Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus: Everything You Need To Know (Does It Justify Its High Price?)

[@GarethDix]

this is the review I’ve been looking for... love the detail and how candid you are about it

[@SmartHomePoint]

Great, glad it was helpful thanks 🙂

[@martinsherry]

Thanks, that review was really helpful and the conclusion was a lot more nuanced than some of the other reviews I has have seen. Looking forward to more reviews from yourself.

[@SmartHomePoint]

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad you found it helpful! Yes I aim to drill into topics/reviews more than just saying "ooo, the light is sparkly" lol! More reviews are planned in the future for sure. Thanks again, Tristan

[@juppan]

Humble and thurough review, thank you. Much appretiated, watched the whole thing :)

[@SmartHomePoint]

Thanks, glad you found the video useful 👍

[@DarrenBroadhead]

Thank you. Brilliant review. Exactly what I was looking for

[@smithleon]

Good vid. Thanks. I have a lot of smart home tech including some Philips Hue lights which I really like but I could never justify the cost of the strip lights and now I'm pleased I didn't. I use Govee for led strips which i've found to be a good balance of build quality, price and performance. I operate all my lights using Alexa so the software is not important to me particularly. I will say that the problem with mixing brands is that choosing colours via Alexa are rarely the same. Setting 'Orange' on Hue might need you to set 'Gold' on Govee etc.

[@SmartHomePoint]

Glad you liked it! Yes the Hue Lightstrips are frustrating in that sense - if they just had a little bit more 'polish' (and a slightly lower price), I think they'd be great overall. Thanks for the Govee recommendation, I keep meaning to check them out although fair point about the slightly different colours.

[@robwojcik6417]

Great video Tristan! I have a question for you. I have 4 80" Philips Hue Lightstrip Pluses. Can I connect two or more of those 80" light strips together as you describe? I'm told by Philips Hue support that I must use their extensions to achieve their 10 meter (33 feet) maximum. Do you have any thoughts on this (e.g., it's ok to do this, it's dangerous because the power adapter will explode, the extension strips are electronically different than the base strips, etc.)? Thanks in advance!

[@SmartHomePoint]

Thanks Rob! That's a good question. I haven't tried it myself (and I'm not an electrician, or Philips Hue, etc etc) but I can't think of any legitimate reason why you would only be able to use the Hue extensions, not the standard 80" light strips themselves. I wasn't aware of any electrical differences between the base strip and the extensions. The only thing you might find is that the brightness diminishes a bit quicker than you'd like (with multiple 80" strips) - but thankfully Sowilo DS offer a suitable solution to this issue: sowilodesign.com/collections/controllers-electronics/products/amplified-philips-hue-lightstrip-plus-controller

[@robwojcik6417]

​@@SmartHomePoint Thanks for the quick reply Tristan! I tried contacting Philips Hue to get technical support but they were less than helpful. The first person I talked to said that her supervisor advised her that if I didn't use their extensions then there was a risk of the power supply exploding. I'm not an electrician either but that sounded ridiculous to me so I called them back to get a second opinion. The second person I talked to didn't seem to know much of anything either. So, I watched a few videos and read a few articles and blogs about the light strips and extensions but did not reach any conclusions. Consequently, I decided I'm going to experiment without cutting the strips. To do that, I just ordered the "Litcessory 6-Pin to Cut-End Connector for Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus (4 Pack, White - MICRO 6-PIN V4)" from Amazon. The 6 pin connectors should allow me to string a couple of the light strips together without making any cuts. I'll have those in a couple of days and I'll repost here to let you know how it works out. If I get the lights to work but I experience the diminishing brightness problem then I'll try the amplifier you recommended. If you don't hear from me again then I was probably sent to my maker by an exploding low voltage power adapter:) Thanks again for your assistance and quick reply!!

[@SmartHomePoint]

Haha, that sounds a good plan - and I sincerely hope that your power supply doesn't randomly explode 😅 Yep please do keep me posted, I think it'll be fine but it would be good to know for sure. Good luck 🙂

[@rwojcik50]

