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

More smart lights we’ve tested

Photo: Simon Hill

There are tons of smart ambient lighting panels, strips, bulbs, and strings. Here are a few we like too.

Lepro N1 AI Smart Neon Light Strip for $40: It’s similar to Govee Neon Light Strip above, the app has many animation effects, music sync and more. with its support, it offers a beautiful diffused light in the color you want. However, I found the connection less reliable and preferred the Govee app. I also tested it Lepro S1 AI Smart LED Strip Light ($20)perfect for less expensive light strips and recessed spots without a diffuser.

Linkind Smart TV Light Strip with HDMI Sync Box for $47: This is a cheaper version of the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box above, and it includes a sync box and a colored light strip suitable for 90-inch TVs. It works okbut the HDMI inputs are limited to 4K at 60Hz, and while it’s more affordable, it’s not as good as our TV pick above. I also tested it Linkind Smart Neon Rope Light ($80) and I liked it.

Wiz Smart Neon Flex Strip for $80: This is another diffused light strip similar to the Govee Neon Light Strip above. It’s easy to fit and shape, can display multiple colors at once, and supports animation effects through Wiz. It can also be scheduled or synchronized with music. I also tested it and liked it Wiz Smart LED Strip ($22).

Twinkly Dots for $82: You can stick these lines of LED dots around frames and furniture or hang them anywhere, and the app offers a wide range of colors and animation effects. You can map your pattern to get the most out of the effects, create your own effects and group Twinkly lights together. On the downside, the strip is split in two, the power controls are in the center, and you don’t get enough glue points on the box. I also tested it and liked it Twinkly Festoon ($40) series of open bulbs.

Govee G1 Gaming Light Strip for $45: This is very similar to the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip for PC listed above, but not quite as good. It’s easy to fit, comes in two sizes (for 24-26-inch and 27-34-inch monitors), and makes your game shine. But it relies on Govee’s broken desktop software to sync. Unfortunately, streaming services like Netflix flag this as a screencap copyright violation, so sync doesn’t work with them. Compatibility with Govee DreamView and Razer Chroma lets you sync other lights and peripherals.

Moonside Lamp One for $65: This modern lava lamp looks stylish and has 120 dynamic color zones that can display millions of colors and themes (animation effects). You can even design your own themes or make the lamp react to music. Unfortunately, the software is a bit clunky and the lamp is made of a light frosted plastic, so it’s a little too easy to accidentally knock it over.

Philips Hue Go 2 for $90: This bowl-shaped portable lamp has a ridge so you can angle it for reading, and it makes a good bedside lamp with up to 520 lumens to dim for the night and wake you up in the morning. You can adjust the temperature and choose from millions of colors. This new version (2019) has Bluetooth, so you don’t need the Hue Bridge. Battery life is limited; if you crank up the brightness, you’ll be lucky to get two hours, but when dimmed, it can last about 10.

Nanoleaf elements for $160: Plastic light panels can look ugly on some walls (especially turned off), so Nanoleaf offers this version of its larger hexagonal panels with a wood finish effect (they’re still plastic). Like the rest of the panels, you can arrange Nanoleaf elements in any pattern you want, and they support touch controls and music syncing. Unfortunately, they only put out white light, but with a color temperature range of 1500K to 4000K, you can go from cool whites to warm orange glows.

Mpowerd Luci Solar String Lights for $33: If you want lights you can take on the go or on camping trips, this smart device from Mpowerd can light up your RV or campsite. Canister opens to reveal waterproof string lights (IPX4). Press the power button to use them as a torch or cycle through the string light colors. There’s a solar panel on top for recharging (but it’s slow) and a port that goes in both directions (so it can be double). power bank).

Nanoleaf Lines for $140: Our previous pick for players was Nanoleaf Lines (8/10, WIRED Recommends) project light onto the wall from behind each line, pouring colors and creating a beautiful atmosphere. Even when turned off, Lines look better than most decorative smart lighting because they cast shadows on the wall and can pass for sculptural art. They also boast screen mirroring for PC to enhance gaming (Razer Chroma is also supported).

Lifx Lightstrip for $75: It’s not as bright as the Philips Hue Gradient Smart Lightstrip, but it offers rich colors, discrete zones, and cool animations. The app allows you to plan and gradually light up your bedroom in the morning. There’s also music syncing using your phone’s microphone. Smart home integration is solid and doesn’t require a hub, but when I tested the previous version ( Lifx Z), often disconnected from Wi-Fi and became unresponsive until reset.