I am a dabbler in home automation and thinking about starting to get into lighting. I have heard mostly good things about the Philip Hue line and wanted to see what peoples thoughts are about it.
Our main current automation are a large number of Google Smart Speaker and Arlo video doorbells. Everything is working now on the Google ecosystem which I think Philip Hue will connect with. Our house is 100 years old which means that our possibilities to automate are lower than a new home since we have very few overhead lights, power outlets are at a premium (we have lots of power strips running through the house).
We are thinking about doing smart bulbs in some lamps which we can leave on and a chandalier. I think the biggest issue will leaving things always powered on.
IKEA has its own hub. I used to have the old Tradfri one but now I just connect with a Sonoff Zigbee dongle. I think if you want to go through Google and then to Home Assistant you might need the Dirigera hub which is kinda pricey. My personal preference is to have as little as possible connect through the internet. I just want everything local.