Connecting four 80" Philips Hue lightstrips together and powering the resulting lightstrip with one power adapter works just fine. I purchased some Litcessory connectors on Amazon (specifically, "Litcessory 6-Pin to Cut-End Connector for Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus (4 Pack, White - MICRO 6-PIN V4)" connectors). I cut off the ends of the lightstrips (just like you would do if you were cutting a 40" extension to your preferred size). I attached the light strips together with the connectors (so the A end of one lightstrip is connected to the B end of another lightstrip with one of the connectors). I ended up with one continuous lightstrip that's a little under 320" (a little under 27'). That lightstrip is powered with a power adapter that came with one of the lightstrips. My 320" lightstrip has been working perfectly for the last 5 months. The above being said and tried, I went down this path in the first place because I got a deal on my four 80" lightstrips (I think I paid about $75 for each lightstrip/power adapter kit. That kit usually goes for about $100). I think the 40" extensions (that DO NOT come with a power adapter) go for around $40 each. It would have been cheaper for me to purchase multiple 40" lightstrips to get my desired length had I not gotten the deal on the 80" lightstrips. Anyway, the conclusion seems to be that you can connect multiple 80" lightstrips together without any overheating, explosions, fires, flooding, hurricanes, cats sleeping with dogs, whatever! However, keep in mind that the maximum length for a series of connected lightstrips is 33' (according to Philips).

[@SmartHomePoint]

That's awesome, thanks for the detailed comment. Glad that worked out fine for you 🙂 Sounds like a good setup, and Litcessory do sell some great products.

[@PrestoUrDead_YT]

Is it possible to connect the Bluetooth light strips to hue hub?

[@SmartHomePoint]

Yes, the V4 light strips support both Bluetooth and the Hue Hub - so you can always test it out with Bluetooth, and move to the Hue Hub (i.e. ZigBee mode) later on.

[@PrestoUrDead_YT]

@@SmartHomePoint thanks I figured it out 👌🏼

[@lindsaybassgaze6945]

Thanks so much - that was really helpful. I wanted to mount the hue lights (version 4) underneath my upper kitchen cabinets. Do you have any recommendations against removing the plastic/silicone around the light strip and putting them in an aluminum and plastic diffuser for mounting/diffusing purposes? Any thoughts you have would be very appreciated! Also, if you think that would work, do you know the width of the lightstrips without their plastic shell (so that I can purchase the proper channels)? Thank you so much!!

[@SmartHomePoint]

Thanks, glad you found it helpful! Okay, so removing the waterproofing silicone SHOULD allow it to be mounted in a diffuser channel - you just have to be careful not to damage the circuit board. But to be more precise - check out the following image: www.smarthomepoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Back-of-Hue-Lightstrip-V4-showing-how-thick-it-is.jpg Basically the V4 lightstrip is 14mm, with the waterproofing silicone taking up 1mm on either side. So by trimming this off, you'll be at around 12mm and so it should fit in most standard diffuser channels. Certainly, the one I bought was _close_ to fitting - so with 2mm trimmer off, it should be fine: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MROLRJN/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=lecreket-21

[@lindsaybassgaze6945]

@@SmartHomePoint Wow - thank you for the thorough and quick response! I really appreciate it - especially the photo! I have ordered the lightstrips and channels (not the ones you linked to because I am based in the US), and I'll let you know how it turns out! :D

[@shaungreen5109]

Can i ask what added benefit cutting the plastic housing off has? About to install my strips but debating weather i should cut or not….

[@Ang197O]

Thanks for the detailed pro&con! I'm prepping to install these and see some people using cat5e to extend and/or split, wondering if you've played around with this yet?

[@SmartHomePoint]

Thanks, glad you found the video useful! I haven't personally played around with cat5e to extend/split no. I've probably seen the same pictures/videos as you though - it looks like a pretty workable solution. My only concern is whether a long Hue Lightstrip run (10m+) would be too many amps for the cat5e? I honestly don't know, but this could be a potential issue.

[@a.h.d.h.2803]

Again, nice neat video! Classification ledstrips V3 is IP 20. The price and the other limiting features of the Philips Hue ledstrips you mentioned were reasons for me not to buy the Philips ledstrips but the Gledopto controller and Miligtht ledstrips instead. The fact of limited possibilities of the Hue software was reason for me to combine the Philips Hue bridge with Amazon Echo 4. Although I find the Hue software layout beautiful and easy to use.

[@SmartHomePoint]

Thanks! 🙂 Yes Philips Hue does seem to be limiting themselves for with their Lightstrip. Interesting that you're using the native Zigbee on the Echo 4, how have you been finding that? Also would you happen to know if the Hue Accessories (like the dimmer switch) are support via the ZigBee/Echo route? I do think that Echo including ZigBee chips is a big benefit, especially compared to spending $40-50 on the Hue Bridge.

[@a.h.d.h.2803]

@@SmartHomePoint Oow I'm sorry just read your question. I don't use the native Zigbee on the Echo 4. The Echo 4 can communicate with the Hue devices thanks to the Philips Hue hub: No Hue hub no control of the Hue devices connected to that Hue hub via Echo. One has to connect the Hue hub to Amazons Echo dot 4 using the app (Alexa). Once they're connected, the echo dot 4 wil scan to find all to the Hue hub connected devices. Although I don't think Alexa, nor the Echo dot 4, supports Philips Hue accessoires; I've never seen accessoires pop up in Alexa. Maybe someday someone develops "Alexa skills" to make the Echo dot four control the Hue accessoires?

