- Hue Bridge Pro: New all-black hub supports up to 150 lights and 50 accessories (3× the previous limit) with a 5× faster processor and 15× more memory. Enables Hue MotionAware™ (turning Hue lights into motion sensors) and adds Wi-Fi connectivity. Priced around $89.99/£79.99, available now signify.com techradar.com.
- Hue Essential Bulbs & Light Strips: New budget-friendly Philips Hue Essential line offers A19 bulbs (color + tunable white) starting at $24.99 (as low as ~$15 each in multipacks), plus affordable GU10 spotlights and coming-soon light strips 9to5mac.com techradar.com. They run on the same Hue ecosystem (Bluetooth & Zigbee, with Matter/Thread support) but with slightly reduced performance – e.g. not as bright, narrower white color range, and higher minimum dimming level macrumors.com techradar.com.
- Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell: Hue’s first-ever smart doorbell features a 2K wide-angle camera with two-way talk, motion detection, and tight integration with Hue lights (e.g. can turn on porch lights when someone approaches) techradar.com techradar.com. It’s wired-only (no battery option) and launches October 2025 at $169.99/£139.99, with an optional plug-in chime ($59.99/£49.99) techradar.com the-ambient.com. Uniquely, it includes 24-hour video history free (no subscription needed) signify.com 9to5mac.com.
- Expanded Ecosystem: The launch also introduced redesigned OmniGlow LED strips (spot-free gradients up to 900 lumens/m) and other high-end lights, new Festavia string lights, plus a partnership with Sonos Voice Control for hands-free light control wired.com the-ambient.com. Philips Hue is positioning this as its biggest update ever, expanding beyond lighting into security and AI-driven features signify.com signify.com.
- Compatibility & Platforms: The Hue Bridge Pro and Essential bulbs remain fully compatible with existing Hue setups and major smart home platforms (Alexa, Google, etc.). However, Hue Secure devices (camera & doorbell) lack HomeKit support at launch – Apple Home integration is promised later macrumors.com 9to5mac.com. New Hue bulbs (including Essential line) support Matter over Thread in addition to Zigbee and Bluetooth, future-proofing the system macrumors.com wired.com.
Introduction: Hue’s Biggest Launch Yet
Philips Hue (by Signify) pulled back the curtain on a massive product launch on September 4, 2025, at the IFA tech show in Berlin. Under the theme “Reimagine Your Home,” the smart lighting pioneer unveiled major new hardware spanning hubs, lights, and even home security signify.com. This is widely touted as Hue’s largest product refresh ever, marking a bold expansion beyond lights into areas like security cameras and doorbells techradar.com. “With these launches, we are opening a new chapter for Philips Hue,” said John Smith, Philips Hue’s Business Leader at Signify, hinting that while smart lighting remains core, the company’s vision now “goes further: with offerings that cover security, entertainment and wellbeing” signify.com.
At the center of the announcements are three headline products: the Hue Bridge Pro (a long-awaited upgraded hub), the Hue Essential line of bulbs/strips (a more affordable entry into Hue’s ecosystem), and the Hue Secure Video Doorbell (Philips Hue’s first-ever doorbell camera). Below, we dive into each product’s key specs, features, pricing, and how they stack up against both previous Hue gear and rival offerings from the likes of Ring, Nest, Wyze, Govee, and Nanoleaf. We’ll also highlight what tech experts and early reviewers are saying about this Hue lineup, and how the public is reacting to this big move.
Hue Bridge Pro: A Next-Gen Hub for Power Users
The new Philips Hue Bridge Pro in its sleek black design aims to be the ultimate smart home hub for large Hue installations signify.com techradar.com.
