Philips Hue Calla Outdoor Pathway Light Review: Sophisticated Safety with a Price
The Philips Hue Calla outdoor pathway light aims to elevate outdoor walkways and patios with a blend of sophisticated safety features and smart lighting capabilities. However, this enhancement comes at a premium. The Calla stands out from traditional low-voltage outdoor LED path lighting with its ability to produce 16 million shades of colored light, various temperatures of white light (from warm to cool), and seamless integration with other Philips Hue bulbs and luminaires, both indoors and out.
Compared to conventional "dumb" outdoor lights, the Calla’s price tag of $130 is substantial. You could purchase several standard LED path lights for the cost of a single Calla. However, the Calla’s advantages lie in its smart features and customization options, offering a level of control and ambiance that basic lights simply cannot match.
Essential Requirements: The Hue Bridge
If you’re new to the Philips Hue ecosystem, you’ll need a Philips Hue Bridge ($50 on Amazon) to control the Calla. The bridge acts as a central hub, connecting your Hue lights to your Wi-Fi network and allowing you to control them through the Hue app. Philips has wisely chosen not to include the bridge in the Calla’s box, recognizing that many customers investing in this light already own one. A single Hue Bridge can support up to 50 Philips Hue lights, making it a worthwhile investment for those expanding their smart lighting setup.
Important Recall Notice
In October 2020, Signify issued a voluntary recall of certain Philips Hue Calla power supplies due to potential safety concerns. It’s important to check the news story related to this recall for details and instructions if you own a Calla light.
Design and Build Quality
The Calla features a sleek, minimalist design. It’s a 9.9-inch high, 4.1-inch diameter black aluminum cylinder with a non-replaceable 8-watt LED bulb on top. The bulb is rated for 25,000 hours of use. The light shines through a frosted white lens, producing 600 lumens of light, which is roughly equivalent to a 49-watt incandescent bulb.
The fixture can be placed on any flat surface or mounted using the provided aluminum stake. Simply drill a hole in the ground and insert the stake for a secure and stable placement.
Package Contents
The Calla base kit includes everything you need to get started:
- The Calla luminaire itself
- Its power supply
- An extension cable
- An aluminum stake
Durability and Weather Resistance
The Calla boasts an IP65 weatherization rating, indicating that it’s dust-tight and protected from water jets (up to 6.3mm in size) from any direction. This makes it resistant to rain, sprinkler systems, and accidental hose spray while cleaning your sidewalk. However, it’s best to avoid direct exposure to a pressure washer, as that could potentially damage the fixture.
Installation and Power
The Calla comes with a sealed, in-line, low-voltage power supply. The power supply needs to be plugged into an outdoor outlet that’s protected by a bubble cover. It is recommended to use an outlet that is not controlled by a switch, ensuring a constant power supply to the smart light. The fixture has a stub cable with a bayonet-style connection at the end. This connects to either the longer cable emerging from the power supply or the provided 16-foot extension cable.
For larger installations, you can daisy-chain up to four additional Calla units to the same power supply. These extension kits, which include cables and T-style electrical junctions but no power supply, are available for purchase separately.
Smart Features and App Integration
The Philips Hue app unlocks the full potential of the Calla. You can create indoor and outdoor lighting scenes based on brightness, color, and lighting temperature. The app also allows you to create routines that control the Calla’s behavior, such as turning on and off, changing colors, and more.
For example, a "go to sleep" routine can be set to gradually fade the light to off over a specified period, such as 30 minutes, while setting a particular color temperature.
Hue also integrates with other apps and voice assistants. If you have a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod (the Hue system is HomeKit compatible), you can control the Calla with voice commands. You can set routines for turning the light on at sunset and off at sunrise.
ZigBee Mesh Networking
Hue started as an indoor lighting system, so extending it outdoors might present challenges in connecting to the bridge. Philips uses the ZigBee protocol, a mesh network technology. Every Hue light you add extends the range of your network.
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
If you experience connection issues with outdoor Hue fixtures, and moving the bridge is not feasible, consider deploying one or two Hue bulbs inside the house between the bridge and the outdoor device. This can help strengthen the ZigBee network and improve connectivity.
Lighting Performance and Use Cases
The Calla is not an exceptionally bright light, but it produces a pool of light that is sufficient for illuminating walkways. Its strength lies in adding a pleasant atmosphere to your outdoor areas. It’s ideal for enhancing the ambiance of patios and garden paths.
Conclusion
The Philips Hue Calla is a well-built and durable outdoor luminaire that integrates seamlessly with the Philips Hue ecosystem. Its smart features, customization options, and weather resistance make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking to enhance their outdoor lighting experience. While the initial cost may be higher than traditional options, the Calla offers a unique blend of safety, style, and smart home integration. This makes it a strong contender in the smart outdoor lighting market.
