As one of the most well-known and renowned names in the smart home lighting industry, Philips Hue is still one of the most well-known and acclaimed brands. People who like the look of recessed lighting but live in a modern setting will find their Gu10 lights to be a perfect choice.
Philips Hue’s current version has adjusted the size of its lights in order to conform to the Gu10 standard, which is a little inconsistent. As a result, those who are interested in smart lighting will confront a number of difficulties.
A half-inch reduction in size compared to the previous generation of Philips Hue Gu10 lights! However, while this is useful for individuals who have modest downlight fittings, it causes problems with sizing and fit for those who employ recessed lighting fixtures. However, the good news is that there are a few simple adjustments you can do right away to get your interior design back on track.
Philips Hue downlights have a long and successful track record.
Hue was the first Apple-only device to be released in 2012 as an Apple, and it continues to be so today. At the time, this was the most well-known smart lighting technology developed by the company. These lights interacted with one another through the use of Zigbee Light Link technology, and they provided a rudimentary set of smart capabilities.
Fast forward to today, and the Philips Hue world appears to have undergone a significant transformation. It is no longer necessary to purchase Philips Hue products through the Apple Store, and their product selection now includes products to meet practically every possible demand for home illumination.
The Philips Hue Downlights are a component of a new generation of recessed lighting that has emerged in recent years. They are available in a variety of colors and sizes. In contrast to hanging light fixtures, these lights are put directly into the ceiling rather than as part of a hanging light fixture. They have a contemporary style and, by removing the need for hanging fixtures, they can provide homeowners with extra design and lighting alternatives.
In the Philips Hue downlighting line, there are two generations to choose from. Examine how they differ from one another by studying the differences between them.
In the Philips Hue downlighting line, there are two generations to choose from.
The Philips Hue GU10 gen two bulbs are contained within this box.
The Gu10 First Generation and the Gu10 Second Generation are the two generations of Philips Hue downlights that have been released so far. However, despite the fact that the primary product is the same, there are some significant variances that should be considered.
The original Hue Gu10 light was a trailblazer in the realm of intelligent lighting when it was introduced. While vintage lights continue to function flawlessly, they lack some of the delicacies that may be found in more contemporary lighting. They also make use of an older Zigbee protocol, which makes them a little more difficult to use than other similar devices.
Philips Hue’s second-generation Gu10 lights are noticeably more modern than their predecessors. With 400 lumens for white and white ambiance lights and 350 lumens for full color bulbs, they are a little brighter than the previous generation, which had 350 lumens for full color bulbs. When compared to the first-generation gadget, which could generate up to 300 lumens:
- The number of lumens produced by a light bulb in white or in white ambient light Philips Hue GU10 Gen 1 Light Bulb (White or White Ambiance) – 300 lumens is a suitable starting point for most people.
- Philips Hue GU10 Gen 1 Ambiance Light Bulb with White and Color Temperature Control (full RGB) – 250 Lumens is a fair starting point for most people.
- A good starting point is the Philips Hue GU10 Gen 2 light bulb with – 400 lumens in ambient white or white light, which is available in two colors.
- A white and colored ambient lighting system with full RGB capability is provided by the Philips Hue GU10 Gen 2. – 350 lumens is a good starting point for most people.
The brightness of each Philips Hue GU10 downlight is measured in lumens and varies from one to the next.
They also have extensive knowledge in the subject of color science. The ability to reproduce colors with more accuracy will result as a result of this. This increases the illumination of your house while also providing you with greater granular control and raising the bar for alternative lighting options in general.
When comparing generations one and two, the incorporation of Bluetooth was the most significant difference. The first iteration of the device used Zigbee Light Link, however the second edition used Zigbee 3.0 and Bluetooth technology. In exchange for the additional connectivity, the overall size of the device was reduced.
The Specifications of These Intelligent Downlights are being examined.
Let’s get right to the heart of today’s smart technology conundrum: the magnitude of lights.
Figure 1: Comparison of the sizes of Philips Hue GU10 bulbs from two different generations.
The new product Philips Hue Gu10 lights are just somewhat smaller than their predecessors in terms of overall size. What exactly is the justification for this?
Even with the addition of Bluetooth technology as well as a power boost, it is still significantly smaller than the original edition of the device. Despite the fact that it is not significantly smaller than the first generation, your Gu10 fixtures may not be able to accommodate it properly.
During their first iteration, Hue Gu10 lights had a 50mm width and 72mm length, and they were made entirely of plastic. Despite the fact that the 0.1′′ section of the following description appears to be incorrect on the Amazon sales page – In our experience, first generation GU10 bulbs are longer than this, which describes how they should be used in open recessed and track heads longer than 2.2 inches:
this GU10 LED smart flood light is Suitable for use in track heads and open recessed longer than 2.2 inches, although the 0.1′′ part appears to be incorrect – first generation GU10 bulbs are longer than this in our experience, which we believe to be incorrect – When measured in both diameter and length, this bulb is somewhat longer than a typical GU10 bulb by 0.1 inches.
The Philips Hue GU10 Gen 1 light bulb may be purchased on Amazon.com for $199.
Despite its small size (just 50mm by 58mm), Philips Hue’s latest generation of smart Gu10 lights is incredibly energy efficient. As a result of the roughly square shape and the nearly 20mm shortening, it appears to be a typical non-smart downlight:
One of the second-generation Philips Hue Gu10 bulbs is being held by someone.
