The Ultimate Smart Light Strip Comparison! (6 Popular Devices)

Today we're comparing 6 smart LED light strips, but we're going to teach you what are the important things to look for with LED strips when you go to buy them. You'll learn about the basics, like what these strips are made of and how those materials affect what you can do with them. You'll learn about lumens and how they differ with each kind of LED that is used on these strips. You'll also learn how connectivity works and how to properly install an LED strip so you get the best bang for your buck.

All this, plus I'll show you which light strip is the best for each situation in your home and I'll give you the best smart home ideas for light strips!

Purchase links:
ALERT - TP Link gave us a coupon for the next 2 months! Use 15AUTOYL, Valid: 5/26 – 7/31 for 15% off

Timecodes for today's video:
00:00 - The Best Led Light Strips Comparison
0:51 - The Govee M1 Matter Light Strip Review
2:26 - The Nanoleaf Essentials Strip Review
4:10 - The SwitchBot LED Strip Review
5:40 - The Philips Hue Gradient Light Strip Review
7:41 - The Tapo Light Strip Review
9:08 - The Eve Light Strip Review
10:58 - LED Strip Effects and Features Comparison
17:44 - The Brightest Light Strips
21:01 - The Best Colors On Light Strips
25:05 - Installation and Setup for Light Strips
27:10 - Smart LED Light Strips Installation Guide
30:39 - The Easiest Light Strip to Install and Setup
32:47 - Light Strip Connectivity Comparison
33:13 - Does Matter Help Light Strips
35:47 - Smart Light Strip Automation Ideas
39:45 - The Best Light Strip

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Thanks for watching, and Don't Hate, Automate.

Brian

[farhankader]

I have to commend the amount of effort put into this video with a highly detailed explanation of every aspect!

[simonpatrick]

Super video, thank you. I think it's worth highlighting the price as a key factor. The Tapo 10m 930 set is still a third less than 5m of the Govee M1. I went with Tapo over the superior M1 because I'm doing a 40m office build and for the price the functionality and connectivity of the Tapo excels. It's only accent lighting but still gives a lot of the zoned options of the M1.
Will definitely consider your alternatives when I'm looking for actual lighting provision such as under counter kitchen builds, thanks so much for the lumen research, very valuable.

[SlyFox]

Would be nice if Govee would also offer an Matter over Thread Variant.

[TypicalNerds]

Figured I'd bring this up, tplink just updated their editor and available presets for the L930-5, allowing you to select "off" as a colour on the painting options and even apply some additional effects to the colour painting option, but many of these effects seem unfinished as of writing, but it's better than the lack of options from before.

[ThomWalbranA]

I love your channel and content, I have one comment or suggestion,
When appling light strips or anything with tape backing it is best to check the surface for bumps, and unlevel spots, sand it down if needed.

Next put on some rubber gloves, clean the surface with alcohol as you shown.
KEEP the gloves ON [because the oils from your skin will effects the stickness of the tape] as you did only pull a few inches of covering at a time.

Finally firmly press and hold each section for 5-15 seconds each, use mounting clip at bends, along long section, more it hanging in a downward position and for sure at the start, the end and at all connections.
This will make your install look better and last a lot longer.
If the lights you get didn't come with accessories, Amazon has a ton of them in kits. Check size and number of pins.

On some surfaces we added extra sticky with a spray or roll on glue accelerant. Check with 3M for an accelerant for glue tape.

Adding a metal track with clear plastic cover will protect the strips and they will last forever.

Keep these great videos coming.

HEY LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE ....NOW

[vmag]

I love how informative this video was. Thanks!

[ErenAktan]

thanks for video its helped a lot, i was thinkin govee or tapo and now i know im gonna buy govee.

[BeardedTinker]

Great overview as always! Thanks for video!

[HughD]

Nice work, Brian! I'll be glad to see what Aqara's just-announced strip lights will be like. I'm sure you'll tell/show us before I can get one to try out.

[kevinvitale]

I’ve invested in the TP-LINK TAPO strips and am very happy with my simple applications (backlighting, tv, shelves and art).
I don’t use the strips to light parts of the room, instead accenting with light.
Appreciate the video of comparisons.
Hues performance might be great, but ‘everything’ else is no starter for me.
Govee has my attention… definitely will consider future projects

[RobSnow-uisz]

Great Video I must say. Very informative. Just wondering why you did not cover LIFX over a few of the others you choose.

[CharlotteAvaBrown]

Nanoleaf rocks in the smart lightstrip Comparison! It's cool lights stand out big time. Super impressed with it's vibe!

[ThomWalbranA]

A couple of custom light alert we use are one for Phone Ringing another for the Door Bell for when listening to loud music or the ringer is off. Or like me get tunnel visual while watch YOUR channel or playing video games.

I use flashing patterns or up coming storms, another for mail delivery from a sensor added in the maibox.

This is my favorite one, when the garage door opens, it signals to the family to come out and help unload the groceries.

I've been working on alerts for food and other event timers, such as bed time, keep medicine, TV shows, etc.

While writing this I missed a couple of alerts notifications, So I'll be creating one to flash the lights in whatever room I am in at the time, that I have a missed notification I need to check on. I need this I am alway missing the simple alerts that most people are more dialed in on.

[Marco-czrb]

This is the best Video ever to be honest. I really hope Govee will release an M2 Strip that has an extra white Led and will be able to display all white colour range and maybee in combination with a 90 Led/m or even 120 Led/m. Would be the best Strip on the Market.

[Daehawk]

I love Govee. I'm a fan. Got me some Govee smart rgb bulbs for my bedroom. Helps set the mood for gaming.

[cdarrigo]

Wow.. this video was EXCELLENT. nice job!

[c]

Another very helpful vid. Thanks Brian!🎇

[SlyFox]

Great Video! 4:05 It would be great if you could make a video about Matter over WiFi and Matter over Thread and explain why you think Thread is better than WiFi for light strips.

[coy]

I like Govee but am disappointed you can’t get the M1 in Canada

[PeloquinDavid]

I just installed the Govee LGBIC outdoor strip (the 10m version) along the counter rail on my newly renovated deck under a basic diffuser rail.

It's very much the pre-M1 version (with fewer LEDs per metre) and I got it for cheap last Prime Day. It's not Matter compatible (unfortunately) and will likely never be (grrrr...) - I have to use the phone app via Bluetooth or WiFi - but does have a lot of interesting effects.

It's value for money compared to the much more expensive (and only 2m-long!) M1.

I'll only consider the M1 for future renovations once it's come down in price.