Over the course of the year, Philips Hue will launch seven new light strips for indoor and outdoor use. They will replace the previous models, such as the Hue Lightstrip Plus and the Hue Outdoor Lightstrip. To help you keep track of all the new models, I have compiled the most important facts and figures for you.
Most models will be available starting in October. The Hue OmniGlow Lightstrip will follow in November, and the affordable Essential Lightstrips in December. In the US, however, most of the new models will not be available until March.
Hue OmniGlow Lightstrip: The best light strip yet
The best light strip from Philips Hue to date is called the Hue OmniGlow Lightstrip. Uniform, bright light without visible LED dots. The light strip is based on CSP (chip-scale packaging) technology and creates a completely seamless and uniform lighting effect thanks to an extremely large number of small LEDs.
The most important details at a glance
- RGBWWIC technology
- Can be shortened
- Not extendable
- Suitable for direct lighting
- 17 millimeters wide and 8.5 millimeters high
- IP20
The three versions of the Hue OmniGlow Lightstrip
- 3 meters for $139.99: 2,700 lumens at a maximum of 40 watts
- 5 meters for $199.99: 4,500 lumens at a maximum of 60 watts
- 10 meters for €349.99: 4,500 lumens at a maximum of 60 watts
Hue OmniGlow Gradient Lightstrip
from $139.99 / €139.99
Hue Flux Gradient Lightstrip: Flexible use
This light strip could become the new all-rounder from Philips Hue. It also supports the gradient function and, unlike the Hue OmniGlow Lightstrip, can not only be cut to size but also extended. Philips Hue will also offer practical accessories such as corner connectors.
The most important details at a glance
- RGBWWIC technology
- Can be shortened
- Can be extended
- Suitable for indirect lighting
- 14.5 millimeters wide and 6 millimeters high
- IP20
The five versions of the Hue Flux Lightstrip
- 3 meters for $69.99: 1,200 lumens at 12 watts
- 4 meters for $84.99: 1,600 lumens at 16 watts
- 5 meters for $99.99: 2,000 lumens at 20 watts
- 6 meters for $119.99: 2,000 lumens at 20 watts
- 10 meters for $199.99: 2,000 lumens at 20 watts
Hue Flux Gradient Lightstrip
from €69.99
Hue Flux Ultra Bright Gradient Lightstrip: Extra bright
In terms of LED technology, there are no differences to the Flux Lightstrip. However, the Hue Flux Ultra Bright Gradient Lightstrip is equipped with more powerful power supplies and can therefore shine significantly brighter. Brighter than any other Philips Hue light strip.
The most important details at a glance
- RGBWWIC technology
- Can be shortened
- Can be extended
- Suitable for indirect lighting
- 14.5 millimeters wide and 6 millimeters high
- IP20
The three versions of the Hue Flux Ultra Bright Gradient Lightstrip
- 3 meters for $99.99: 2,900 lumens at 29 watts
- 5 meters for $149.99: 4,800 lumens at 48 watts
- 10 meters for $249.99: 6,000 lumens at 60 watts
Hue Flux Ultra Bright Gradient Lightstrip
from €99.99
Hue Flux Gradient Outdoor Lightstrip: New possibilities for outdoor use
This new, bare light strip for outdoor use is designed for concealed installation in niches or under patio steps. A completely new product that has never been available from Philips Hue before. It is compatible with the existing low-voltage system for outdoor use and offers gradient technology with unprecedented brightness.
The most important details at a glance
- RGBWWIC technology
- Fixed lengths
- Suitable for indirect lighting
- 14.5 millimeters wide and 6 millimeters high
- IP67 (IP44 power supply)
The three versions of the Hue Flux Gradient Outdoor Lightstrip
- 5 meters for $149.99: 3,000 lumens at 30 watts
- 6 meters for $169.99: 3,000 lumens at 30 watts
- 10 meters for $249.99: 3,000 lumens at 30 watts
Hue Flux Gradient Outdoor Lightstrip
from €149.99
Hue Neon Gradient Outdoor Lightstrip: a classic with color gradients
A breath of fresh air for a classic. The Hue Outdoor Lightstrip is history; its successor is ready to go in three versions, including a gradient function. It can also be integrated into existing outdoor installations.
The most important details at a glance
- RGBWWIC technology
- Fixed lengths
- Suitable for direct lighting
- 11 millimeters wide and 21 millimeters high
- IP67 (IP55 power supply)
The three versions of the Hue Neon Gradient Outdoor Lightstrip
- 3 meters for $159.99: 1,100 lumens at 30 watts
- 5 meters for $199.99: 1,100 lumens at 30 watts
- 10 meters for $349.99: 1,100 lumens at 30 watts
Hue Neon Gradient Outdoor Lightstrip
from 139.99€
Hue Essential Lightstrip: Particularly simple and affordable
While the other Lightstrips will be launched in Europe in October or November, we will have to wait until December for this affordable model. It has a particularly simple design, allowing it to be bent and curved very flexibly. However, it does not feature white LEDs and is limited to RGBIC, albeit with a gradient function. Unfortunately, no further technical information is available at this time and it is unclear when the two Essential light strips will be launched in the US.
The two versions of the Hue Essential Lightstrip
- 5 meters for $59.99
- 10 meters for $99.99
Hue Essential Flex Lightstrip: Suitable for decorative purposes
This new model will also be released in December, and unfortunately I don’t have all the information yet. The light strip is intended for decorative purposes and, similar to the outdoor light strip, can be bent sideways. Small clamps can be used to shape it on the wall, for example. Here, too, gradient technology without white LEDs is used.
The two versions of the Hue Essential Flex Lightstrip
- 5 meters for $99.99
- 10 meters for $169.99
One thing is certain: as soon as the new light strips are available in stores, I will take another detailed look at them all. Feel free to post any specific questions in the comments.
And what about TV play strips to sync with the sync box? There is some update on this year? Can I use different ones with Philips hue sync inbox?
Most likely not, or they would’ve also been shown together with the other new products. Not sure what you refer to with “different ones” but unless manufactured by Hue/Signify they obviously will not work in entertainment areas.
Thanks for the much needed comparison information.
I find the new product names very confusing, too complex and so less easy to understand than the old products.
I note that the Hue OmniGlow Lightstrip is the widest yet at 17mm, so will no longer fit 16mm profiles that are usually suitable for Hue strips.
I’m also a bit confused by your details of the Hue Flux Gradient Lightstrip which states it “cannot be cut to size” and “can be shorted”
Hi David, sorry about the confusion, it was a missing word and then a wrong translation. Indoor Flux Lightstrips can be cut to size.
Could you please try to find out the length of the cutting segments for each of the new lightstrips?
I saw in the comment section of the other article that the OmniGlow is supposed to have 12.5 cm segments, which makes sense as it is a replacement for the old Gradient lightstrip. Probably will have to get one of those as a replacement for a Gradient strip in a highly visible location where the seamless light will be a great improvement.
I am however most interested in the segment length of the Flux lightstrip, which I plan to install inside some cabinets with frosted doors to get an internal glow. Would be great if those were also 12.5 cm, but as a lower price item with significantly longer between diodes I fear segments will also be longer.
Are the actual strips you get with the Flux and Flux UltraBright the exact same, only the power supply is different? Or maybe also the control box different?