Philips Hue Secure: An In-Depth Review

The Philips Hue Secure cameras and sensors are designed for home security. The $200 Hue Secure Wired Camera has 1080p video recording with night vision and motion trigger alerts. It can be used indoors or outdoors and has a white plastic casing with a standard camera lens.

The camera comes with a base that mounts to the wall with a screw, but if you want to place it on a table or flat surface, you need to purchase the “Desktop” version for an extra $30. The camera has magnets for base attachment, allowing for interchangeable wall mounting and desktop use. The field of view is wide enough to cover an entire room or a good section of your yard.

The camera can be connected to the Hue app, but it does not support HomeKit integration. To integrate the camera with other Hue products and enable remote control functionality, a Hue Bridge is required. The Bridge is priced at $60 if you don’t already have one for Hue lights.

In terms of video quality, the Hue Secure camera is on par with other HomeKit-enabled cameras. It offers end-to-end encryption to keep video clips and snapshots private and prevent hacking. The camera can recognize people, pets, and packages to send tailored alerts, and it has options for setting up activity and package zones.

Some features, such as recording and activity zone setup, require a paid subscription. The Basic plan starts at $39.99 per year and supports two cameras, while the Plus plan costs $100/year and is required for more than two cameras. Live streaming, video snapshots, light and sound alarms, and notifications are accessible for free.

The Hue app’s layout and camera function suggest that the system is more geared towards detecting and deterring intruders rather than general home monitoring. The two-way talk feature works well, and there are options for activating lights or sounding an alarm when motion is detected.

However, the lack of HomeKit integration and the high cost compared to other cameras with similar specs, such as those from Ring, may make it difficult for the Hue Secure system to compete in the market. The Hue cameras with floodlights may be more appealing, but only if they can be integrated into HomeKit.

The Hue Secure Wired Camera is available for purchase on Amazon.com or the Hue website for $200. A battery-powered version is also available for $250, and a desktop model is priced at $230.