Apartment living often presents a unique challenge: battling the bland, ubiquitous flush-mount ceiling light. These fixtures, typically cheap and uninspired, can drain the warmth from any room. Our dining room suffered particularly, initially illuminated by fluorescent bulbs that evoked a sterile, clinical atmosphere.
We envisioned something different – the inviting glow of pendant lights, gracefully suspended above the dining table. A warmer, more intimate ambiance felt essential for enjoyable dinners. Unfortunately, permanent fixture changes were simply not an option as renters.
Our search for alternatives proved frustrating. Floor lamps felt bulky and didn’t directly illuminate the table. An arc lamp, though promising, proved unstable, constantly threatening to topple into our meals. We even experimented with rechargeable table lamps, only to find them underpowered, short-lived, and ultimately, disposable.
Then I discovered the Philips Hue Go. Its size and aesthetic were appealing, but the real draw was its smart functionality. Already invested in the Hue ecosystem, integrating the Go seemed seamless and offered the potential for truly customized lighting.
The price initially gave me pause. At nearly $175, it wasn’t an impulse purchase. However, considering the money already wasted on inferior lamps, it felt like a worthwhile investment in a lasting solution.
Connecting the Hue Go was effortless, thanks to my existing Hue Bridge. I quickly integrated the lamps into my existing smart lighting routines, creating dynamic scenes that shifted from cool daylight tones during the day to warm, inviting hues in the evening.
Each lamp comes with a dedicated charger, allowing for continuous illumination or portable, battery-powered use. This flexibility was key to our plan – daytime charging, followed by a cordless glow during dinner.
Battery life varies with brightness, ranging from a couple of hours at full power to a full day on a dimmer setting. This proved sufficient for our needs, as we primarily used them at lower brightness levels during meals.
The result was transformative. Positioning the lamps on the table during dinner created an instant, cozy atmosphere. The lighting seamlessly integrated with the rest of our smart home setup, enhancing the overall ambiance.
After a year of consistent use, the Hue Go lamps have exceeded expectations. They’ve proven remarkably reliable, with only occasional battery depletion during particularly long dinners. The initial investment has been undeniably worthwhile.
