Philips Hue Dimmer Switch v2 Review: The Simple Remote That Gives Every Guest Control of Hue Lights
The Philips Hue Dimmer Switch v2 is the easiest way to put a physical control next to Hue lights: an on/off key, a dim up and down rocker and a Hue key that cycles scenes, on a magnetic remote that snaps onto a wall plate or any metal surface. It needs no wiring, runs about two years on a CR2032 and keeps working for guests who never open the app. The trade-offs are that it only drives Hue (customizing it requires the Hue Bridge) and that its wall plate does not match standard switch plates. For anyone already invested in Hue, it is an inexpensive, dependable add-on.
- Philips Hue owners
- Guests and family members
- Renters
- Home Assistant users with a Hue Bridge
Pros
- No wiring: sticks to the wall with adhesive or screws
- Magnetic remote lifts off the plate and sticks to metal surfaces
- Dedicated dim up and dim down keys plus a Hue scene key
- About two years on a CR2032 coin cell
- Works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home and Home Assistant through the Hue Bridge
- Controls up to 10 Hue lights directly without a Bridge
Cons
- Customizing the keys requires the Hue Bridge
- Wall plate does not fit standard switch plates
- No double or triple press actions
- Indoor use only (IP20)
Who is the Philips Hue Dimmer Switch v2 for?
It is built for homes that already run Philips Hue lights and want a switch on the wall, by the bed or on a desk without calling an electrician. Because it switches no load, it sticks to the wall with the included adhesive or screws, and the remote lifts off its plate to be carried around the room. Owners mention it most for guests, children and older relatives who should be able to turn the lights on without a phone or a voice command. Without a Hue Bridge it can be paired directly with up to 10 Hue lights with fixed behaviour; with the Bridge every key can be reassigned.
What buyers love
The most consistent praise is how quickly it joins a Hue setup: it is recognized by the Hue app in minutes and works from the first press. Reviewers like that the whole household can control lights without the app, that the magnetic remote can live in a pocket or on the fridge, and that it keeps working for years; several owners report going a long time without changing the coin cell. Buyers coming from the first generation say the v2 is the better design, and Home Assistant users note that, through the Hue Bridge, each press and hold can trigger a different automation.
What to know before you buy
This is a Hue accessory first. It speaks Zigbee and needs the Hue Bridge (or a Zigbee hub such as Zigbee2MQTT) for anything beyond direct control of a few Hue lights, and Matter support comes through the Bridge rather than from the switch itself. The wall plate is its own size, so it does not slide into a standard multi-gang or Decora plate, and a few owners find the new magnetic remote easy to knock off its plate. It is rated IP20, so it is for indoor use only, and it has no double or triple press: each key reports a press and a hold. A small number of buyers received a unit whose battery needed replacing straight away.
Is the Philips Hue Dimmer Switch v2 worth it?
For a Hue home, yes. It is an inexpensive accessory that installs in minutes, and gives four keys of control with a two year battery life and a two year warranty. Its value drops if you are not on Hue: it does not control other brands of lights on its own, and the plate will not blend into a row of standard switches. Buy it to add a reliable, family-friendly control point to Hue lights, not as a universal smart button.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Philips Hue Dimmer Switch v2 need a Hue Bridge?
Not to work: without a Bridge it can be connected directly to up to 10 Hue lights, with fixed behaviour. The Hue Bridge is required to change what each key does, to control more lights and to use it with other platforms.
How is the v2 different from the original Hue dimmer switch?
The original had separate on and off keys; the v2 has an on/off key on top, a dim up and dim down rocker and a Hue key at the bottom that recalls scenes. The v2 runs on a CR2032 coin cell, the remote itself is magnetic, and its wall plate is larger.
Does it work with Apple Home, Alexa and Google Home?
Yes, through the Hue Bridge, which Philips Hue lists as compatible with Apple Home, Alexa and Google Home. SmartThings reaches it over Matter, which the Hue Bridge provides.
Can I use it with Home Assistant?
Yes. The official Philips Hue integration reports its presses as button events through the Bridge, and it can also be paired directly to Zigbee2MQTT, where each key reports a press and a hold.
What battery does it use and how long does it last?
It uses one CR2032 coin cell, included, with a rated battery life of about two years. The Hue app shows the expected remaining battery lifetime.
Can I mount it over an existing light switch?
It mounts on any flat surface with the included adhesive or screws, so it can sit right next to an existing switch. It does not wire into the switch box and does not fit inside a standard multi-gang plate.