The Hue Bridge Pro is Philips Hue’s first major hub upgrade in almost a decade, and it’s a significant leap forward. Sporting a sleek all-black chassis, the Bridge Pro massively expands capacity and performance over the standard Hue Bridge (v2):
- Supports 150+ lights and 50+ accessories – triple the 50-light limit of the old bridge, addressing a key pain point for Hue enthusiasts with lots of bulbs techradar.com the-ambient.com. As The Ambient notes, hitting the 50-light cap was surprisingly easy with Hue’s expanding range of bulbs, lamps and outdoor lights, making the upgrade “arguably, way overdue.” the-ambient.com the-ambient.com Now, one Bridge Pro can “easily cover most people’s homes.” the-ambient.com
- Much faster and more powerful: It runs on the new Hue Chip Pro – delivering a processor 5× more powerful and 15× more memory than the old bridge signify.com. This means snappier response times and support for up to 500 stored scenes (versus 100 on the old hub) signify.com the-ambient.com. According to TechRadar, it “looks set to be a game-changer for people with large houses” who previously needed multiple hubs techradar.com.
- Hue MotionAware™: A headline feature, exclusive to Bridge Pro, is MotionAware – an innovative ability to use your existing Hue lights as improvised motion sensors. By analyzing tiny disruptions in the Zigbee mesh signals between at least 3 bulbs in a room, the Bridge can detect a person’s presence and trigger automations techradar.com techradar.com. For example, lights can automatically turn on when you walk in, without any dedicated motion sensor hardware. This technology was inspired by a concept demo from the Zigbee alliance and is similar to what sister-brand WiZ did with Wi-Fi sensing techradar.com the-ambient.com. Early impressions call this feature “clever” and potentially transformative – essentially turning every light into part of a whole-home occupancy sensor system.
- Built-in Wi-Fi: Unlike prior bridges that required Ethernet, the Bridge Pro can connect via Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) if desired techradar.com 9to5mac.com. This offers more flexibility in placement – no need to park the hub next to your router anymore. “The Pro finally brings Wi-Fi… so it doesn’t have to sit next to your router,” notes one report 9to5mac.com.
- Easy migration & future multi-bridge support: Upgrading is designed to be painless – Hue provides a migration tool to transfer all your devices, scenes, and settings from an old Bridge to the new Pro with just a few clicks signify.com techradar.com. If you had multiple Hue Bridges to work around past limits, you can migrate one now and merge multiple bridges into one Pro later – a software update to support that is promised by end of year signify.com techradar.com.
- Connectivity and standards: The Bridge Pro uses Zigbee 3.0 like its predecessor, ensuring full compatibility with all existing Hue lights and accessories philips-hue.com. It continues to act as a Matter bridge for Hue devices – exposing them to Matter-compatible smart home systems (just as the Hue Bridge v2 gained Matter support) – though Signify emphasizes it’s still committed to Zigbee for the robust Hue mesh wired.com wired.com. Notably, new Hue bulbs themselves now also speak Thread/Matter natively, meaning some devices can connect to non-Hue systems directly (more on that later). The Bridge Pro remains the heart of Hue’s ecosystem for unlocking advanced features, HomeKit, and out-of-home control. (Compatibility: Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home via the Hue app; HomeKit/Matter support is via the Bridge’s integration, unchanged from before.)
Pricing & Availability: The Hue Bridge Pro is available starting September 2025, priced at $89.99 in the US and £79.99 in the UK techradar.com the-ambient.com (EU €89.99). This is about $30 more than the standard bridge, but Hue power-users and reviewers seem to find it worthwhile for the capacity and features. TechRadar even cheekily warns there’s “something you should know” before buying: if you already have many lights spread across multiple old Bridges, hold off until the promised multi-bridge merge update arrives, so you can consolidate seamlessly techradar.com.
