The 2 Best Smart Strip Lights of 2024 - The New York Times
The Top Smart Strip Lights of 2024
Smart strip lights have become increasingly popular due to their versatility. They are not only a favorite among teenagers and social media influencers for their vibrant visual displays, but they are also practical for adults wanting to enhance their living spaces, whether it’s for task lighting in the kitchen or adding a decorative touch around a fireplace or window.
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Unlike traditional string lights, smart strip lights are designed for longer-term use. They are typically crafted from a flexible rubber material with built-in LEDs, allowing many of them to be cut to size or extended based on your specific needs. Moreover, these lights often come with modes that can sync with music, and they can be scheduled or remotely controlled via other smart devices.
One standout model is the TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Strip L930-5, cherished for its bright and accurate colors, ease of use, and a variety of special features, all at a budget-friendly price.
The Best LED Strip Lights Reviewed
Best Overall Strip Light
Nexlux Wireless 16.4-ft Kit
App-Enabled: Yes, WiFi | Brightness, Lux: 598REASONS TO BUY
Durable rubberized construction
WiFi-connected and app-controlled
REASONS TO AVOIDLess bright compared to some competitors
Cooler white mode
The Nexlux Wireless 16.4-ft Kit is a high performer in our tests, dominating across various metrics. We appreciate its rugged rubber design and WiFi connectivity via an app. While Nexlux does not advertise these lights for outdoor use, the rubber coating adds a degree of protection. It’s advisable to keep them away from water sources. The app allows users to change colors, adjust fading rates, and alter blinking frequencies from anywhere globally.
Though other lights we evaluated tend to be brighter and whiter, we recommend the Nexlux for its colorful accent lighting. Unless placed directly next to competitors, you likely won’t notice significant shortcomings in brightness or color temperature. Most practical installations won’t have different products situated next to one another, and on their own, these lights will likely satisfy.
The NexLux LED light strip offers a variety of home lighting solutions.
Credit: Jason Peters
Best Value Strip Light
Daybetter 16.4-ft Kit With Remote
App-Enabled: No | Brightness, Lux: 305REASONS TO BUY
Widely available
Straightforward design
REASONS TO AVOIDNo app functionality
Short power cord
The Daybetter 16.4-ft Kit With Remote is a cost-effective and user-friendly option. This simple plug-and-play kit has minimal components and is one of the least expensive reviewed. Ideal for basic accent lighting in your home, it presents excellent value.
However, some trade-offs come with those savings. The power cord is notably shorter than other options, limiting installation flexibility. The Daybetter's white mode also tends to lean towards a bluer hue. In comparative tests, we determined it was less bright than many competitors, but these differences might not be noticeable for casual accent lighting.
The Daybetter represents remarkable value and stands out among its peers.
Credit: Jason Peters
Affordable Basic Performance
Minger 16.4-ft
App-Enabled: No | Brightness, Lux: 605REASONS TO BUY
Bright output
Large remote control
REASONS TO AVOIDBluish tint in white mode
The Minger 16.4-ft strip lights offer solid performance at an attractive price point, fitting well within the mid-range selection. They deliver above-average brightness, but the white mode is cooler compared to other options. It also features a lengthier power cord, which aids in installation without the need for extension cords.
Interestingly, the Minger kit appears to be manufactured by the same company as Govee, with the packaging indicating “Minger” but the instructions stating “Govee.” Notably, most components do not feature brand lettering, making cross-brand scrutiny challenging.
Minger lights provide great value and solid performance.
Credit: Jason Peters
Top Quality White Lighting
Armacost Lighting
App-Enabled: No | Brightness, Lux: 603REASONS TO BUY
Exceptionally bright
Minimalistic design
REASONS TO AVOIDOnly offers white light
The Armacost Lighting kit provides 16 feet of “warm white” illumination. This single-color light kit excels at providing bright and warm illumination, with adjustable dimming from 10% to 100% brightness. Though the kit lacks Bluetooth capabilities, the remote included suffices for the limited color options.
The Armacost demonstrated the brightest and truest white light in testing.
