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Philips Hue Go 2 Review: Portable Table Lamp Just Got Better

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The first generation of Philips Hue Go was introduced in 2015, which couldn’t really justify its price. Now with the Hue Go 2, things got a lot better and closer to what everybody wished. Today we are going to review this portable table lamp and highlight its key features.

Portable As You Would Expect

As you can tell from the name, this lamp comes with the purpose of serving wherever it is needed. It is equipped with a battery and an on-device control button so that you can take it with you anywhere. Of course, you have the mobile app to extend its functionality, but the basic functionalities are not tied to the app.

When portability is not needed, plug the power adapter in, and you can use it as a normal lamp in your house. The shape of the lamp allows you to spread the light over the entire room or just point it to one corner, thanks to the stand-alike ergonomics.

From the dinner table to the garden lounge, this should keep you covered at night. However, one thing to keep in mind is that it does not have a high-intensity bulb inside. The brightness is around 520 lumen which is good for ambient lighting but may not be good enough for reading to some people.

Philips Hue Go Table Lamp

Philips Hue Go Table Lamp

from $89.99

Works Without a Bridge

Some people are a little intimidated by Philips Hue products. Because it is an eco-system and not everybody is sure if they want all-in. People at Philips are smarter and don’t want to let go of those target customers. So they offered a secondary solution that does not require a Philips Hue Bridge.

The Hue Go v2 has both bridge and Bluetooth connectivity. If you don’t have the bridge, you just download their Bluetooth version of the app, and you are ready to go. They took it even one step further but adding a control button on the device itself. If you wish to own a standalone ambient light, you don’t have to look away.

  • Change light effect: Single-press the physical control button
  • Browse through all colors: Double press and hold the physical control button

Stands Like a Table Lamp

A bowl as a shape is pretty interesting for a light. It becomes more appealing when you come to know that it can stand sideways, taking the shape of a table lamp. Plug the AC power adapter, and you have a regular but gorgeous-looking lamp.

The problem with the v1 of Philips Hue Go was that the charging port was placed at the bottom in such an inconvenient place that it couldn’t stand when plugged in. In this new iteration of the product, they moved the port to the side. It was so silly of them, but they fixed it after all.

Battery Lasts Up to 24 Hours (Conditional)

The battery life is probably the most significant improvement over the last-gen. The latest model offers up to 24 hours of battery life when some conditions are met.

So what types of requirements do you need to fill in for full-day battery life? They have some default light presets in the device, each of which leads to different battery performance.

It goes like this:

  1. Nightlight ≈ 24h
  2. Cozy Candle ≈ 18h
  3. Night Adventure ≈ 12h
  4. Enchanted Forest ≈ 10h
  5. Dimmed ≈ 10h
  6. Relax ≈ 4.5h
  1. Meditation ≈ 3h
  2. Sunday Coffee ≈ 3h
  3. Read ≈ 2.5h
  4. Concentration ≈ 2.5h
  5. Energize ≈ 2.5

What it obviously means is that the lower the brightness, the more battery performance you will get. Recharging is also pretty quick, and it charges from 0% to 100% in 2 hours.

It doesn’t end here. They have some interesting battery-saving modes as well, which disconnects the app from wireless connectivity.

  • Standby mode: Long press (2 seconds) the physical control button
  • Battery save mode: Long press (10 seconds) the physical control button

Comparison: Hue Go Gen. 1 vs. Gen. 2

Gen. 1Gen. 2
ConnectivityBridgeBridge, Bluetooth
Brightness300 lumen520 lumen
Battery Lifeup to 3 hoursup to 24 hours
StandaloneNoYes
Battery Saving ModesNoYes

FAQ

How bright is Philips Hue Go?

Philips Hue Go has a brightness of 520 lumen, color temperature of 2000 – 6500 kelvin and a power consumption of 6 watt. It supports 16 million colors.

How to make Philips Hue Go sync with music?

Philips Hue Sync app (available for Windows and MacOS) can make Hue Go sync with music. For smartphones there is no official sync app but third-party solutions like iLightShow, HueDynamic, iConnectHue, Hue Disco, and more.

Does Philips Hue Go need a bridge?

Hue Go 2 does not require a bridge to work. It can work fully standalone and can also connect via Bluetooth.

How long does Philips Hue Go last?

Philips Hue Go is certified for 20,000 hours or 20 years of runtime. The certification also tells that it will withstand 50,000x on/off.

Is Philips Hue Go Bluetooth?

Philips Hue Go has Bluetooth connectivity and also connects via WiFi using a Hue Bridge.

What is the difference between Philips Hue Go v1 and v2?

The key differences between v1 and v2 of Hue Go are in the connectivity, brightness, battery life, and ergonomics.

Can I find a replacement power adapter for Philips Hue Go?

You can get replacement power adapters and other accessories by contacting Philips Hue directly on their website.

How long does Philips Hue Go take to fully charge?

It takes 2 hours to charge fully.

Summary

The Good

  1. Connects via Bluetooth (Bluetooth App) and WiFi (Hue Bridge)
  2. Works standalone without a bridge
  3. Can be used plugged in all the time
  4. Improved battery life

The Bad

  1. Brightness is not perfect for reading
  2. No automation on standalone mode

Conclusion: Who Should Buy the Philips Hue Go 2?

If you are into the Hue eco-system already and are a prospective Hue eco customer, Philips Hue Go v2 is a definite yes for you since you will be able to take full advantage of the features, including automation, screen mirroring, etc.

On the other hand, if the sole purpose of this lamp is to have a portable LED lamp, you are better off with something cheaper.

Philips Hue Go Table Lamp

Philips Hue Go Table Lamp

from $89.99