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Philips Hue vs Ikea Tradfri: 5 Main Differences Compared

Philips Hue Vs Ikea Tradfri

“Is Philips Hue better than Ikea Tradfri?”

Well, the answer depends on how you would use your smart bulb.

Philips Hue and Ikea Tradfri have several similar features.

But there’s also a huge gap that keeps them apart.

So, if you want to know what makes Ikea Tradfri different…

Let’s break down their features together.

Read on to learn:

  • Whether Ikea Tradfri works with IFTTT.
  • Which smart light brand offers more versatility.
  • 5 main differences between Philips Hue and Ikea Tradfri.
  • And much much more…

Philips Hue vs Ikea Tradfri: 5 main differences


1. Philips Hue offer more color options than Ikea Tradfri 

Sure, a smart light that has warm tones is fancy.

But we all know you want a multi-color smart bulb!

I mean, who doesn’t want a living room that looks like a movie set?

Philips Hue is popular for its color-changing bulbs.

It offers about 16 million color options. 

Not to mention that it has 800 lumens.

Meaning you can expect brighter illumination with it.

It can cover a whole room, whether you’re using a white or multi-color bulb.

Philips Hue is the best choice if you want to create a fun and creative environment in your home.

Here are some other things that you can do with Philips Hue:

  • Set color scenes.
  • Switch light colors.
  • Adjust light brightness.
  • Change the light temperature.
  • Create a cool or warm ambiance.

“What about Ikea Tradfri? Does it offer a multi-color bulb?”

Ikea Tradfri also has multi-color bulbs.

But it offers limited options of about 20 colors.

So, if you’re looking for more freedom in color customization, Ikea Tradfri is not for you.

Unlike Philips Hue, Ikea Tradfri focuses more on ambiance lighting.

Its smart bulbs are perfect for creating rooms that have a cozy and warm atmosphere.

It can make a room look more fancy and luxurious.

So, if you’re into that, go get an Ikea Tradfri smart bulb.

Key things to note:

  • Ikea Tradfri is best for ambiance lighting.
  • Philips Hue is best for creating a fun and creative environment.

You may also wonder: Do Philips Hue bulbs get hot?

2. Philips Hue works with IFTTT, Ikea Tradfri doesn’t

If you’re wondering about integration, both brands work with many smart home devices.

Philips Hue and Ikea Tradfri both work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri.

If you use any of those, you can easily connect both brands with it.

“I use Mircrosoft Cortana. Which one should I get?”

Unfortunately, only Philips Hue can connect with Cortana.

So, if you’re using Cortana, better get a Philips Hue smart bulb.

Another thing that makes Philips Hue a better choice is that it works with IFTTT.

IFTTT is an automation platform where you can create your DIY automation setting.

You can assign your own trigger and action with it.

Which is great if the app you’re using has limited customization settings.

IFTTT works wonders. 

So, you may want to use it if you want to create heavy automation in your smart home.

Reminder: IFTTT requires access to your devices’ data. So, only use IFTTT if you’re compatible with sharing your data with a third-party automation app.

Ikea Tradfri may not be compatible with IFTTT yet. 

But you use other automation platforms to get the best of it.

Based on automation and integration, Philips Hue is a complete winner!

Key things to note:

  • Philips Hue works with IFTTT.
  • Ikea Tradfri isn’t compatible with IFTTT yet.

Editor’s pick: Can Alexa Be Hacked? 10 Shocking Security Facts

3. Philips Hue lean more on aesthetic and Ikea Tradfri on functionality

When you say “smart light,” most people will first think of “multi-color bulbs.”

And we can’t blame them because that’s how most smart lights are marketed.

Eventually, Ikea Tradfri said, “That’s cute. But we’re not doing that.”

Philips Hue is popular for its 16 million color options.

I mean, who wouldn’t get excited about that?

With Philips Hue, you can turn your whole house into a completely new world.

Make your living room blue. 

Turn your kitchen pink. Or maybe green, for some spooky effect.

Your imagination is the limit!

Plus, Philips Hue isn’t limited to “smart bulbs.”

It offers other types of lighting, including:

  • Wall lights.
  • Table lights.
  • Ceiling lights.
  • Stick-on light strips.

