I tested Philips Hue’s most controversial outdoor smart light – here's what shocked me

Philips Hue has dropped some of the best outdoor smart lights over the years – so much so that people are building entire ecosystems to light up every corner of their garden. Okay, when I say people, I mean me, and the latest addition to my ever-growing testing zone is the Nyro Outdoor Pedestal.

Originally launched in 2020 alongside the Nyro Wall Light, this lamp has been stirring up controversy ever since. Coming from a brand known for intuitive, user-friendly smart home products, I naturally had to see what all the fuss was about.

As it's a Philips Hue light, I already expected solid performance, but what could possibly make this sleek little thing such a divisive piece of kit? Let's find out.

Philips Hue Nyro Outdoor Pedestal review: price and availability

The Philips Hue Nyro Outdoor Pedestal has an RRP of £169.99/$169.99, which is definitely on the pricier side. It doesn’t come with an integrated motion sensor and you have to pair it with the Hue Bridge, so there are extra costs right off the bat. It can be purchased from Philips Hue's online store or Amazon.

However, you know the drill. Philips Hue products aren’t cheap, and you do get what you pay for when it comes to quality.

Philips Hue Nyro Outdoor Pedestal review: unboxing and set up

The Nyro Outdoor Pedestal was really hard to set up, mostly because the instruction manual was far from helpful. Trying to screw it together was frustrating – there’s a screw at both the front and back (same setup as the Hue Appear Wall Light) and they’re tiny. No special tools are included, and if you slip whilst tightening them, it's easy to scratch the finish.

The light is also fully hardwired, and for something that's meant to be an accent light, that’s a big ask. It can’t just be stuck into the ground, meaning you’ll almost need to landscape your garden around it if you plan to install more than one. In the product photos below, it shows someone wiring it under decking and mounting it above the surface, so it's definitely something to know before you buy.

Once the Nyro Pedestal is installed and connected to the Hue Bridge, integration into the Philips Hue system is a breeze. Like other Hue outdoor lights, it needs the Bridge to unlock its full potential, so I’d recommend going for a bundle if you don’t already have one.

Philips Hue Nyro Outdoor Pedestal review: design and features

Looks-wise, it’s super sleek. The edgy design with black brushed aluminium gives it that high-end feel, and it blends well with other Hue outdoor lights. The LEDs are tucked underneath a milky plastic cover, which creates a really interesting lighting effect.

As the Nyro Pedestal works by throwing illumination down onto the ground, it’s great for lighting pathways without being blinding. Just like the Hue Lily spotlight, it’s much more of an accent light, but has a much higher output at 1020 lumens.

Of course, you get the full Philips Hue range of colour options – warm to cool whites and 16 million+ colours to play with. Its IP44 rating also means it's splash-resistant and designed to handle typical outdoor conditions just fine, which is great since it's close to the ground.

Philips Hue Nyro Outdoor Pedestal review: performance

When it came to trying the Nyro Pedestal, I wasn’t sure I’d like it, especially since the shape is a bit odd. However, I quickly found that the downward casting contributed to creating a really lovely atmosphere. It worked really well with my other lights, and I didn't experience any connection interruptions or misaligned scheduling throughout the testing period.

For pathway lighting, I’d even go as far as to say I prefer it over the Lily spotlight. It had a solid brightness level that wasn't blinding, and just felt like a classy, subtle upgrade for an outdoor space.

Philips Hue Nyro Outdoor Pedestal review: verdict

The Philips Hue Nyro Outdoor Pedestal looks great and delivers an impressive lumen output for stylish pathway lighting, but it’s really hard to look past the frustrating installation process and the steep price tag. Whilst it integrates smoothly with the Hue ecosystem and offers top-tier build quality, the hardwiring, lack of mounting guidance, and steep price tag make it a tough sell – unless you're fully committed to the Hue setup and ready to put in the work.

Philips Hue Nyro Outdoor Pedestal review: alternatives to consider

If you're committed to the Philips Hue ecosystem but need something brighter and more security-focused, the Hue Secure Floodlight is a solid option. With a powerful 2250-lumen output and a built-in security camera, it's much better suited for serious outdoor protection.

On the other hand, if you're leaning more towards accent lighting, the Philips Hue Lily Spotlights are a top pick. They add vibrant, smart colour to your garden and are way easier to install compared to the Nyro.