Signify (Philips) · Niche / specialty
Philips Hue Bridge V2 (square)
Zigbee 3.0 · Matter · Wi-Fi · REST · about $60
cloud optionalcloud optional
Protocols
Zigbee 3.0MatterWi-Fi
2.5 W
Idle power
$60
List price
~60
Devices (est.)
Specifications
| Category | Niche / specialty |
|---|---|
| Protocols | Zigbee 3.0, Matter, Wi-Fi |
| Cloud dependency | cloud optional |
| Local API | REST |
| Voice assistants | Alexa, Google, Siri (HomeKit) |
| Open source | closed-source |
| Directly supported devices (est.) | ~60 |
| Idle power draw | ~2.5 W |
| Update outlook | actively maintained |
| List price (Amazon.com, Q2/2026) | about $60 |
Best for: Family / casualBest for: Matter / future-proof
Setup & gotchas
💡 Even Home Assistant power users often keep the Hue Bridge V2 in their stack as a lighting specialist — its mesh stability is hard to beat with a generic Zigbee coordinator.
🔒 Signify's 2024 move to require an account is for cloud features. The local API still works without an account — keep Hue local and you stay clear of that lock-in.
Editorial take
Our hands-on read — the specs above are the sourced facts.
Strengths
- + Best Zigbee lighting stability on the market — Hue's mesh is the industry reference
- + Local REST API has been open and mature since 2014 — every major hub speaks to Hue directly
- + Matter bridge added in 2024 — exports Hue lights into the Apple/Google/Alexa Matter universe
Trade-offs
- − Strictly lighting-focused — only Hue-branded sensors and switches play well
- − Signify is drifting toward a more closed ecosystem (Hue account became mandatory for cloud features in 2024)
- − Roughly 50-device cap per bridge — bigger setups need a second bridge
Related hubs
Frequently asked questions
Does the Philips Hue Bridge V2 (square) require the cloud?
Not for core control. The Philips Hue Bridge V2 (square) works locally (REST); the cloud is optional and mainly adds remote access and extra features.
Which protocols and voice assistants does the Philips Hue Bridge V2 (square) support?
Protocols: Zigbee 3.0, Matter, Wi-Fi. Voice: Alexa, Google, Siri (HomeKit). It directly supports an estimated 60 devices/brands.
How much does the Philips Hue Bridge V2 (square) cost and how much power does it use?
List price is about $60 (Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026 — actual prices fluctuate). Idle power draw is roughly 2.5 W. The hardware and firmware are closed-source.
Source & last checked
- Philips Hue Bridge V2: philips-hue.com/en-us/p/hue-bridge/046677458478 ↗
- Sources last checked: 2026-07-20 · Prices: Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026
- Idle-power and device-count figures are vendor-claimed or community-measured estimates. Prices fluctuate. Details without warranty — check the current manufacturer spec sheet before buying.