Philips WiZ vs Hue: Which Is Better and Offers More Features (2024)

Are you looking for the smart bulbs and confused between Philips WiZ vs Hue? Don’t worry! As I have used both bulbs, I will be sharing how they compete against each other and which one you should pick. So without any delay, let’s head on to the next section!

Quick Comparison

Both smart bulbs are excellent when compared. But, they share different traits. Some major ones are highlighted below:

1. Philips Hue offers smart connectivity even with the Apple kit which the WiZ lacks.
2. Philips Hue uses Zigbee connectivity whereas the WiZ offers a swift Wi-Fi connection.
3. The WiZ also takes the lead when it comes to pricing as Hue varieties are often expensive.

If you’re intrigued by the possibilities of smart lighting then there is more to discover. Continue reading as I will compare WiZ and Hue in 6 different parameters and let you know which one would be a good purchase for you. Let’s dive into the details!

Philips WiZ vs Hue: A Quick Comparison Chart of the Smart Lights

Here’s a quick overview of the duo. Let’s check it out:

Philips Hue Smart Lights: Positives and Negatives

To help you understand the Philips Hue better, let’s check out the pros and cons.

Listed below are the top sellers on Amazon. Have a look:

Philips WiZ Smart Lights: Positives and Negatives

Let’s look at the benefits and drawbacks to get a better insight into the Philips WiZ:

Here is a list of the top-selling products of WiZ Connected on Amazon. Have a look:

Exploring the Differences Between Hue and WiZ: 6-Parameter Comparison:

When deciding between Philips Hue and Philips WiZ Connected for your smart lighting needs, it all comes down to the six essential factors. Let’s have a look:

1. Technical Capabilities

When evaluating the technical capabilities of Philips Hue and WiZ, several factors come into play. Here’s what you need to consider:

Connection Options of the Smart Light Bulbs

Connectivity options play a crucial role in enhancing user experience. These smart bulbs offer various methods to connect, with Bluetooth for newer devices. Philips Hue Bridge integrated with Zigbee technology for an extensive range of control and advanced features.

Alternatively, WiZ bulbs connect directly to your Wi-Fi network providing convenience. However, the potential Wi-Fi interference concerns can be addressed through router upgrades.

Lighting Options and Quality

Philips Hue offers a more extensive range of lighting options, including various socket sizes with different color temperatures and color-changing varieties. The quality of Hue lights, especially the color-changing bulbs, is considered superior to WiZ. Check out the table below:

Winner: Philips Hue takes the lead with its wider range of lighting options, including color-changing varieties It also offers versatile connection types and brightness. In contrast, WiZ has more limited options in all similar areas.

Read Also: Do Philips Hue Bulbs Work with Normal Switches?

2. Control Features of Hue and WiZ Lights

The features offered by Philips Hue and WiZ are quite similar in terms of basic functionalities and compatibility with voice assistants.

1. Color control and lights organize: Both brands allow you to control light brightness, and color, create lighting schedules, and organize lights into groups.
2. Compatibility: They work seamlessly with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and support Apple HomeKit (with WiZ using Siri shortcuts). Hue has the edge in advanced features, including integration with Spotify for music sync and TV backlighting.

Winner: Both the lights have similar features but Hue offers easy smart connectivity which gives it an edge over the competition.

3. Ease of Use of WiZ Bulbs vs Philips Hue Bulbs

Philips Hue offers a user-friendly experience with easy setup and intuitive app navigation. The app includes step-by-step guidance for advanced features and compatibility with various smart home devices. For more details, watch this video.

WiZ is also easy to use but the app has some complex setup options like you cannot assign lighting zones, color variations, and more. Here is a video for more details.

Winner: Philips Hue is more user-friendly compared to WiZ. This makes it a top pick for users when choosing the light for indoor or outdoor use.

4. The Durability of These Smart Light Bulbs

Both smart lighting products are excellent in terms of durability. Let’s have a look at their perks:

Philips Hue Smart Lights offers the following:

• The Hue smart bulb is safe from water spray with various IP ratings, but water submersion is not guaranteed.
• Huie boasts a ceramic substrate for better heat handling as the operational temperatures of these bulbs range from -4 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 to 40 degrees Celsius).

Philips WiZ Connected Bulbs boasts the following:

• WiZ bulbs are surge protected and drop-tested to ensure a longer lifespan.
• They are also moisture-resistant and can easily withstand harsh conditions. However, their plastic substrate is less efficient as compared to their counterpart.

Winner: Hue gets ahead here too because of its better durability!

5. Technical Support for Smart Light Bulbs

Both Philips Hue and WiZ offer in-app support and excellent customer support. Philips Hue support includes social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, while WiZ provides live chat and email support within the app. Here are the contact link details for both:

Winner: This feud results in a draw. You get excellent customer and technical support for both the Hue and WiZ.

6. Price of Smart Light Bulbs

WiZ smart bulbs are generally more budget-friendly than Philips Hue bulbs, making them an attractive choice for cost-conscious consumers. Check out the table below for more information:

Winner: WiZ bulb wins here as the price difference is visible in the products above.

WiZ vs Hue: Exploring the App Differences

Below is a comparison of the apps of both the bulbs and what they have to offer:

WiZ App

Here are some of the main highlights of the WiZ app that you need to take into consideration:

• It integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and IFTTT.
• WiZ lacks support for Apple HomeKit.
• WiZ app remains unbranded and this can be possibly due to initial setup issues.
• Users can use Siri Shortcuts for basic control through Apple’s Shortcuts app.
• The app lets you choose from 16 million amazing colors.
• There is also support for the timer feature that enables you to control the illumination of your smart bulbs.