Expert Reaction: The Hue community and tech pundits have greeted the Bridge Pro with enthusiasm. The Ambient describes it as “an exciting launch” that addresses longstanding frustrations, and notes that relying on multiple bridges was “flawed and fiddly” the-ambient.com the-ambient.com. Many applaud the MotionAware concept – effectively giving Hue a built-in security and automation trick. “It’s similar to the technology baked into WiZ lights,” one reviewer observed, “although there the motion sensing uses Wi-Fi.” the-ambient.com The addition of Wi-Fi and beefier hardware suggests Signify is future-proofing Hue for years to come, potentially enabling more advanced features (even AI routines) down the line. All told, the Bridge Pro is seen as a sign that Hue is doubling down on its “Hue super-users” 9to5mac.com – those with expansive smart homes – while also laying a foundation for new smart home experiences for everyone.
Philips Hue Essential Bulbs & Light Strips: Smart Lighting Goes (Somewhat) Budget
Philips Hue’s new Essential bulbs offer the same easy smart lighting experience at a lower cost, albeit with a few trade-offs in brightness, color range, and dimming depth macrumors.com macrumors.com (as illustrated above).
One of the most surprising moves by Philips Hue was launching a lower-cost line of products called Hue Essential. Long known for premium (and pricey) smart lights, Hue is now attempting to broaden its appeal to more budget-conscious buyers. “Announced at IFA 2025, this shift is Hue’s most aggressive attempt yet to broaden its appeal,” wrote one observer. Cheaper but not cheap, the Essential lineup significantly undercuts Hue’s flagship bulbs on price – “less than half the price of its flagship color-changing bulbs” according to The Verge theverge.com – while maintaining the hallmark Hue ecosystem integration.
What’s in the Essential range? At launch, the Hue Essential family includes:
- A19 standard bulbs (E26/E27 base) – full color & tunable white, available in single packs or value multi-packs.
- BR30 downlight bulbs (in some regions) – similar tech as A19.
- GU10 spotlights – color-capable spot bulbs for recessed lighting or track lights.
- Lightstrips: Two types announced for December 2025 release – a regular Essential Lightstrip (5m or 10m lengths) and a Flexible Essential Lightstrip (a “flex” neon-like rope light). These aim to bring down the cost of ambient strip lighting (starting at ~$59.99 for 5m) compared to Hue’s pricy high-end strips 9to5mac.com.
All Essential products run on the same Hue app and Hue Bridge platform as the main line. They even work out-of-the-box with Bluetooth for basic control (just like recent Hue bulbs) and can be paired with a Hue Bridge (v2 or Pro) to unlock full functionality (multi-room control, advanced scenes, animations, etc.) signify.com signify.com. Importantly, these new bulbs also support Matter connectivity – in fact, Signify says the latest Hue Essential and new-generation standard bulbs include Matter-over-Thread alongside Zigbee and Bluetooth radios macrumors.com. This means you could integrate them into a Matter smart home network (using a Thread border router) without a Hue Bridge at all, if desired. However, using a Bridge is still recommended to get the richest features and to tie into Hue’s ecosystem (and the MotionAware feature on Bridge Pro can even use Essential bulbs as motion detectors techradar.com techradar.com).
Performance Trade-offs: How did Hue cut costs for the Essential series? Essentially (pun intended) by dialing down some specs:
- Brightness: Essential bulbs are slightly less bright at maximum than Hue’s standard bulbs. For example, the Essential GU10 color spotlight outputs ~345 lumens at warm white, versus ~350 lumens for the current high-end GU10 (a trivial difference) hueblog.com. The A19 Essential hits ~806 lumens (comparable to older 60W-equivalent Hue bulbs). However, Hue’s newest premium bulbs now reach 1100-1600 lumens in some models, so Essentials sit at the lower end of brightness.
- White color range: Essentials have a narrower white temperature range. They can adjust from about 2200K (warm white) to 6500K (cool daylight) hueblog.com hueblog.com. By comparison, Hue’s flagship White Ambiance bulbs can go from ultra-warm 2000K (or even 1600K in some cases) up to 6500K+, and special filament bulbs go down to 1800K. The latest Hue bulbs even advertise a 1000K–20,000K range with Chromasync tech. So Essentials can’t get quite as candle-glow warm as the priciest Hue options, but still cover the main practical spectrum.
