FabianA GU10 spot rarely comes alone. Until now, it was therefore quite expensive to equip the entire ceiling with GU10 spots from Philips Hue, especially if you want colored light from time to time. A single Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance GU10 spotlight officially costs €64.99. The new Hue Essential GU10 spotlights, which also offer different shades of white and colors, cost only €59.99 (to the Hue-Shop) for a pack of four. That’s a huge price difference. Where do you have to make compromises?
The differences between normal Hue spots and Hue Essential
First, let’s take a look at the most important differences on paper; after all, Philips Hue has a suitable graphic for this.
However, this graphic needs to be put into perspective a little, as it refers to the new E27 bulbs, which have also been upgraded. The expensive GU10 spots can “only” dim to 1 percent and display color temperatures from 2,000 to 6,500 Kelvin. The Hue Essential GU10 spots achieve a similar 2,200 to 6,500 Kelvin, but can only be dimmed to 2 percent.
In my opinion, the biggest difference, which I have also noticed in everyday use, is the so-called “color blending.” With the inexpensive GU10 spots from the Hue Essential series, individual LEDs are visible. In some cases, you can also see colors that are not even set. This looks a bit strange. However, it is only noticeable when you look directly into the spots, which is something you rarely do in everyday life.
Color rendering and brightness of the Hue Essential GU10 spotlights
I didn’t notice any noticeable differences in brightness. The Hue Essential spots produce up to 345 lumens at standard white with 2,700 Kelvin. That’s almost exactly as much as the expensive spots produce. These still have a few reserves at cooler light with 4,000 Kelvin and then produce up to 400 lumens.
I would also describe the color rendering of the spots as good. The colors appear rich and vibrant. Are there really no differences here? The Hue Essential series does not feature the Chromasync technology that Philips Hue has been incorporating into its premium light bulbs for some time now. This is a special calibration that ensures that the colors still look exactly the same after several years as they did on the first day.
In theory, slight color differences should be noticeable in the Hue Essential series when a light bulb that is several years old is used directly next to a new light bulb. Of course, I have not yet been able to verify whether this is really visible in practice.
Small differences in design
What I noticed immediately, however, is that the design of the Hue Essential GU10 spots differs from that of the normal Hue spots. The Hue Essentials series has flat glass rather than glass that curves slightly outward. This makes the spots 2 millimeters shorter, which can make a difference, especially in very tightly spaced luminaires.
Matter over Thread – although it’s nowhere to be seen
And then there’s another detail. Although there is no mention of Matter or Thread anywhere on the packaging, the Hue Essential spots are compatible with the smart home standard. Matter codes can be found directly on the light bulb and in the instructions, allowing a direct connection to a Thread Border Router without the use of the Hue Bridge or the Hue app. For example, you can connect the spots directly to Apple Home.
In practice, however, this means foregoing numerous functions, such as Adaptive Lighting or the numerous effects that Philips Hue offers in its app. All of this is available when connecting via Bluetooth to the Hue app or when connecting via Zigbee to the Hue Bridge or Hue Bridge Pro.
The Hue Essential GU10 spots are a real alternative
Since the premium spots from Philips Hue have not been upgraded this year, the difference to the GU10 spots from the Hue Essential series is not as huge as it is with the E27 bulbs.
In my opinion, the inexpensive colored spots are a real alternative. The 4-pack with a list price of €59.99 is particularly impressive by Hue standards, with a single spotlight available for €24.99. Prices are likely to be a little lower in stores in the future.
Hue Essential smart spot
from €24.99
All the different revisions of these that appear every couple of years get very annoying when a GU10 dies and you have to buy six new ones or have mismatched bulbs. At least these make that a bit more affordable!
I wonder how long until we get updated GU10 spots to match the specs of the new E27 bulbs. Though they haven’t even done most of the B22 bulbs (just an updated 1600lm currently) so probably a while off.
I feel like I ask this constantly, so I apologize for that, but are the gu10 essentials coming to the US, too? I have a few spots I’d like to put them!
Instant purchase to replace cheap and old Ikea Trafri zigbee lights.
These look like very good value hues so far. Time will tell, if these are, what they say on the adverts. Price is really tempting, in fact, went straight to order 3-pack after reading this.
I just redecorated my home and also want to include the hue system into my home. I want to start with the living room and two hallways. Just wondering if these essential bulbs are a good alternative to the expensive bulbs.
I think they are a good alternative.
Better use other brands. Three are enough alternatives
How does the GU10 essentials compare with the GU10 white ambience?
They are about the same price.