In my experience, the SmartThings hub is a versatile and powerful device that can control a wide range of smart home devices, including lights, sensors, and other IoT devices. However, when it comes to Philips Hue lights, it is important to note that the SmartThings hub can only control them if they are connected to a Philips Hue bridge.
I have personally used both the SmartThings hub and the Philips Hue bridge in my smart home setup, and I have found that they each serve different purposes. The Philips Hue bridge is specifically designed to control Philips Hue lights and accessories, and it does an excellent job at it. It provides seamless integration with the Hue app and allows for advanced control options such as creating schedules and scenes.
On the other hand, the SmartThings hub offers a much broader range of compatibility with various smart home devices. It supports Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Wi-Fi devices, allowing you to control and automate not only lights but also sensors, locks, thermostats, and more. The SmartThings app provides a user-friendly interface to manage and control all these devices in one place.
To use Philips Hue lights with the SmartThings hub, you would need to connect the Philips Hue bridge to the hub. This integration allows you to control your Hue lights through the SmartThings app and include them in your automation routines. For example, you could set up a routine to turn on your Hue lights when the SmartThings motion sensor detects movement in a specific area.
While the SmartThings hub can provide additional functionality and control over your Hue lights, it cannot completely replace the Philips Hue bridge. The bridge is still needed to communicate with the Hue lights and provide access to advanced features offered by the Hue ecosystem.
The SmartThings hub is a powerful smart home controller that can work alongside the Philips Hue bridge to control Hue lights and a wide range of other devices. It enhances the functionality of your smart home setup by allowing you to integrate and automate various devices through the SmartThings app. However, if you want full compatibility and access to all the features offered by the Philips Hue ecosystem, the Hue bridge is still necessary.