular shape of a typical flood light.
What are the best smart lights according to TechHive?
Check out TechHive’s top picks for the best smart lights of 2024.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben's articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men's Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master's degree in English literature.