You’ve probably worked out some of the benefits here already, but let’s set the record straight. Philips Hue Bridge vs Bluetooth – What are the benefits of the Hue Bridge? It’s a little annoying that it couldn’t just be rolled into the main Hue app, but for the time being that’s just the way it is.

In fact, there’s a standalone Hue Bluetooth app for running all Bluetooth connections. Bluetooth doesn’t require a Bridge at all you can simply open the Hue Bluetooth app and connect your bulbs that way. Sadly, since this required some hardware changes, the functionality couldn’t be added to older Hue bulbs.īluetooth works quite differently. Then, last year, Hue rolled out Bluetooth. Again, reducing the chances of a dropout.įor a long time this was the way it worked if you didn’t have a Bridge then the number of Hue products you could use, save for a few accessories, was limited. All Hue lightbulbs connected to the Bridge also act as Zigbee repeaters for other Hue bulbs on the network, which means they’re passing that signal on and extending the range across your home. When it comes to adding new lights, you simply open up the Hue app and get them talking to your Bridge.

That Zigbee mesh connection helps reduce the chances of dropouts, too. Think of it as the central nervous system of your entire Hue network. The Bridge, which costs £49.99, connects to your router via an Ethernet cable. Let’s kick off with the basics, starting with the Hue Bridge – which, until late last year, was required for any Hue setup. Philips Hue Bridge vs Bluetooth – How do they work? Below, we run through the differences between using a Hue Bridge and going down the Bluetooth route. But last year, the company made a big shift with the introduction of Bluetooth, which is now supported across its entire range and will feature on all of its future products.īluetooth makes Hue a more versatile product, but there are trade-offs to consider. For a long time Hue’s bulbs only ran on Zigbee, a mesh network protocol that’s reliable but which requires a Hue Bridge to be connected to your Wi-Fi in order to work. Philips Hue has remained the top dog of smart lighting by opening up new avenues into its ecosystem.

How does the philips hue work