IKEA VS Philips Hue: Which Smart Lights Are Better For Your Household?

There's no shortage of possible smart technology integrations that will modernize your home, but if you're looking to give your space a quick and effective transformation, smart lighting is a brilliant place to start. "Smart" lighting generally refers to LED lightbulbs, light strips, or lamps that can be programmed and adjusted through Bluetooth, WiFi, or other means of control. When used effectively, smart bulbs can make your home feel more comfortable and energy efficient. For example, bright white lights in the daytime and warm lights at night will help to promote a healthy circadian rhythm, and many smart lights allow for a seamless transition throughout the day. Dimmable and color-changing LED lights can also help you instantly set the right atmosphere in your home. Settling on the right brand can make all the difference in how often you actually engage with your smart lighting system, so while affordable options like IKEA's TRADFRI may be tempting, Philips Hue is the better pick for long-term enjoyment. 

Philips Hue is a leader in the smart lighting industry, but its price tags are enough to make any savvy home shopper balk. IKEA may be the more budget-friendly option, and it isn't a bad choice for most homes, but Philips Hue still offers more "smart" functionality, a wider product range, and a user-friendly setup. Here are the key comparisons between IKEA's TRADFRI smart lighting system and Philips Hue's top-rated line and why Philips Hue tends to be the better investment overall. 

The TRADFRI remote control starter kit with a color-changing E26 LED bulb is around $34 from IKEA. The TRADFRI smart lighting system can be a little confusing to set up, and some reviewers dislike the TRADFRI app controls, especially when trying to pair and use multiple bulbs. In order to control IKEA's TRADFRI bulbs from your smartphone, you'll need the DIRIGERA hub ($70 at IKEA), which plugs directly into your WiFi router, and the TRADFRI app. You'll also have to sync each bulb to your phone app individually, which can make for a frustrating setup experience. IKEA's color-changing bulbs have a default luminous flux rating of about 800 lumens — roughly the same brightness as a 60W incandescent bulb. 

The TRADFRI bulb's color options are limited and pale in comparison to Philips Hue's bright shades. Of course, this isn't to say that the IKEA version is without some merits. It could be wise to try out the IKEA bulb first to see if you even enjoy having a dimmable and multicolor bulb. All in all, IKEA's smart lighting system is affordable and acceptable for small ambient lights, but if you really want to use smart lights to personalize your home, Philips Hue is a more worthwhile investment that's bright enough for daily use. 

If you listen to an expert explain how smart lighting can level up your home, they're likely to recommend a top-rated brand like Philips Hue over cheap alternatives. Philips Hue offers a wide product range, from light strips to downlights, floor lamps, spotlights, and bulbs of all shapes and sizes. The TRADFRI starter kit from IKEA can be compared to the BR30 E26 smart bulb from Philips Hue, which is priced at just under $55 and can be controlled via Bluetooth, remote, or even a smartwatch app or voice controls. The initial setup and the app are more user-friendly, and Philips Hue is compatible with multiple smart home systems, including Amazon Echo and Google Home. 

Philips Hue's products also bring much bolder results and are much more true to tone. IKEA's lights tend to struggle, especially in the blue-green color spectrum, while the comparable Philips Hue bulb shines intensely in all colors of the rainbow and can put off a whopping 1100 lumens. The white lighting modes are also more adjustable and comfortable for daily use. Overall, Philips Hue's high-quality lights make them a better pick for replacing traditional light bulbs throughout your home. However, if you invest in a Philips Hue smart lighting system, you don't have to use Philips Hue bulbs everywhere; the TRADFRI lights ($22 at IKEA) can actually sync with your Hue Bridge app, making them a good, affordable alternative for lamps and ambient lights.