Instead of blindly searching for a light switch at night, consider this smart hub from Philips Hue. The smart home system is compatible with other Philips Hue accessories, but its main focus is on controlling up to 50 Philips Hue smart lights with smart switches via one hub for a complete smart home system dedicated to lighting.
This system can be voice-controlled with a connected Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, or Google Home smart speaker, and it is compatible with IFTTT protocols, so you can also fully automate your lighting system by setting timers, alarms, and prompts for the lights to turn on whenever you need them without touching the app or saying a word. However, this system does need to be connected directly to your router with an included Ethernet cable.
Product Specs
- Control: Philips Hue app or voice control (Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, Google Home)
- Size: Measures 1 by 3.5 by 3.5 inches
- Capacity: Up to 50 Philips Hue smart light bulbs
Pros
- Automatic hub updates with the latest software
- Enables convenient IFFT protocols
- Operates independently of home’s internet (doesn’t slow down WiFi)
Cons
- Requires 4 AA batteries
- Schedules and timers do not back up to a device outside the hub