Smart Lights - LED Strips
A smart LED strip is a type of LED lighting that can be controlled through a mobile app, voice command, or other smart home devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit. It usually comprises flexible circuit boards with multiple LEDs that can change colour and brightness to create various lighting effects.
Smart LED strips typically connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing users to control the lighting remotely. Users can also program them to turn on and off at certain times or respond to specific events, such as when a door is opened or closed.
Smart LED strips are often used for decorative purposes, such as highlighting shelves, cabinets, or furniture or creating ambience in a room. Some Smart LED strips can also be synced with music or videos, creating a more immersive experience for the user.
Common features of smart LED strips
App Control: Smart LED strips can be controlled using a mobile app installed on a smartphone or tablet. The app allows you to adjust the colour, brightness, and various lighting effects of the LED strip.
Voice Control: Many smart LED strips are compatible with popular voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri. This enables you to control the lighting using voice commands without needing to use your phone or app.
Smart Home Integration: Smart LED strips often support integration with broader smart home systems. This enables you to include the LED strips as part of routines, automation, or scenes alongside other smart devices in your home, providing a cohesive and interconnected smart home experience.
Colour Changing: Smart LED strips can allow you to change colours, offering a broad spectrum of colours to choose from. You can select a single colour or create dynamic colour-changing effects, including gradients, patterns, or synchronised effects with music.
Dimming and Brightness Control: You can adjust the brightness level of the LED strip to suit your preference or create the desired ambience in a room. Dimming options allow you to set the lighting at various levels, from subtle mood lighting to bright task lighting.
Timer and Scheduling: Some smart LED strips include a timer and scheduling features, allowing you to set specific times for the lights to turn on or off automatically. This can be useful for simulating occupancy when you're away or for creating a routine lighting schedule.
Music Sync: Certain smart LED strips can synchronise with music or sound. The lights can react and change colours or patterns based on the rhythm or beat of the music, enhancing the overall audio-visual experience.
Scenes: Gives the ability to preprogram certain colours or colour patterns that can be activated through the app or Smart home integration.
What to consider when buying them?
Length (Starter vs Extension kits): You will need to purchase a starter kit as the first part of the light strip. This kit includes a section of the light strip and the power connector and connection hardware, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Once you have the starter kit, if you require more length, most brands allow you to purchase an extension kit that will attach to the starter kit. If the area you are installing the strip is shorter than the strip you may have the option of trimming the strip at set intervals.
Not all brands offer extension kits or the ability to trim the strip, so it is important you have measured the install area first so you can consider your requirements.
Connectivity: Check the connectivity options of the Smart LED strip. Most Smart LED strips connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so make sure the strip you choose is compatible with your home network and the devices you plan to control it with, such as your smartphone or voice assistant.
Smart Ecosystem Compatibility: Verify the compatibility of the Smart LED strip with your preferred voice assistants or Smart home systems. If you have an existing smart home setup, ensure that the LED strip integrates seamlessly with your current devices and platforms.
Smart Features: Consider any of the smart features above that may be important to you. This could include music sync capabilities, timer and scheduling functions, grouping or zone control options, or compatibility with other smart devices or automation systems in your home.
Control Options: Consider the available control options for the LED strip. Check if it has a dedicated mobile app that allows you to adjust the settings, change colours, and create lighting effects. Additionally, confirm whether it supports voice control through popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some strips may also come with a physical switch.
Energy Efficiency: Look for information on the energy efficiency of the LED strip. Consider the power consumption of the strip to ensure it aligns with your energy-saving goals. LED technology is generally energy-efficient, but it's still worth checking the specifications.
Flexibility and Durability: Consider the flexibility of the strip, as this will affect how easily it can be installed in different spaces or around corners. If you plan to use them in areas prone to moisture or outdoor environments check that they have good waterproof or water-resistant properties.
Installation and Power Supply: Once you’ve identified where you want to install the Smart LED strip you will need to consider how to plan to install the strip. If you are planning on installing the strip on the underside location you will need a way to keep the strip in place. Double-sided tape is a common solution.
Another major consideration is where the nearest power point is and whether the strip will be able to connect there or if an extension is required.
Terminology to know when buying
Lumens: Lumens are used to measure the brightness of the bulbs. The median range of smart bulbs is X to Y.
Colour temperature: Measures how warm or cool a white is. When it is a neutral white it is considered ‘cool’, when it has more orange and yellow tones it is considered ‘warm’ and when it has a slight blue it is similar to daylight. Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (k). It can range between 1000k and 10,000k.
Warm White: 2600K to 3200K
Cool White: >3200K to 4500K
Daylight: >4500K