Philips Hue Essential starter kit drops to $80 at Amazon
Amazon is selling the four-bulb bundle with a Hue Bridge for $79.99, matching the reported price of the two-bulb kit.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
2 min read
Amazon has marked down Philips Hue’s Essential starter kit with four color E26 bulbs and a Hue Bridge to $79.99. The price is $40 below the listed $119.99 price and is a new low for the bundle, according to The Verge.
The deal is notable because The Verge reported that the four-bulb kit now costs the same as Philips Hue’s two-bulb Essential starter kit. Philips Hue lists the four-pack at $119.99 on its own site.
What the kit includes
The bundle includes four white and color ambiance E26 smart bulbs and a Hue Bridge, according to Amazon’s listing. Philips Hue says each bulb can show color lighting as well as adjustable white light.
According to Philips Hue, the bulbs can reach up to 800 lumens. The white-light range runs from a warm 2200K to a cooler 6500K, giving users options for softer evening light or brighter task lighting.
The Hue app includes preset scenes for uses such as movie nights and holiday lighting, according to Philips Hue. Users can also create their own lighting scenes through the app.
What the bridge adds
The included Hue Bridge expands the system beyond basic bulb control, according to Philips Hue. The company says it allows remote control when users are away from home, scheduling, automation and support for as many as 50 lights across a home.
Philips Hue also says the Bridge supports Matter, which allows control through major smart home platforms. The Verge noted that the system can use automations such as turning lights on when a user arrives home.
Trade-offs versus pricier Hue bulbs
The Essential line is Philips Hue’s budget-focused option, and The Verge reported that it does not include every feature found in the company’s higher-end bulbs. One limitation is dimming: the Essential bulbs dim to 2 percent, while premium Philips Hue bulbs can dim to 0.2 percent, according to The Verge.
The Verge also reported that Philips Hue does not promise the same color accuracy across product generations for the Essential bulbs as it does for its flagship bulbs. That may matter to buyers adding new bulbs to an existing Hue setup where color matching is a priority.
The deal remains after most Prime Day Philips Hue discounts ended, according to The Verge. Amazon is also offering the black Philips Hue Twilight Sleep and Wake-Up Light at a lower price than before, The Verge reported, though the Essential starter kit is the one cited as reaching a new all-time low.
The Philips Hue Essential starter kit is available at Amazon for $79.99. Philips Hue lists the same four-bulb kit on its website for $119.99.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.