You can then add the Hue smart plug into your Hue app, and control it with this or your voice – thereby allowing you to turn the lamp on and off in a smart way, despite it containing a ‘dumb’ bulb! You can plug this into your wall socket, and then plug your lamp into this.

In order to connect these bulbs, you simply refer to the Hue app, and have it search for other Zigbee-powered devices: In terms of pricing, Innr is usually a bit cheaper than Philips Hue (but not by much), whereas the other brands tend to run even cheaper. Other smart bulb brands that are compatible with Zigbee include Sengled’s Element range, Cree’s Connected range and also Ikea Trådfri bulbs. These other Zigbee-powered lights all ‘speak a common language’, meaning that they can be connected to each other via the Hue Bridge, and thus controlled within the Hue app or the other integration options you have setup (such as Echo devices or a Hue dimmer switch).

Innr is one of the most popular examples of a compatible light provider, although GLEDOTPO and SYLVANIA are other examples. Since Philips Hue runs on the Zigbee protocol, it can easily control other smart bulbs that also run on Zigbee. Well, the answer depends on which connection those smart lights use. the Hue Bridge), so surely it’s possible – right? To that end, you might start to wonder if you can use Philips Hue to control the other smart bulbs you’re using. After all, the Hue ecosystem has tonnes of different integration options and often relies on a dedicated hub (i.e.

Can Philips Hue Control Other Smart Bulbs?įor various reasons, such as price or curiosity about other brands, you may own more than one brand of smart bulbs in your home. But the steps are simple, and once connected, they can be used to control your Philips Hue smart lights. Since Alexa and the Echo usually connect to Wi-Fi, there are a couple of steps you have to complete in order to connect to the Zigbee-powered Hue Bridge. When it comes to using Amazon’s Alexa, it must first be connected to the Hue Bridge (unless it’s a newer Echo device that contains a Zigbee chip). Marketing image of the Philips Hue tap switch button In addition, even the most connected of homes still have a few conventional bulbs, and you no doubt own a variety of lamps and light fixtures that operate with these normal – or ‘dumb’ – bulbs.Ĭonsidering that Phillips Hue can control a variety of lights with the aid of the Hue Bridge, you might wonder if you can use this to also control your normal/’dumb’ bulbs? The answer varies depending on the smart device we’re talking about, but the gist is:Ī Philips Hue system can control other smart bulbs if they are Zigbee (not WiFi) based, but they can’t control normal (dumb) bulbs without the help of a compatible smart plug or Zigbee switch.īefore getting into this in detail, we’ll look into how Philips Hue operates, and is normally controlled. If you own, or are considering purchasing smart bulbs from other brands too, you may be interested in using your Philips Hue system to control these other bulbs. Perhaps you’re considering (or are already using) the Philips Hue ecosystem for your smart lights. In the quest to achieve this seamlessly connected smart home, being able to control all of your smart devices, including bulbs, from one central location is preferable to using several different hubs and apps. One of the greatest appeals of a smart home is the ability to control all of your devices wirelessly, from just about anywhere – in or outside of your home.

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