Philips Hue Lustre White Review: Affordable Smart Bulbs with Bluetooth Brilliance

Are you ready to shed some light on the Philips Hue Lustre White smart bulbs? Well, you’re in for a bright treat! In this review, we’re diving deep into the world of smart lighting and exploring how Philips has amped up its game by introducing Bluetooth connectivity to its Hue Lustre range. Join us as we uncover the pros, cons, design, setup, performance, and everything you need to know about these sleek and stylish smart bulbs.

Pros of Philips Hue Lustre White

Let’s kick things off by highlighting the shining features of the Philips Hue Lustre White smart bulbs:

Bluetooth Connectivity

One of the standout features of these smart bulbs is their Bluetooth compatibility. No need for a separate Hue Bridge – you can control them directly through your smartphone or other smart devices.

A Palette of Delightful Scenes and Light Settings

Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of beautiful lighting scenes. With the Philips Hue app, you’ll have access to a wide range of scenes and settings that will set the perfect mood in your home.

Wake and Sleep Scheduling

These smart bulbs offer the convenience of wake and sleep scheduling, ensuring you start and end your day in the perfect lighting ambiance.

Voice Control

The bulbs are compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and other smart speakers, allowing you to control them with simple voice commands.

Cons of Philips Hue Lustre White

Now, it’s time to shed some light on the limitations:

Needs Hue Bridge for Remote Use

While Bluetooth connectivity is a plus, if you want remote control beyond your home’s range, you’ll still need a Hue Bridge.

Limited Device Support

The bulbs support only up to 10 devices via Bluetooth and the Hue app. If you have a larger smart home ecosystem, this might be a limiting factor.

Price Difference with Color Version

The color version of these bulbs comes at a significantly higher price point. If you desire more color options, you might need to dig deeper into your pockets.

One-Minute Review

Let’s begin with a quick overview of what the Philips Hue Lustre White brings to the table. These color-changing smart bulbs are designed for bedrooms and living rooms, where they can create an intimate atmosphere or provide gentle, suffused light for reading or waking up gently.

What sets these bulbs apart is their seamless connectivity. You can control them via Bluetooth or ZigBee, making them a breeze to set up on your Wi-Fi network. The Philips Hue app is your control center, allowing you to adjust scenes, routines, and light levels individually or as a group of up to 10 lights. Plus, they play well with Amazon’s Alexa and other smart speakers, adding voice control to your lighting setup.

Price & Availability

If you’re wondering about the cost, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The Philips Hue Lustre White bulbs are incredibly affordable. A single bulb comes in at just £19.99 or AU$54.95. However, the real value shines through when you opt for the twin-pack, priced at £29.99. The warm-to-cool-white version matches this price for a single bulb, and the warm-to-cool-white-and-color version is available for £54.99 or $99.95.

The affordability of these bulbs is a significant selling point. No more worrying about breaking the bank to create a smart lighting setup. These bulbs are not only budget-friendly but also rated for 25,000 hours of use, making them a durable choice.

Unfortunately, as of now, the Philips Hue Lustre White is not available in the US. But if you’re in the UK or Australia, you’re in luck!

Specifications

Let’s take a closer look at the technical details of these smart bulbs:

• Fitting Base: E14 / E27 / B22 / GU 5.3 / GU10
• Wattage: 5.7W
• Maximum Brightness: 470 lumen
• Color Channels: RGBCW
• Control Options: Philips Hue app (Android & iOS), Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Matter, ZigBee; Apple HomeKit and Microsoft Cortana with Hue Bridge
• Connection Options: Bluetooth; Matter, ZigBee
• Compatible Matter Routers: Philips Hue Bridge; Apple HomePod mini [with Hue Bridge]
• Max Bulbs per Connection: 10 on Bluetooth; no limit with Philips Hue Bridge

Design

The design of the Philips Hue Lustre White is as impressive as its features. With various light fitting versions to choose from and Bluetooth connectivity, setup is a breeze. These bulbs provide a powerful 470 lumens of illumination, making them versatile for different lighting needs.

Smart bulbs have come a long way in a short time, and Philips has been a pioneer in this field. The Hue Lustre White is a testament to their commitment to innovation. These bulbs are more than just functional; they are a design statement. The top half features translucent white glass, while the lower half is encased in plastic, making them perfect for intimate spaces and cozy corners.

One of the standout design elements is the bulbs’ ability to produce a wide range of lighting effects, despite being ‘only’ white smart bulbs. From intense brightness to a warm, soothing glow, these bulbs cover a spectrum of lighting options. If you’re looking for bulbs that can truly set the mood, these fit the bill.

Setup & App

Setting up the Philips Hue Lustre White is a breeze. The E14 bulb screw fitting is versatile and can be used with a variety of lamps. After screwing the bulb into place, you can switch on the lamp and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. Standby mode is energy-efficient, using only 0.5Wh.

