Philips Hue Gets Its First Hardwired Wall Switches

Philips Hue has announced a new line of wired wall switches — the Wired On/Off Switch, Wired Dimmer Switch, and Wired Wall Switch Module — launching in Europe in June 2026, according to a Signify press release published 16 June 2026.

The most notable addition for installers is the Wired Wall Switch Module. Unlike Hue's existing battery-powered switches and accessories, this module plugs directly into your home's electrical wiring. It talks to Hue bulbs via Zigbee, the wireless standard that Hue uses for its whole product ecosystem, and comes in one-switch and two-switch versions.

Why This Matters

Here is the core problem it solves. When you flip a standard wall switch to turn off a Hue bulb, you cut power to the bulb entirely — which also kills its wireless radio. The bulb drops offline, automations break, and voice control stops working until someone switches the power back on. The new wired module keeps the bulb powered at all times while still letting you use a physical switch. The bulb stays in the network, automations keep running, and everything works as expected.

This is not an entirely new idea. Similar relay modules (sometimes called micromodules or in-wall modules) already exist from companies like Fibaro, Aeotec, and Shelly. What Hue is offering here is direct, built-in compatibility with the Hue Bridge and app. You do not need a separate system like Home Assistant or a third-party Zigbee bridge to make it work. If you already own Hue lights, the new switches just work out of the box.

The Timing Question

Hue has been adding support for Matter, the new industry-wide smart home standard that has been spreading since 2022. These new switches, however, still use Zigbee to talk to the Hue Bridge — they do not use Matter's Thread wireless protocol directly. Signify has not said whether it plans to add Thread support to the switches later on.

The broader context here is that Matter is designed to reduce dependence on proprietary ecosystems and hub devices. As more devices speak Matter natively, the Hue Bridge becomes less essential as the central control point. These new switches do not change that longer-term picture — they simply extend Hue's current approach. That is a pragmatic short-term move, and the switches will work well for people already invested in Hue. Where the Hue accessory line goes once Matter matures fully is still an open question.

Availability and Gaps

The European launch in June 2026 comes ahead of any broader release. Signify has not disclosed pricing or when these switches will arrive in North America.

For integrators and people who tinker with their own smart homes, these wired modules fill a real gap. Battery-powered switches are convenient for retrofitting without running new cables, but when you are building a home or doing a full renovation — when the walls are already open — hardwired switches with no batteries to replace are the cleaner answer. The two-switch packs suggest Signify is thinking about common scenarios like hallways, stairwells, and rooms with multiple switches, not just single-switch replacements.