There's a new alternative to the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K for immersive smart lighting synced to your TV - it's much cheaper, still supports 4K 120Hz pass-through, works with WiZ bulbs and comes from... Philips

Philips’ new TV light sync box uses WiZ instead of Hue
Includes 4K 120Hz pass-through so you don’t lose use of a key TV port
£129 to £149 including light strip; US release to be confirmed

Signify has launched a new Philips HDMI sync box, but it’s not for the Philips Hue range – it’s part of the Philips Smart Lighting range and uses smart technology from WiZ instead.

That’s good news, because Hue is positioned as a premium product with prices to match and Wiz is much cheaper. My Hue Play Sync Box, while excellent, is also very expensive – it was officially priced at £299 / $349 at launch, although it’s heavily discounted now. The new timing box costs between £129 and £149.

The new product is called Philips Smart Lighting HDMI Sync Box 2.1 and comes with an included light strip in a choice of two sizes, one for 55 to 65-inch TVs and one for 75 to 85-inch TVs.

What is the difference between Philips Smart Lighting Sync and Hue Sync?

The Philips Smart Lighting HDMI 2.1 Sync Box is not designed to work with any Hue system or the Hue app. It’s a purely WiZ affair and uses the WiZ app. The only thing WiZ isn’t is the brand, presumably because Philips has a better brand reputation.

In terms of what the box offers, it’s very similar to the Hue I love so much (or one of Philips’ Ambilight TVs, which basically have a built-in smart light strip). You plug it into your TV and it changes the light strip to match what’s happening on the screen, making the image appear larger and more immersive.

I especially like mine when I play: play Horizon: Forbidden West It was spectacular with the sunsets in the game.

Signify is also expanding the Philips Smart Lighting range with other products including gradient bars and floor lights, table lamps and multiple flexible strips, with models up to 20m long for the European market and, in the UK, models up to 5m long. All of these new products are much more affordable than the equivalent Hues, so for example the cheapest light strip will cost £23.99.

All of the new products will launch in the UK and Europe in June 2026. They will also arrive in other countries, but launch dates and pricing have yet to be announced.

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