Credit: Jason Peters
Best for Brightness and Music Sync
L8star Smart Color Changing Rope
App-Enabled: Yes | Brightness, Lux: 660REASONS TO BUY
High brightness
Syncs with music via app
REASONS TO AVOIDInstruction manual clarity needs improvement
The L8Star Smart Color Changing Rope is the brightest among all tested strips and excels in music synchronization. Using a light meter, we confirmed its high output, and it flashed in sync with music via app functionality.
Despite challenges with the provided instructions and short installation cords, the L8Star's intuitive app proved beneficial in navigating its features.
The L8Star creates a vibrant ambiance and syncs delightfully with music.
Credit: Jason Peters
Ideal for Large Spaces
Nexillumi 65.5-ft Ultra-Long
App-Enabled: Yes | Brightness, Lux: 410REASONS TO BUY
Extra-long length for extended areas
Smartphone compatible
REASONS TO AVOIDExcessively long power cord
The Nexillumi 65.5-ft Ultra-Long is perfect for illuminating expansive spaces. With enough length for various installations, its app-enabled controls and syncing capabilities add versatility.
While it effectively lights large areas, the length may prove cumbersome in smaller installations, creating visual clutter.
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With 65.6 feet of lights, this kit can effectively illuminate nearly any area.
Credit: Jason Peters
Widely Accessible and App-Ready
Daybetter 16.4-ft WiFi
App-Enabled: Yes | Brightness, Lux: 477REASONS TO BUY
Bright illumination
REASONS TO AVOIDGeneric app experience
The DayBetter 16.4-ft WiFi version elevates the standard model by supporting app control, enabling remote operation. Although durability is superior, the short cord limits placement flexibility. Overall, it remains a solid choice.
The WiFi Daybetter offers enhanced features over the regular version, allowing remote management.
Credit: Jason Peters
Bright and User-Friendly
LE RGB Strip Lights
App-Enabled: No | Brightness, Lux: 645REASONS TO BUY
One of the brightest options available
REASONS TO AVOIDRemote suffers from user experience issues
The LE RGB Strip Lights are simple yet powerful, ranking high in brightness measurements. While the shorter power cord may limit certain installations, the functionality remains strong.
A simple yet powerful option, the LE RGB Strip Lights shine brightly.
Credit: Jason Peters
Highly User-Friendly
Govee Smart
App-Enabled: Yes | Brightness, Lux: 475REASONS TO BUY
Multiple control methods
REASONS TO AVOIDBrightness level is on the lower end
The Govee Smart kit stands out for ease of use, featuring three control options including Bluetooth compatibility. While it’s not the brightest option, it still provides ample mood lighting for diverse applications.
The Govee Smart kit is user-friendly and offers multiple methods of control to adjust mood lighting.
Credit: Jason Peters
Affordable and Long
Pangton LED
App-Enabled: No | Brightness, Lux: 345REASONS TO BUY
Length of 32.8 feet
REASONS TO AVOIDNo app-supported functionality
The Pangton LED offers 32.8 feet of customizable LED strip lighting, perfect for creating dynamic lighting schemes at an affordable price. While it lacks smart features, the included remote efficiently controls various settings.
The Pangton LED strip provides excellent length for its price.
Credit: Buck Yedor
Why Trust GearLab
Expert reviewer Jediah Porter led the assessment of strip lights in this review, alongside a team of professionals from various backgrounds. They conducted rigorous testing on all products over a span of years.
Analysis and Test Results
We analyzed strip lights in three categories. The total scores in these metrics reflect each product's overall quality.
Control
Control capabilities vary. Many users seek versatile lighting options, including color settings and adjustable brightness. We discovered that app controls often provide superior customization compared to remotes. A range of brightness settings and music synchronization features were also significant advantages.
Brightness
Brightness is generally less critical because most LED strip lights serve as accent lighting. We utilized a smartphone light meter and subjective comparisons to test brightness levels. Despite minor variations, only two products showed closely matched readings.
Ease of Use/Installation
The overall setup process revealed key factors that distinguish quality LED strip lights. Rubberized models proved easier to install, while the clarity of installation instructions directly impacted user experience.
Conclusion
LED strip lights are an enjoyable and straightforward way to enhance any home or workspace. With budget-friendly pricing and simple installations, even average-performing lights can elevate a space. We hope this guide simplifies your decision-making process.
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