If you’re still not going ‘smart,’ you’ll get left behind. The same can be said about Smart LED strip lights. You hear them mentioned here and there. But what exactly are they, and why do you need to upgrade from your traditional LED strip lights?
Smart LED strip lights have all the benefits of traditional strip lights, and more. They create a more connected and intelligent environment through home system integration, smart device connectivity, and convenient and automated lighting control.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about smart LED strip lights: their features, different daily applications, installation process, some of the best smart LED strip lights, and, of course, how to choose the best one for your lighting needs.
Understanding Smart LED Strip Light Features
Connectivity
The number one selling point of smart LED strip lights is their Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This eliminates the need for a hub for all your lighting. Connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth also allows you to remotely control the smart LED strip lights through your smartphone.
Control Options
Gone are the days of standing up and walking across the room to switch off the lights. Most smart LED strip lights are now compatible with your preferred smart home platforms, including Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. All of which can set specific voice commands like “turn on,” “turn off,” or “dim the lights.”
Smartphone apps can also let you set schedules for turning the lights on and off or for running specific lighting scenes at specific times of the day.
Colour Accuracy and Brightness
Here’s what we love about smart LED strip lights: they change colours at command and/or at random, depending on what you set. It’s totally up to you!
There are different choices for strip light colours, namely RGB, RGBW, and tunable white LED strips. Here is a concise differentiation between these three:
RGB - Colourful lighting, no true white.
RGBW - Colourful lighting and the ability to create true white light.
Tunable White LED - No colour mix, only adjustable white light.
Choose what’s best for your project. If you don’t care too much about getting accurate colours, go with the RGB. But if you’re keen on getting sharper colours, RGBW will suit you well. Go for tunable white LEDs if you need the light for bright and uniform illumination.
Length, Flexibility, and Cutability
Like normal strip lights, smart LED strips can be 1 meter to 5 meters (or more) in length. Always check the dimensions in the product description when buying.
You can roll, bend, or cut them to the desired length for specific projects. When cutting the strips, make sure that you have a sharp pair of scissors to avoid running into problems, and always cut only on the cutting marks.
Power Supply and Installation
Smart LED strip lights can last up to 50,000 hours or more. But if you use the wrong power supply, you might damage the circuitry and the LEDs, thus shortening their lifespan. Always check with the manufacturer about the proper power supplies to use on your chosen smart LED strip lights.
Installing your smart LED strip lights is straightforward. Most of them come with adhesive backs. Simply stick, attach the LED controller/driver, plug, and you’re done. If you’re using aluminum profiles, screw the profile in place first, insert the strips, and voila!
A more detailed step-by-step installation is discussed below.
Smart Features
Here’s what might push you to upgrade to a smart LED strip light: scheduling and automation. With the smart LED strip light, you’re able to make schedules for when the lights will turn on/off. Most smart LED strip lights also come with functions to set the “scene” and a variety of moods to choose from. You can do all of these from your smartphone.
Smart Home System Compatibility
With high compatibility to connect to home systems like Alexa and Google Home, you can easily integrate the smart LED strip lights into your current home systems. A simple tap on your screen or a single voice command can help you control all the available functions of your smart LED strips.
Top Smart LED Strip Light Brands
Now that you know why smart LED strip lights are a great lighting choice, you’re surely asking yourself: “Which brand offers the best smart LED strip lights?” We got you! We’ve listed the top 3 brands for you to check out to start your smart lighting journey.
LED Supplier - IP67 Dotless COB LED Strip
You need to connect this strip to a separate Smart LED Controller before you can enjoy its full potential, but its other features more than make up for the extra step.
This commercial-grade strip light has a high IP rating, which means it is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. This is perfect for projects where moisture is a concern. It has a continuous brightness of 905 lumens, 10-meter max continuous length, and the best part: it’s dotless, meaning the light you see is smooth and seamless from end to end.
Finally, at 10W power, this strip light is an exceptional energy saver.
Govee - Strip Light 2 Pro
What sets this apart is probably how dense the LEDs per meter are, making it brighter than most LED strip lights on the market. It has Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, with the lights controllable from its own app.
The Govee Strip Light 2 Pro boasts a self-developed 16-bit colour processing for a precise and rich colour output. True to its brand, it can really be a vibrant world of colour when you plug this bad boy in.
Philips Hue - Solo Lightstrip
Though it is priced higher, the Philips Hue Solo Lightstrip has an outstanding lumen output of 1700 lumens. This is not shocking, considering its rated power is 20W. But maybe what’s cool about this is its ability to connect with convenient accessories such as a dimmer switch or motion sensor.
