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Philips Hue Dimmer Swap: two-minute assessment
TechRadar Sensible Dwelling Week
This text is a part of TechRadar’s Smart Home Week 2025. From lighting and switches to robotic vacuums and sensible thermostats, we’re right here that will help you choose the precise gadgets to make your life simpler, and get essentially the most out of them.
The principle operate of the Philips Hue Dimmer Swap, as its identify suggests, is to regulate the brightness of your Philips Hue lights with out the necessity to use a cell app or sensible speaker command. Nevertheless, it might probably additionally do much more due to its customizable buttons (significantly these above and beneath the principle dimmer management).
It isn’t fairly as versatile because the Philips Hue Tap Dial Switch, however it places scenes and time-based controls at your fingertips, and is among the best smart switches in your house lighting setup.
Organising the change is a chunk of cake. Like virtually all Philips Hue equipment, it has a QR code printed on the again, which you scan utilizing the Hue app to determine the system. You will then be instructed to carry the highest button for 3 seconds till the standing mild on the change blinks orange, and inside a number of moments the change will likely be added to your private home.
As soon as that is accomplished, you will be requested which lights you need the distant to regulate. Signify (the corporate behind Philips Hue) not too long ago added a new feature that prompts you to create a room or zone when adding an accessory if you have not accomplished so already, which prevents a problem the place some customers discovered themselves unable to make use of all the change or sensor’s options afterward.
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With that accomplished, it is time to configure the buttons. The brighten/dim controls can actually solely be used for that objective, which is what differentiates the Dimmer Swap from the Faucet Dial. Nevertheless, you will have much more alternative with regards to the highest ‘energy’ button and the ‘Hue’ button on the backside.
As normal, the highest button enables you to flip your chosen lights on or off, however you’ll be able to select completely different settings relying on the time of day. For instance, you may want your lights to activate absolutely throughout the day, however have them come on at a decrease brightness degree at evening to keep away from jarring you or your associate awake.
The underside button cycles via a set of scenes. The default choice features a number of completely different mild temperature and brightness settings, however you’ll be able to select any scenes you want – both presets from the gallery, or custom-made. You too can determine the order through which your favorites ought to seem as you faucet the Hue button to scroll via them.
It is all quite simple to configure, and as soon as it is arrange, all members of your family will be capable of entry use and settings with a well-recognized bodily management. Sensible lighting simply bought much more accessible.
Philips Hue Dimmer Swap: worth and availability
- One of many cheaper Philips Hue sensible switches
- Accessible globally from Philips Hue and third-party retailers
- Typically bought at a reduction or as a part of a bundle
The Philips Hue Dimmer Swap is broadly accessible, and could be purchased direct from the Philips Hue retailer, or from third-party retailers.
The Dimmer Swap is among the cheaper controllers within the Philips Hue vary, with a listing worth of $27.99 / £19.99 / AU$39.95. For comparability. the Philips Hue Sensible Button (which may carry out only one operate when pressed and one other when held) prices $32.99 / £19.99 / AU$49.95, and the four-button Philips Hue Faucet Swap Mini is $49.99 / £44.99 / AU$79.95.
The Dimmer Swap is commonly accessible at a reduction, and is often included in bundles with the Philips Hue Bridge and a number of sensible mild bulbs. You will discover all of immediately’s finest provides beneath.
Philips Hue Dimmer Swap: design
- Can be utilized as a distant or mounted on a wall
- Light-weight and comfy to carry
- Could be mounted with screws or no-drill choices
- Solely accessible in white
The Philips Hue Dimmer Swap is a light-weight rectangular system that can be utilized as a handheld distant, or connected to a backing plate to be used like an everyday mild change. It is held on the plate with a magnet, so you’ll be able to simply take away it if you wish to management your lights out of your couch.
The plate provides a alternative of mounting choices: there are holes within the again so you’ll be able to connect it to the wall utilizing screws (not equipped), it has two strips of robust 3M tape so you’ll be able to stick it up in seconds, and it is magnetic if you wish to connect it to your fridge (for instance). I used the adhesive tape to connect it to the wall close to my blinds and it did not budge, even when knocked.
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The buttons have a delightful click on when pressed, and the hand-held system weighs simply 70g, together with the button cell battery that is preinstalled.
My solely criticism of the design, and it is a small one, is that the Philips Hue Dimmer Swap is simply accessible in white. Many different Philips Hue equipment are additionally accessible in black, so it is a disgrace to not have that as an choice.
Philips Hue Dimmer Swap: additionally take into account
Do you have to purchase the Philips Hue Dimmer Swap
Purchase it if
Do not buy it if
How I examined the Philips Hue Dimmer Swap
I related the Philips Hue Dimmer Swap to the sensible lights in my lounge, and mounted it on a painted wall utilizing the 3M tape offered. I experimented with completely different choices for controlling my ceiling and leisure lighting inside the Philips Hue app, assigning numerous capabilities to the change’s buttons. My associate, who is not accustomed to the Hue app, additionally used the change to regulate the lights and shift between completely different lighting scenes.
First reviewed June 2025