A certain amount of difficulty was unavoidably introduced by this adjustment.
Changes in size and issues with fit are common.

In the end, it all comes down to this: as long as all of the lights are of the same size and shape, they can all be connected to the same fixture.
In the event that you are using Gu10 fixtures that were meant to accommodate larger and previous Philips Hue models, the current generation of Philips Hue lights may be too tiny for your application. Inability to change or install new light bulbs when it is necessary may cause problems when it is time to do so. Depending on how big the size difference is, it might result in a loss in overall output as well as lighting challenges and the casting of ugly shadows.
Alternatively, smaller Gu10 fixtures are finding it difficult to compete with the larger and more established generation of these lights. However, it will appear out of place despite the fact that it will not influence your light output, will not cast shadows, and will not be difficult to replace. Due to the fact that Gu10 fixtures are meant for shorter lights, around 20mm of the 2nd generation bulb will hang down from the wall while using them.
Having recessed lighting in the first place is incompatible with the concept of having recessed lighting in the first place.
Who or what was it that led to Philips Hue becoming embroiled in this situation in the first place?
Gu10 Is a Mysterious Numerology Code
The following is the crux of the situation: Despite popular belief, the Gu10 standard, which is universally used for downlights, has absolutely nothing to do with the bulb.
Gu10 is a standard lamp holder size that is widely used all throughout the world, including the United States. The location of the light’s foundation is indicated by the arrow. It makes no difference what size the light source is as long as it fulfills the Gu10 specifications. The majority of the time, Gu10 lights are nearly identical to one another, within a few millimeters of one another. As a result of this, they will be able to integrate into conventional housing environments more easily.
Fit issues can arise with the Gu10 lamp holder, the socket into which the light is connected, and the lamp itself, to name a few potential sources of the problem. While the Gu10 base and socket are normally excellent companions, a lamp that is either too wide or too long for the housing may produce a plethora of problems for the fixture.
Our new age of smart technology is having an effect on the size of genuine illumination, and this is altering. These lights no longer need to be nearly as large as traditional halogen bulbs, thanks to the expanding usage of LED technology in their manufacturing and distribution. The inclusion of Bluetooth and other smart technology in some smart LED lights has resulted in them being significantly larger than their traditional counterparts, which is a strange paradox. A confrontation with the Gu10 standard was therefore practically unavoidable at some point in the future..
The following is a brief outline of what transpired: Light bulb bases, rather than the actual light bulbs themselves, are measured in Gu10, which has become the industry standard. In the wake of the widespread use of smart and LED technologies, lighting manufacturers are experimenting with standardized lighting sizes. Because of this, they were guaranteed to be at odds with the Gu10 norm, which they were unwilling or incapable of accepting.
What is the most effective technique for dealing with this situation?
There are smart technology solutions accessible for any smart technology challenge that you may be experiencing.
It’s true that they aren’t quite “smart tech” repairs, but they are quick and simple solutions for mismatched Gu10 lights and fixtures in the same room.
Here’s how to restore your ceiling to its former glory as of the pinnacle of contemporary home construction in a matter of hours or days.
Boost the effectiveness of your intelligent downlights by using LEDs.
You only need to upgrade to the 2nd generation Philips Hue Downlights if your current downlights are excessively wide and projecting from your fixtures at this point. Consequently, the length of the light will be reduced, making it simpler to fit into smaller Gu10 containers.
It doesn’t get any easier than that when it comes to this solution!
A Generation’s Journey Through Time
Our previous solution was diametrically opposed to this one. Your lights may be too small to fit into your Gu10 outlets, which means you will need to acquire Philips Hue Downlights from the first generation, which are available here.
Fortunately, most online retailers, such as Amazon, carry both the new and previous generations of Gu10 downlights at the same time. If others believe they are receiving the same size lighting, this may cause confusion; however, you will receive the size lighting you require to improve the appearance of your property.
When it comes to people who are just getting started with recessed smart lighting, our next option is the most suitable for them.
Replacement of Light Fixtures is Necessary

It’s a good idea to replace your Gu10 fixtures while you’re remodeling and making other adjustments, so why not do it while you’re at it?
A plethora of Gu10 fixtures is available on the market nowadays, making it difficult to make a decision. You should make sure that all of your fixtures and lights are in the same color family before you begin remodeling and consider installing recessed lighting. As a result, you’ll always have the finest possible fit for your project and won’t be caught off guard in the middle of it.
Already have Gu10 fixtures in place and want to fast and easily switch to something else? No problem.
Change the lighting fixtures in your home or office.
There is always a do-it-yourself solution to be found. Always.
The process of customizing your fittings can be completed by you. To make your filters more suitable with your larger lights, you may either add a lip to the edge of the filter or design a bracket that allows you to adapt your fitting to the relevant (small) light:
For the same reason, if the only problem you are experiencing is that the bulb has to be changed, you can acquire a recessed light bulb changer. Each of these essential little tools is made up of a broom handle with a light bulb-shaped grabber on one end and a basic suction cup on the other end, respectively. They are useful for removing and reinstalling flights in difficult-to-reach locations. A simple example of this would be to place a Philips Hue Gu10 bulb from generation 2 in a container intended for bulbs from 1st generation.