Sonos is reportedly gearing up to introduce a brand-new voice control feature for Philips Hue smart lighting, marking the company’s first major step into direct smart home device management. Until now, Sonos’ built-in voice assistant has been largely focused on music playback and volume adjustments. This upcoming update will expand its skill set, allowing users to control Hue lights directly — no Alexa, Google Assistant, or third-party integration required.
According to a report from Hueblog.com, the feature will enable simple, hands-free lighting control through the familiar “Hey Sonos…” wake phrase. Once activated, users will reportedly be able to:
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Turn lights on and off
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Adjust brightness levels
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Trigger preset lighting scenes
These commands would work with any compatible Philips Hue setup, meaning you could dim your living room lights, switch to a “movie night” scene, or brighten the kitchen — all without leaving the Sonos ecosystem.
Sonos to Add Native Voice Control for Philips Hue Lights by 2025: Direct Commands Without Alexa or Google
Why This Matters for Sonos and Smart Homes
Currently, Sonos owners can control Philips Hue lights, but only via third-party software or broader smart home assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. While functional, these solutions sometimes introduce latency, reliability issues, or privacy concerns. By building direct Hue integration into its own voice assistant, Sonos can offer:
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Faster response times
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Fewer compatibility problems
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A simpler setup process that avoids external account linking
This move could also help Sonos stand out in the crowded smart speaker market by providing a more unified and privacy-focused ecosystem. Sonos’ voice assistant is designed to handle requests locally on the device, which means certain commands can be processed without sending data to the cloud — a potential win for users who value privacy.
Expected Timeline and Product Compatibility
While Sonos hasn’t officially announced the launch date, the new Hue control feature is expected to roll out before the end of 2025. Sonos voice control is already available on select models, such as the Sonos Era 100, Era 300, and certain soundbars, so it’s likely the update will arrive as a software upgrade for compatible devices rather than a hardware-exclusive feature.
If confirmed, this would represent Sonos’ first significant move beyond audio-focused voice controls, hinting at a possible roadmap toward deeper smart home integration in the future — perhaps expanding to other device categories like thermostats, blinds, or security systems.
In the meantime, Sonos owners invested in the Philips Hue ecosystem may soon have a reason to be excited: smoother, faster, and more reliable lighting control — right from the speakers they already own.
