Intro
Philips Hue has built an impressive range of outdoor smart lights, with products like the Lily, Calla, Appear, Impress and Econic all serving different purposes. Sitting slightly below the more architectural Econic and Impress collections is the Philips Hue Turaco, a range designed for homeowners who prefer a timeless lantern-inspired appearance without sacrificing modern smart lighting features.
The latest-generation Turaco is available in two versions: an Outdoor Wall Light and a Pedestal Light. Both share the same classic lantern styling, use the Philips Hue ecosystem for automation and voice control, and support tunable white light as well as 16 million colours. The difference lies entirely in where they’re installed and how they illuminate your outdoor space.
The Wall Light is designed to welcome visitors at entrances, patios and exterior walls, while the Pedestal provides elegant pathway and garden lighting. Together, they create a coordinated outdoor lighting scheme that feels more traditional than the contemporary Econic family but is just as intelligent.
If your home has brickwork, stone cladding or a more classic architectural style, the Turaco range may actually be a better fit than Philips Hue’s ultra-modern fixtures. Let’s take a closer look.
At a Glance
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|
1
 |
Turaco Outdoor wall Light |
Anthracite, dimmable, Warm White Light, controllable via app. |
|
|
2
 |
Turaco Outdoor Pedestal Light |
Anthracite, dimmable, Warm White Light, controllable via app. |
Quick Verdict
| Category | Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Build Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Traditional lantern styling with premium construction that suits both classic and contemporary homes. |
| Lighting Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Excellent colour reproduction, smooth dimming and high-quality white light for everyday outdoor use. |
| Smart Features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Full Philips Hue ecosystem support with automation, Matter compatibility and voice control. |
| Ease of Installation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Straightforward installation with all mounting hardware included. Hue Bridge required for smart functionality. |
| Value for Money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Premium pricing but excellent versatility and long-term smart home integration. |
| Overall Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5) | An excellent choice for homeowners wanting classic outdoor lighting with modern smart home features. |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Attractive traditional lantern design | Hue Bridge required for advanced smart features |
| Available as both wall and pedestal versions | Premium price compared to standard outdoor lanterns |
| 16 million colours and adjustable white light | Integrated Hue ecosystem works best when expanded |
| Excellent dimming down to very low brightness | Better suited to ambience than floodlighting |
| Matter, Zigbee, Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home support | |
| Easy integration with other Philips Hue outdoor lights |
Required Product
| Required | Product | Features | Price |
|
1
 |
Amazon Echo Dot |
For Voice controls |
|
|
2
 |
Philips Hue Bridge |
The heart and brain of the Hue system |
Meet the Philips Hue Turaco Family
Although both Turaco models use the same smart technology, they perform very different roles within an outdoor lighting design.
The Turaco Outdoor Wall Light replaces traditional porch and garden wall lanterns. Mounted beside a front door, garage or patio, it provides broad ambient illumination while adding character to the exterior of the property.
The Turaco Outdoor Pedestal brings the same lantern styling down to ground level. Positioned beside pathways, driveways and garden borders, it creates elegant low-level lighting while maintaining a consistent appearance with the wall-mounted version.
Unlike the Philips Hue Econic family, which embraces minimalist architecture, the Turaco range feels warmer and more traditional. It complements period homes, cottages, brick façades and landscaped gardens just as naturally as newer properties.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Turaco Wall Light | Turaco Pedestal |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Exterior wall | Ground mounted |
| Best Use | Entrances & patios | Paths & driveways |
| Lighting Direction | Ambient wall lighting | Low-level pathway lighting |
| Smart Features | Identical | Identical |
| Colour Lighting | Yes | Yes |
| White Light | Warm to cool | Warm to cool |
| Voice Control | Alexa, Google, Apple | Alexa, Google, Apple |
| Matter Compatible | Yes | Yes |
Design and Build Quality
The Turaco range takes inspiration from classic outdoor lanterns while updating them with Philips Hue’s smart lighting technology.
Instead of sharp geometric lines like the Econic, the Turaco features softer curves and a more traditional silhouette, making it particularly well suited to brick homes, rendered façades and established gardens.
Both models are finished in anthracite, a neutral colour that blends well with black doors, grey window frames and natural stone. During the day they appear understated, but once illuminated they become an attractive feature without dominating the property.
The included A60 Hue bulb sits inside the lantern housing, producing evenly diffused illumination while allowing the fitting to maintain its classic appearance.
Philips Hue Turaco Outdoor Wall Light
The Wall Light is designed primarily for entrances, patios and exterior walls.
Unlike architectural wall washers such as the Hue Appear or Econic Up Lantern, the Turaco doesn’t create dramatic beams of light. Instead, it produces broad, welcoming illumination that feels more like a traditional porch lantern.
This makes it particularly suitable for homeowners who prefer timeless styling over contemporary minimalism.
Installed beside a front door, the Turaco creates an inviting entrance using warm white light. During outdoor entertaining, the same fixture can switch to subtle amber tones or vibrant colours, instantly changing the atmosphere without needing separate decorative lighting.