Check out the following links to download the WiZ app for iOS and Android. For a better understanding, watch this video.

Philips Hue App

Check out some of the Philips Hue features of the app mentioned below:

• It features a strong ecosystem with bulbs and extensive features.
• Initial Wi-Fi setup problems often require manual solutions, like selecting the bulb from your phone’s Wi-Fi menu or adjusting Wi-Fi channels.
• You can remotely control your Philips hue lights from the app.
• With the entertainment function, you can sync the lights with multimedia for a good music or movie experience.
• The integration of the Hue app with Homekit allows you to control the lights using voice commands.

Check out the following links to download the Hue app for iOS and Android. For more insights, check out this helpful video.

Smart Home Integration

Check out the table below for more information about how both the devices integrate with your home setup:

Philips Huе or WiZ – Which One To Pick?

Lеt’s scalе both thе bulbs sidе by sidе and find out which onе is bеttеr in different ways:

You nееd to sеlеct Philips Huе if you want:

1. You get an extensive range of advanced lighting features with the capability to access over 16 million colors.
2. Easily create custom scenes and routines.
3. Integrate Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Zigbee for enhanced control.
4. You appreciate the build quality and longevity of Philips Hue bulbs, which typically offer a lifespan of 15,000+ hours.
5. You have the flexibility to dim the lights to your preferred level.
6. Philips Hue bulbs often have energy-efficient options and carry energy class ratings.

You nееd to sеlеct WiZ if you want:

1. A straightforward Wi-Fi connectivity setup without the need for bridges or hubs.
2. WiZ bulbs offer different lumen outputs, typically ranging from 800 to 1,100 lumens.
3. You can dim WiZ bulbs to create the right ambiance or conserve energy.
4. WiZ bulbs often come with energy class ratings making them an environment-friendly choice.

Does Philips own WiZ? Does Philips own Signify?

It can be confusing who owns whom, and who bought who, so let’s get that straightened out. We’ll start by first looking at Philips, then Wiz, and kinda getting a company history as we go along.

Philips

Philips has a long history, dating back to the 1800’s. Philips was started by the Philips family, and run by one of the two Philips brothers until 1939. Philips started their business by selling light bulbs. They added more and more consumer products over time.

More recently, Philips shifted their focus from consumer electronics to health care. With the shift, they decided to spin off the lighting segment. Their intention was announced in 2014, and in 2016 it was completed. The result was Philips being split into two companies; Philips Lighting and Royal Philips.

Does Philips own Signify? Philips Lighting was renamed as Signify in 2018. They continue to produce Philips brand products, as agreed to in a licensing agreement with Royal Philips. Philips Lighting, now Signify, was split off from the Royal Philips company in 2016.

In Philips Lighting’s annual meeting notes from 2018, they state:

“On March 16, 2018, the company announced its intention to change its name from Philips Lighting to Signify. The choice of the new company name originates from the fact that light has become an intelligent language, which connects and conveys meaning.

The company will continue to use the Philips brand, the most trusted lighting brand in the world, under the existing licensing agreement with Koninklijke Philips N.V. (“Royal Philips”).

Philips 2018 AGM

WiZ

The story with WiZ a not as complicated.

WiZ was founded in 2015, and their first products were sold in 2017. They continued to grow until they were acquired by Signify.

Does Philips own WiZ? Signify, previously known as Philips Lighting, bought WiZ Connected in 2019 for an undisclosed amount. Signify purchased WiZ as an attempt to grow into Wi-Fi-based lighting and complement their Philips Hue brand.

Eric Rondolat, Signify CEO, had his to say:

We are very pleased to join forces with the teams of WiZ Connected who have developed a great technology platform enabling us to address a larger customer base in the growing market of Wi-Fi-based lighting. It perfectly complements Signify’s existing offers and will help us to continue to deliver an experience rich in light and intuitive in use for our customers.”

Eric Rondolat, CEO of Signify.

FAQs

Is WiZ as good as Hue?

Philips Hue is very popular but their pricey approach is a turn-down for most smart home beginners. WiZ on the other hand seems like a much cheaper option in comparison.

What is the difference between WiZ and Hue?

The main differences are Philips Hue, featuring ZigBee and Bluetooth connectivity, and Philips WiZ Connected. These two product lines differ significantly in three aspects, one primarily related to price, while the other two pertain to technical distinctions.

Is WiZ or Hue more economical?

WiZ lights are a more economical choice as it has a lesser price tag than Hue.

Can Philips WiZ work with Hue?

No, Philips WiZ bulbs do not work with Hue as they are not compatible together.

What is Philips WiZ Connected?

Philips WiZ Connected bulbs were introduced in 2020, which use Wi-Fi and the WiZ app instead of Bluetooth or Zigbee and the Hue app. Both WiZ and WiZ Connected bulbs are similarly priced, offering compatibility within the same smart home ecosystem, with no clear preference between them.

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Conclusion

Summing up Philips WiZ vs Hue, both offer impressive advantages and have their limitations. Philips Hue excels in versatility and quality while Philips WiZ caters to budget-conscious users. Your choice depends on your lighting requirements and preferences. So, select the one that suits you best and light up your spaces.

I have been using Philips Hue bulbs for a long time now. I recommend them for their build quality, brightness (1600 lumens), and socket varieties. Even their cheapest bulbs have very impressive features and offer Bluetooth connectivity and Hue Bridge compatibility.

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