Can I use Philips Hue bulbs outdoors?

Philips Hue lights are great for your home and they can add a lot of convenience to your living space. However, what if you want to use these smart bulbs outdoors in your porch or spotlights? Will Philips Hue lamps work outdoors?

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It is important to know that any light bulb and its circuit that is exposed to rain and other forms of precipitation is not safe; these conditions can easily damage the lamp and wiring. This is why almost all outdoor fixtures are weatherproof to some degree and are clearly labeled for outdoor use. Philips says its Hue lamps are only for for indoor use because the weather can adversely affect the lamps, which makes sense.

However, this does not necessarily mean that these lamps will stop working as soon as you use them outside. In addition, Philips Hue offers several options for outdoor use.

Lights in the room should be fine, but be careful

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One of the reasons Philips does not recommend using Hue bulbs for indoor outdoor lighting is because of the heat in summer. Philips Hue lamps already get hot when they are used in your home, so using them outside where they can easily reach 90 degrees just makes these lamps even hotter and can shorten lamp life.

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Of course, conventional LED bulbs have a lifespan of about 25,000 hours, so even if you leave a Hue bulb on for eight hours every day, it will take about eight and a half years before the bulb goes out completely. slightly less if they are operating under less than ideal conditions. By then, there will likely be newer versions of Hue bulbs that you’ll want to upgrade anyway.

All in all, there really isn’t anything to worry about. Many users have indoor Hue lamps installed in various outdoor fixtures without any problems. Personally, I have a Hue lamp on my front porch that turns on at dusk and stays on all night until dawn. Even during the intense heat, the light bulb worked normally.

If the lamp is installed in a moderately protected fixture that protects it from rain, snow, hail and other elements, then the Philips Hue lamp can be used outdoors. Just know that the lamp maybe not last as long as it could if it were used indoors under better conditions.

If you’re really worried, use an up-to-date street light.

If you’re not comfortable using an indoor Hue bulb outside, then you might want to consider using a Hue light that’s actually designed for outdoor use, and Philips has several different options that are rumored to be coming soon.

They sell a lamp that is specifically made for outdoor use, although it is a spotlight and only suitable for those types of fixtures.

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They also have a light bulb aimed at recessed fixtures. While not specifically designed for outdoor use, it is at least rated to withstand a wider temperature range, from about -4 degrees Fahrenheit to about 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Philips also makes several different outdoor lighting fixtures including wall mounts such as Inara, Ludere and Lucca. They also offer indicator lights like Lily and Calla that can be connected to each other with a single power cable.

And if that’s not enough, Philips is rumored to be releasing some outdoor lights in the near future, courtesy of a company that has been releasing its own upcoming products ahead of time.

Keep in mind that you don’t want to go too far out of the house with any Hue bulb, whether it’s outside or outside. If you do this, he will not be able to contact your center.

So if you’re planning on putting a Hue bulb in a driveway light or even a barn light fixture, you need to make sure it can still reach the Hue Bridge. If not, the bulb will still turn on fine, but you won’t be able to control it remotely from your phone and use it with scenes or schedules.