- Dimming level: Essentials do not dim as low as premium Hue bulbs. They can dim down to about 2% brightness at minimum, whereas top-line Hue bulbs can dim to an impressively faint 0.1–0.5% macrumors.com. In everyday use, 2% is still fairly dim, but you might notice the difference in a dark room or for nightlight purposes.
- Color quality and effects: The Essential series lacks Hue’s new “Chromasync” color tech macrumors.com. Chromasync, introduced in recent Hue bulbs, enhances color vibrancy and consistency (especially for gradient products and dynamic scenes). Essentials still offer millions of colors and all the standard scenes, but hardcore Hue users might observe slightly less nuanced color blends or transitions. That said, the advantage is primarily on paper – most casual users will find Essential bulbs’ colors rich and pleasing. Essential lights also support all the same animations, music sync, etc., just not the few features tied to Chromasync.
Crucially, what’s not sacrificed is the Hue experience and reliability. Signify emphasizes Essential products run the “same software and connectivity” as mainline Hue, ensuring they work seamlessly in mixed setups signify.com. In other words, an Essential bulb added to your existing Hue home will be controlled just like any other, appear in all the same routines, and can be mixed with premium bulbs in zones and scenes. TechRadar notes this gives Essentials the big advantage over cheap third-party bulbs: they’re “a fully supported part of the Philips Hue system”, so you get proven stability and support, which many budget brands lack techradar.com pcworld.com.
Pricing & Value: Philips Hue Essential A19 bulbs start at $24.99 / £19.99 each (for a single bulb) techradar.com. Multi-pack deals bring the price down to about $15 per bulb in a 4-pack 9to5mac.com – a remarkable drop considering Hue’s flagship color bulbs often cost $50–$60 each theverge.com. In fact, as The Verge highlighted, each Hue Essential bulb at $25 (or $15 bulk) is “less than half the price” of the equivalent top-tier Hue bulb theverge.com. Essential GU10 spotlights will similarly start around £19.99 (UK) individually techradar.com. The Essential Lightstrip (5m kit) is slated for December at about $59.99 / €59.99 signify.com, and the Essential Flex Strip at $99.99 for 5m signify.com – significantly undercutting Hue’s high-end lightstrips (which range from $80 up to $200+ depending on length and gradient capabilities).
These prices put Hue in a much more competitive position against low-cost rivals. For example, Wyze’s color bulb costs ~$15 (often sold $30 for a 4-pack) and Govee Wi-Fi bulbs can be ~$12-15 each, but those systems don’t match Hue’s ecosystem breadth or reliability. PCWorld notes that while Wyze bulbs are extremely affordable and don’t need a hub, “Wyze can’t match Philips Hue’s [lighting] ecosystem … but it beats Hue by a country mile in terms of pricing.” pcworld.com Now, with Essential, Hue narrows that pricing gap significantly, albeit still at a slight premium. Nanoleaf, another competitor, launched its own “Essentials” smart bulbs a few years back for ~$20 each, so Philips Hue cheekily borrowing the “Essential” name seems aimed at competing head-on in that entry-level segment while leveraging Hue’s brand reputation.
Use Cases: The Essential line is clearly aimed at smart home newcomers, offering a less intimidating price to start with Hue. But Philips is also pitching them to existing Hue owners who might want cheaper bulbs for secondary areas. “Although aimed at newcomers, they could be good choices for existing Hue owners in areas that don’t need full performance, such as a utility room,” suggests The Ambient the-ambient.com. In other words, you might put premium bulbs in your living room, but use Essentials in the garage or guest room and still have everything tied into one app. Early reviews agree this tiered approach could help Hue defend against encroachment from budget brands. As Engadget quipped in its coverage, Hue is “taking on cheaper rivals” by finally offering an entry-level lineup.