And if you look at that, you’ll realize that Philips Hue lights are mostly for “aesthetic” purposes.

“I’ve seen some Ikea Tradfri lights. And they don’t look ‘basic’…”

That’s true. Ikea Tradfri has some pretty interesting light designs as well.

But aesthetic isn’t actually what they aim for.

Ikea Tradfri also has several different light types, including:

  • Spotlight.
  • Lightstrip.
  • Panel lights.
  • Wardrobe lighting.
  • Countertop lighting.
  • Kitchen drawer lighting.

Do you see the pattern? These lights are “hidden.”

They are mostly designed for cabinets and kitchens.

It’s safe to say that Ikea designed these lights to match the home furniture and fixtures they’re selling.

What a great marketing strategy, right?

So, if you need those types of lights, then go for Ikea Tradfri.

Key things to note:

  • Ikea Tradfri smart lights are mostly used for practical use.
  • Philips Hue smart lights are mostly used for aesthetic purposes.

4. Philips Hue has a more user-friendly app than Ikea Tradfri

Philips Hue User-Friendly App

Let’s move on to their apps!

You install a smart light so you can automate it.

And the best way you can do that is by using the brand’s accompanying app.

The Philips Hue app offers great customization settings.

It has all the possible basic control settings that you may need.

With the Hue app, you can:

  • Group lights.
  • Create scenes.
  • Adjust brightness.
  • Switch light colors.
  • Schedule automation.

There are many things that you can do with it.

But what makes it the best is its interface.

The Philips Hue app has great navigation and design.

It’s super easy to use. That even a non-techie person can easily get used to it.

“Does that mean that Ikea Tradfri has a bad app?”

Not necessarily.

The Ikea Tradfri app does its basic function.

With this app, you can change lights color, adjust brightness, and create a scene as well.

Basically, it can do the same things that the Philips Hue app can do.

The Philips Hue app has an interesting and inviting interface.

And the Ikea Tradfri app has a more straightforward design.

It’s maybe because they have a different target market.

So, their approach with their products and apps are quite different.

Philips Hue screams “fun.” And Ikea Tradfri breathes “grandeur.”

Key things to note:

  • Ikea Tradfri has a more simple yet elegant app.
  • Philips Hue has a more interesting and interactive app.

Tip: Always keep your app up-to-date to get the latest features. And prevent malfunction on your smart light devices.

5. Ikea Tradfri is relatively cheaper than Philips Hue

If you’ve been into smart homes for a long time now, you probably know that Philips Hue can get pretty expensive.

And when I say expensive, I mean it can get up to $100.

Not to mention that its smart hub and accessories come at a high price as well.

A single Philips Hue Multi-color Bulb costs around $60.

I know what you’re thinking, “It’s hella expensive!”

Philips Hue is considered a premium smart light brand. So, that isn’t surprising.

“What about Ikea Tradfri? Is it expensive as well?”

If you’re on a budget, I suggest you get an Ikea Tradfri smart bulb.

A single Ikea Tradfri Multi-Color Bulb wouldn’t even cost you $20.

You can even get 3 pieces of it for the price of a single Philips Hue!

If you’re not looking into turning your home into a complete movie set, Ikea Tradfri is a steal.

So, the choice is clear.

If you want to save costs, go for Ikea Tradfri.

If you have some extra cash to spend, Philips Hue is a good investment.

Key things to note:

  • Ikea Tradfri costs three times cheaper than Philips Hue.
  • Philips Hue lights and accessories come at a premium price.

Conclusion

Philips Hue and Ikea Tradfri are smart lights that are intended for different purposes.

So, comparing the two is useless.

If you’re looking for a fun and creative smart light that you can play with, Philips Hue is what you need.

It comes in millions of colors, so you will never run out of choices.

Philips Hue also integrates with many smart devices, voice assistants, and automations platforms.

Giving you so much freedom in creating an extensive smart lighting system in your home.

Yes, it has some of the best features. But it comes at a high price as well.

Moving on to Ikea Tradfri…

It’s not your “typical” smart light.

More than aesthetics, Ikea Tradfri prioritizes functionality and practicality.

It’s also super affordable.

So, it’s perfect for people who don’t want to risk that much yet in building their smart homes.

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