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

More smart lights we’ve tested

Photo: Simon Hill

There are lots of smart ambient lighting panels, strips, lamps and strings. Here are a few we like.

Lepro N1 AI Smart Neon Light Strip $40: Much like the Govee Neon Light Strip above, the app offers a beautiful diffused light in any color you want with support for many animated effects, music syncing and more. But, I found the connection less reliable and prefer the Govee app. I also checked Lepro S1 AI Smart LED Strip Light ($20)A cheap light strip without a diffuser, and it’s perfectly decent for isolated spots.

Linkind Smart TV Light Strip with HDMI Sync Box for $47: This is a much cheaper version of the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box above, and includes a sync box and a color light strip suitable for TVs up to 90-inches. it works okBut HDMI inputs are limited to 4K at 60 Hz, and it’s not as good as our TV picks above, though it’s much more affordable. I also checked Linkkind Smart Neon Rope Light ($80) And like it.

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

Twinkly Dots for $82: You can stick these strings of LED dots around frames and furniture or hang them anywhere, and the app offers different colors and animated effects. You can map your patterns to create maximum effects, create your own effects and group twinkly lights together. On the downside, the strip is split into two sections, with the power control in the center, and you won’t find enough glue dots on the box. I also tested and liked it Twinkle Festoon ($40) Outdoor string of bulbs.

Govee G1 Gaming Light Strip for $45: This is 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 monitors 24 to 26 inches and 27 to 34 inches), and makes your gaming shine. But it relies on Govee’s flaky desktop software to sync. Unfortunately, streaming services like Netflix mark this as a screen recording copyright violation, so syncing doesn’t work with them. Compatibility with Govee DreamView and Razer Chroma enables you to sync other lights and peripherals.

Moonside Lamp One for $65: This modern lava lamp looks stunning and boasts 120 dynamic color zones capable of displaying millions of colors and themes (animated effects). You can even design your own theme or make the lamp respond to music. Unfortunately, the app is small, and the lamp is made of lightweight 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 dims at night and makes a good bedside lamp with up to 520 lumens to wake you up in the morning. You can change 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 dimmed, it can last up to about 10.

Nanoleaf Elements for $160: Plastic light panels can look ugly on some walls (especially closed ones), so Nanoleaf offers this version of its larger hexagonal panels with a wood finish effect (they’re still plastic). Like the rest of its panel, you can arrange the Nanoleaf elements in any pattern you want, and they support touch controls and music syncing. Sadly, they only emit white light, but with color temperatures between 1500 K and 4000 K, you can go from a cool white to a warm orange glow.

Empowered Lucy Solar String Lights $33: If you want lights you can take on the road or on a camping trip, this clever gadget from Mpowerd can brighten up your RV or campsite. Canister onspool is open for water-resistant 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 both ways (so it can double Power bank)

Nanoleaf Lines for $140: Our previous pick for gamers, Nanoleaf Lines (8/10, Wired recommends) project light onto the wall from behind each line, casting colors and creating a pleasant atmosphere. Even when turned off, the lines look better than most decorative smart lights because they cast shadows on walls and can go for sculptural art. They also boast screen mirroring for PC to improve 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 pleasant animations. The app allows scheduling and can gradually brighten a bedroom in the morning. Syncing music using your phone’s microphone. Smart home integration is solid, and doesn’t require a hub, but when I tested the previous version ( Lifox Z), it often disconnected from Wi-Fi and remained unresponsive until reset