WiZ Gradient Light Bars are affordable smart light strips that challenge Philips Hue’s premium pricing while delivering the same immersive entertainment features. Retailing for £54.99 in the UK, €59.99 in the EU, and $59.99 in the US, these bars support 16 million colors and sync with your TV via the WiZ HDMI Sync Box, mirroring on-screen action to create a cinematic glow around your entertainment setup.
Key Takeaways
- WiZ Gradient Light Bars cost £54.99—significantly cheaper than Philips Hue Play Gradient Light Bar equivalents
- Support 16 million colors with preset modes including Party, Fireplace, and Ocean
- Sync to TV content via HDMI Sync Box for immersive entertainment
- Matter-compatible for broader smart home ecosystem integration
- Reviewer gave them 4.5 out of 5 stars for ease of use and color smoothness
Why WiZ Undercuts Hue Without Sacrificing Features
Both WiZ and Philips Hue are owned by Signify, yet WiZ positions itself as the accessible entry point to gradient lighting. Where Philips Hue Play Gradient Light Bars command premium pricing, WiZ delivers the same syncing capability and color depth at less than half the cost. The bars work over WiFi through the WiZ app and integrate smoothly with your existing WiZ ecosystem—no proprietary bridge required beyond the optional HDMI Sync Box for TV mirroring.
The real differentiator is simplicity. WiZ strips away the complexity and premium positioning that make Hue appealing to luxury-focused buyers, then prices accordingly. For anyone wanting gradient effects without the brand prestige markup, this is the smarter choice.
WiZ Gradient Light Bars vs Cheaper Alternatives
IKEA’s Skaftsärv light strip costs just £4 and offers a similar aesthetic with three lighting zones, but it cannot sync to your TV or mirror colors dynamically. You get the look, not the functionality. WiZ bridges that gap—you get both the visual appeal and the immersive entertainment features that make gradient lighting worthwhile, at a price point far below Philips Hue.
WiZ also launched a companion Gradient Floor Light at £79.99 (€89.99), currently exclusive to Amazon but expected at other retailers soon. Compared to the Philips Hue Signe floor light, which costs £280, WiZ’s floor light delivers comparable gradient effects and design at a fraction of the price.
Installation and Smart Home Integration
Setup is straightforward—connect the bars to power, add them to the WiZ app, and choose your colors. Matter support means you can control them through Apple Home, Google Home, or Alexa if you prefer voice commands over the dedicated app. The real magic happens when you pair them with the WiZ HDMI Sync Box, which watches your TV output and mirrors colors in real time, turning your entertainment space into an immersive theater.
The bars work independently too—use preset modes like Party or Fireplace for ambiance without needing the sync box, or create custom scenes through the app. This flexibility makes them useful whether you’re building a dedicated entertainment zone or just adding mood lighting to a bedroom or living room.
What Reviewers Say
TechRadar’s reviewer Abigail Shannon gave the WiZ Gradient Light Bars a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising their ease of use, versatility, and smooth color transitions. The bars earned respect for delivering premium features—dynamic color gradients, preset entertainment modes, and TV syncing—without the premium price tag. The main takeaway: they work as advertised and do not feel cheap despite the lower cost.
Should You Buy WiZ Gradient Light Bars?
If you want immersive entertainment lighting and own a Philips Hue ecosystem already, WiZ Gradient Light Bars offer a cost-effective way to expand without brand lock-in—both are made by Signify. If you are starting fresh, these bars beat Philips Hue on value and IKEA’s Skaftsärv on functionality. The only reason to choose Hue instead is if you value the brand prestige or already have a large Hue collection you want to match aesthetically.
Can WiZ Gradient Light Bars sync with non-WiZ devices?
The bars work with any TV via the WiZ HDMI Sync Box, which mirrors content regardless of your TV brand or streaming device. You control them through the WiZ app or via Matter-compatible platforms like Apple Home or Google Home.
How many colors do WiZ Gradient Light Bars support?
WiZ Gradient Light Bars support 16 million colors, matching the color palette of premium Philips Hue products. They also include preset modes like Party, Fireplace, and Ocean for quick scene selection without manual color picking.
Are WiZ Gradient Light Bars cheaper than IKEA Skaftsärv?
No—IKEA’s Skaftsärv costs just £4, making it significantly cheaper. However, Skaftsärv cannot sync to your TV or mirror colors dynamically, while WiZ Gradient Light Bars can. You pay more with WiZ but gain immersive entertainment features that IKEA’s budget option cannot deliver.
WiZ Gradient Light Bars prove that affordable smart lighting does not mean compromising on features or build quality. At £54.99, they represent the best value in the gradient light category, delivering TV syncing, 16 million colors, and Matter support without the Philips Hue premium. For anyone building an entertainment setup on a budget, these bars belong on your shortlist.
Where to Buy
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: T3