Public Reception: The reaction to Hue Essential bulbs has been mostly positive – many longtime Hue users are happy to have a cheaper way to expand their setups. “Cheaper Hue lights – prices starting at just $20 each when bought as a pack of four,” one tech writer enthused 9to5mac.com. The impressive multi-pack pricing (4 color bulbs for $59.99) particularly grabbed headlines 9to5mac.com. Some skeptics note that even at ~$15 each, Hue’s colored bulbs are still more costly than the absolute cheapest smart bulbs (you can find no-name white-only smart bulbs for under $10). “Cheaper, but not cheap,” is a recurring sentiment. However, given Hue’s quality, many find the value equation much improved. There’s also excitement that these new bulbs, along with Hue’s updated main bulbs, have Thread/Matter – making Hue one of the few brands offering triple-protocol support (Zigbee, Bluetooth, Thread) in lighting. This could attract users of Thread-based systems (e.g. Apple HomeKit via Thread, without needing a Bridge).
On the flip side, a TechRadar opinion piece provocatively asked, “Are Philips Hue Essential bulbs the cheap smart lights we don’t need?”, arguing that many affordable alternatives already exist. The author mused that Hue might be playing catch-up in a space filled with WiZ (Signify’s own Wi-Fi brand), Ikea’s Tradfri, TP-Link Kasa, and others that have long offered $10–$20 bulbs. Still, for those who specifically want Hue’s ecosystem benefits (rich scenes, robust mesh network, wide accessory support, etc.), the Essential range lowers the cost of admission substantially.
Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell: Lighting Meets Home Security
The Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell features a slim wired design with a 2K camera and integrates tightly with Hue’s lighting system for unique security tricks techradar.com techradar.com.
Perhaps the biggest signal that Philips Hue is evolving beyond lighting alone is the introduction of the Hue Secure Video Doorbell. This is Hue’s first video doorbell camera, joining the company’s new Hue Secure security product line (which also includes indoor/outdoor cameras and sensors). The Hue doorbell enters a competitive field dominated by the likes of Ring, Google Nest, Arlo, Wyze, and Eufy, but Hue brings its own spin: deep integration of lighting with security.
Key Features and Specs:
- Camera: The Hue Secure doorbell records in 2K resolution (likely 1440p), using a fisheye wide-angle lens with a 180° field of view techradar.com techradar.com. It captures head-to-toe footage, meaning you can see visitors from head to feet and even packages left on the ground in front of your door techradar.com. This resolution and wide view are on par with mid-to-high-end video doorbells on the market. (For instance, Google’s Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen) has 960×1280 resolution with HDR, Ring’s top model Video Doorbell Pro 2 offers 1536p HDR with a head-to-toe view. Hue’s 2K likely refers to a ~2560×1440 image sensor).
- Wired Power: This is a wired doorbell, not battery-powered techradar.com. It requires connection to existing doorbell wiring (power source) or a suitable transformer/adapter. While that means a bit more installation work (you “can’t simply stick it on your wall” with adhesive like some battery units techradar.com), it ensures constant power and avoids the hassle of recharging batteries. Hue opted to compare it with Ring’s Video Doorbell Wired and Wired Pro in terms of use case techradar.com. The upside: wired operation allows continuous video recording and better performance; the downside: those without doorbell wiring might need an electrician or to use the plug-in power adapter sold by Hue.
- Two-Way Audio: The device includes a microphone and speaker for two-way talk, so you can have a conversation with whoever’s at your door through the Hue app, whether you’re home or away signify.com techradar.com.
- Motion Detection & Light Automations: Like other smart doorbells, it has a PIR motion sensor and will send push notifications to your phone when someone approaches or presses the button signify.com. But Hue takes it a step further by integrating with its lights – you can set Hue outdoor lights to automatically turn on when motion is detected or when the doorbell is pressed signify.com techradar.com. This is a unique selling point: imagine the porch light or pathway lights instantly illuminating as a visitor arrives at night, both welcoming them and capturing a clearer video. You can also have indoor Hue lights flash or change color when someone rings, as a visual alert (useful if you’re in a noisy environment or have hearing-impaired family members) 9to5mac.com.
