Philips Hue B39 Candle vs ILC Color Changing Bulb: Which Smart Color Bulb Fits Your Home

The Philips Hue B39 candle and the ILC color changing bulb both put adjustable color into a light socket, but they are built for different buyers. The Hue is a premium candle-shaped bulb on the Hue ecosystem; the ILC is a budget four-pack of remote-controlled color bulbs on a standard screw base. The decision comes down to socket type, budget and how much control matters. The comparison below settles it dimension by dimension.

Philips Hue B39 Candle vs ILC Color Changing Bulb: Side-by-Side

Product	Key Spec	Best Use	Price Tier
Philips Hue B39 Candle	Full spectrum 1000K–20000K, 470 lumens, E12 candle base	Chandeliers, sconces and lamps where candle shape and deep dimming matter	Premium
ILC Color Changing Bulb	40W equivalent, 450LM, 2700K warm white, E26 base, 12 colors, remote included	Whole-room color on a budget, remote-based control without a hub	Budget

Philips Hue B39 Candle

Type: Smart LED candle bulb
Base: E12
Shape: B39 candle
Light Range: Full spectrum, 1000K–20000K
Brightness: 470 lumens
Dimming: Ultra-low dimming
Control: Bluetooth app control
Pack Size: 2-pack

The Hue B39 is a candle-shaped smart bulb, which is the whole point of this model. The B39 profile is built for fixtures where a standard bulb looks out of place: chandeliers, wall sconces, candelabra arms and small decorative lamps. The E12 base confirms it — this is a small-base bulb, not the everyday E26 screw fitting.

What separates it from ordinary color bulbs is the range. A full spectrum span from 1000K to 20000K covers deep amber, warm white, daylight and beyond, and the ultra-low dimming keeps the lowest settings usable instead of dropping straight to off. Bluetooth app control means a phone handles color and brightness without a separate bridge for basic use.

The premium price is the obvious trade-off. This is a two-pack of candle bulbs at a cost that dwarfs most budget color bulbs, so it only makes sense for buyers who specifically need the candle shape and the wide spectrum in one fixture.

Trade-off: The small E12 base and candle shape limit it to decorative fixtures, and the price per bulb is high next to budget color bulbs.

Check the Philips Hue B39 Candle on Amazon

ILC Color Changing Bulb

Type: RGBW LED color bulb
Base: E26
Shape: A15
Brightness: 450LM, 40W equivalent
Warm White: 2700K
Color Options: 12 choices
Control: Infrared remote with timing
Pack Size: 4-pack

The ILC bulb is the practical, budget-first option. It uses the standard E26 screw base, so it drops into the vast majority of household lamps and fixtures without adapters. The A15 shape is compact, which helps in smaller shades and multi-bulb fixtures where a full-size bulb crowds the space.

The control scheme is straightforward: an infrared remote handles the 12 color choices, the 2700K warm white for everyday lighting, and a timing function. There is no app and no hub, which is either the best or worst thing about it depending on the buyer — anyone who dislikes smart-home setup will appreciate the simplicity, and anyone who wants scheduling from a phone will not.

The four-pack pricing is aggressive, which is how this bulb competes. The catch is that infrared control needs line of sight to the remote, so bulbs hidden inside enclosed fixtures or placed in different rooms will not respond reliably. Color accuracy and white quality are also a step below premium smart bulbs.

Trade-off: Infrared control requires line of sight to the remote, so enclosed fixtures and multi-room setups limit how well the bulb responds.

Check the ILC Color Changing Bulb on Amazon

Where the Two Bulbs Diverge

The side-by-side table above carries the differences, and three of them decide the purchase.

Base and shape. This is the first filter. The Hue B39 is E12 with a candle profile; the ILC is E26 in a compact A15. A chandelier with candelabra sockets will not take the ILC, and a standard table lamp will not take the Hue without an adapter. Buyers should check the socket before anything else.

Control method. Hue runs on Bluetooth app control, which means phone-based color and brightness with the option to grow into the wider Hue ecosystem later. The ILC runs on an infrared remote with a timing function — simpler, no setup, but line-of-sight dependent.

Color range and price tier. The Hue covers a full spectrum from 1000K to 20000K with ultra-low dimming, and its two-pack sits in the premium tier. The ILC offers 12 color choices plus 2700K warm white across four bulbs at a budget price. The Hue wins on range and dimming quality; the ILC wins on cost per bulb and sheer coverage.

Which Should You Buy?

Choose the Philips Hue B39 Candle if:

• The fixture uses E12 candelabra sockets or calls for a candle-shaped bulb
• Wide spectrum color and ultra-low dimming matter more than price
• Phone app control is preferred over a handheld remote
• The buyer plans to build out a smart-home lighting setup over time

Choose the ILC Color Changing Bulb if:

• The fixtures use standard E26 sockets
• Budget is the priority and multiple bulbs are needed at once
• A remote with a timing function is enough control
• Setup should take seconds, with no app or hub involved

FAQ

1. What is the main difference between the Philips Hue B39 candle and the ILC color changing bulb?
   The Hue is a premium E12 candle bulb with app control and full-spectrum color; the ILC is a budget E26 four-pack with an infrared remote and 12 color choices.

2. Will the Philips Hue B39 fit a standard lamp?
   No. The B39 uses an E12 small base, so it fits candelabra-style sockets and decorative fixtures rather than standard E26 lamps.

3. Does the ILC bulb need a hub or app?
   No. It is controlled entirely by the included infrared remote, including the timing function.

4. Can the ILC bulb be used in enclosed fixtures?
   Infrared control needs line of sight, so enclosed fixtures can block the remote signal. Placement matters more with this bulb than with app-controlled models.

5. Which bulb offers more color options?
   The Hue covers a full spectrum from 1000K to 20000K, while the ILC offers 12 preset color choices plus 2700K warm white.

6. Which option is better for multiple rooms?
   The ILC four-pack covers more sockets for the money, but each bulb needs remote line of sight. The Hue suits fewer, more deliberate fixtures.

7. Is the Hue B39 dimmable?
   Yes. It supports ultra-low dimming, which keeps low light levels usable rather than cutting out early.

Bottom Line

The Philips Hue B39 Candle is the pick for buyers with candelabra fixtures who want the widest color range and app control, while the ILC Color Changing Bulb is the budget choice for standard E26 sockets and remote-based simplicity. Check the socket first — that single detail decides between them faster than any spec.

Check the Philips Hue B39 Candle on Amazon