Summary
- In 2012, Philips Hue lights debuted and became Apple-endorsed, evolving to support a wide range of smart home protocols.
- Hue lights may be pricey but are durable and offer screen-reactive effects that enhance gaming and streaming setups.
- The Hue Bridge is crucial for full functionality of Hue lights, supporting scheduling, automation, and connectivity away from home.
2012 was a pivotal year in smart light history with the debut of the first Philips Hue lights. Initially an Apple-endorsed product, Hue bulbs supported an increasingly wide range of smart home protocols. These wirelessly controlled smart lights have become critical components in many gaming rooms. With the ability to enhance content with screen-reactive effects, gamers and streamers aspire to own Hue light strips and lamps.
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Unfortunately, while Hue lights have a long track record of reliability, they also demand a high asking price. Still, durable Hue products can become permanent additions to setups that outlast other gaming and streaming lights. If buyers can only afford one smart light, The Best War Games has focused on options that instantly add the most brightness and ambiance to a gaming room.
The Importance of a Hue Bridge
One drawback of Philips Hue lights is that they require an ethernet bridge for full functionality. Many of the manufacturer's bulbs and strips are controllable through Bluetooth without additional equipment. In some cases, gamers can even turn the lights on and off with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri voice commands. However, the Hue Bridge is highly recommended for experiencing all the capabilities of these lights in a gaming room.
Philips Hue Bridge
- Brand
- Philips Hue
- Integrations
- Google Assistant, Alexa, HomeKit, Matter
- Protocol
- Zigbee Wireless
- Connectivity
- Wired, Ethernet
- Power Input
- 100-240 V
The Philips Hue Bridge is essential to unlock more features of many Hue bulbs, lamps, and light strips. Benefiting from Zigbee wireless technology, the Hue Bridge and connected lights remain accessible even without working Wi-Fi. After connecting the component to an ethernet cable, homeowners can control Hue lights when away from home. Also, more capabilities like scheduling and other automation become accessible with the bridge. Buyers can avoid replacing smart lights with the Hue Bridge, as it's regularly updated and now supports the new Matter smart home protocol.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra infoThe Hue Bridge, connected to an ethernet cable, provides extremely reliable wireless connectivity to lights through the Zigbee protocol. Zigbee uses minimal power and has an impressive range, but its advantages don't end there. Even if a home loses its internet connection, smart lights can still be accessed through a Wi-Fi router and home network. Also, gamers gain control of Hue devices when away from home, can use scheduling features, and can add smart light switches to walls.
While the Hue Bridge adds to the cost of a setup, its regular updates make it easier to manage a large array of lights. Recent upgrades even include Matter support, which solves compatibility issues encountered when adding lights to multiple apps and ecosystems.
The Essential Philips Hue Lights
Many gaming room lights and wall panels add to the atmosphere of a space or enhance gaming excitement. Unfortunately, these types of lights don't provide the wide-reaching illumination of bulbs and lamps. When brightening up a gaming room, it's best to start with Hue Bulbs, which are powerful enough to prevent trips and falls. The bulbs are sold in the widely compatible A19/E26 form factor, fitting many existing standing and table lamps. Buyers also have the choice of bulbs that range in brightness from 60 to 100 watts. Philips bundles its Hue Bridge in several configurations, or the lights can be purchased separately.
Phillips Hue Light Bulbs
- Brand
- Philips
- Integrations
- Homekit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
- Protocol
- Bluetooth, Zigbee
- Hub Required
- For some features
- Music Reactive
- Yes
- Wattage
- 75
The Philips Hue LED Smart bulb is an awesome smart bulb with wide compatibility. Connect to Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, the companion app, or simply utilize the provided remote to control the mood of any space. With 16 million colors to choose from and dozens of customization options, this smart light bulb is one of the best in the business.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Type
- A19 Bulb
- Brightness
- 1100 lumens
One advantage Hue bulbs have over cheaper competition is rock-solid connectivity. The bulbs are less likely to lose connection to smartphones and switches, especially with the Hue Bridge installed. Color accuracy is another strength of all Hue lights, and it's easier to program scenes that mimic outdoor light conditions or the unique color palettes of games.
The Hue bulbs boast compatibility with HomeKit, which Govee lights often lack. Regardless of what other smart devices or lights are near them, Hue bulbs should be the foundation of any gaming room's lighting.
