FabianPhilips Hue has unveiled new lightstrips for TVs. While the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip has been available in its current form since 2020, there are now two successors. The “standard” Play Gradient Lightstrip is based on the Hue Flux Lightstrip, while the Play Gradient Lightstrip Pro is a modified version of the Hue OmniGlow Lightstrip. In this article, you’ll learn all the important details.
The Philips Hue TV light strip has become significantly more affordable
The old model is no longer in production. You can still find remaining stock in stores at bargain prices. However, a clear trend is evident in the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. The old Play Gradient Lightstrip cost a hefty 209.99 euros for 65-inch TVs.
You can now get the new Play Gradient Lightstrip with Flux technology in the same length for just 99.99 euros. And the Play Gradient Pro Lightstrip with OmniGlow technology is also significantly cheaper at 159.99 euros. So things are definitely moving in the right direction here.
Currently, the new models aren’t widely available in the Hue Shop yet, but that should change soon.
Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip
from $149.99 / €99.99
Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip Pro
from $179.99 / €159.99
Flexible Use for Every Imagined TV Size
With the previous TV lightstrips, you were limited to TVs ranging from 55 to 85 inches. Anything significantly smaller or larger posed a problem. That, too, will change in 2026 with the new TV lightstrips.
The standard Play Gradient Lightstrip is available in 65- and 85-inch sizes, while the more expensive Pro version also comes in a 100-inch size. However, both lightstrips can also be cut to size.
Philips Hue provides the following measurements in the manual:
- 55 inches: 2-meter lightstrip
- 65 inches: 2.5-meter lightstrip
- 75 inches: 3-meter light strip
- 85 inches: 3.5-meter light strip
- 100 inches: 4-meter light strip
Even smaller TVs, such as a 43-inch model, are no problem. You can simply cut the light strips at the markings every 12.5 (Pro) or 16.6 centimeters.
But the flexibility doesn’t end there. You can also purchase the light strip mounts separately and use an existing Flux or OmniGlow light strip for your setup. This makes it possible to use the system even on a 120-inch TV. And with a custom design, you could even wrap a light strip around your 200-inch screen.
What about PC monitors?
The Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip (Pro) has a fixed 16:9 aspect ratio when used with a Sync Box, the Sync TV app, or the new TV camera.
However, the lightstrips can also be used behind a computer monitor without any issues.
The Hue Sync Desktop app supports flexible aspect ratios, so even wide screens aren’t a problem.
Is a 4-sided Ambilight effect supported?
The long light strips raise a question: Can’t you just attach them to the bottom of the TV as well? The answer is no—unfortunately, that still doesn’t work.
Here, you’ll still need to rely on additional products, such as the Gradient Light Tube, multiple Play Lightbars, or a custom-cut light strip. Unfortunately, the latter still only comes with three rigidly separated segments. However, at least they’ve acknowledged that they’re aware of this issue.
How bright are the new Philips Hue Play light strips?
The old Play Gradient Lightstrip delivered a light output of 1,230 lumens at 4,000 Kelvin on 65-inch TVs.
So far, the product pages for the new models do not provide any brightness specifications. The Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip Pro likely has a limiting factor—the 20-watt power supply. The 3-meter-long OmniGlow, which produces 2,700 lumens at 6,500 Kelvin, uses a 40-watt power supply.
I’m currently still trying to find out the exact specifications—and will add them to this article once I do.
Regarding TV’s smaller than 65”. At the new products manuals, there only appears the option to cut it down to fit 55” screens. There is nothing about the 12,5/16 cm. I’m following both versions awaiting dome of them to fit my 50” TV. 55” strip just doesn’t look good at my setup, the controller remains visible.
It will also work fine with larger or smaller TVs, not only with the sizes listed in the manual.