- Chime Accessory: Alongside the doorbell, Hue launched the Hue Smart Chime, an optional plug-in chime/siren. It plugs into any indoor outlet and works as a traditional doorbell chime so you can hear the ring in your home techradar.com. It also doubles as an alarm siren as part of the Hue Secure system. The chime is sold separately for $59.99/£49.99 techradar.com. (Notably, this price is similar to Ring’s plug-in Chime Pro accessory). If you already have a wired doorbell chime, the Hue doorbell likely can interface with it as well, but the Smart Chime provides a modern wireless option and can be placed anywhere in the house.
- Video Storage and AI: Breaking from some rivals, Philips is including 24-hour video history for free for all Hue Secure camera and doorbell owners signify.com 9to5mac.com. This means you can review any recordings in the last day without a subscription – a welcome move, as Ring and Nest typically require paid plans to view recorded footage (they otherwise only offer live view or very short clips). If you need longer history, Hue will offer subscription plans, but the exact tiers aren’t detailed yet. Additionally, Hue Secure cameras will recognize smoke alarm sirens and can flash your lights in response to alert you of a smoke alarm going off signify.com. In 2026, Signify plans to roll out AI-powered facial recognition to reduce false alerts and personalize notifications signify.com. For example, it might recognize family members vs. strangers (much like Nest’s familiar face feature, likely also requiring a subscription). All this indicates Hue is serious about security features, not just hardware.
- Night Vision: The doorbell has infrared night vision for clear footage in the dark, standard for security cameras techradar.com.
- App and Ecosystem: The Hue Secure doorbell is managed in the Philips Hue app (which now has a Secure tab for cameras). One caveat: at launch, Hue Secure devices do not support Apple HomeKit or HomeKit Secure Video macrumors.com 9to5mac.com. Signify has stated Apple Home (likely via Matter or HomeKit integration) will come later, but initially, you can’t view the Hue doorbell in the Apple Home app. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integration details are still emerging; since the doorbell streams through the Hue app, it may not immediately work with say, Alexa Show or Google Nest Hub displays until integrations are enabled. This is a noted downside for those invested in certain ecosystems, but Hue is presumably working on compatibility updates (HomeKit support is promised). The doorbell does not leverage Matter at this time (as Matter’s current spec doesn’t fully support cameras yet).
Pricing & Availability: The Philips Hue Secure Video Doorbell launches in October 2025 (US, UK, EU) at $169.99 / £139.99 / €169.99 techradar.com the-ambient.com. That price lands in the middle of the market – more expensive than basic 1080p doorbells (like the $60 Ring Wired or $90 Wyze Video Doorbell Pro), but cheaper than flagship models (Ring’s Video Doorbell Pro 2 is ~$249, Google’s Nest Doorbell wired is ~$180). TechRadar points out Hue’s doorbell “costs more than the Ring Video Doorbell Wired but less than the Ring Video Doorbell Pro” techradar.com. In essence, it’s priced as a mid-range, premium-quality device.
The Hue Smart Chime is ~$60 as mentioned. Interestingly, Ring’s plug-in Chime is about $35, but Ring’s alarm siren devices are separate – Hue combined both functions (chime + alarm siren) into one, perhaps justifying the price.
Competitor Comparison: Philips Hue is late to the doorbell party, but it hopes to leverage its lighting ecosystem to stand out. Here’s how it compares to key competitors:
- Ring: Ring (owned by Amazon) is the incumbent leader in video doorbells. Hue’s doorbell directly targets Ring’s products – even TechRadar’s hands-on was titled “Philips Hue takes on Ring” techradar.com. Hue’s advantages: higher base resolution (2K vs Ring’s common 1080p on most models), and free 24h video storage (Ring offers no free recording; you must subscribe for video history). Also, Hue’s lighting integration is unique – Ring can link to Alexa routines or Ring smart lights, but Hue natively ties into a vast lighting lineup. On the other hand, Ring offers battery-powered models (for those without wiring), and a well-established app with features like quick replies and package detection (on some models). Ring’s ecosystem (chimes, alarm system, cameras) is robust; Hue is just starting in security. Price-wise, Hue ($169) is costlier than the basic Ring Wired ($65) or Ring Battery ($100), but cheaper than Ring Pro ($250). Notably, the Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus (2023) introduced a 150° x 150° head-to-toe view at $180; Hue’s 2K fisheye may compete well against that, albeit Hue must be wired.
