Philips Hue Motion Sensor Light Review

Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, outdoor motion sensors add an exceptional degree of safety and security. Anyone would want to know if burglars, wild animals, or wandering drunks have stepped too close for comfort.

Motion sensing lights are nothing new in 2019. However, with the recent rise of smart light technology, the ability to customize and expand home lighting for both comfort and security has never been greater. Philips Hue is arguably the most well-known and popular brand of smart lights.

While they have had an indoor motion sensor for some time, the outdoor model is an exciting step forward for a brand that is already leading the pack.

A Note on Smart Lights and Motion Sensors:

Before getting into the details, it’s worth mentioning some things. The Philips Hue outdoor motion sensor is just that, a motion sensor. It does not come with the smart lights, those are an entirely different purchase. You need to have already invested in the Philips Hue ecosystem.

Of course, if you want a motion sensor without also spending on Philips Hue lights, you don’t have to give up on something of quality. Look into Litom Solar LEDs for something affordable, eco-friendly and efficient.

RAB also has an outdoor motion sensor that is effective at picking up movement in almost any direction while also featuring internal protection from variables like power surges.

Additionally, if you are in the market for smart lights, Philips Hue is far from your only great option. It might be worth looking into other brands like Konxie, Feit, or Sealight.

All of them offer a variety of different options and styles that could better fit your needs. For example, Sealight specializes in a vintage Edison style while Konxie is perfect for someone looking for smart party or holiday lights.

The Basics:

Philips Hue’s motion sensor comes as a handsome little accessory that easily connects via the app to the Hue Bridge. The kit is equipped with the sensor which is a large white eye encased in a lidded black mount. It’s bulbous but still remains subtle and able to blend in without being too obvious or blemishing your home’s outdoor style.

There are a variety of screws and brackets so the sensor can be easily mounted on a flat surface or corner. The lens is similar to a fish-eye design and has a generous 160 degree field of vision that can track what is both immediately in front of as well as below it, learn more about how it functions. It can track motion up to 12 meters away.

Furthermore, because it connects to the entire Philips Hue ecosystem, the sensor will turn on both outdoor and indoor lights if desired. This is very difficult to find in other motion sensor lights and is one of the most distinct and unique benefits of the smart light system.

The Good:

Those who are already familiar with Philips Hue, should not be surprised that the the outdoor motion sensor comes with incredible potential for customization. Pair this up with the best outdoor LED lights and we are good to go.

First, are the lighting options themselves. With both their colored lights and more basic models, you can use a massive spectrum to adjust color, hue, and brightness to your exact specifications. For example, you can set it so that the lights outside trigger to be a bright and clarifying white light, while the indoor lights illuminate as a soft, lavender nightlight. It’s entirely up to you.

Even more useful, you can specify by time off day how sensitive you want the sensor to be. By using the app, you can ensure that the lights aren’t constantly triggered during the daytime. This then will automatically switch to your nighttime settings which may or may not be more sensitive depending on your preference.

You can also set how long you want the triggered lights to stay illuminated. This can further be customized to each group of lights so that the outdoor lights stay on longer or vice versa

The motion sensor can also be used with Apple’s HomeKit app so that it can be linked up with smart home tech outside of Philips Hue ecosystem.

Lastly, at only $50 dollars this is a wonderful and fairly priced add-on for Philips Hue light owners.

The Bad:

You have to already have the Philips Hue ecosystem in your home. This means owning lights which are much more expensive then the motion sensor itself and the bridge which can sometimes be its own separate purchase.

So, while the motion sensor is undeniably good, There are some significant hoops to jump through if you’re not already fully immersed with both outdoor and indoor lights. This makes it much more expensive for newbies.

On a different note, the way Philips Hue organizes lights is by room and not by bulb. Therefore, if you want to get into some real detail by having each individual bulb do something specific, it takes some obnoxious finagling. There is also a maximum of 3 rooms per motion sensor.

The Verdict:

This is frankly a wonderful outdoor motion sensor. You’ll be hard-pressed to find something that offers as much as Phillips Hue in terms of quality, customization, and ease of set up. It’s weatherproof, efficient, versatile, intuitive, and just plain fun to use.

It will without doubt bring safety and security to the home as well as style. The motion sensing lights can be dazzling if you want to utilize them for a party or as a comfort for when you come home.

All that said, the biggest drawback is the cost for someone who hasn’t already purchased the lights themselves and the necessary bridge to connect to the wifi. For Hue people, it’s a very cheap cost at $50 dollars. For newcomers, that price jumps to at least $150 or more if you want all the possibilities.

All in all, it’s a superb product and a must for those who are already using Philips Hue lights. You won’t find anything nearly as good or fun to use. Philips Hue remains one of the best products out there for smart lighting systems.