I swear by Philips Hue smart lighting, and the Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light is one of my favourites so far

Testing a variety of the best smart lights is easily one of my favourite parts of my job, and even more so when it's a product from Philips Hue. If you prioritise your home lighting and security setup, I'd be seriously surprised if you didn't have at least one Philips Hue light installed somewhere.

Recently, I was able to add another addition to my setup – the Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light. Unlike the Lily spotlight, this one’s designed to...well, go on a wall. Groundbreaking, I know. However, jokes aside, let me tell you why it's become one of my favourite outdoor smart lights so far.

Take a look below to find out whether the Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light will suit you and your setup – just like it has mine.

Philips Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light review: price and availability

The Philips Hue Appear has an RRP of £139.99/$159.99 and can be purchased directly from the Philips Hue website.

It’s available exclusively in black and, like most Philips Hue outdoor smart lights, requires a Hue Bridge to operate.

Philips Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light review: unboxing and set up

Unboxing and setting up the Hue Appear was relatively straightforward. Inside the box, I found a main base plate that needed to be screwed into my desired wall position. It attaches with just one screw at the top and one at the bottom, so it's not too complex.

However, attaching the main light to the base was a bit fiddly because the screws are tiny. Philips Hue doesn’t include any tools for this, so I ended up using my smallest drill bit to get the screws in – which took a fair bit of patience. It’s not a huge setback, but something to keep in mind if you’re hoping for a quick installation.

Another thing to note is that the light is hardwired, with the cable coming out of the top. This means the wiring is mostly visible during daylight, so you may want to think twice about where to position it.

Philips Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light review: design and features

One of the standout features of the Hue Appear is its modern, sleek design. Its vertical shape is perfect for complementing doorways, and the matte black finish matches other Philips Hue outdoor lights. Measuring 24cm long and 8.4cm wide, it’s a decent size without being too bulky.

The Hue Appear has an IP44 rating, meaning it’s protected against water splashes but isn’t fully waterproof. This rating is slightly lower than some other Philips Hue outdoor lights, so I’d recommend installing it under a porch or a covered area to be safe.

In terms of lighting, the Hue Appear offers a 1,180 lumen output at 4,000K, which is noticeably brighter than the Hue Lily spotlight I previously reviewed. However, I'd still recommend going for an actual spotlight if you're after something brighter.

The Philips Hue app continues to impress, offering seamless control over your lights with a wide range of effects, scenes and 16 million colour options. As mentioned before, the Philips Hue app and ecosystem will always be the best feature of these lights, making it a top choice for anyone seeking the top smart lighting setup.

Philips Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light review: performance

I was really pleased with how the Hue Appear performed, and it integrated seamlessly with my existing Philips Hue setup. Despite being a huge fan of other outdoor smart lights from the brand, there’s something about the Hue Appear’s modern, minimalist design that's made it one of my favourites to test so far.

Because of its shape, the Hue Appear casts triangular beams of light at the top and bottom. This creates a very stylish effect, but doesn’t provide a huge amount of illumination. For better lighting coverage, I think two of these lights – one on either side of the door – would look and perform even better.

Lastly, given its vertical design, I think the Hue Appear would really benefit from a built-in motion sensor. Since it's likely to be positioned near a doorway, having that added functionality would make it even more practical.

However, Philips Hue does sell outdoor motion sensors separately for £55/$50, so it’s not a dealbreaker – just something worth considering if you find yourself missing that feature.

Philips Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light review: verdict

The Philips Hue Appear is a stylish, modern outdoor light which will enhance any doorway. Whilst installation can be a bit fiddly and the visible wiring may not suit everyone, these are minor issues compared to its overall performance. With seamless integration into the Philips Hue ecosystem and excellent app control, the Hue Appear is a solid choice for those looking to enhance their outdoor lighting setup.

Philips Hue Appear Outdoor Wall Light review: alternatives to consider

One alternative to consider is the John Lewis Strom LED PIR Outdoor Wall Light. It's significantly more affordable and includes a motion sensor, but its light pattern isn't as precise as the Hue Appear, so it depends on your priorities. For an even better deal, be sure to check out our John Lewis discount codes.

If you're committed to the Philips Hue ecosystem but need a brighter option, the Hue Secure Floodlight is an excellent choice. With an impressive 2250-lumen output and a built-in security camera, it's perfectly designed to enhance your home's security lighting.