1/23/2024 0 Comments Hue outdoor sconce![]() One last point of note (and this applies to all of these lights) - you'll need the Hue Bridge plugged into your router in order to use the Lily spotlights as intended, and the Bridge doesn't come included in the starter kit. That means they might not be a practical option if you want one on either side of a walkway or anything else you wouldn't want to stretch a cord across. Also keep in mind that, like the Calla pedestals, the Lily spotlights will need to be daisy-chained together and connected to a shared power supply (unless you're willing to buy multiple starter kits). A two-light starter kit for something like $200 might have been closer to the sweet spot. That said, three lights might be overkill for a lot of people who just want symmetrical spotlights on either side of their front door. And, like the Calla lights, the Lily spots offer full color control, which would be handy to have on hand for the holidays (though I do wish that the colors were just a touch brighter). That's still a lot to spend, but it's also $30 less than you'd need to pay for a trio of Calla lights. Plus, they cost a bit less, with a three-light starter kit selling for $280. They're smaller and less conspicuous than the Calla pedestal lights, but just as bright. For that reason, I like Hue's new color-changing outdoor spotlights quite a bit. Chris Monroe/CNET 2) Philips Hue Lily Outdoor Spotlightsĭecorative outdoor lighting isn't really about the lights themselves - it's about the light that they cast. ET: Adds up-to-date information on new options from Philips Hue, Ring and others.The Hue Lily outdoor spotlights are well-designed and appealing for the holidays, but be prepared to spend. Expect full reviews and buying advice for all of it in the months ahead. We'll be sure to test those lights out at the CNET Smart Home once they're available, along with any other new outdoor-friendly smart home They'll be the least expensive Ring products to date, with step lights starting at $18 each and path lights starting at $30 each. A base kit with one light and the power supply costs $130, with additional lights selling for $90, so they definitely don't come cheap, but they're an option worth considering, especially if you've already bought into Hue's well-established smart lighting ecosystem.Īnd again, if you're more interested in outdoor security lighting than in color control, then consider waiting until April, when Ring's new outdoor lighting lineup launches. Still, they make for a pretty easy outdoor aesthetics upgrade.Īnother color-changing option: Philips Hue's Calla path lights, which look like little lighthouses for your yard. The lights communicate using Zigbee, so allow me to remind you that you'll need a hub from Wink or SmartThings or an Amazon Echo Plus to control them. However, if you feel inclined to upgrade, you should know that you've got a growing number of smart alternatives.įor smart, multicolor lights that look good lighting up a path or a garden, check out Sylvania's Gardenspot starter kit, which sells for $70 or less on Amazon. ![]() ![]() Smarts aside, there are plenty of good-looking decorative options out there, including solar-powered lights that don't require you to break out the extension cords. Specifically, I'm talking about path lighting. ![]() New motion-activated path lighting options from Ring are on the way, too, and should cost a lot less. On the high end, Philips Hue's lineup of outdoor lights include these color-changing Calla path lights. That alone is enough of an advantage to nudge some users into the smart switch camp. That's not a problem with smart switches - even when they're switched off, they're still hard-wired, so your automations and remote controls will always work regardless of whether the light is physically on or off. One other thing to keep in mind if you're trying to decide between smart bulbs and smart switches is that smart bulbs only work if the power is on, which means you'll need to retrain yourself and your family members to leave the switch in the on position at all times. Make the swap, and you can automate your back porch light and add Alexa controls into the back room while you're at it. ![]() Spend a little more and you'll find options like the Ecobee Switch Plus, which features built-in sensors for motion, temperature and ambient light plus built-in Alexa voice controls. Both work with a good variety of third-party platforms, includingĪlexa and Google Assistant for voice controls. Of those, I like the Belkin WeMo Light Switch and the Kasa Wi-Fi Light Switch from TP-Link. Most basic models that just offer simple automations and remote on/off functionality can be had for less than $50 each. ![]()
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