[@SmartHomePoint]

No problem re just seeing the question, and thanks for all that info 🙂 Hmm yes that all makes sense. I've seen 1 person say that the held the ON button down on a Hue accessory and could then add it to their Alexa (via an Echo 4th gen) but there's not much information out there.

[@trevorstepoo8838]

Philips hue bulbs and strips can be used with the Amazon echo Forth generation without the hub I'm using this stuff this way

[@SmartHomePoint]

Yes that's true, Amazon's inclusion of a ZigBee chip was really good. I should have covered this point more, it's nice to be able to disregard the Hue Bridge in some cases.

[@shaungreen5109]

Wonder if homekit will ever go down this road

[@MrZerofate]

Good to see a balanced review of a hue product 👍. In your diy gledopto set up, what led strip did you use? I wonder if that’s what affects the strength/range of the light brightness. Have you looked at Ajax zigbee lights? They also come with a psu which as you rightly say is a big plus!

[@SmartHomePoint]

Thanks! Yes very fair point about the led strip that was used - I used the following: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07WWX63XW?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title Which could have an impact, my hunch is that a higher quality led strip (like GLEDOPTO or Ajax) would have been better. Nope I haven't checked Ajax out but it's on the list - I hope to do a bigger roundup of various strips at some point.

[@dane4890]

Love the review!

[@SmartHomePoint]

Thanks, glad you liked it 🙂

[@LukaszOrlas]

This video is so detailed oriented and meticulous! Big thank you ! Sub from me

[@Miguel-hw8hj]

i watched this video before i bought mine thinking his has peeled because he hasnt cleaned the area properly.... i now find myself watching the same video and i can see my strip peeling away in the corner of my eye.......guys the adhesive really is as shit as they say.

[@SmartHomePoint]

LOL! Yep, it really is rubbish 😕

[@Msigw]

Ferrari is overpriced too. A Chevy will get the job done... Do you want a Chevy, or a Ferrari? Having had a mishmash of "smart" bulbs, from the dawn of Smart Things over a decade ago... HUE and its complete ecosystem is worth every penny. If you can't afford it, save up. Ask for a color bulb here and there for holiday gifts. Its an appropriate priced gift for people that don't know what to get you for your birthday or some such event. I have over 25 HUE devices now, and just recently got into the strips for under cabinet lighting. Spend the extra 25%-40% more and actually enjoy using them vs saving a little and having a huge headache later. If you buy one cheapo light, you'll never find it again if you want to add a second. You'll never match the color if you want add more. You'll eventually have to pay for access to the app that was once free. Half the time Alexa can't turn em on... Every time, without fail, every single HUE light works.

[@SmartHomePoint]

Hey Tate, all great points. Yes I do tend to agree. I guess part of me is a cheapskate, but you're right that going "all in" on a single ecosystem has lots of benefits. And having lots of mismatched color lights from different companies is never good.

[@Mr2NDSU]

I’m going good for a p me def n U hittyuuiiuiuuiuuuiu up jkkioopp

[@SixSioux]

@@SmartHomePoint Hey dude! Thanks for the very informative review. I just do not understand why - even if you are basically destroying (and rightfully so) this product - you end up saying that you still like it, "if ignoring the pricing" (how can you actually ignore the price factor on this thing is a mistery to me lol). It seems to me like you do not want to attract the wrath of HUE fanboys like the boi in this comment up here. However: do you have any good alternative to the HUE lightstript to recommend, FULLY compatible and integrable to the HUE Bridge ZigBee system? Thank you!

[@wavypeso]

You’re supposed to clean the surface you put it on with alcohol

[@SmartHomePoint]

Good point, thanks for the helpful comment 🙂 I still haven't found it overly sticky compared to M3 adhesive strips (for example), but I do appreciate I skipped the alcohol cleaner step so that might have had a bearing.

[@ibrahimmurad1360]

W review

[@RAimotion]

lol Amps and volts has nothing to do with how bright any led lights is you silly goose. I just love when people who know nothing of how electricity works speaks of how they think it works. a diode needs a certain voltage over it to light up. Mostly its around 1.2 volts per diode. depending on the color of it. some power diodes might need more but again it has nothing to do with the voltage levels, that has to do with how many you can put in serial connection. Amps would be how many you can have in parelle. good video overral but the section about power is laughable to a electrician

[@SmartHomePoint]

TIL 🙂 I'm always eager to learn, but equally happy to admit when I'm wrong. Sorry about that, but thanks for the useful info 👍