Can Philips Hue Bulbs be Used Outside? Let’s Find Out

If you’re anything like me and have gathered a rather large collection of Philips Hue bulbs, it’s natural to try and get the most use out of them. However, the larger question is can you use Philips Hue bulbs outside in your garden or patio? Let’s find out together!

Whenever we talk about integrating smart light solutions with aesthetic interiors, the first name that pops up is that of the Philips Hue lighting range.

It’s a well-known fact that Philips was light-years ahead of its competition when it launched the Hue range in October 2012. Since then, their smart lighting solutions have continued to evolve, incorporating rich color displays, Bluetooth, and even voice-recognition technology to create cutting-edge, intelligent lighting solutions for your home. 

As an interior decorator who integrates smart home technology with modern aesthetics, I cannot stress enough the importance of choosing the right lighting to illuminate your spaces. 

Effective lighting can determine whether your living room or lounge is an inviting space or not and even define the success of your outdoor parties. 

A centrally-controlled home lighting system allows you to play with colors, adjust brightness levels, and even change color temperatures from warm to cool and vice-versa. 

At the same time, no other smart lighting brand offers more product options, a richer color spectrum (over 16 million color options), and functional versatility than Philips. However, the question at hand is: Can Hue bulbs be used outside? Continue reading to find out more.

Can You Use Philips Hue Bulbs Outside?

Yes, you can use Philips Hue indoor bulbs outside as I have done the same in the past. However, based on my experience, I wouldn’t recommend it as using these rather expensive indoor bulbs outside compromises their performance and lifespan.

One thing that I have noticed as an interior designer is that while most people invest quite a bit of time and care while placing their indoor lights, they may not give the same importance to the outdoor ones. 

However, installing the right lights at the right spots shows off your home’s exteriors to advantage, while also creating the perfect ambiance for your outdoor parties and barbecues. 

From creating a welcoming atmosphere on your front porch to lighting up your backyard patio and well-landscaped lawns, outdoor bulbs shine a light on your home’s best external features.  Here is the list of some of the Philips hue setup ideas.

Illuminating your outdoors using smart Hue lights with a bright range of color options seems appealing, but is it the way to go?
Perhaps instead of asking can you use Philips Hue bulbs outside, you should ask yourself, are you making the smart choice?

How to Use Philips Indoor Hue Lights Outside Like a Pro

The answer to the question; can Philips Hue bulbs be used outside, is yes, it can be done. 

Here are some great spots to highlight using smart lights:

Porch Lights

I used Philips Hue bulbs on my porch, switching them on every evening to lend a soft, welcoming ambiance to the front of our house. This way they were close enough to the house to be controlled from inside.

Patio Lights

Apart from your front porch, these Hue lights are also a great option for creating just the right setting for an intimate dinner on your backyard patio.

Use Well-Covered Outdoor Sconces

Using protective and weather-proof scones like coach light fixtures can protect these smart lights from being damaged by harsh weather conditions and moisture.
Now that we have answered the question; can you use Philips Hue bulbs outside, let’s see why it’s not the smart option for illuminating your outdoors.

Why Using Indoor Hue Bulbs Outside is Not the Smart Choice

Philips claims that their indoor Hue bulbs can last between 15,000 to 25,000 hours. At the same time, certain factors like using them outdoors can impact their performance. James did a post on the longevity of Philips Hue bulbs. You can read here.

Here’s why it’s not a smart choice to use your indoor Hue bulbs outside:

Moisture

Philips Hue indoor lights do not respond well to the presence of moisture and perform best in a cool, dry indoor environment. You may install them out of the sunlight and rain, yet their circuits can still be damaged by the moisture from ice, snow, or even a high level of humidity in the air.

Extreme Temperatures

I can tell you from experience that Philips Hue indoor bulbs don’t last long in hot temperatures (they generate heat as well) or in the cold, for that matter. They are built for indoor use and do not withstand extreme temperatures very well. The bulbs I used on my porch lasted for approximately 2 years before going out due to excessive heat.

Limited Functionality

The Hue Bridge that controls your smart lights is plugged into a Wi-Fi router. To control these lights, you may have to set up your Wi-Fi and Hue Bridge outside, where it can be damaged by external elements like animals or extreme weather conditions.

If you cannot plug in a control system outside, it may be hard to control these lights from inside the house. Then they will then function just as regular lights and no longer be smart lights. 

Now, you can see why installing these expensive smart lights outside would be a waste. You would spend a lot of money on them, only for the lights to go out after a few months or years.  

This raises another question: which lights should you use for your outdoors? Continue reading to find out.

