The Echo Dot is similar to the HomePod Mini in terms of stature; placed side-by-side, the two speakers are nearly identical in shape. Our charcoal Echo Dot sample is a similar shade to the black Mini, and the power cable is mounted at the same angle – though the Echo Dot’s cable is removable rather than fixed, and flanked by a 3.5mm audio output for wired listening. Imagine a world where you can control every aspect of your home wirelessly from your smartphone. The Philips Hue connected bulb brings that vision closer to reality by allowing you to control your lighting wirelessly. But it’s not just about control, it’s about personalization. The Philips Hue app for Android and iOS is surprisingly powerful and allows you to adjust intensity, set custom colors, color schemes and programs. There’s an undeniable wow factor once you screw in your first smart bulb, but there’s also real convenience and utility. Unfortunately, the system is prohibitively expensive: $60 per bulb or $200 for the starter kit with three bulbs. Still, it’s the most robust and easy-to-use connected lighting system we’ve seen, and it rightly deserves our Editor’s Choice award. The Hue bulbs are tapered, with a glass end and a tapered aluminum body that ends in a standard bulb connector. They give the impression of being sturdier than the traditional bulb, but they are about the same size and are virtually indistinguishable once screwed into a socket. Unlike fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, Hue bulbs use LEDs. Philips estimates that each bulb lasts 15,000 hours and, despite Wi-Fi connectivity, claims that each bulb uses 80 percent less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb.
