Philips Hue now also offers lamps that support Bluetooth. That is a great alternative of course, but there are some limitations that you have to take into account. Do you still go for bluetooth or do you keep it on WiFi?
Unfortunately, the new Philips Hue lamps with a GU10 or E27 fitting cannot do as much as the lamps with the Zigbee protocol, which you operate via the WiFi connection. For example, you have to make sure that you download another app, namely Philips Hue Bluetooth (Android, iOS). The packaging of the lamp clearly states whether you need this app or not. If you don't see it, you can't operate those lamps with Bluetooth, only with WiFi.
Differences Philips Hue with bluetooth or Zigbee
One of the limitations is that you can only add ten lamps in total to the app, compared to fifty in the other Philips Hue app. In addition, you always have to be nearby to operate the lamps, which is of course logical because you are dealing with bluetooth. You cannot control the lamps from another location, because you do not use the bridge that is needed to operate the lamps with WiFi. That's why you have to be more careful with schedules, you may now think, but even then we have bad news: timers and schedules are not supported.
In addition, it is not possible to combine accessories with the Bluetooth lamps and you can use one voice assistant, namely Amazon Alexa. Fortunately, with a command such as “Alexa, dim the lights” you can still arrange a few things without the application. It is also a shame that the wake up and sleep functions are also not available. So the lights don't go out gradually early in the morning, nor do they go out gradually at the end of the day. Combining the LED lamps with a Philips Ambilight is also not an option.
Similarities Philips Hue with bluetooth or Zigbee
The above sounds very negative, of course, but it doesn't have to be. If you are looking for smart lamps that leave the Wi-Fi network alone, you have already found what you were looking for. Moreover, there are indeed similarities. For example, you can dim the lamps yourself via the app, use the Philips Hue light switch and set both the temperature and heat of the light. In addition, the lamps can display up to sixteen million colors and it is possible to use pre-set scenes.