How Actual Outdoor Lights Illuminate Your Exteriors Better

As highlighted above, it’s not a smart decision to use indoor Philips Hue bulbs outside. So, let’s explore some smart outdoor lighting options to shine the spotlight on your exteriors. 

The good news is that Philips has come out with a range of smart outdoor lights that have some really exciting features. From backyard lights that switch between a wide array of colors to automatic bulbs that light up the moment you pull into your driveway, the possibilities are just endless.  

I recommend that you try out their LowVolt range, which as the name indicates comprises a range of low-voltage outdoor lights to enhance your outdoor space. 

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular outdoor lighting options from the Philips Hue range:

White and Color Outdoor Wall Mounted Lights

The Impress wall light from the Philips Hue outdoors collection is approximately $149.99 per piece, while the white-only Inara wall lights cost just $41.92 per sconce. 

These wall-mounted lights for your outdoors come in a low voltage range and can also be plugged into your mains. As part of the Philips Hue smart lighting range, they can all be controlled via the accompanying Hue Bridge. 

Pros

Weather-proof and designed with IP44, this protects the bulb against dust and water splashed from any direction.

Made from high-quality aluminum and tempered glass.

Controlled via the Hue Bridge and app or Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, and Google Assistant.

Low volt system and Energy Label G

Cons

Can seem a bit pricey as it would cost you far less to buy a weather-proof sconce and it with a smart LED bulb.

Where to Use/Ideal/Perfect For: As these are wall-mounted lights, I would recommend using them on your exterior walls, porch, and patio to lend a warm glow to your beautiful hardwood, brick, vinyl, or rendered exteriors.

White and Color Ambiance Outdoor Lightstrips

Installing Philips Hue Outdoor Lightstrips is a subtle way to add definition to your exteriors. Their high flexibility means that you can bend them to adhere to any shape you want. These lights are perfect for brightening up dark corners outside and can be wrapped around flower beds, trees and even be used underneath your porch or patio. 

The strips come with a 10-year lifespan and work in all kinds of weather. As a smart lighting option from Philips, the Lightstrips can also be connected to smart home devices and be switched on or off via voice control using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, too.

Pros

These are subtle, yet powerful lights and will illuminate your dark corners brilliantly at night.

You can control these strips via the Hue app, voice control, or smart home accessories.

These strips are built for the outdoors and are weather-proof with an IP67 rating.

Cons

The outdoor lightstrips are a little bulky, about an inch wide and ½ inch in height. This does compromise their flexibility a bit.

These strips are not trimmable, so it would be better to know the exact length you need and order accordingly.

Perfect For: As these lights can adhere to different shapes and surfaces, I would advise wrapping them around your front porch or deck to add a subtle pop of lighting. You can even line them along your porch or patio railing for alfresco dinners or use them to outline your driveway for a warm welcome at night.
You can buy these smart lightstrips online on the official Philips Hue website or order them on Amazon.

White and Color Ambiance Lily Outdoor Spot Lights

Apart from these subtle lighting options, Hue’s outdoor range also packs some powerful options, including several stylish and sturdy spotlights. 

Easily mounted in dark corners or even high up in your trees, these lights are a must-have for outdoor garden parties and events as they shine a spotlight on the beauty of your outdoor spaces.

Pros

These low-voltage lights come with 2 T-shaped electrical connectors and can be mounted in versatile ways using extension cords.

They feature cylindrical aluminum frames with glass lenses, i.e., are dust-proof and watertight against jetting water from sprinklers (up to 6.3mm nozzle).

Cons

These lights require a Hue Bridge to be fully functional.

The 3 Lily spotlights have to be daisy-chained while connecting to power, go for individual pieces if you plan to place them farther apart.

Their brightness is 600 lumens, they give off a pleasing glow but are not as powerful as floodlights.

Perfect For: Unlike wall-mounted lamps, these lights can be spread out farther and are a great way to illuminate your hedges, garden ponds, or even sculptures and fountains. 

Get these smart spotlights for your home on Amazon now. 

Outdoor Sensor Lights

While all Philips Hue outdoor lights have wireless control, outdoor sensor lights are equipped with motion sensor technology and turn on the moment they detect any motion.

These automatic lights are also weather-proof and battery-powered. Just install them on your driveway or porch and forget about stumbling in the dark while fumbling for your keys.

Pros

These automatic lights offer easy, wireless installation with 2 years of battery life.

Weather-proof and incredibly easy to use.

Cons

Require Hue Bridge to operate.

Many online reviews claim defects and integration problems, though I have never experienced any.

Perfect For: These motion sensor lights can be fixed over your garage, barn doors, or storage shed, as they turn on the moment they detect your presence.