- Nest (Google): The Nest Doorbell (battery or wired, 2nd gen) is around $179. Hue’s 2K resolution may beat Nest’s (which is 960p, though Nest uses HDR and has great image quality). Nest offers familiar face detection (with subscription) and tight Google Assistant and Android integration. Hue offers its lighting tie-ins and again the free baseline storage, whereas Google gives only 3 hours of event video without a sub. Another difference: Nest’s doorbells can run on battery (the battery model) or wired; Hue’s is wired-only. If you’re already in the Google Home ecosystem, Nest has the edge on integration today, but Hue could become attractive once Matter support comes and if you already run Hue lights.
- Wyze: Wyze’s Video Doorbell Pro (battery-powered) costs about $90 and records 1440×1440 video (also a head-to-toe view). It’s a budget champion, but requires a subscription (Cam Plus) for full-length video recordings. Hue’s doorbell is nearly double the price, but brings better build quality (likely), the Hue app polish, and lighting integration. Wyze’s broader product range (sensors, cams) might appeal to extreme budget setups, yet Hue is clearly aiming a bit higher on quality and existing Hue users.
- Others:Eufy offers 2K battery doorbells around $200 (with local storage, no mandatory cloud), which might be a closer comparison for those avoiding subscriptions – but Hue providing 24h free cloud storage is a similar peace-of-mind factor. Arlo has a wired video doorbell ($150) with 1536p resolution and HomeKit support (Hue lacks that at launch). Blink (Amazon’s other brand) and Simplisafe also have cheaper cams but at 1080p and with simpler features.
Overall, Hue’s doorbell isn’t breaking new ground in hardware – its specs are “typical for a mid-range video doorbell” as TechRadar noted techradar.com. What differentiates it is the “difference with the Hue model is that it integrates seamlessly with your smart lights.” techradar.com This combination of security and lighting could create some cool use cases: e.g., trigger a flashing red light when your alarm is tripped, or have pathway lights guide a visitor when the doorbell rings after dark. Hue is leveraging its strength (lighting) to carve a niche in the smart doorbell market.
Initial Impressions: Early reactions from smart home experts are cautiously optimistic. 9to5Mac noted that Hue’s doorbell is “intended to compete with Ring and Nest” on quality, “offering a higher resolution 2K fisheye camera”, and praised the inclusion of the free 24-hour video history 9to5mac.com. The Ambient’s David Ludlow pointed out it “works like other smart doorbells” for remote answering and security, but highlighted that Hue’s model will “act as an additional security camera” by working in concert with Hue lights and alarms the-ambient.com.
Some Hue fans are excited that they can now stick to one app (Hue) for both lights and basic security, rather than juggling separate systems. However, there’s also some critique:
- The lack of HomeKit at launch disappointed Apple Home users (Hue lights have been HomeKit-enabled for years, so a Hue product not working with HomeKit is unusual) macrumors.com 9to5mac.com. Signify has promised an update for HomeKit compatibility, but no firm date – this could limit adoption among the Apple crowd initially.
- Being wired-only is seen as a limitation by those who prefer the flexibility of battery cams or renters who can’t mess with doorbell wiring. If Hue wants to compete broadly, some expect a battery version in the future.
- Price-wise, while reasonable for a 2K doorbell, it’s still firmly in the premium bracket compared to bargain options. Consumers will be weighing if Hue’s unique features justify choosing it over a Ring/Nest they may already be familiar with.