Philips Hue Signe Gradient Floor Lamp
- Brand
- Philips Hue
- Light Source Type
- LED
- Lumens
- 2,550
- Power Source
- AC/DC
- Weight
- 7.3 lbs
Buyers looking for a perfect way to add stunning multi-colored illumination to a room should consider the Philips Hue Signe Gradient Floor Lamp. This smart light fixture directs a powerful beam of light toward blank walls but is powerful enough for functional lighting. Thanks to gradient-enabled bulbs, the Signe can produce scenes with many layers of colored lighting shining simultaneously.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Watts
- 29
A smart lamp is an ideal alternative for gamers who cannot replace existing fixtures with smart light bulbs. The Philips Hue Signe Gradient Floor Lamp is a tall, thin LED light with a heavy enough base to keep it upright. Even though the lamp excels at projecting backlighting on blank walls, its 2500 lumens output is sufficient to illuminate large areas.
The gradient technology in the Signe allows the lamp to display many colors simultaneously. Hue's industry-leading color accuracy thrives on the device, where gamers can access a wide range of dynamic scenes. Competing lamps like the Govee Floor Lamp Pro offer more features, including a built-in Bluetooth speaker, but aren't quite as bright. Also, the well-built Signe separates itself from the pack with distinct warm and cool white hues.
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The Hue Signe Gradient Floor Lamp is available in Black, White, and Oak colors to match a variety of decor. If a gamer doesn't have space for a standing floor lamp, Hue also manufactures a shorter table lamp for gaming desks.
Adding Flair to Gaming Desks with Hue
Buyers can start focusing on their gaming desks once a room has enough smart light bulbs or lamps. The Philips Hue Play Smart LED Bar Lights are versatile lamps that can be placed around or mounted behind gaming monitors or TVs. As with the Signe Floor Lamp, these light bars are best used as backlighting but can also be set up to face gamers.
Philips Hue Play Smart LED Bar Light
- Brand
- Philips Hue
- Integrations
- Google Home, Alexa, HomeKit
- Protocol
- Zigbee
- Hub Required
- Yes
- Service Life
- 25,000 hours
- Voltage
- 240 Volts
The Philip Hue Play Smart LED Bar Lights add instant ambiance to any space. With versatile mounting options, these light bars can be placed around or behind monitors and TV screens to enhance gaming and movies. The lights will sync to content using the Hue Sync screen mirroring software or are ideal for pairing with the Play HDMI sync box for even more responsive lighting. Buyers can enjoy incredibly wide-ranging colors and dynamic effects through Hue software, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa voice commands. The Philip Hue Play Smart LED Bar Lights require a Hue Bridge for full functionality.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Brightness
- 500+ lumens
Since the Hue Play Bar Lights usually live near displays, most gamers will want to try out their screen-reactive capabilities. The lights can imitate gaming and movie scenes in several ways, with one option involving the Hue Sync app in Windows or MacOS. The software can capture what's currently on a screen and program appropriate effects scenes on the bars.
Another approach is the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, where gamers connect an HDMI cable from a graphics card or console to the component. This enables the Sync Box to detect the color palette of content with virtually no delay. The Sync Box can pair with the light bars and other Hue LED light strips. Unfortunately, the device has limitations, such as not supporting HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120 Hz signals. Gamers running higher-resolution displays are probably better served waiting for a long-awaited update to the product or using the Hue Sync software instead.
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As with most Hue smart lights, the Play Bar Lights can also display the many dynamic scenes found in the Hue mobile app. Voice commands through Alexa or Google Home Assistant are also allowed. Gamers should realize, however, that unlike the Hue light bulbs and lamps, the Hue Bridge is required to control the bars. The Best War Games recently reviewed a pair of less expensive Govee standing desk lights that may be a more practical choice for some buyers.
Thin Is In With Philips Hue Lights
LED light strips are one of the most adaptable forms of smart lighting for gaming rooms. On the other hand, the Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC has a more singular purpose. Sold in sizes designed for 24 to 27-inch or 32 to 34-inch gaming monitors, the illuminated strip effortlessly bends around and adheres to the back of displays. Another version exists that's suitable for triple monitor setups.
Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC
- Brand
- Philips Hue
- Integrations
- Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, HomeKit
- Protocol
- Zigbee, WiFi
- Hub Required
- Yes
- Voltage
- 120 Volts
- Wattage
- 15 watts
The Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC mounts to the back of monitors and adds immersive backlighting to gaming desks. Available in sizes for single monitors from 24 to 34 inches or triple monitor configurations, the flexible Play Gradient Lightstrip installs within minutes. With millions of colors available, the smart light can accurately represent the scenery of games or movies. Gamers can either choose to use the Hue Sync screen capture software on PCs or connect the light strip to the Hue Play Sync Box.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Length
- 24-27", 32-34"
- Brightness
- 800 Lumens
Like the Hue Play Smart LED Bar Light, the Gradient Lightstrip shines screen-reactive backlighting against walls. Still, gamers will find the overall look far less clunky with these thin strips. Then, buyers once again have the choice of using the Hue Sync App or the much pricier Play Sync Box. The software generally performs well with minimal delays, but the Play Sync Box overcomes some of its limitations. Without a direct HDMI connection, the app alone can't detect DRM content from Netflix and other sources.
Gamers with Corsair or Razer RGB keyboards or mice can also sync these peripherals with Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip. Supported titles will flash effects on the strip, signaling in-game events like victories, defeats, and deaths. Or, players can simply display all lighting on or near a gaming desk with the same color.
Philips Hue Solo LED Lightstrip
- Brand
- Philips Hue
- Integrations
- Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit
- Protocol
- Zigbee, WiFi
- Wattage
- 20 Watts
- Brightness
- 1700 lumens
- Service Life
- 25,000 hours
One of the most affordable Philips Hue smart lights, the Solo LED Lightstrip outputs 1700 lumens of single-color illumination. Buyers can place the Solo Lightstrip almost anywhere in a living or gaming room since it can be trimmed at points separated by 13 inches. The thin and flexible smart light is sold in 10 to 33 foot lengths, practical for application along the backs of small desks or as track lighting in long hallways.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Working Temperature
- -20°C to 40°C
Philips Hue isn't a brand known for cheap smart home gadgets or lighting, which is why the affordable Hue Solo LED Lightstrip is so enticing. Relative to offerings from Govee and lesser-known brands, this light strip is still expensive, but it's the most cost-effective addition to Hue setups. The Solo Lightstrip only displays one color at a time, partially accounting for its lower price.
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There are no limitations to where the Solo Lightstrip can be used in a gaming room. Gamers can install it on the back of gaming desks for backlighting or as more direct lighting along walls and baseboards. The Solo Lightstrip is offered in 10 to 33-foot lengths, so it's possible to brighten up the largest gaming rooms without breaking the bank. The strips aren't extendable but can be trimmed at 13-inch intervals.
Despite the Solo Lightstrip's single-color output, it's compatible with many advanced Hue features and integrations. As a more budget-friendly option, the Solo doesn't require a Hue Bridge, but it will need this add-on for some of its capabilities. With a dedicated RGBWW chip, the light strip also impresses with white lighting appropriate for PC building or more relaxing evening hours.
Hue Lights for Ceilings, Floors, and More
When shopping for gaming room lighting, buyers should first focus on lighting that makes an entire space visible. Hue light bulbs and the Signe Floor Lamp are great initial purchases to replace traditional light fixtures. Then, gamers can turn their attention to the gaming desks where they spend the most time. Hue offers several backlighting kits that adhere to the back of monitors and mirror the colorful scenery in games and movies.
The Best War Games selected the best Philips Hue lights to provide functional and ambient lighting in every corner of a gaming room. However, the product lineup continues expanding and now includes ceiling lights like the Infuse Lamp. The Go Portable Table Lamp works in almost every scenario if no other lights are the right size or shape for a room.
Sadly, the high cost of Hue lights makes them not a reasonable option for some gamers. Govee is just one of many brands that sell less expensive light bulbs, lamps, and strips without a dramatic drop in performance. Hue also doesn't yet sell wall panels like the Nanoleaf Shapes, among the most popular gaming room lights. Nevertheless, Hue lights remain the favorite of many gamers because of their build quality, color accuracy, and wide platform compatibility.
FAQ
Q: Do Hue lights run up the electric bill?
Like most smart lights, Hue products can be more power-efficient than traditional LED bulbs. Intelligent power-saving features that automatically adjust brightness or turn off the lights when not needed further reduce energy usage.
Q: How many years do Hue lights last?
Many Hue smart lights, like their bulbs, can last for up to 25,000 hours or 25 years, depending on usage. Hue products tend to outlast the competition because of their more durable construction and higher-quality circuitry.