Philips Hue Starter Kit (White & Colour) vs Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Philips Hue Starter Kit (White & Colour)

9.0/10 Excellent

4.6★ (22,000 owners)

The smart lighting standard. 16 million colours, 1600 lumens, Zigbee hub included.

Full Review

Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker

9.1/10 Excellent

4.7★ (41,000 owners)

The best-sounding smart speaker. Works with Alexa and Google. Expandable to whole-home audio.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Philips Hue Starter Kit (White & Colour)	Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	9.1/10
Owner Rating	4.6★ (22,000)	4.7★ (41,000)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
Warranty	2 years	1 year

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Philips Hue Starter Kit (White & Colour): The smart lighting standard. 16 million colours, 1600 lumens, Zigbee hub included. Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker: The best-sounding smart speaker. Works with Alexa and Google. Expandable to whole-home audio. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Philips Hue Starter Kit (White & Colour)

16 million colours with 1600 lumens — the most versatile smart lighting available
Hue Bridge enables local control — works without internet outage
Works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit and Matter
Geofencing, schedules and sunrise/sunset automation built in
10-year ecosystem track record — the most expandable smart lighting platform

Requires Hue Bridge for full features — adds cost and setup complexity
Most expensive smart lighting on a per-bulb basis
Hue app requires an account — privacy consideration for some

Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker

Sound quality is in a different class to Echo or HomePod mini
Platform-agnostic — Alexa, Google, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2
Pairs with any other Sonos speaker for multi-room audio
Trueplay room calibration optimises sound for your space
10-year software support track record — genuinely long-term

More expensive than Echo or Google Nest Audio
Requires Sonos app for initial setup and full features
No 3.5mm or optical input on this model

FAQ

Which is better, Philips Hue Starter Kit or Sonos One (Gen 2)?

Is the Philips Hue Starter Kit worth the extra cost?

The Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Philips Hue Starter Kit best suited to?

The smart lighting standard. 16 million colours, 1600 lumens, Zigbee hub included.

Who is the Sonos One (Gen 2) best suited to?

The best-sounding smart speaker. Works with Alexa and Google. Expandable to whole-home audio.

What are the main downsides of each?

Philips Hue Starter Kit (White & Colour): Requires Hue Bridge for full features — adds cost and setup complexity; Most expensive smart lighting on a per-bulb basis. Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker: More expensive than Echo or Google Nest Audio; Requires Sonos app for initial setup and full features.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Philips Hue Starter Kit (White & Colour) sits at 4.6★ from 22,000 verified Amazon owners, and Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker at 4.7★ from 41,000.

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