Its wide light distribution also makes it practical around garage doors, side entrances and rear patios where comfortable visibility is more important than dramatic lighting effects.
Because the included A60 Hue bulb is capable of both white and colour lighting, the Wall Light is equally suited to everyday use and seasonal displays.
Best locations
Philips Hue Turaco Outdoor Pedestal
The Pedestal version brings the same lantern design to pathways and landscaped gardens.
Rather than producing concentrated pools of light like some modern bollards, the Turaco Pedestal spreads illumination more naturally around the surrounding area. This creates a softer transition between lit and unlit spaces, making gardens feel comfortable rather than overly engineered.
The Pedestal works particularly well when installed in pairs along a pathway or positioned at key points such as driveway entrances and patio corners.
Because it shares exactly the same appearance as the Wall Light, homeowners can create a consistent outdoor lighting design throughout the property. Matching wall lights beside the entrance and pedestal lights along the path produce a coordinated appearance that feels carefully planned.
The ability to dim the light all the way down to just 0.2% is another significant advantage. During late evening hours the Pedestal can remain softly illuminated, providing orientation without unnecessary brightness or energy consumption.
Best locations
Lighting Performance
Both Turaco models support Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance lighting, allowing you to switch instantly between crisp daylight whites, relaxing warm whites and millions of colours.
For everyday use, warm white is likely to become the default setting. It complements planting, brickwork and timber particularly well while creating a welcoming atmosphere around the home.
Cooler white settings improve visibility during winter evenings or when extra brightness is needed around entrances and pathways.
Colour scenes are where the Turaco becomes far more versatile than a conventional outdoor lantern. Summer barbecues, Christmas decorations and Halloween displays can all be created using the same permanent fixtures without adding temporary decorative lighting.
Unlike inexpensive RGB outdoor lights, colour transitions remain smooth and consistent, especially when multiple Hue fixtures are grouped together.
Installation
Installation is designed to be straightforward.
The Wall Light includes the screws and wall plugs needed for mounting, while the Pedestal is intended for permanent installation beside pathways or landscaped areas.
After installation, simply add the light to the Philips Hue app through the Hue Bridge, assign it to an outdoor room or zone, and begin creating scenes and schedules.
If you’re installing multiple Turaco lights, grouping them into areas such as Front Garden, Driveway or Patio makes both app control and voice commands much easier.
UK Smart Lighting Installers: Cyber Homes | langleyec | AllTap Installers
Philips Hue Bridge and Smart Features
Like every premium Philips Hue outdoor product, the Turaco reaches its full potential when paired with a Hue Bridge.
The Bridge enables:
- Remote app control
- Sunrise and sunset schedules
- Home & Away automation
- Geofencing
- Smart scenes
- Motion sensor integration
- Voice assistants
- Matter compatibility
- Zigbee networking
Without the Bridge, the Turaco functions simply as an attractive outdoor light. With it, the lantern becomes part of a much larger smart home ecosystem capable of responding automatically to your daily routine.
Automation Performance
The Philips Hue Turaco range isn’t just about attractive outdoor lighting—it’s about making that lighting respond intelligently to your lifestyle. Once connected to a Hue Bridge, both the Wall Light and Pedestal can become part of sophisticated automations that require little or no daily interaction.
One of the most useful routines is Sunset Automation. Instead of relying on fixed timers that need adjusting throughout the year, the Hue app automatically turns the lights on at sunset and switches them off later in the evening. This means your entrance, pathway or patio is always illuminated at the right time regardless of the season.
Geofencing is equally practical. As you approach home after dark, the Turaco lights can switch on automatically to guide you safely to your front door. If everyone leaves the property, they can switch off automatically, ensuring lights aren’t left running unnecessarily.
For security, the Presence Mimicking feature randomly turns lights on and off while you’re away. Unlike a simple timer that activates lights at exactly the same time every day, Hue varies the schedule to create the impression that someone is at home.
The Turaco also works beautifully with the Philips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor. Imagine arriving home late in the evening: the Pedestal lights softly illuminate the pathway at 20% brightness throughout the night, but as soon as motion is detected they brighten to full output before gradually returning to their ambient setting after several minutes. This provides both convenience and improved security without wasting energy.
Because all Philips Hue outdoor products work together, the Turaco can participate in larger lighting scenes. For example, a “Good Evening” routine might illuminate the Turaco Wall Light, Impress Pedestal lights, Lily spotlights and indoor hallway lights simultaneously with a single tap or voice command.
Voice Control
Both Turaco models integrate seamlessly with the three major smart home ecosystems:
- Amazon Alexa
- Google Home
- Apple HomeKit
Once connected through the Hue Bridge, voice control becomes effortless.
Examples include:
- “Alexa, turn on the front garden.”
- “Hey Google, dim the pathway lights to 30 percent.”
- “Siri, activate Evening Relaxation.”
- “Alexa, change the porch light to warm white.”
Grouping multiple Turaco lights into zones makes voice control even more useful. Rather than remembering individual device names, you simply control the entire entrance or garden with a single command.
