Philips Hue Bulb Generations: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd - Explained
Understanding Philips Hue Generations
Philips Hue smart lighting has evolved through several iterations. While the 3rd generation of bulbs is now available, both 1st and 2nd generation products remain accessible for purchase.
A Timeline of Philips Hue
The initial Philips Hue smart light bulbs were launched three years prior to the release of the 2nd-generation lineup late last year. Despite typical product cycles, Philips Hue has maintained support for older generations.
This is largely due to the fact that the enhancements offered by the 2nd generation aren't substantial enough to immediately render the 1st generation obsolete. Consequently, 1st-generation Hue products can still be located in retail environments, often at reduced prices.
Should You Upgrade?
For those considering whether to continue using their existing 1st-generation system or upgrade to the 2nd or 3rd generation, understanding the key distinctions is crucial.
Key Differences Between Generations
The following outlines the primary differences between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Philips Hue systems.
- 1st Generation: The original system, still functional but lacking some of the newer features.
- 2nd Generation: Offers incremental improvements over the 1st generation, primarily in terms of Bluetooth connectivity.
- 3rd Generation: Focuses on bulb efficiency and potentially expanded features, though the core functionality remains similar.
The decision to upgrade depends on individual needs and priorities. If you are satisfied with the performance of your current system, upgrading may not be necessary.
However, if you desire the convenience of Bluetooth control or are looking to expand your system, a newer generation hub or bulbs might be a worthwhile investment.
The Key Distinction: The Bridge Component
The Philips Hue system revolves around the Hue Bridge, functioning as the central hub to which all Hue bulbs establish a connection. The release of the second-generation Hue Bridge brought with it a completely redesigned exterior, alongside compatibility with Apple’s HomeKit smart home ecosystem.
Understanding HomeKit Integration
HomeKit offers a streamlined method for integrating your smart home devices within the iOS environment. It also enables interoperability between various HomeKit-compatible products that wouldn't typically communicate.
As an illustration, an automation can be configured to activate Philips Hue lights automatically when a ConnectSense Smart Outlet (a HomeKit-enabled device) is powered on.
The Advantage of Siri Voice Control
A primary benefit of HomeKit is the inclusion of Siri voice control. This allows users to manage compatible smart home products using voice commands. With the 2nd-generation Hue Bridge, voice commands like "turn on the living room lights" become possible.
The original generation of the Hue Bridge lacks this capability.
Considerations for Non-HomeKit Users
If you have limited interest in HomeKit or utilize an Android operating system, the added features of the 2nd-generation Hue Bridge may not be particularly valuable.
In such cases, opting for the 1st-generation Hue Bridge presents a viable alternative, particularly as newer 2nd- and 3rd-generation Hue bulbs maintain compatibility with the older bridge.
- The 2nd-generation Hue Bridge adds HomeKit support.
- Siri voice control is enabled with the newer bridge.
- Older bulbs are compatible with both bridge generations.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your smart home preferences and ecosystem.
First Generation Kits Offer Cost Savings
Individuals considering the advancements in the 2nd-generation Hue series, and weighing the decision between 1st and 2nd-generation bulbs, will likely find the pricing of the older product line to be a decisive factor.
Indeed, cost is a significant contributor to the continued demand for 1st-generation Philips Hue products. First-generation starter kits are frequently available at reduced prices.
Pricing and Availability
Philips recently offered a discount on the 1st-gen kit, bringing the price to $99 (currently listed as out of stock). This included the 1st-gen Hue Bridge and three color bulbs.
This represents a substantial savings – half the cost of the 2nd-generation starter kit.
Currently, the 1st-gen starter kit is listed on Amazon for $170. However, it has previously been available for as little as $135 on the same platform.
Considerations for Purchase
Given a $170 budget, opting for the 2nd-generation starter kit at $199 may be a viable alternative.
However, it is advisable to monitor for sales on the 1st-generation kit, as these are more frequent than discounts on 2nd-generation Hue products.
Waiting for a promotional offer could secure a more affordable entry point into the Philips Hue ecosystem.
Second Generation Hue Bulbs Offer Enhanced Brightness
Improvements characterize the 2nd-gen Hue bulbs when contrasted with their 1st-gen predecessors, though these enhancements aren't drastic. A key upgrade lies in the increased luminosity, with 2nd-gen bulbs delivering 200 lumens more brightness than the original Hue bulbs.
The newer iteration achieves a maximum output of 800 lumens, surpassing the 600-lumen peak of the earlier models. This represents a 25% increase in brightness. While significant in standard lighting, this difference is most apparent at specific white color temperatures within the Hue system.
Color Performance Considerations
Brightness levels remain largely consistent across all colors for both generations of bulbs. For example, the achievable brightness of red hues is similarly constrained on both the 1st and 2nd-gen bulbs.
Hue LightStrip Plus experienced a substantial upgrade. The 2nd-generation LightStrip Plus boasts ten times the brightness of the 1st-generation version, emitting an impressive 1,600 lumens.
- Extension strips can be connected to the newer LightStrip Plus model.
- Enhanced green and blue vibrancy is present in the 2nd-gen LightStrip Plus.
Achieving crisp greens and blues has historically been a challenge for other Hue bulbs, a limitation addressed in the 3rd-gen series.
The 2nd-generation bulbs demonstrate a slightly lower dimming capability and a marginally faster activation time. However, this difference is subtle and likely imperceptible without a direct side-by-side comparison.
Enhanced Color Performance in 3rd-Generation Bulbs
Philips has recently released an updated version of its Hue White and Color Ambiance bulb, designated as the 3rd-generation model.
While brightness and core functionality remain largely consistent, a significant improvement is evident in the color reproduction capabilities when compared to earlier iterations.
Improvements in Color Accuracy
The newest bulb demonstrates a marked enhancement in the rendering of greens, cyans, and blues. Prior generations often displayed these colors inaccurately.
Specifically, greens on 1st- or 2nd-generation bulbs tended to appear as a muted yellow. Cyan shades often presented as whitish, and blues frequently leaned towards purple hues.
Similarities to LightStrip Plus
The color performance of the 3rd-generation bulb closely resembles that of the 2nd-generation LightStrip Plus, offering superior color fidelity across specific areas of the color spectrum.
Beyond this improvement, however, few other distinctions exist between the 2nd- and 3rd-generation bulbs.
Notably, there has been no corresponding release of a 3rd-generation Hue Bridge, and no other Hue bulb models have been updated concurrently with the new color bulb.
Value Proposition and Upgrade Considerations
Both the 2nd and 3rd generations represent advancements in Philips Hue technology.
However, a complete replacement of existing bulbs solely for the color upgrade is likely unnecessary for most users.
For those not utilizing HomeKit, cost savings can be realized by opting for a starter kit from the first generation.
Image credits: Maximusnd/Bigstock, Philips, Jason/YouTube