--- title: "I Almost Installed a Dimmer Switch, But I Tried Philips Hue Smart Bulbs Instead" description: "They're more expensive than your typical LED bulbs, but they also boast plenty of features. We tried them. Here's our review." date: "2025-09-19" modified: "2025-09-19" authors: - name: "Katie Barton" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/katie-barton/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/philips-hue-smart-bulbs-review/" categories: - "Everyday Essentials" - "Furniture & Decor" - "Lighting" - "Reviews" tags: - "SPR" --- # I Almost Installed a Dimmer Switch, But I Tried Philips Hue Smart Bulbs Instead ![Philips Hue Smart Bulb Light Bulb with Box]() *Photo: Katie Barton for BobVila.com* **Rating: 4.5/5** As someone who likes to keep things simple, I’ve been slow to embrace smart home tech. But when I learned that the [Philips Hue smart bulbs]() are dimmable right out of the box and work in almost any light fixture, I decided to give them a try. I chose the four-pack of soft white light bulbs and installed one in my living room and another in my youngest daughter’s bedroom. I’ve been using them for a while and couldn’t be more pleased with how easy the setup was and how feature-packed the app is. Philips Hue light bulbs connect to a smart device via Bluetooth, and the setup was simple: I downloaded the app, scanned the QR code on the lightbulb, and assigned it to a room. From there, the app connected to the light, and I could toggle the power on and off, dim the lights, use one of the presets (which change the light intensity), or set a timer or a routine for the lights to kick on and off. The app also allowed me to adjust the lighting in both rooms together or independently. - ![Philips Hue Smart Light Bulb Close Up Shot Powered On]() *Photo: Katie Barton for BobVila.com* - ![Philips Hue Smart Light Bulb Powered On]() *Photo: Katie Barton for BobVila.com* - ![Philips Hue App Routine Settings]() *Photo: Katie Barton for BobVila.com* - ![Philips Hue App Routine Settings]() *Photo: Katie Barton for BobVila.com* - ![Philips Hue App Routine Settings]() *Photo: Katie Barton for BobVila.com* [][][] While I initially bought these [LED light bulbs]() in lieu of installing a dimmer switch in my living room, dimmability quickly became my second favorite feature. My top pick is “Routines,” which lets users schedule lights to turn on or off at set times. In my daughter’s room, I set a routine for her lamp to begin fading 30 minutes before bedtime and turn off at 9:30 p.m.—the slow fading set the scene for sleep and was a great reminder to her that it was almost bedtime. (However, without the [Philips Hue Bridge](), which unlocks advanced features, you can’t automate the routines, and instead have to turn them on through the app every day manually.) Other standout features include a nightlight setting, which dims the light low enough to barely illuminate the room (a feature we’ve repeatedly used), and a candle setting that projects a soft, flickering glow across the room. A timer feature is also available, and when the timer runs out, the lights flash and turn on or off depending on what they’re designated to do. With the out-of-the-box Bluetooth setup, each lightbulb can be controlled from a smart device as long as it's within 30 feet of the bulb. The light bulbs are also compatible with voice assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. For greater control, the optional Hue Bridge is also available, which can connect up to 50 [Philips Hue lights]() and devices, allowing for automation of set routines and remote control from anywhere as long as there is an internet connection in the home. ## Where to Buy the Philips Hue A19 E26 Smart Bulbs [**Amazon**]() [**The Home Depot**]() [**Philips Hue**]() ## Author Katie Barton is a home improvement freelance writer based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She has been writing for the BobVila.com team since July 2022 and specializes in topics such as cleaning, organizing, and gardening.