Plugs · Head to head

Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) vs Shelly Plug M Gen3

Full Smart Plugs comparison in 2026

Updated October 2026
Data from the official Philips and Shelly sites.
2026 verdict
The Shelly Plug M Gen3 is the stronger of these two Schuko plugs, adding energy metering, Matter support and a higher load rating on top of the reliability both share.
Shelly Plug M Gen3
Winner
Shelly Plug M Gen3
€12.90
Buy on Amazon Germany
It is rated 13A at 220 to 240V, which is 3000W, commissions into Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings with no bridge, and carries three years of warranty. The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) still has the cleaner HomeKit story and a Zigbee repeater built in, but it needs the Hue Bridge for its full features and measures nothing. Buy the Shelly Plug M Gen3 for metering, Matter or heavy appliances, and the Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) if you already live in the Hue app and want another Zigbee repeater.
vs
Winner
Shelly Plug M Gen3
Shelly

Shelly Plug M Gen3

Prime exclusive deal
€12.90
Buy on Amazon Germany

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FeaturePhilips Hue Smart plug (EU)Shelly Plug M Gen3Winner
Price$52.40€12.90Shelly Plug M Gen3
Rating4.74.5Philips Hue Smart plug (EU)
Warranty2 years3 yearsShelly Plug M Gen3
Maximum Load Power2300W3000WShelly Plug M Gen3
Energy MonitoringNOYESShelly Plug M Gen3
IntegrationsGoogle Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home AssistantGoogle Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, MatterShelly Plug M Gen3
Zigbee RouterYESNOPhilips Hue Smart plug (EU)
Weather ResistanceNONOTie
Plug FormatType FType FTie
ConnectivityBluetooth, Zigbee2.4 GHz WiFi, BluetoothTie
On/Off ButtonYESYESTie

What the differences mean

Bridge or hub

The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) needs the Hue Bridge to unlock schedules, automations and its integrations, with only limited Bluetooth use without it. The Shelly Plug M Gen3 joins Wi-Fi and Bluetooth directly, needs no bridge, and runs standalone through its own web interface.

Energy monitoring

The Shelly Plug M Gen3 has a voltmeter, an ammeter and power and energy meters built in, so it reports what the appliance uses. The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) has none, which is the clearest feature gap between the two.

Load rating

The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) handles up to 2300W at 220 to 240V, enough for lamps and many household appliances. The Shelly Plug M Gen3 is rated 13A and 3000W, so it carries heavier loads such as heaters and workshop tools.

Matter support

The Shelly Plug M Gen3 is Matter-certified and can be commissioned into Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings from one flow. The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) has no Matter, so its integrations run through the Hue Bridge instead.

Zigbee mesh

The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) works as a Zigbee repeater, extending the range of a Hue network. The Shelly Plug M Gen3 has no Zigbee radio, so it adds nothing to a mesh and never repeats for battery sensors.

Warranty

The Shelly Plug M Gen3 comes with three years of warranty on Shelly Gen3 hardware, while the Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) is covered for two years. Both are longer than many budget plugs offer.

Which one to buy if

What owners say

Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) owners describe it as set-and-forget: it is found in the Hue app in under a minute, stays connected, and responds quickly to Siri, Alexa and Google. They bring ordinary lamps and decorations into Hue scenes, value the physical on and off button, and single out build quality and safety next to cheap plugs, some of which they say caused short circuits. Their warnings are consistent: the body is wide enough to block the neighboring sockets on a power strip, it is pricier than most plugs, it needs the Hue Bridge for the full feature set, and there is no energy monitoring. A few wish it switched more demanding devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) or Shelly Plug M Gen3?

The Shelly Plug M Gen3, on features and value: it meters energy, carries a 13A and 3000W rating, supports Matter and needs no bridge. The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) is the better pick if you already run Hue and a Hue Bridge and want native HomeKit plus a Zigbee repeater.

What is the biggest difference between the Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) and the Shelly Plug M Gen3?

The Shelly Plug M Gen3 measures and the Hue does not. The Shelly Plug M Gen3 has energy meters, Matter and a no-bridge setup, while the Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) delivers reliable Zigbee control and a repeater through the Hue Bridge.

Does the Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) need the Hue Bridge?

For the full feature set, yes. The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) uses Zigbee through the Hue Bridge for schedules, automations and integrations, and only limited Bluetooth use works without it. The Shelly Plug M Gen3 needs no bridge at all.

Does the Shelly Plug M Gen3 measure energy use?

Yes. It has a built-in voltmeter, ammeter and power and energy meters, so the app shows real-time consumption and history. The Philips Hue Smart plug (EU) has no energy monitoring.

Who should buy the Philips Hue Smart plug (EU)?

A European Hue household that wants another dependable Zigbee plug in the same app, with HomeKit, Alexa and Google control and a repeater to strengthen the mesh.

Who should buy the Shelly Plug M Gen3?

A European household with Schuko outlets that wants metering, Matter across several ecosystems, no bridge, and the 13A rating to switch a heater or a power tool.

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