The Philips Hue app is a user-friendly and privacy-conscious tool for controlling your smart bulbs. It quickly identifies the bulbs on your network, labels them, and allows you to control them individually or as a group. You can toggle the lights on and off with ease.

Scene selection and previewing is a one-touch task, allowing you to effortlessly switch between different lighting moods. The app offers a variety of default scenes, and you can even explore seasonal options. Whether you want to focus or relax, there’s a scene for every occasion.

Bluetooth connectivity is a game-changer. However, it’s important to note that the Philips Hue app supports only up to 10 lights at once. This should suffice for most homes, but if you have an extensive Hue setup, you might consider adding a Hue Bridge to your smart home ecosystem for central control.

Performance

The performance of the Philips Hue Lustre White smart bulbs is impressive. They deliver ample brightness, making any room instantly cozier. Adjusting the settings is a breeze – you can manually control light levels or choose from a selection of scenes.

While these bulbs are limited to the white color space, they offer a range of scenes to create different atmospheres. Whether you want a calming nightlight or a slightly dimmed setting, the options are there to set the mood.

Voice control is an added bonus, and it’s straightforward to set up. You can use Amazon’s Alexa or other smart speakers to control the bulbs with simple voice commands. The convenience of voice control is especially handy when you want to change the lighting without reaching for your smartphone.

One standout feature is the wake-up routine. The bulbs can gradually increase in brightness over 20 minutes, ensuring you wake up gently and refreshed. There’s also a nighttime routine that dims the lights gradually, helping you drift off to sleep peacefully.

Customization is a strong suit of the Philips Hue Lustre White. You can tailor the app settings to apply routines to specific bulbs in different rooms. This level of control allows you to create the perfect lighting scenario for every part of your home.

Should I Buy the Philips Hue Lustre White?

Now that we’ve covered the key aspects of the Philips Hue Lustre White, let’s answer the big question: should you buy it?

• You Want a Great Value Bluetooth-Based Smart Bulb Setup: These bulbs are not only affordable but also incredibly user-friendly. The addition of Bluetooth connectivity eliminates the need for a separate Hue Bridge, making them a fantastic choice for anyone looking to dip their toes into smart lighting.
• You’ll Make Use of the Routines and Scene Options: If you appreciate the ability to set the perfect lighting mood for different occasions, these bulbs are a great fit. With an array of scenes and routines at your disposal, you’ll enjoy a hassle-free lighting experience.

Don’t Buy the Philips Hue Lustre White If…

• You’re a Maximalist Who Craves Color: If you’re looking for smart bulbs that offer a wide range of colors, the Hue Lustre White might not fully satisfy your color cravings. Consider the warm-to-cool white and color version for a more vibrant lighting experience.
• You’re an Apple User with HomeKit: Apple HomeKit users need to invest in a Hue Bridge to use the Hue smart bulbs with the Apple Home system. If you’re deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, this could be a drawback.

Also Consider

If you’re exploring other smart lighting options, you might want to consider these alternatives:

• Nanoleaf Matter Essentials A19 smart bulb: Affordable and supporting Matter, this smart bulb is a budget-friendly choice for smart lighting.
• Philips Hue Color Ambiance A67 – E27 / ES smart bulb: If you desire a wide range of colors and compatibility with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, this is a top-notch choice.

How We Tested the Philips Hue Lustre White

Before we wrap up, let’s take a peek behind the scenes and see how we tested the Philips Hue Lustre White.

• Devices Used: We tested the Philips Hue app with an iPhone 8 and an Android Galaxy S.
• Home Wi-Fi Network: We connected two smart bulbs to our home Wi-Fi network.
• Voice Control: We also tested the bulbs using Google Home and Amazon Alexa apps.

We didn’t stop there. Before completing the setup, we carefully reviewed the privacy and security policies, ensuring your data is protected. We also noted the number of prompts to upgrade to a Hue Bridge that the app offered – all of which were straightforward to navigate. We examined power consumption, standby mode, and lamp lifespan. No software updates were needed for the phones or the Hue app, or the third-party apps used for the review.

We started by trying out a single smart bulb in a bedroom lamp, which took just a few seconds to recognize and connect to our home Wi-Fi network. We went through various light intensity settings, tested different scenes, and adjusted light levels with the in-app slider. The countdown timer and wake-up and nighttime routines were put to the test, resulting in a gentle and effective wake-up experience. We also used timer settings to automate the downstairs lighting, making it appear as if someone was home.

In conclusion, the Philips Hue Lustre White smart bulbs are a fantastic addition to the world of smart lighting. With Bluetooth connectivity, a wealth of lighting scenes, and user-friendly setup, they offer a great value for those looking to enhance their home lighting. Whether you want to set the perfect mood for reading, relaxation, or productivity, these bulbs have you covered. While the color version comes at a higher price, the Philips Hue Lustre White provides an affordable entry point into the world of smart lighting. So, brighten up your home and enjoy the convenience and ambiance these bulbs bring to your life.