Reddit reviews Philips Hue White Ambiance Smart Bulb Starter Kit (2 A19 Bulbs  1 Hub and 1 Dimmer Switch  Works with Alexa  Apple HomeKit  and Google Assistant)

What about these?

Philips 460989 Hue White Ambiance Starter Kit (2 A19 Bulbs, 1 Bridge, and 1 Dimmer Switch), Works with Amazon Alexa
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F6T4R80/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SaDoybGY6SQC0

Hi there! Adjustable temperature is one thing I drool over with the hue system (yeah, I'm weird lol). This is the minimum you would need to see the CT range of the hue ambiance bulbs:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Dimmable-Compatible-HomeKit-Assistant/dp/B01N4OMRJ9/

However, you only get 4 presets vs the entire range of color temps and the system by itself is not "smart" or compatible with your phone. It is however able to be added to a full system with hue bridge such as...


https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Ambiance-Starter-Compatible-Assistant/dp/B01F6T4R80/
Which comes with everything you need to get started and connect your phone to the system. This setup will allow you to play with every single variation of CT for the hue ambiance bulbs via your smartphone!


The first option is the most affordable, however you only get 4 preconfigured non adjustable settings, vs the second is probably your best bet for a smart phone compatible system that gives you 'infinite' adjustability. If you don't care about smartphone/smarthome integration, look into Philips Sceneswitch bulbs! I have a bunch of them in some multi bulb fixtures I didn't want to spend the money for ambiance bulbs and dimmer switches lol.

This is exactly what you need but it looks like Phillips isn't selling it anymore - Philips Hue White Ambiance Smart Bulb Starter Kit (2 A19 Bulbs, 1 Bridge, and 1 Dimmer Switch).

The good news is if you are willing to roll the dice on a refurbished set you can get it for $80.

Hue sells many different configurations of the starter kit, with different amounts and types of bulbs. The cheaper one likely has fewed bulbs, and probably only white bulbs. Older kits can also be cheaper. My opinion is that if you're going to get smart bulbs that don't do color, then you're better of with smart switches. The Hue "white" bulbs are a really ugly yellow that I can't stand. White Ambiance is a nice middle ground, at half the cost of the color bulbs, while giving you full control over the "warmth" spectrum. So you can change your lighting to match the time of day, for instance.

This is the cheapest kit I see on Amazon.com. It's basically the cost of the bridge with 2 white bulbs. Then you have the non-refurb for slightly more. This one is still white bulbs, but now you have 4. This one is like the first kit, but with a dimmer switch. I recommend dimmer switches, as otherwise guests will use the wall switch, disabling your smart bulbs. Then you start getting into the white ambiance kits, this one with a dimmer and 2 bulbs. Finally the color bulb kits will be the most expensive.

So, what's right for you? Depends on what you want. Usually you want to buy the starter kit that has a "free bridge". Use the following price chart to determine the value of your kit:

• White bulb: $15 ea.
  
• White Ambiance bulb: $25 ea.
  
• White & Color Abiance bulb: $50 ea.
  
• Dimmer switch: $20 ea.
  
• Motion Sensor: $40 ea.
  
  If the kit costs the value of it's contents or less, it's worthwhile. If it costs more than that, you're paying for the bridge. Usually the cheaper kits will have you paying more for the bridge. By the time you get into the 4-color-pack range they're giving you a credit.
  
  Now, all that said, if your concern is cheap DO NOT BUY INTO HUE! It's extremely expensive, probably the priciest smart bulb. Ikea Tradfri and LiFX both have cheaper options that are similar in quality. Or if you really want cheap, go with Sengled. Hue is the premium option.

You are looking for the
Hue White Ambiance Starter Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F6T4R80/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_imaAybKVJN7RZ

I don't think that there was ever a new gen for the white ambiance bulbs. Gen 3 refers to the improved greens and blues in the color bulbs. If you don't need the hue dimmer in the kit above, you can probably buy a hue bridge at a discount on ebay/craigslist and then buy the bulbs separately ($30 each) instead.

The new White Ambiance bulbs (where you can change the colour temperature) are available to buy in the UK!

• £99 for the starter kit (hub, dimmer and two bulbs)
  
• £25 per bulb
  
  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Ambiance-Personal-Wireless-Lighting/dp/B01BPDXAAC
  
  In the US it's available to preorder (no date):
  
  
• $129 for the starter kit (hub, dimmer and two bulbs)
  
• $30 per bulb
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Philips-460989-Ambiance-Personal-Wireless/dp/B01F6T4R80
  
  Makes a change for us Europeans (maybe not for long...) to get something first! :D

Up on Amazon for pre-order now:

Philips 461020 Hue White Ambiance Single A19 Bulb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ESW34RQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_a0crxb0PNKYYG

Philips 460989 Hue White Ambiance A19 Bulb Personal Wireless Lighting Starter Kit, Works with Alexa https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F6T4R80/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Q0crxb9MN9G91

Or would you go this route: Philips Hue White Ambiance Smart Bulb Starter Kit (2 A19 Bulbs, 1 Bridge, and 1 Dimmer Switch, Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F6T4R80/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VIMaAb3P2AKD5

So my suggestions: I've linked the things I use, but they're just suggestions.

• Lighting: Philips hue. This is because you don't want to wire up any new light switches. If you get a starter pack like this one it comes with a light switch you can place on the wall with double sided tape. You just have to teach the people in your house not to use the old switch anymore. In the case of kids rooms, the switch actually pops out of the holder and you could put it on their nightstand or whatnot so they can turn the lights on if they need to. The stand alone accent lights they have are really good as well, I have a few behind my TV that make the room pop somewhat.
  
• Zwave door / window sensors. With the dongle these are more useful then you'd think. If you have these and hue bulbs you could have hall lights turn on at like 10% brightness at night so you can see if you need to get up at night. I use them for my back patio so when I take the dogs out at night the lights automatically turn on, then turn off 15 min later on their own. If you're new to Zwave remember that these sensors do not repeat the signal. In your case since you don't want wire in powered devices you would need to get some repeaters to make sure you have enough signal strength or you won't receive events.
  
• Smart plugs: Weemo are good, but if you don't want to have a whole bunch of different types of devices, zwave would work just as well and it would also help with your signal strength. I actuallly use both in my setup to control things like air-purifiers and I have a few that report how much energy they use so I can automate things like when the dishwasher is running or laundry is done.
  
• Thermostat: I'm not sure if I can help you with that. I use a Nest for my whole house, but sounds like your setup may be different. There are plenty of good zwave thermostats out there you could hook up to this setup tho.