It’s been years since Philips Hue lighting system was introduced. Since then, Philips has improved their products and added many new lineups. Though light bulbs are just one part of their system, there are so many different types that you might get confused. To make things clear, here is a list of Philips Hue light bulbs.

Hue White A19 (455295)

Hue White is the most basic and inexpensive light bulb among Philips Hue products. It’s available to buy individually. At 800 lumens, this A19 bulb consumes only 9.5W. It’s equivalent to a 60W incandescent bulb. It can’t change the color, but it’s dimmable. Though its name says “White,” an actual color is yellow or yellowish white. If you need white color, this is not one for you. Hue White A19 costs $15.

The bulb is also found in the two bundles. One of them is Philips 455386 Hue Wireless Dimming Kit ($35) including one bulb and one Dimmer Switch. It’s worth noting that a bulb and switch work out of the box. You can turn on/off or dim the light directly without the bridge. Each switch can control up to ten light bulbs. However, you can’t control the light with Philip Hue app from your smartphone. To do so, you will need the bridge.

Another one is Philips 455287 Hue White A19 Starter Kit ($70). It includes two bulbs and a 2nd Gen Bridge. With the bridge, you can add more accessories like a motion sensor or Tap switch and control with smartphone’s apps, Apple Home Kit, or Amazon Alexa.

Hue White and Color Ambiance A19

It’s believed to be the most popular light bulb of all. Hue White and Color Ambiance ($50) can display millions of colors and thousands of shades of white from warm to daylight (=yellow to white). Hue White and Color has improved through three generations. Here is the difference.

• 1st Gen (426361) – 600 lumen, 2000-6500 Kelvin
• 2nd Gen (456202) – 800 lumen, 2000-6500 Kelvin (200 lumen brighter than 1st gen)
• 3rd Gen (464503) – 800 lumen, 2000-6500 Kelvin (having richer and deeper in green, cyan and blue than 1st and 2nd gens)

All generations of bulbs have a bundle version including three bulbs and one bridge. Here are the details

• Philips 426353 Hue Starter Kit – three bulbs (1st gen) and one bridge (1st gen)
• Philips 456194 Hue Starter Kit – three bulbs (2nd gen) and one bridge (2nd gen)
• Philips 464495 Hue Starter Kit – three bulbs (3rd gen) and one bridge (2nd gen)

Any generation of bulb works with any generation of the bridge. However, 1st gen bridge is not compatible with Apple HomeKit or Philips Hue Skill of Amazon Alexa. (You can still make basic controls like turning on/off or dimming with voice command to Alexa, but can’t use features of Skill. See details here.) An original price of Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit is $199. Probably, you can find older versions at good discounted prices.

Hue White Ambiance A19 (461004)

Hue White Ambiance A19 ($30) is one between Hue White and Hue White and Color. It can’t change the color, but it can change the shade of white from warm to cold color temperatures (2200-6500 Kelvin.) As a result, it can display four pre-set light recipes, Relax (amber), Read (yellowish white), Concentrate (white), and Energize (bluish white).

The bulb is also found in two bundles. One of them is Philips 466706 Hue Light Recipe Kit ($50) including one bulb and one Dimmer Switch. A dimmer switch is pre-programmed, so you can use four pre-set light recipes without the bridge. When you press ON, it turns on to the last state. A second press turns on Relax, third to Read, fourth to Concentrate, and fifth to Energize. If you have the bridge, you can re-program the switch with smartphone’s app.

The other bundle is Philips 460989 Hue White Ambiance Starter Kit ($130) including two bulbs, one Dimmer Switch, and the 2nd gen Bridge. With the bridge, you can control the lights with smartphone’s apps, Apple HomeKit, or Amazon Alexa.

Hue White and Color Ambiance BR30 (456665)

Hue White and Color Ambiance BR30 ($60) is a flood light for recess ceiling lighting fixtures. At 630 lumens, it’s equivalent to a 65W incandescent bulb, and it consumes as little as 7W. It can change millions of colors and thousands of shade from 2000 to 6500 Kelvin. You can consider it as a BR30 version of Hue White and Color Ambiance, but its spec is close to 1st gen’s bulb.

Like A19 bulb, 3rd Gen BR30 bulbs is widely available on the market. Hue White and Color Ambiance BR30 (3rd Gen) ($50) has also richer colors than previous versions and slightly brighter at 650 lumens. And, it looks much sleeker because it no longer has a silver heat sink.

You can buy the bulb individually or a bundle. Philips 432278 Hue BR30 Starter Kit ($199) includes three bulbs and the 1st gen bridge. Please keep in mind that 1st gen bridge is not compatible with Apple HomeKit or Philips Hue Skill for Amazon Alexa.

Hue White Ambiance BR30 (464438)

BR30 version of Hue White Ambiance. Just like A19 version, it can’t change the color. But it can change the shade from 2200 to 6500 Kelvin. You can get a single Hue White Ambiance BR30 for $30 or 2-pack (466508) for $50.

Other Hue light bulbs

There are some other types of bulbs. GU10 and PAR16 are both spot lights. They are used for lighting fixtures designed to produce a directional light. The difference between GU10 and PAR16 is a shape of the base.

• Hue White and Color Ambiance GU10 (456681) ($50)
• Hue White Ambiance GU10 (464792) ($30), 2pack (466540) ($60)
• Hue White and Color Ambiance PAR16 (456673) ($50)

Hue Bluetooth

There are new additions to Philips Hue products. They have a built-in Bluetooth so they can connect to your smartphone’s app and work without Hub (Bridge). Bluetooth version is available on both A19 and BR30, White, White Ambiance, and White and Color Ambiance.

Read Also: Philips Hue Bluetooth Light Bulbs work without Hub or Bridge

Conclusion

Most Philips Hue light bulbs are either “White and Color Ambiance” or “White Ambiance”. While “White and Color Ambiance” can change the color and shade, “White Ambiance” can change only shade. Hue White is the only exception. It can’t change either color or shade. It can only dim. A19 is a standard shape of light bulb which can fit many fixtures including ceiling, desk lamp, floor lamp, etc. BR30 is a flood light which is best for recessed lighting fixtures. GU10 and PAR16 are spot lights which are for lighting fixtures designed to produce a directional light.

Read Also: Philips Hue Outdoor Lighting – bring smart light to your garden, porch, backyard, etc