The New Philips Hue Security Camera Has Proven Surprisingly Useful.
Philips Hue is one of the most respected and popular brands in smart lighting, but what about its smart security cameras? Parent company Signify has been developing Hue cameras for several years, and recently added a video doorbell and 2K resolution cameras to the lineup . (Note: The 2K version is not yet available in the US, but the existing 1080p versions are quite similar.)
I had the opportunity to test the new Hue Secure 2K camera, and in addition to all the basic features of such a camera, it had an added bonus that was even better than I expected: seamless integration with Philips Hue lights. In fact, these two product categories work better together than you might think.
While cameras and lighting can certainly be connected to various smart home platforms, Philips Hue is one of the few manufacturers (TP-Link is another) that offers both types of devices. This ensures simplicity and compatibility you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.
Setting up a Hue camera
Hue cameras are controlled from the same Hue app for Android or iOS as Hue lights. You don’t necessarily need a Hue Bridge to connect a camera, as it can connect directly to your Wi-Fi network. However, the Bridge is necessary if you want the camera to sync with your lights—a key feature. (If you already have lights, you already have the Bridge.)
The Hue Secure 2K wired camera I tested features 2K video resolution (as the name suggests), two-way audio, a built-in siren, infrared night vision, and weatherproofing (so it can be used both indoors and outdoors). In addition to the wired version I have here, there’s also a battery-powered version and a model that comes with a tabletop stand.
Once set up, the camera appears in the same “Home” tab in the mobile app as any other Philips Hue light fixture. The main panel doesn’t display the camera’s video feed; instead, it displays the security status, which can be adjusted separately depending on whether you’re home or away. The idea is to avoid being disturbed by numerous unnecessary notifications while you’re moving around your home.
The basic features are the same as any other security camera: when motion is detected, you receive a notification on your phone with detailed information, along with a saved video available for 24 hours. You can also access the camera’s live feed at any time if you want to check on your pets or yard.
As is often the case with security cameras, there’s an optional subscription plan that offers long-term video storage, activity zone customization, and AI-powered recognition of people, animals, vehicles, and packages. It starts at $4 per month, with a discount available for annual payments.
Synchronize the camera with smart lights.
At first, I was a little skeptical about how useful connecting Hue cameras and Hue lights would be—it’s a combination rarely discussed—but to my surprise, it turned out to be very convenient. If you look at the camera settings in the Hue app, there’s a “Trigger Lights” section specifically for this purpose.
You can choose which lights will turn on and off simultaneously—though not all lights need to turn on and off simultaneously—and adjust the color and brightness according to a specific schedule. For example, the lights can glow red at night and bright blue during the day. You can also set the duration of the lights’ operation.
It’s not the most sophisticated system, but it works: if someone is wandering around your property, you can turn on a certain number of lights to deter them or create the illusion that someone is home. This is in addition to everything else you can do, including triggering a siren via a camera. And since the system works through the Hue Bridge, everything happens almost instantly.
You can also configure individual cameras as basic motion detectors for you and your family—for example, to light the way to the bathroom late at night. This can work even when the system is disabled, meaning Wi-Fi video streaming isn’t happening, but the cameras will still monitor for motion and respond accordingly.
The Hue app’s security settings offer another useful option: “Simulated Presence.” It allows you to randomly turn lights on and off at specific times of day, and the selected schedule can be controlled based on whether the Hue security system is enabled or disabled (meaning nothing happens when everyone is home).