LIFX Color A19
Score: 81/100
Philips Hue A21
Score: 85/100Rankings
The Philips Hue Smart 100W A21 delivers up to 1600 lumens of full-spectrum white and vibrant colors with deep dimming capabilities. Its higher power draw and dependence on a Hue Bridge increase cost and complexity. Best suited for tech-savvy households needing high-brightness color-changing lighting.
The LIFX Color A19 delivers 800 lumens, billions of colors, and Matter-ready Wi-Fi smart control without a hub. Its reliance on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and a CRI of 82 may limit performance in congested networks or color-critical tasks. Best for indoor spaces where vibrant color scenes and future-proof integration are desired.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
800 lumens | 1,600 lumensbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 9 Wbest | 13.5 W |
82best | 82best | |
— | 25,000 hoursbest | |
— | 100 Wbest | |
220 °best | 160 ° | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.2 Wbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Lighting(3) | ||
Brightness (lumens) | 800 lumens | 1600 lumens |
Color Temperature Range (K) | 1500-9000 K | 1000-20000 K |
Beam Angle (°) | 220 ° | 160 ° |
Features(1) | ||
Dimming Range (%) | 1-100 % | 0.2-100 % |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Voice Assistant Compatibility | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit/Siri, SmartThings, Matter | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit |
Power(2) | ||
Power Consumption (W) | 9.0 W | 13.5 W |
Standby Power (W) | 0.2 W | 0.1-0.2 W |
Design(1) | ||
Bulb Shape | A19 | A21 |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consistently commend the LIFX Color A19 for its deep, rich color rendering, high brightness, and the convenience of a hub-free Wi-Fi design. The addition of Matter and robust voice-assistant support is seen as a strong future-proofing move, though critics note the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi limitation and the lower CRI of the base Color model as minor drawbacks.
Everyday users appreciate the straightforward setup, vivid color palette, and reliable smart-home integration, often highlighting the convenience of scheduling and long bulb life. The most common criticisms revolve around the premium price and occasional Wi-Fi connectivity hiccups, especially in busy networks, while the indoor-only rating limits placement options.
“LIFX boasts the deepest, richest... colors”
“the best smart light out there”
Professional reviewers praise the bulb's exceptional 1600 lm output, full-spectrum white range, precise color rendering, deep dimming, and robust integration with voice assistants and the Hue ecosystem. They also highlight the long 25,000-hour lifespan and the three-year warranty as strong value propositions, while noting that full functionality depends on a Hue Bridge.
Everyday users, as reflected in retailer Q&A, are generally satisfied with the bulb's brightness and the straightforward setup through Bluetooth or the Hue Bridge. The main appreciation centers on the ability to control color and dimming via the Hue app, though users are aware of the need for a Bridge for larger installations.