This is a plug-and-play kit, so you can easily install it on any surface with its strong adhesive and use it. Smart control all happens in the Hue app. There are more than 60 light presets to choose from, so you know there’s a scene for any occasion.
Applications and Use Cases
If you’re looking to fill a room with warm and comfortable diffused light, smart LED strip lights are subtle, yet effective lighting choices. They can provide general illumination in living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens.
Got an architectural element or an artwork you want to highlight? Smart LED strips’ customisable colour and intensity can help you draw attention to key areas in the room.
Synchronise your smart LED strip lights with music, games, and movies. They can change colour and intensity in response to the sound or visual of your entertainment device, adding a more dynamic and immersive lighting experience.
You can install smart LED strip lights under cabinets and other working areas to provide focused, bright light. This is ideal for activities like reading, cooking, or working.
Use smart LED strip lights with high IP ratings to illuminate outdoor areas such as patios, gardens, and walkways. Never use strip lights with low IP ratings; always look for waterproof options for your outdoor lighting needs.
Installation and Setup
So, you have decided on a smart LED strip light. The next step is to install. You don't have to worry if you have no prior experience. Here’s a simple step-by-step on how to get your LED strips set up:
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
1. Wipe and dry off the area where you want to install the LED strips.
2. Peel the adhesive from the back of the strip and carefully stick the strip onto the surface of the area. Keep the end with the wire closer to the plug socket.
(Note: If you’re using aluminum LED profiles, screw the bracket on the area of installation, attach the profile, and then insert the strip into the profile.)
3. Link the wire to the LED controller.
4. Link the LED controller to the LED driver.
5. Wire the LED driver directly to your primary circuit or a plug.
6. Enjoy your smart LED strip lights!
Connecting to Your Smart Home Network
Connecting smart LED strip lights to your Wi-Fi network is easy. You typically need to download the designated app, switch the light’s pairing mode on, and then connect the lights to your Wi-Fi network using the app. You might need to consult your LED strip light’s manual to learn how to turn on pairing mode.
Once connected to your Wi-Fi, you can use the app to adjust the strip lights to suit your preferences. Or you can add them to your existing home systems, like Alexa, Amazon Echo, or Google Home. Check your app’s “Settings” or “Profile” to do this.
Tips for Customisation and Automation
Now that you have your LED strip lights connected to your home network and smart systems, you can make your life easier by customising their functions to fit your needs. You typically make adjustments using the app designated for your strip light brand. Simply open the app and change the colour or adjust the intensity. You can also choose between steady, pulsing, and strobe light effects (depending on the brand/model).
But if you’re like us, who are suckers for automating things, you can take your strip light customisation further. If your strip light brand’s app doesn’t offer automation, use your home system.
Things you can automate for your smart LED strip lights:
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When to turn on and off (best to use sunrise and sunset integration if you’re unsure).
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Add voice commands like, “Dim the lights in the living room.”
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Turning on motion sensors. Turn on the lights and/or set a scene when motion is detected.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance (Addressing Common Issues)
Common Problems and Solutions
The common issues smart LED strip light owners experience are inconsistent brightness, flickering, wrong color output, app errors, and dimming issues.
These usually stem from faulty LED controllers, loose connections, and power supply problems. These are the first three things you should check when encountering a problem with your LED strip lights.
Maintenance Tips
It’s indisputable that LED strip lights generally have long lifespans. But without proper care, both lifespan and performance could drastically decrease. Here are some maintenance tips to keep your smart LED strip lights in top condition for the years to come:
1. Clean the strips regularly—remove dust and dirt buildup from the strips using dry cloth or microfiber cloth.
2. Don’t bend it too much—strip lights are flexible, but it is not without limits. Excessive bending could damage internal circuitry and render the strip lights unfunctional.
3. Check for heat—LED trip lights don’t generate that much heat, so getting hotspots is not a good sign. Check for hotspots regularly.
4. Inspect for Loose Connections—unsecured connections can cause the most common problems with smart LED strip lights.
5. Keep your app updated—outdated app firmware can hinder the smart functionality of your LED strip lights. It’s best to set apps to auto-update when you have a Wi-Fi connection available. This way, your app will always be up to date.
Conclusion
Smart LED strip lights are a brilliant addition to your home or office. They offer both style and functionality and endless possibilities for bringing out the best in your space. With their energy efficiency, colour and intensity customisation, apps and voice controls, they are a wise investment for modern living.
Get smart with your lighting. LED Supplier has a list of high-quality smart LED strip lights and accessories for your next lighting project. Shop now to take your next lighting project to the next level.
