When it comes to smart light bulbs, few brands are as recognizable as Philips Hue. Philips was one of the first big brands to enter the smart lighting game, and over the years, its Hue lineup has become the go-to option for smart home newcomers and enthusiasts alike. The most popular Hue bulbs are usually the ones that can transform into a multitude of different colors, and while those are definitely fun and exciting additions to any home, they aren't the ones that make up the majority of my Hue collection.
Instead, that title goes to the basic Philips Hue white dimmable bulbs. A four pack of these puppies usually runs for a competitive $49.99 on Amazon, but right now, they can be yours for just $39.99.
While these bulbs are smart, they cannot turn red, blue, green, or any other color other than white. That may sound boring on paper, but to be perfectly honest, the Hue bulbs I have that can change color are usually always set at the regular white preset anyways. Color-changing bulbs are neat, but 99% of the time, I just want something that will light up a room and nothing more.
Unless you absolutely need color-changing lights, these are the Hue bulbs to get.
Although you won't be changing colors with these Hue bulbs anytime soon, you can adjust the brightness of them to get a brighter or dimmer ambiance depending on what you're in the mood for. Those controls can be adjusted using the official Philips Hue app, or via Alexa or Google Assistant commands. If you want to take things a step further, you can create schedules in the Hue app so that the lights automatically turn on and off at certain times of the day. It's pretty neat stuff.
You will need a Philips Hue bridge in order for the bulbs to work, so if this is your first time getting into smart lighting, we'd recommend picking up the Starter Kit that's currently discounted to $60 instead of $70.
Otherwise, if you already have the bridge, set up for these bulbs is as easy as screwing them in, pairing them with the Hue app, and then calling it a day.
I have Philips Hue White bulbs scattered through just about every room of my apartment, and while having one or two smart bulbs is fun, having a house that's full of them is an absolute blast. The LED nature of them saves energy, they'll last forever, and being able to control them with my phone, voice, or have them turn on/off on their own is something that never gets old.
Smart bulbs typically aren't cheap, so when you see a deal like this, it's best to act sooner rather than later. $40 for a pack of 4 light bulbs is still more expensive than non-smart options, but when you consider all the benefits that come with Philips Hue lights, it's no question that this is a fantastic deal.
