17 Best Smart Home Lighting (2024): Decorative Panels, LED Strips, and Ambient Lamps Leave a comment

Extra Good Lights We Examined

There are tons of sensible ambient lighting panels, strips, lamps, and strings. Listed here are a couple of we additionally like.

Lepro N1 AI Smart Neon Light Strip for $40: That is very like the Govee Neon Gentle Strip above, providing a stunning subtle mild in no matter colour you need with help for a lot of animated results, music syncing, and extra within the app. However, I discovered the connectivity much less dependable and like the Govee app. I additionally examined the Lepro S1 AI Smart LED Strip Light ($20), a less expensive mild strip with out the diffuser, and it’s completely respectable for recessed spots.

Linkind Smart TV Light Strip With HDMI Sync Box for $47: This can be a far cheaper model of the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Field above, and it features a sync field and a colour mild strip appropriate for as much as 90-inch TVs. It really works okay, however the HDMI inputs are restricted to 4K at 60 Hz, and it’s not so good as our TV picks above, although it’s rather more reasonably priced. I additionally examined the Linkind Smart Neon Rope Light ($80) and favored it.

Wiz Smart Neon Flex Strip for $80: That is one other subtle mild strip that’s very like the Govee Neon Gentle Strip above. It’s simple to suit and form, can show a number of colours concurrently, and helps animated results by way of the Wiz app. It can be scheduled or synced with music. I additionally examined and favored the Wiz Smart LED Strip ($22).

Twinkly Dots for $82: You’ll be able to stick these strings of LED dots round frames and furnishings or have them hanging someplace, and the app affords a variety of colours and animated results. You’ll be able to map your sample to benefit from the results, create your individual results, and group Twinkly lights collectively. On the draw back, the strip is cut up into two sections, with the ability controls within the heart, and also you don’t get sufficient adhesive dots within the field. I additionally examined and favored the Twinkly Festoon ($40) out of doors string of bulbs.

Govee G1 Gaming Light Strip for $45: That is similar to the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC listed above, however not fairly nearly as good. It’s simple to suit, is available in two sizes (for screens 24 to 26 inches and 27 to 34 inches), and brightens up your gaming. Nevertheless it depends on Govee’s flaky desktop software program to sync. Sadly, streaming providers like Netflix flag it as display screen recording copyright infringement, so the syncing doesn’t work with them. Compatibility with Govee DreamView and Razer Chroma lets you sync up different lights and peripherals.

Moonside Lamp One for $65: This contemporary lava lamp seems to be attractive and boasts 120 dynamic colour zones able to displaying thousands and thousands of colours and themes (animated results). You’ll be able to even design your individual themes or have the lamp react to music. Sadly, the app is a tad clunky, and the lamp is manufactured from light-weight frosted plastic, so it’s a bit of too simple to by chance knock it over.

Philips Hue Go 2 for $90: This bowl-shaped transportable lamp has a ridge so you’ll be able to angle it for studying, and it makes an excellent bedside lamp with dimming for nighttime and as much as 520 lumens to wake you within the morning. You’ll be able to tweak the temperature and select from thousands and thousands of colours. This newer model (2019) has Bluetooth, so that you don’t want a Hue Bridge. Battery life is restricted; in case you crank up the brightness, you’ll be fortunate to get two hours, however dimmed, it could final round 10.

Nanoleaf Elements for $160: Plastic mild panels can look ugly on some partitions (particularly turned off), so Nanoleaf affords this model of its bigger hexagonal panels with a wooden end impact (they’re nonetheless plastic). Like the remainder of its panels, you’ll be able to organize Nanoleaf’s Components in no matter sample you need, and so they help contact controls and music syncing. Sadly, they solely put out white mild, however with a colour temperature vary of 1500 Okay to 4000 Okay, you’ll be able to go from cool whites to heat orangey glows.

Mpowerd Luci Solar String Lights for $33: If you would like lights you’ll be able to tackle the highway or on tenting journeys, this intelligent gadget from Mpowerd can brighten up your RV or campsite. The canister pops open to unspool waterproof string lights (IPX4). Press the ability button to make use of them as a torch or cycle by the string mild colours. There’s a photo voltaic panel on high for recharging (nevertheless it’s sluggish) and a port that goes each methods (so this could double as a energy financial institution).

Nanoleaf Lines for $140: Our earlier decide for avid gamers, the Nanoleaf Traces (8/10, WIRED Recommends) venture mild from the again of every line onto the wall, casting colours and creating a stunning ambiance. Even when turned off, the Traces look higher than most ornamental sensible lighting as a result of they forged shadows on the wall and will move for sculptural artwork. They will additionally boast display screen mirroring for PC to boost gaming (Razer Chroma is supported too).

Lifx Lightstrip for $75: This isn’t as vivid because the Philips Hue Gradient Good Lightstrip, nevertheless it affords wealthy colours, separate zones, and wonderful animations. The app permits for scheduling and may regularly brighten a bed room within the morning. There’s additionally music syncing utilizing your cellphone’s microphone. Good house integration is stable, and there’s no want for a hub, however after I examined the earlier model (the Lifx Z), it continuously disconnected from Wi-Fi and was unresponsive till reset.