When it comes to smart lights, the first name most people think of is Philips Hue. These high-quality smart lights are considered the gold standard for voice-controlled lighting, and they’re a great entry point for setting up a smart home. They’re responsive, easy to set up, and allow you to automate your smart home with everything from simple bulbs to extravagant lightstrips.

The Hue lights can be controlled with the Philips Hue app, but the best way to use them is with a virtual assistant like Alexa through your Amazon Echo. Even though Philips and Amazon aren’t affiliated, integrating your smart lights with your virtual assistant is easy. If you use Google Assistant in your smart home, the integration process is similar, but there are a few different steps along the way. If you have trouble with a Hue bulb you’ve set up, reset it first, then come back here to get it reconnected.

If you’ve set up your Philips Hue bulbs, they are ready to be paired with Alexa via an Echo device. However, if you need help getting that started, we have a handy guide for resetting Philips Hue bulbs.

What you need to connect a Philips Hue light to Alexa

Before we get too deep into how to connect a Philips Hue light to Alexa, let’s start with the items you need to get started. If you’re missing one of these items, you can’t set up your smart lights. Still, the list isn’t long, and you should have everything you need to turn your house into a smart home as far as lighting is concerned.

First, you’ll need a Philips Hue smart light. Next, you’ll need an Alexa-compatible device, like the Amazon Echo, and a smartphone equipped with the Alexa app and the Hue app. Finally, you’ll need a Hue Bridge to connect to your Wi-Fi router to communicate with your smart lighting setup. Most Philips Hue starter packs come with this device in the box. If you bought your Philips Hue lights in an individual package, you might need the bridge. They don’t cost much, and you should be able to get one where you bought your first Philips Hue light.

How to connect a Philips Hue light to Alexa

Getting your Philips Hue lights connected to Alexa via an Amazon Echo device, like the Echo Show 10, for example, doesn’t have to be complicated. Take a look at these simple steps to power your smart home with an Alexa-powered smart speaker:

1. Open the Alexa mobile app on your smartphone.
2. Click the Plus icon in the upper-right corner of the home screen.
3. Select Add Device from the menu.
4. Click Light to begin the setup.

5. Select Philips Hue from the list of brands.
6. Click the blue Discover Devices button at the bottom of the screen.

7. Wait (up to 45 seconds) for your device to connect.
8. When it’s found, click Set Up Device at the bottom of the screen.

9. Select the room in which you use the light.
10. Click Add to Group at the bottom of the screen.
11. Tap the blue Continue button at the bottom of the screen.
12. Click the blue Done button at the bottom of the screen.

When you’ve done all that, you’re set up to control your smart lights with Alexa. Use a voice command like, “Turn on the living room,” and enjoy smart lighting throughout your home.

How to set up smart light groups in Alexa

Now that your Philips Hue smart lights are connected to Alexa, you can use voice commands and the Alexa app to turn them on and off. If you want to get creative, the Alexa app allows you to create groups to control entire rooms rather than individual lights. The process is easier than getting your lights set up. Follow the steps below to use voice commands like “Turn on the living room” or “Dim the bedroom” to manage your smart home in a more cohesive way.

1. Open the Amazon Alexa mobile app on your smartphone.
2. Click the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Scroll down until you see the Groups section.
4. Select the Create a Group tab.

5. Click Create a room or device group from the menu.
6. Name the room or device group.

7. Select the lights that you’d like in that room or device group.
8. Pick the Alexa device you’d like in that room or device group.

After completing these steps, use voice commands or the Amazon Alexa mobile app to control your smart home with rooms and device groups rather than individual lights. Considering that you likely don’t want to turn on lights one by one every time you enter your home, using Groups is the way to go.

Setting up your smart home with Alexa

Alexa isn’t the only option you have when it comes to setting up your smart home. Google Assistant offers a comparable (and sometimes better) experience to Alexa. If you use Apple devices, you can integrate your Hue lights with Siri and Apple Home. And if you’re not interested in voice control, use Samsung SmartThings or the home automation platform IFTTT.

Still, Alexa may be the best option for beginners setting up their smart homes. Its many devices — from Ring cameras to Echo devices — work great together, and there are plenty of skills and features that you can use to improve your smart home. And when you connect your smart lights with the virtual assistant with these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to an enjoyable smart home experience.