Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus
Score: 83/100
VST Smart Under Cabinet Lighting
Score: 82/100Rankings
The Philips Hue Bluetooth Lightstrip Plus offers bright, colorful lighting with easy Bluetooth setup and Spotify music sync, making it a strong choice for single-room accent lighting. Its reliance on Bluetooth limits multi-room control and the IP20 rating prevents use in damp areas. Best for renters or beginners who want high brightness and smart features without an additional hub.
VST's smart under-cabinet bars combine UL-listed safety with high CRI and impressive luminous efficiency, offering versatile Alexa and Google control plus handwave activation. They are limited by lack of water resistance and a fixed bar length. Best for users who need bright, color-accurate lighting in dry indoor spaces with multiple smart control options.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1,700 lumensbest | 1,050 lumens | |
— | 93best | |
20 Wbest | 18 W | |
| ↓ lower better | 20 W | 18 Wbest |
— | 12 Vbest | |
2,000 mmbest | 300 mm | |
2 yearsbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Lighting(3) | ||
Brightness (lumens) | 1700 lumens | 1050 lumens |
Color Temperature Range (K) | 2000-6500 K | 2700-5000 K |
Color Rendering Index (CRI) | >80 | 93 |
Power(3) | ||
Wattage (W) | 20 W | 18 W |
Power Consumption (W) | 20 W | 18 W |
Operating Voltage (V) | 100-240 V | 12 V |
Design(4) | ||
Installation Type | plug-in | Plug-in |
Mounting Type | adhesive | Adhesive, Wall Mount |
Material | PMMA | Aluminum |
Strip Length (mm) | 2000 mm | 300 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional editors highlight the Hue Lightstrip Plus as an entry-level smart lighting solution that excels in flexibility, brightness and color range. They commend its easy Bluetooth setup, consistent color output across extensions, and the added entertainment value of Spotify music sync, while noting that full smart-home integration and multi-room scenes require a Hue Bridge and that the lack of gradient lighting and indoor-only rating are limitations.
Everyday users love the bright, colorful light and the plug-and-play Bluetooth setup, especially for accent lighting behind TVs or under cabinets. Common praise centers on ease of installation, voice-assistant compatibility, and music sync. Recurring complaints focus on Bluetooth's single-room limit, the need for a separate bridge for advanced features, power-supply constraints for longer runs, and confusion between V3 and V4 versions.
“high quality products”
“reliability in global use”
Professional reviewers and editors commend the VST bars for their UL-listed safety, high CRI 93+ color accuracy, and seamless no-shadow lighting, emphasizing the convenience of Alexa and Google integration. However, they criticize the lack of water resistance, the fixed 12-inch bar length that may require extra kits for larger installations, and the absence of a battery-powered option.
Everyday users generally praise the easy adhesive setup, bright 1050-lumens output, and versatile smart controls such as voice and handwave activation. Common concerns revolve around the product's restriction to dry indoor spaces, the limited bar length for extensive runs, and the lack of a battery backup for flexible placement.
