Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip
Product Quality and Installation
The packaging of the smart LED strip was well-organized, with each component separated into its own compartments. It came with a power adapter, a controller, and the light strip itself. The power adapter required attaching the provided pins for the region, which was a bit cumbersome but ultimately provided a secure connection. The light strip needs to connect to the controller directly and cannot connect directly to the power adapter, so even if you don't plan to use the controller, you'll need to consider its placement. Initially, the connection between the light strip and the controller felt somewhat loose, but it hasn’t caused any issues once set up. Both the light strip and the controller have an adhesive backing, which facilitates installation, and the adhesive is strong.
The light strip feels good quality, and the LEDs are spaced about 5cm apart, resulting in visible gaps between the lights. If the light strip will be directly visible, it may be advisable to apply a diffuser on top. The extensive colour options offer over 16 million colours, and the strip is plenty bright, providing ample illumination.
Smart Features & Integration
The app setup for the smart LED strip is a quick and straightforward process. However, it may take some time for the app to connect to the lights each time the app is opened when using the Bluetooth pairing option. Once connected, the lights are responsive and are easily controlled through the app. The app offers all the basic features, including the ability to turn the lights on and off and changing the colour and brightness settings. Additionally, users can set preset scenes, create custom scenes, or even download other custom scenes to personalise their lighting experience. The app also allows for scheduling scenes and implementing circadian lighting. However, it's worth noting that there was difficulty connecting the LED strip to Google Home, despite the compatibility claim.
Summary
A good quality product, especially for the price. Has the same features and LED quality as competitors. It is a good option if you plan to use it as a stand-alone light with smart features. This won't be the best option if you want to integrate this with a smart home setup.
Pros
Cheaper than competitors
Generally good build quality
Has standard smart features
Comes with a physical controller
Cons
Trouble connecting to Google Home
