Is there even a battle between a Philips Hue Inara and a traditional light?
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Here at iMore, we love smart home devices like smart lights and test them often. In doing so, we let you know which choices are probably right for your household.
Philips Hue Inara
Classic look
Pros
- An all-in-one solution
- Easy to install
Cons
- Only as good as you think it looks
- Style, style, style
If you're looking for a complete smart lighting solution for the outside of your home, look no further than the Inara, which is an all-in-one solution. Unless you rather use another wall sconce, of course.
Traditional Wall Sconces
Whatever you want
Pros
- Find the one you want
- Price flexibility
Cons
- Must buy a separate bulb
- More pricey, perhaps
When buying a traditional outdoor wall sconce, find the one you like and then buy a compatible bulb to make it a smart device.
The Philips Hue Inara Outdoor Wall Lantern looks like a traditional fixture. However, thanks to its smart bulb inside, it's so much more. You don't need to buy this lighting fixture, however. You can create a similar smart solution with any outdoor wall sconce just by adding a smart light bulb.
For simplicity's sake, you could purchase the Philips Hue Inara, which already comes with a white A19 smart bulb. However, you can also buy any outdoor fixture and then buy a smart bulb separately.
The breakdown between smart and "dumb"
When looking for an outdoor wall sconce, be sure to purchase one that has a protection rating of at least IP44. Otherwise, the light bulb inside could become compromised, as could the wires. The Inara has this rating protection; make sure the one that you choose does also. Luckily, if the fixture has been designed for outdoor use, it's nearly certain to have a rating of IP44 or better, but it never hurts to check.
| Inara | Traditional | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 | $30+ |
| Bulb included | Yes | Likely no |
| IP44 rated | Yes | Make sure that it is |
| Bulb included | Yes | Likely no |
Once you get past the protection level, find a Philips Hue smart bulb that will work with the fixture. The traditional white A19 will work in most situations because it uses the E26 traditional base. The A12 Hue bulb provides up to 25,000 hours of enjoyment, so it will be years before it needs to be replaced.
If you're looking to add color, buy a Philips Hue light bulb with white and color ambiance. When used with the separate Philips Hue Bridge, you can control your smart lights from anywhere in the world. In doing so, you can schedule routines and have the lights turn on/off when you enter or leave the property. Without the Bridge, you get limited features from your bulb.
Once you have a smart lighting solution installed, you can also pair your lights with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant and control your lights with your voice. With simple commands, you can turn your lights on/off, dim or brighten your lights, and set a scene.
No matter your lighting choice (whether it's the Inara or a traditional wall sconce), you can screw in a smart lightbulb and get that experience. It all comes down to how much you want to spend and your design preferences. If you don't want to spend on all the parts for the Philips bulb, you might want to stick with a traditional setup.
Inara Outdoor Wall Lantern
Traditional beauty
If you like it, buy it
The Inara is just one of the many outdoor wall sconces offered by Philips Hue. If you like this one, get it for years of enjoyment. Otherwise, look for one that better matches your style.
Traditional Outdoor Wall Sconce
It's your choice
Make the right decision
Outdoor wall sconces have been designed for years of enjoyment. Take your time and select the one you want. With a Philips Hue bulb and Hue Hub, you can make your fixture smarter.