Matter compatibility also means the Turaco is better prepared for the future than older smart lighting systems, allowing easier integration with expanding smart home platforms.
Philips Hue Turaco vs Other Philips Hue Outdoor Lights
Choosing the right Philips Hue outdoor light depends less on brightness and more on the type of lighting effect you want to create.
The Turaco is best described as a smart version of a traditional outdoor lantern. It focuses on creating welcoming ambient lighting while preserving a timeless appearance.
Compared with the Philips Hue Econic, the Turaco is noticeably more traditional. Econic’s sharp geometric styling suits modern architecture, while Turaco blends naturally into cottages, brick houses and more traditional landscaping.
Compared with the Philips Hue Impress, the Turaco is less architectural but also less visually dominant. Impress is designed to become a feature in its own right, whereas Turaco complements the building rather than competing with it.
The Philips Hue Calla remains the better option for subtle pathway lighting because of its minimalist bollard design, but the Turaco Pedestal offers more decorative character and works particularly well around formal gardens.
Finally, the Philips Hue Lily XL serves a completely different purpose. Lily highlights trees, shrubs and architectural features, while Turaco provides general illumination for people and pathways.
Real-World Use Cases
Buyer’s Guide
If you’re choosing between the two Turaco models, the decision should be based entirely on installation location rather than features.
Choose the Wall Light if you need to illuminate entrances, patios, garages or exterior walls. It provides broader ambient lighting and naturally becomes a welcoming focal point for visitors.
Choose the Pedestal if your goal is to improve navigation through the garden. Positioned beside pathways and driveways, it creates elegant low-level lighting while maintaining a coordinated appearance with the wall-mounted version.
Many homeowners achieve the best results by combining both. Using identical lantern styling across walls and pathways creates visual consistency that would be difficult to achieve by mixing unrelated outdoor lights.
Before purchasing, remember that a Hue Bridge or Hue Bridge Pro is required to unlock advanced features such as automation, Matter integration, geofencing, voice control and remote access. If you already own Hue products indoors, adding Turaco lights is a natural extension of your existing smart lighting system.
See also: Philips Hue Nyro | Philips Hue Lucca | Philips Hue Discover Floodlight
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the difference between the Turaco Wall Light and Pedestal?
The technology is identical. The Wall Light is designed for walls and entrances, while the Pedestal is intended for pathways, gardens and driveways.
2. Do I need a Hue Bridge?
Yes. A Hue Bridge (or Hue Bridge Pro) is required to access automation, schedules, Matter compatibility, remote control and voice assistants.
3. Can both models display colours?
Yes. Both support Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance with 16 million colours and adjustable warm-to-cool white light.
4. Can I dim the lights?
Yes. Brightness can be adjusted smoothly down to approximately 0.2%, making them suitable for subtle evening ambience.
5. Do they work with Alexa?
Yes. They support Amazon Alexa through the Hue Bridge.
6. Do they work with Google Home?
Yes. Google Home offers full voice control and automation.
7. Are they compatible with Apple HomeKit?
Yes. Siri voice commands and HomeKit automations are fully supported.
8. Can they switch on automatically at sunset?
Absolutely. Sunset and sunrise schedules are built directly into the Philips Hue app.
9. Can they turn on when I arrive home?
Yes. Geofencing allows lights to activate automatically as you approach your property.
10. Are they weatherproof?
Yes. Both fixtures are designed for permanent outdoor installation.
11. Can I use them with a Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor?
Yes. Motion sensors can trigger brightness changes, scenes or complete lighting routines.
12. Do they use replaceable bulbs?
They use an included Philips Hue A60 smart bulb housed within the fitting, allowing Philips Hue lighting performance while maintaining the lantern appearance.
13. Can they be grouped with other Hue outdoor lights?
Yes. Turaco works perfectly alongside Lily, Calla, Econic, Impress and Appear products within the same Hue ecosystem.
14. Are they suitable for security lighting?
They improve visibility and occupancy simulation but are designed primarily for ambient outdoor lighting rather than high-powered floodlighting.
15. Which Philips Hue Turaco should I buy?
Choose the Wall Light for entrances and patios, the Pedestal for pathways and gardens, or combine both for a coordinated outdoor lighting design.
Final Verdict
The Philips Hue Turaco range successfully combines the timeless appeal of traditional outdoor lanterns with the intelligence of one of the world’s most advanced smart lighting platforms. Rather than focusing on bold architectural effects, the Wall Light and Pedestal deliver comfortable, welcoming illumination that suits a wide variety of homes.
The Turaco Wall Light is an excellent choice for front doors, patios and garage entrances, providing broad ambient lighting and attractive kerb appeal. The Turaco Pedestal complements it perfectly by defining pathways and landscaped borders with elegant, low-level illumination.
Together, they create a cohesive outdoor lighting scheme that feels classic rather than trendy, while still benefiting from automation, Matter compatibility, voice control and the full Philips Hue ecosystem. For homeowners who appreciate traditional styling but want modern smart lighting, the Turaco family is one of Philips Hue’s most versatile outdoor collections.
