Philips Hue Essential lights are spectacular value, but the originals outshine them in one key way

Philips' Hue Essential series is a great entry-level range of smart lights that is fully compatible with other Hue devices, with the bulbs working brilliantly in most situations. The main drawback is that they can only dim to 2% (on the left in the image above) compared to 0.2% for regular Hue lights (right). Their white light spectrum is narrower, too, so I wouldn't recommend mixing and matching them within the same room. Used on their own, however, they offer fantastic value and are an excellent way to start a Hue setup or extend your existing one without breaking the bank.

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  Much more affordable than regular Philips Hue lights

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  Very good color reproduction

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  Fully compatible with Philips Hue app and accessories

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  All Essential bulbs offer tuneable white and colored light

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  Dimmable to 2% brightness, compared to 0.2% for a regular Philips Hue bulb

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  Only three bulb types ...