Smart String Lights, White and Colour
Philips Hue Festavia Review

250 LEDs  |  20 m lit length  |  2000-6500K  |  IP54 string  |  Bluetooth control

Overview

The Philips Hue Festavia is a smart string light, and this version has 250 LEDs over a 20 m lit length (24.8 m overall), spaced 80 mm apart. Each LED can display a different colour at the same time, but Hue says you can’t control each light individually. White runs from 2000K to 6500K, Hue lists a CCT maximum lumen output of 2,697, and the string is rated 14 W with a black cord.

The power supply is included. Hue says Festavia string lights bought during or after 2023 are for both indoor and outdoor use; the string is rated IP54 and the power supply IP20, and in the UK you need to plug it into an indoor power outlet. You can control it with Bluetooth, and it also uses Zigbee. It is set up in the Philips Hue app, and Hue lists Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Matter, Samsung SmartThings and Sonos among the platforms it works with.

Ad: we earn commission if you buy through the price buttons on this page. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check latest priceat Amazon

Key Features

✓250 LEDs over a 20 m lit length; 24.8 m overall
✓LEDs spaced 80 mm apart
✓Each LED can display a different colour at the same time
✓2000-6500K white range; CCT max lumen output 2,697
✓14 W; power supply included
✓String IP54; power supply IP20
✓Indoor and outdoor use for lights bought during or after 2023
✓Bluetooth control; Zigbee as well
✓Dimmable; black cord

Pros & Cons

Pros

+ Each LED can show a different colour at the same time
+ Bluetooth control in the Philips Hue app
+ IP54 string for outdoor use (bought 2023 or later)
+ 20 m lit length

Cons

− LEDs can’t be controlled individually
− In the UK the plug must go in an indoor power outlet

Setup & Installation

Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is on and stay within about 9 m of the lights. In the Philips Hue app, open the Settings tab, tap Devices, then tap the blue plus (+) in the top right corner and scan the QR code. If there is no QR code, tap No QR code to add it by searching or using its serial number, a six-character code printed on the light or on a tag on the cord.

In the UK, run the power supply from an indoor power outlet, as Hue advises. If you use Alexa over Bluetooth and your Echo doesn’t discover the light, Hue says to ask “Alexa, discover devices.”

Common Problems & Fixes

Running into issues? Our Philips Hue troubleshooting guide covers step-by-step fixes taken from Hue’s own support pages, including how to reset Hue lights, light not found over Bluetooth and not responding to Alexa or Google.

Who Should Buy It

Anyone who wants colour string lights indoors or, for lights bought in 2023 or later, outdoors, with an indoor socket for the plug.

Verdict

The 250-LED Festavia gives a 20 m lit string where each LED can show its own colour, with Bluetooth control and the power supply included. For outdoor use in the UK, Hue says to plug it into an indoor power outlet.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.