Philips Hue vs. LIFX: A Lighting Showdown
Smart homes are all the rage these days and we all know that the right lighting can make or break the ambiance. Philips Hue and LIFX are two of the most popular smart lighting solutions on the market. But when it comes to choosing one, which should you go for? Let's take a look at how they stack up against each other.
Design
The design of a smart light plays a crucial role in how it will blend with your home decor. Philips Hue offers a range of bulbs, light strips, lamps, and fixtures, whereas LIFX provides options for bulbs, light strips, and panels.
Philips Hue bulbs are white and cylindrical, and they come in two sizes: A19 and BR30. The light strips offer a range of colors and can be cut to size according to your requirement. Their fixtures are designed for indoor and outdoor use and are available in different styles.
In comparison, LIFX bulbs are teardrop-shaped and have a translucent plastic housing. They come in four different sizes and shapes, and their light strips and panels have a more modern design. Their products are more focused on providing a wide range of colors, which are perfect for creating a unique color scheme for your home.
Compatibility
Both Philips Hue and LIFX are compatible with popular virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. That means you can control your lights with your voice. They also have their own apps that allow you to control your lights from your smartphone.
Philips Hue, however, goes a step further with a broader range of compatibility, including IFTTT, Nest, SmartThings, and many more. Their ZigBee protocol enables the smart lights to communicate directly with each other without relying on a hub.
On the other hand, LIFX uses Wi-Fi and doesn't require a hub, making it more straightforward to install and set up.
Brightness and Color Range
When it comes to brightness, both Philips Hue and LIFX offer similar ranges. However, LIFX can generate more lumens using the same amount of power, making them a more energy-efficient option.
Philips Hue offers a wide range of colors and temperatures, with their white bulbs available in warm white, cool white, and daylight options. LIFX, on the other hand, offers over 16 million colors, which is more than enough to create any mood you want.
Price
Price is a factor that comes into play with any purchase decision. Philips Hue is the more expensive option, with individual bulbs retailing for around $14.99 for a basic white bulb and $49.99 for a color bulb. Their light strips are priced at $89.99.
On the other hand, LIFX is more affordable, with individual bulbs ranging from $19.99 to $44.99, depending on the brightness and color range. Their light strips start from $59.99.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Philips Hue and LIFX offer excellent smart lighting solutions, depending on your needs. Philips Hue is more extensive regarding compatibility and design, but it comes at a higher price range. LIFX may have a more modern look and more color options, but it may not be compatible with some of your other smart home devices.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your lighting requirements and your budget. Whatever your choice, smart lighting is a great way to enhance your home's ambiance and reduce energy consumption.
References
- Philips Hue – https://www2.meethue.com/en-us
- LIFX – https://www.lifx.com/