Philips Hue, known for its colorful smart lights, has rolled out an updated version of its popular Smart Button. This simple wireless switch is one of the easiest ways to control your Hue lights, and the new model comes with a noticeable size increase and a higher price tag for customers in the United States.
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This refresh brings a fresh design and potential implications for Hue pricing, particularly in the US market. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new:
- Bigger Design: The button is now nearly twice the size of the original.
- Updated Look: It’s flatter and more angular, with a new magnetic mounting option.
- US Price Increase: Costs $32.99 in the US, up from $29.99 for the older model.
- Lower International Pricing: Retails for £19.99 in the UK and €21.99 in the EU.
- Same Core Features: Still offers simple control for lights, scenes, dimming, and automations.
- Easier Battery Swap: The CR2032 battery is now simpler to replace.
What’s New? A Closer Look at the Design
The most obvious change is the size. The new Hue Smart Button has grown significantly, boasting a 45mm diameter compared to the previous 32mm. If the old one felt a bit small, this new one is designed to be more substantial and potentially easier to find and press.
The shape has also been updated. Gone is the slightly rounded, bulbous look of the original. The new button is flatter and features a more modern, angular style. One key difference is the mounting system: the new button doesn’t come with the large plastic plate that looked like a standard wall switch. Instead, it includes a small metal plate that lets you magnetically attach the button to your wall or any magnetic surface.
Comparison of Philips Hue smart switches including the new larger Smart Button, the original smaller Smart Button, the Dimmer Switch, and the Tap Dial switch
Hue offers a range of wireless controls for its smart lighting system. The new Smart Button is the updated version of the existing button. Other popular options include the Hue Dimmer Switch and the Hue Tap Dial switch.
How It Works: Simple Control for Your Lights
Functionality-wise, the new Hue Smart Button does the same job as its predecessor, which is a good thing because it was already quite capable. It connects to your Hue system wirelessly using a technology called Zigbee and requires a Hue Bridge to work.
Through the Hue app, you can customize what a press does:
- Single Press: Turn lights on/off, activate a specific lighting scene, or cycle through different scenes based on the time of day.
- Press and Hold: Dim or brighten your lights smoothly.
- Automations: Trigger custom routines you’ve set up in the Hue app.
Because it works with the Hue Bridge, the button is also compatible with smart home platforms that support Matter (like Apple Home), allowing you to potentially use the button to trigger actions beyond just your Hue lights.
The button uses a standard CR2032 coin battery, which Philips Hue estimates will last for two years. An improvement in the new design is that replacing this battery is reported to be much easier than on the previous model.
Price Check: Why the Difference?
Here’s where things get interesting. While the new Hue Smart Button is available for £19.99 in the UK and €21.99 in the EU, it sells for $32.99 in the US. This is an increase from the $29.99 price of the original US model.
This difference in pricing between regions, and the increase specifically in the US, might be part of a larger trend. Philips Hue recently sent an email to US customers warning that “prices go up on July 1.”
Screenshot of an email from Philips Hue sent to users in the US announcing upcoming price increases
This email suggesting a broader price hike starting in July was reportedly only sent to US customers. This has led to speculation that the price increases could be related to import tariffs. Philips Hue’s parent company, Signify, has been asked for comment on which products will be affected by the upcoming increases.
Conclusion: A Bigger Button, A Bigger Price Tag in the US
The updated Philips Hue Smart Button offers a larger, potentially more user-friendly design and an easier way to change the battery. Its core function as a simple, versatile controller for your Hue lights remains unchanged and is a great feature for quick access without needing your phone or voice assistant.
However, the increased price in the US, especially when compared to international pricing, is a notable change. Coming on the heels of a warning about wider US price increases from Philips Hue, this new button’s cost might be a preview of what’s to come for other products in their popular smart lighting lineup.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use physical switch for your Hue setup, the new Smart Button is available now from Hue’s website. Consider how its new size and higher US price fit into your plans compared to the original model or other Hue control options like the Dimmer Switch.
