Philips

Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip 55"

The Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip is a bias-lighting strip designed to wrap around the back of a TV and project multi-color gradient effects that mirror on-screen content.

### Overview

The Play Gradient Lightstrip is designed to mount on the back of your TV, essentially recreating the Ambilight-style effect on any brand of television — Samsung, LG, Sony, and others. It can display up to seven different colors simultaneously along its length, with three zones across the top of the screen and two zones on each side. Hue is well-regarded for the quality of its software and hardware performance, and this lightstrip is no exception to that reputation.

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### Pros

- **Seamless multi-zone color:** The Gradient Lightstrip has roughly three times as many LEDs per metre as the standard Hue Lightstrip Plus, and its built-in diffuser produces a much more homogeneous illumination — so you won't see individual light points on the wall even when the TV is close to it. - **Sturdy, TV-friendly build:** Right out of the box the lightstrip is noticeably sturdier than expected — at almost an inch thick and weighing just over two and a half pounds, there is no risk of bending, twisting, or breaking anything. This matters because it stays securely positioned behind your TV rather than sagging over time. - **Quick, tool-free installation:** The five plastic mounts have a simple peel-off sticker on the back, making it easy to place them at the four back corners of the TV with one along the top middle for support — and once the mounts are stuck, getting the lightstrip attached is even easier. Most reviewers report the whole process takes under 10 minutes. - **Broad smart home compatibility:** Voice control is supported via Alexa and Google Assistant, and the strip also works with Apple HomeKit, meaning it fits naturally into most existing smart home setups without requiring a platform switch.

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### Cons

- **Significant total system cost:** You can't just buy the lightstrip on its own to use the TV-sync functionality — the ~$250 lightstrip also requires a Philips Hue Sync Box (also ~$250), meaning you're looking at a roughly $500 investment to get everything working. - **Hue Bridge required separately:** You'll need a Zigbee-powered Hue Bridge to get started, which isn't ideal if you don't already own one — adding another ~$60 for first-time Hue buyers. - **Strict TV size matching:** If your TV doesn't match one of the three available sizes (55", 65", 75"), that is a problem — because the lightstrip matches specific TV sections, being just a few inches off can significantly impact the viewing experience. - **No bottom-edge coverage:** The strip included for each TV size does not extend to the bottom of the TV, so the lower edge of the screen goes unlit unless you supplement with additional Hue Play light bars (sold separately).

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### Who It's For

This is the right buy for dedicated home theater enthusiasts who are already invested — or willing to invest — in the Philips Hue ecosystem and want the most polished, gap-free TV bias lighting available. If you're all-in on Hue lighting, already have a house full of it, and are in the market for the lightstrip for a 55-inch TV, the price won't seem quite so bad — and the immersive, screen-synced result genuinely elevates movie nights and gaming sessions. It also appeals to anyone who wants Ambilight-style lighting but doesn't want to replace their current TV.

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### Not Right For

Budget-conscious buyers or those new to the Hue ecosystem — the lightstrip alone is only part of what you need, and the full required setup (lightstrip + Sync Box + Bridge) can easily exceed $500 before you watch a single frame.

Key features

• Smart gradient color zones; Designed for TVs; Works with Hue Bridge and HomeKit; Includes mounting brackets

Gradient zones that shift in real time with your screen content make this the most immersive TV bias light in the Hue lineup.