On the flip side, Hue’s approach to privacy might attract some. All Hue Secure video is end-to-end encrypted, and with local processing for AI features like smoke alarm detection, Signify is emphasizing privacy (as they do with all Hue data) signify.com signify.com. There’s no mention of any ability to integrate with police or cloud-sharing programs (Ring has had controversy there), so Hue Secure appears to be a closed system where you control your footage via the Hue app and optional subscription.
In summary, the Hue Secure Video Doorbell is a bold first step for Philips Hue into the smart security realm. It doesn’t unseat Ring or Nest yet, but it offers a compelling option for those who love Hue’s ecosystem. As one TechRadar editor put it after seeing the announcement, she’ll be testing it to see “whether it can earn a place in my roundup of the best video doorbells.” techradar.com The coming months (and user reviews) will tell how well Hue can compete in this new arena.
Conclusion: Philips Hue’s Bright New Direction
Philips Hue’s September 2025 launch marks a significant evolution for the brand. By delivering the Bridge Pro, Hue is doubling down on performance and catering to its most devoted users – effectively future-proofing homes that might soon have dozens of smart lights and sensors. The move was “way overdue”, but gladly received by the Hue community eager for higher capacity and new tricks like MotionAware the-ambient.com the-ambient.com.
At the same time, the introduction of the Essential range of bulbs and strips shows Hue’s recognition that it must compete on price to win new customers. “Cheaper Hue lights” are no longer an oxymoron – they’re a reality starting at about $15 per bulb in bundles 9to5mac.com. While still not as dirt-cheap as some no-name brands, the Essentials offer a compelling value proposition: slightly pared-down specs in exchange for the rock-solid Hue experience. This could lure folks who have been sitting on the fence due to cost, and fend off rivals like Nanoleaf, WiZ, and Govee in the budget smart lighting space.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Hue is branching into home security. The Secure Video Doorbell (along with new Hue cameras not covered in depth here) indicates Philips Hue wants to be more than “just lights.” By integrating security sensors and cameras with its lighting system, Hue is playing to its strength – using light to enhance security and ambiance together. It’s a holistic vision of the smart home that goes beyond isolated gadgets. As Hue’s team said, their goal is to make users’ homes more “intuitive, personalized, and connected”, spanning “security, entertainment and wellbeing.” signify.com.
Early public reception has been largely positive. Hue’s launch made waves at IFA 2025, with some calling it the real star of the show for smart home enthusiasts theverge.com. Experts have praised the technical upgrades (like the Bridge Pro’s capacity and the doorbell’s 2K video quality) and the strategic push into new areas. Of course, some healthy skepticism remains – e.g., will Hue’s doorbell and cameras gain traction against deeply entrenched competitors? And will the Essential line cannibalize sales of Hue’s pricier products or simply broaden the user base? Signify appears willing to find out, as it reimagines Hue for the next era.
For consumers, the takeaway is that Philips Hue’s ecosystem in late 2025 is richer than ever: Whether you’re a power user wanting the snappiest, most expansive smart lighting setup (Bridge Pro), a newcomer looking for affordable smart lights (Essential bulbs), or a homeowner seeking to tie lights into home security (Hue doorbell and Secure system), Hue now has something to offer you. As one reviewer neatly summed up Hue’s big move: “Bulbs got more affordable, light strips got brighter, and even the doorbell got smarter.” 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com In other words, Hue just gave its product lineup a serious glow-up – and it’s going to be exciting to watch where this illumined smart home journey goes next.
Sources: Philips Hue / Signify Press Release signify.com signify.com; Hueblog 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com; TechRadar techradar.com techradar.com; The Ambient the-ambient.com the-ambient.com; 9to5Mac 9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com; MacRumors macrumors.com macrumors.com; PCWorld pcworld.com; TechRadar (IFA coverage) wired.com wired.com.
