FeaturedPhilips Hue White & Color A19 Starter Kit
By Ethan Halfhide · Updated
The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit pairs two A19 E26 color bulbs (60W equivalent, up to 806 lumens) with the Hue Bridge. Philips lists it at $142.99 as of September 2026. With the Bridge it works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings and Matter, and one Bridge supports up to 50 bulbs.
Two color A19 bulbs plus the Hue Bridge for the full Hue feature set.
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter KitProduct images: Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit
Specs and price last verified September 30, 2026
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Specifications
- Price
- $142.99
- Device type
- Smart Bulb
- Ecosystems
- Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, Matter, SmartThings
- Rooms
- Living Room, Bedroom
- Connectivity
- Zigbee, Bluetooth, Matter
- Hub required
- No
- Rental friendly
- Yes
- Matter certified
- Yes
- Installation
- DIY
- Energy Star
- No
- Local control
- Yes
- Voice control
- Yes
About
The kit includes the Hue Bridge and two White and Color Ambiance A19 bulbs. Each bulb draws 9.5W, covers 2000 to 6500K white plus colored light, and is rated for 25,000 hours and 50,000 switch cycles. The bulbs use Zigbee and Bluetooth: Bluetooth gives basic app control, while the included Bridge adds voice assistants and third-party platforms. Philips lists compatibility with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, IFTTT, Matter, Samsung SmartThings and Sonos.
Setup and compatibility notes
Set up the Hue Bridge and bulbs in the Philips Hue app (Android 10 or later, iOS 16 or later). Philips says voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, Apple Home and Google Assistant) require the Hue Bridge. One Bridge handles up to 50 bulbs and 12 accessories, and Philips lists the system as working without Wi-Fi. No subscription is mentioned on the product page.
Pros
- +Hue Bridge included in the kit
- +Works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings and Matter
- +One Bridge supports up to 50 bulbs
- +Works without Wi-Fi, per Philips
Cons
- −Voice assistants and third-party platforms need the Bridge
- −Output drops to 570 lumens at 2700K (806 at 4000K)
- −Only two bulbs in the kit
How it compares
| Device | Price | Ecosystems | Matter | Hub required | Local control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Hue White & Color A19 Starter Kit | $142.99 | Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, Matter, SmartThings | Yes | No | Yes |
| LIFX Everyday A19 Smart Bulb | $19.98 | Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, Matter, SmartThings | Yes | No | Not published |
| Nanoleaf Essentials A19 Smart Bulb | $19.99 | Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, Matter, SmartThings | Yes | No | Yes |
FAQ
- Does the Philips Hue Starter Kit need the Hue Bridge?
- The Bridge comes in the kit. The bulbs also support Bluetooth for basic control, but Philips says voice assistants require the Hue Bridge.
- Does it work with Apple HomeKit?
- Yes. Philips lists the kit as HomeKit compatible and names Apple Home among supported platforms.
- Is the Philips Hue Starter Kit Matter compatible?
- Philips lists Matter among compatible third-party systems, alongside Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings, IFTTT and Sonos.
- How bright are the bulbs?
- Each A19 bulb is a 60W equivalent: 806 lumens at 4000K and 570 lumens at 2700K, per Philips.
- How many bulbs come in the starter kit?
- Two A19 E26 White and Color Ambiance bulbs plus the Hue Bridge.
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LIFX Everyday A19 Smart Bulb
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Nanoleaf Essentials A19 Smart Bulb
Affordable Matter over Thread bulb with 16 million colors
About the author
Ethan Halfhide: Ethan Halfhide is a smart home enthusiast and AI technologist who follows the connected home market closely, from smart locks and security cameras to robot vacuums, lighting, sensors and hubs. He curates HomeGearLab's device directory, comparing products on published specs, compatibility, setup requirements and price so readers can pick gear that fits their home and works together.