# I tested the Philips Hue Essential smart lights, and they blew me away with their budget price and stunning colors

> Last year, Signify, the company behind Philips Hue, unveiled a new lineup of bulbs and strip lights intended to make it more affordable to start installing smart lighting in your home, and lower the barrier to entry –…

- **Source:** [TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-lights/i-tested-the-philips-hue-essential-smart-lights-and-they-blew-me-away-with-their-budget-price-and-stunning-colors?utm_source=gearopen.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=698df3c8184285364a82335d)
- **Published:** 2026-02-12
- **Category:** Smart Home
- **Tags:** #smart-home #lights #philips #bulbs #price #away #blew #budget
- **Canonical:** http://localhost:4321/a/698df3c8184285364a82335d

---

_GearOpen's distilled summary. The full original article is published at TechRadar (source link above); GearOpen does not republish the source's full text._