Philips Hue A21
Score: 85/100
Cync GE A19 LED Smart Light Bulb
Score: 79/100Rankings
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.
Cync's GE A19 Color Changing Smart Bulb delivers 800 lumens with high CRI >90, full-color and tunable white, and supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with Matter compatibility. The app can be unstable and brightness may fall short in larger areas. It's a good fit for tech-savvy homeowners wanting hub-free, colorful lighting.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1,600 lumensbest | 800 lumens | |
— | 2,700 Kbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 13.5 W | 10 Wbest |
82best | — | |
25,000 hoursbest | 15,000 hours | |
100 Wbest | 60 W | |
160 °best | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(1) | ||
Lifespan (hours) | 25000 hours | 15000 hours |
Controls(1) | ||
Voice Control | true | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings |
Lighting(3) | ||
Brightness (lumens) | 1600 lumens | 800 lumens |
Color Temperature Range (K) | 1000-20000 K | 2700 K |
Color Rendering Index (CRI) | 82 | >90 |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11b/g/n | 2.4GHz |
Voice Assistant Compatibility | Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings |
Power(2) | ||
Power Consumption (W) | 13.5 W | 10 W |
Incandescent Equivalent (W) | 100 W | 60 W |
Design(1) | ||
Bulb Shape | A21 | A19 |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
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.
Professional reviewers commend the GE Cync A19 for its hub-free Direct Connect architecture, high CRI color accuracy and seamless Alexa/Google integration, positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to premium ecosystems. They also point out the app's occasional instability and the bulb's indoor-only rating as notable drawbacks.
Everyday users appreciate the vivid color range, easy voice control and the fact that no extra hub is required, often highlighting the low energy cost and simple drop-in fit. Recurring complaints focus on Wi-Fi drops, app glitches and the modest 800-lumens brightness for larger rooms.