Another great place for these sensor lights is the entrance to your attic or basement. I have also seen them working great as garage door lights. 
Add these smart sensor lights to your exteriors now.

White and Color Ambiance Floodlights

There’s nothing like being welcomed home by bright lights that bestow a warm glow over your home and garden. 

Apart from offering the full range of smart control features, Hue floodlights can be tuned to turn on automatically with the addition of the Philips Hue outdoor sensor. Packed with enough power to cast light on your front and back yards, these lights are also UL Wet Location rated. This certifies them for use in wet conditions and means that you can place them all over your property without worrying about the weather.

Pros

These are powerful lights and are capable of lighting up large outdoor spaces.

They are 1P44-rated,i.e., are protected against all solid particles larger than 1mm and water splashing from all directions.

Cons

These lights need an outdoor power socket to work, need to be plugged in.

These smart floodlights also need the Philip Hue Bridge to function.

The mounting bracket hardware can be more robust, many users face issues while installing and mounting these lights.

Perfect For: Hue floodlights are quite powerful, they are a great option to light up your driveway, front door, back door, along with the perimeters of your front/backyard. 

You can order these versatile floodlights for your outdoors from Amazon.

White and Color Ambiance Econic Outdoor Pedestal Lights

Another dynamic offering from the Philips Hue Outdoor range, these pedestal lights are great for brightening your entrance walkways and garden pathways.

Pros

These lights feature some of the most stunning designs and are among the most user-friendly smart outdoor lights.

UL wet location rated, come rain or sunshine, these lights will stay put and continue to shine.

These smart lights are controlled using the Philips Hue bridge and can also be integrated with other smart home devices and voice assistants.

Cons

None to report so far!

Perfect For: You can place these pedestal lights at regular intervals in a row to light up your garden pathways and walkways. I have been using these for years and would suggest that you give them a try as well. 
Order them online on Amazon today.

Inara Wall Lantern

Another stylish option from Hue’s outdoor range, the Inara Wall Lantern shines a warm, white light on your exteriors while adding charm to your exteriors with their lantern design. 

With an E26 LED bulb firmly encased in the weather-proof outer casing, these lights last long and offer users the full range of Philips Hue’s smart lighting features.

Pros

It’s easy to install and one of the most economical options in the Hue range at just $59.99 per piece.

You can create light schedules to ensure that the lights switch on automatically at night, even when you are away.

Cons

Emit just white light.

Require the Philips Hue bridge to function.

Perfect For: Encased in a sturdy frame inspired by coach light fixtures, these wall-mounted lights are great for your front doors and porch and are available on Amazon as well. 

Here, I have given you a brief description of the different lighting options available in the Philips Hue Outdoor range. You can learn more about their smart control features by exploring their extensive product range here. 

I would suggest identifying the spots you wish to shine a light on and selecting a mix of products that fit these diverse spaces best. 
While the Hue outdoors range has around 26 exciting products, including linear LED light panels, exterior bulbs, and outdoor bollards, the buzz on the market is that they are gearing up to launch more outdoor lighting options soon.

FAQs-Let’s Answer the Web’s Most Popular Questions

 Q1. Are Philips Hue bulbs wet rated?

Answer – While indoor Hue lights do not react well to moisture, their outdoor range is weather-proof and UL Wet Location rated, which means you can install them outside without worrying about rainstorms. Just read the product description carefully and check for the UL and weather-proof rating before making a purchase.

Q2. Do I need a Hue Bridge for outdoor lights?

Answer – Yes, you do need a Hue Bridge to control your Hue outdoor lights as many of them will not be able to function as smart lights without it. You first need to connect your outdoor Hue lights to the Hue Bridge. You can now manage them via the Hue app on your phone.

Or you can take things a bit further and trigger your Hue lights automatically by connecting them to a Philips Hue outdoor sensor or even control them via your Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, or Google Assistant. The world is your oyster, my suggestion is to experiment and have fun!

Q3. How do you set up Hue outdoor lights?

Answer – You can install Hue outdoor lights yourself by following the instructions that come with the lights or call the professionals to do it for you. 

If you are a committed DIYer but unsure of how to proceed, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help light your way.

Can Philips Hue Bulbs be Used Outside? Here’s the Final Verdict

I hope that I have successfully answered your question: Can Philips Hue bulbs be used outside? The answer is yes; however, it will impact their lifespan and performance. 

So, while Philips Hue indoor lights can be used outside, it’s better to use them in a controlled atmosphere for longevity. After all, why buy these expensive lights and not explore their full potential?

High-powered, water-resistant, and weather-proof, Hue outdoor smart lights are the best fit for your outdoors. 

So, which Hue outdoor light are you planning to add first? Let us know in the comments below.