I’ve played with quite a few premium smart lights over the years from the likes of LIFX, Nanoleaf, and Govee, but the Hue devices usually fare better than the rest. Therefore, you should take into account the high prices that Philips charges for its products. Smart wand lights are all the rage right now, so I was excited to try out Hue’s new Signe Gradient Table Lamp, and it didn’t disappoint.
You’ll find this type of light in abundance on Amazon if you search for “smart corner light,” and I’m sure many of them will do the job for a fraction of the price, but the Hue Signe is undoubtedly a premium product with the build quality to match. The base and LED shade are made of aluminum, which you can get in black and white, and whether you get a floor lamp or a table lamp, they both feature a simple design with a circular base and a long, thin lamp protrusion. It really looks the part in the corner of the living room where you have it placed on a side table.
This is the second generation Signe light from Philips, and improvements over the original include a more modern design, the addition of a strobe light (the previous model could only display one color at a time), and Bluetooth so you no longer need the Hue Bridge to control the light via Google Assistant/ Alexa or the Hue app. All of these are very welcome improvements that make this product infinitely better, especially if you don’t want to spend more on the Hue Bridge.
Bluetooth is still a bit difficult to control, though regular disconnects sometimes slow you down as you try to make adjustments. This is a minor issue, and with any luck, the situation will be improved when Philips merges the two versions of the Hue app. By comparison, I’ve had much more issues with the LIFX when it comes to connectivity, so I wouldn’t come down hard on the Philips on this. Of course, you’ll likely get better performance if you have a Bridge, and you’ll also be able to take advantage of the neat Spotify integration or Hue Sync box for live visualization that matches your music or TV content.
No matter how you control your Signe lamp, the most important thing is that it looks great. Gradients tend to consist of two or three primary colors, and there are plenty of attractive pre-made themes in the app to choose from. You can also create your own creations in the app and then save your creations as personal themes. Getting the right lighting for any mood is easy, and there are also handy default settings like night light, reading light, focus light, etc. The Hue app also lets you create automations if you want to use the Signe as an alert/sleep light or set a timer with it. You’ll essentially get the same functionality as any Hue light but in a more attractive package.
As with any Philips Hue light, the main argument against it is the price. At $200 / £175 for the desk lamp and $300 / £265 for the larger floor lamp, this is a steep price to pay even though it is a quality product. Whether you’re willing to pay that much is something only you can answer, but I would say that if the price doesn’t put you off, you won’t be disappointed with your purchase.
If you have an existing Hue setup with a Bridge and/or sync box, the Signe Gradient is a no-brainer, assuming you don’t balk at the higher price. If you’re just looking for a fancy ambient light stick and don’t already use Philips products, you might be better off looking for a cheaper alternative (like this one from reliable budget brand Govee that Taylor quite likes), especially if you can find one It connects to WiFi and doesn’t need any additional hardware, so it’s likely to be more consistent.
While it may not be for everyone, I absolutely fell in love with the Hue Signe Gradient Lamp. Its simple design and versatile lighting options fit perfectly into my living room setup and can be customized to fit any mood. You can create a relaxing sunset to accompany dinner, a bright and colorful backdrop for a house party, or anything in between. It certainly helps cheer me up on these dreary British winter days.
Buy Philips Signe gradient lamp
Philips USA and Amazon UK
