

the Echo) is what controls the activity of the other devices, the same won’t be true the other way around. While Alexa, via newer versions of the Echo can add the Hue Dimmer Switch, that’s just about it: it will be listed as a device, but it won’t offer much functionality beyond this.īecause the hub (a.k.a.

When searching for the device you’re trying to add, the Echo will pick up on the Hue Dimmer Switch, and you’ll then be able to label that device as your Dimmer within the app.īut… is there any benefit of this? Can you actually trigger routines from a button press, or configure the Dimmer Switch within the Alexa app? Can The Hue Dimmer Switch trigger Alexa routines? Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Philips Hue Dimmer Light Switch setup Without Bridge () In short, with previous Echo generations, a direct pairing between the Hue Dimmer Switch and the Amazon Echo hasn’t been possible. In addition, many report that the bulbs can only directly connect to one hub at a time – whether this be the Hue Bridge, Echo, or Hue Dimmer Switch. Since these Alexa products such as Amazon Echo use Wi-Fi to connect to other devices, and Philips Hue products use the Zigbee protocol, connecting the two together just isn’t possible without some significant tech know-how in order to circumvent the barriers. The answer to this question varies depending on which version of Amazon’s Echo you’re operating.įormer Echo generations, such as those in operation circa 2018, don’t have this option. It also supports other non-Philips Hue lights (that are Zigbee compatible) also via the Hue Bridge – this is the benefit of Zigbee based systems.īut if you want to scrap the $50 expense of a Hue Bridge, can you instead pair the Hue Dimmer Switch directly with an Amazon Echo device? Can you add the Hue Dimmer Switch into Alexa as a new device? It is Hue Bridge enabled, making it possible to use with the Hue Bridge to control your Hue lights.

The back of my Philips Hue dimmer switch, with magnets to keep the switch in place In order to more completely understand this, it’s important to take a look at not only how the Hue Dimmer Switch works, but how the Amazon Echo has changed in recent years.

In their quest to achieve that cohesiveness in their smart home, many seek to control their Hue Dimmer Switch with Alexa via the Amazon Echo. In order to control their Philips Hue lights, many people opt to use the Hue Dimmer Switch. One such component, is the Philips Hue Dimmer Switch. Unlike some other smart home light systems such as LIFX smart lights, Philips Hue and its components connect using ZigBee, not Wi-Fi. While connecting the lights themselves to smart home hubs (like the Echo 4th Gen, for example) has become easier in recent years – what about the various Philips Hue accessories? Take, for example, one of the most popular smart home light systems on the market – the Philips Hue lighting ecosystem. However, is this cohesiveness always achievable? With the introduction of smart home hubs such as Amazon’s Echo, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit, just to name a few, this goal of interoperability seemed to become a reality. The goal of most smart home owners is to get their homes to operate seamlessly and achieve interoperability with all of their smart devices.
