Philips Hue Phoenix Spot Review
8th
Despite an ultra-sleek look and the power to transform white light into cool, warm or neutral hues, the Philips Hue Phoenix spot light necessitates further financial investments which is not justified for the low-cost materials used to manufacture the product nor for the minimal light created.
Editor's choice
THE GOOD / Barely visible when powered off, the Philips Hue Phoenix spot light is compact and its modest design makes it appealing to a wide range of individuals with varying style preferences. Customizable white light and home automation features are also appealing to the tech-savvy crowd looking for a modernistic fixture.
THE BAD / A mount or converter kit, a bridge and the need for more than one light in a room skyrockets the cost of installing the Philips Hue Phoenix spot light to a level that is unexpected. Less than impressive lighting, coupled with a cheap plastic shade in lieu of glass, warrants reconsideration for those considering the light.
THE BOTTOM LINE / A full exploration of the Philips Hue Phoenix spot light exposes the fact that the light requires excessive additional costs to install and use the light as intended. While the light's compact, no-frills exterior solicits attention from those searching for a more modern style, they will quickly discover that the performance fails to meet their needs. Similarly, those who are interested in the technological aspects will find that there are more advanced options on the market.
2.8
Review
Aesthetic
Measuring in at just 4 inches, the Philips Hue Phoenix spot light has a low-key profile that complies with the entire spectrum of interior decorating concepts. The light is recessed which allows it to be concealed directly against the ceiling. After installation, only the outer rim and the plastic shade portion of the light are visible. Both the rim that is displayed and the shade are pigmented with an opal white color. The shade, though, is fashioned with distinguishable, 3-D hexagon markings in varying tones of white. These markings are in place for functional intentions but they also act as the only truly unique characteristic of the light.
The rather run-of-the-mill light fixture is made entirely of metal and synthetic materials. The exclusion of a glass shade is a letdown for a light in this monetary category, both because of the flimsy look and because plastic lacks the longevity of traditional glass.
Setup & Packaging
As the light does not contain fragile glass, the packaging consists of little more than a box to protect the item during transit. Because of the lack of protective packaging, it is not uncommon for the Philips Hue Phoenix spot light to arrive with a cracked plastic shade. If your light is intact, you will need to obtain two items to begin installation and setup. The first item is a can/flush mount or converter which is needed to properly place the light into the ceiling. The second item is a compliant bridge device that allows the light to interact wirelessly with a smart device.
Directions are included for mounting the light and connecting it to the bridge yet as they are merely primitive sketches, they do not provide much in the way of assistance. It may take some trial and error in both regards but eventually, you will complete setup by downloading the Philips Hue app and syncing it with the light.
Technology
Equipped with a 5 Watt LED bulb, the equivalency of a 31 Watt standard bulb, one Philips Hue Phoenix spot light does not give off enough luminosity to brighten a room of average size. To fully light a small or average sized room, you will need a minimum of two or three lights. For larger rooms, this number rises to around five or size lights. Operating at 50-60 Hertz per light, the power required to run the lights significantly increases with each added fixture.
Without the existence of a built-in dimmer or control, every function is controlled through the poorly reviewed Philips Hue app; downloadable on either iOS or Android systems. With the app, you are able to dim the lights, set alarms or timers and alter the shade of white light featured to one of thousands of warm, cool or neutral white hues. Aside from the app, the light is also functional through the utilization of home automation hardware such as Apple's HomeKit and Zigbee Certified Home Automation products.
