FabianIn addition to third-party Friends of Hue switches, Philips Hue has previously offered the Dimmer Switch, Smart Button and Wall Switch Module as “light switch” accessories. After the retirement of the Hue Tap a few years ago, the second generation is now on its way: The Philips Hue Tap Dial switch.
The new accessory is available now for a price of 49.99 euros in white and black. I was already allowed to try out the Philips Hue Tap Dial switch and would like to give you my first impressions today.
Philips Hue Tap Dial switch can be used flexibly
The new Hue switch comes with a mounting plate that is perfectly adapted to the European light switches. However, the Tap Dial switch can not only be placed magnetically on the mounting plate, but of course also on any other magnetic surface. It can also be used like a portable remote control.
What is already noticeable when touching it for the first time: The Philips Hue Tap Dial switch is heavy. It weighs an impressive 72 grams, which is many times more than the dimmer switch or smart button. Not without reason: presumably, strong magnets had to be installed so that the switch simply rotates with you when you use it.
The highlight is a rotating ring with which the brightness can be reduced and increased. Great: If you turn the ring slowly, you can adjust the light very precisely. If you turn it quickly, the brightness changes much more. And so that you don't have to feel one of the four buttons in bed at night, you can also use the rotating ring to switch on and off. In this case, the last light setting used in the room is always activated.
The four buttons can be freely assigned. Either for different rooms or for different scenes in a room. In the latter case, a short button press activates the desired scene, a long button press on any button switches the light in the room off.
By the way, in contrast to the old Hue Tap, the power supply is provided by a button cell. There is probably no other technical solution with the rotating ring, and I also find the light button press much more pleasant. According to the manufacturer, the button cell should last for two years.
Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch
$49.99 / £44.99 / €49,99
Finally… A built-in rotating ring on a hue switch to manage brightness !
Can’t wait to get these and integrate it into my 41 bulbs, strips, and accessories.
Can it be mounted at an angle so the buttons are top/bottom/left/right?
Not really. There is a small dot/hole to ensure the alignment of the tap dial. I guess it could be removed though, but it will require a bit of work/creativity 😉
Not really. There is a small dot/hole to ensure the alignment of the tap dial. I guess it could be removed though, but it will require a bit of work/creativity 😉
Hi! Is there any chance to set it up so that when you click on the button the dial would change the brightness of the room assigned to that button?
I.e. if I have living room assigned to button 1, and dining room to button 2 (same room, different zone).
So if I want 40% brightness in the living room I press button 1 and rotate the dial. Then I press button 2 and rotate the dial to change brightness to dinig room only.
I have the same question. that would indeed be very useful.
Not on the Hue App itself. But in Home Assistant for example its possible
I have one, and it’s great, but not quite as functional as I hoped. Per Peter’s question – this can’t be done, but what is committed here is each of the four buttons can be configured for scenes activated on multiple presses. For example in my kitchen I have a scene that turns my main bench lights on a colour scene, second press turns these to bright and brings on the galley lights as well, a third press the galley lights remain on and the bench lights go off, a fourth press and the bench lights switch back to colour but dimmed and the galley lights go off.
the other three buttons have similar functions for different areas – lounge, living, spotlights etc.
Overall it’s a 9.5/10 the last button pushed dim ability would be a 10.5/10