When the vacations roll round and it is time to begin adorning, string lights are the bane of many festive people’ existence. Mostly because of the seemingly infinite tangles and monitoring down lifeless bulbs. Thankfully, with LEDs, that final problem is fading away. Unfortunately, the tangling is one thing that simply takes persistence and correct storage. But switching to good string lights that enable for greater than only a glow and possibly some twinkling could make the method of untangling a bit extra rewarding.I’ve spent the previous few weeks testing out good vacation string lights from Nanoleaf, Govee, and Philips Hue to see which of the large manufacturers in good lighting provides the most effective model of an outdated seasonal favourite. None are heads above the opposite general, however there are little issues that every one does rather well. While the most effective could be subjective, I’ll put my good lighting experience to the take a look at to provide you my favourite and, hopefully, provide help to in your decision-making course of.Getting festive together with your vacation lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)I want that I may say that not solely do good string lights supply extra methods to be inventive in your festive decorations, however that the storage drawback has additionally been solved — it hasn’t. Philips Hue, Nanoleaf, and Govee all make a few of the greatest good lights in the marketplace, however to my shock, the primary two have almost identical-looking {hardware}. The wires are black, as is the housing for the LED, and the sunshine half is identical as effectively. Govee, per the standard, did its personal factor.Usually, I’m all for setting no matter you do aside from others to face out, and I’m additionally a fan of how Govee executes that concept. But for its Christmas String Lights, the white wire and fewer LEDs do not actually do it for me. If you might be placing these lights on a standard Christmas tree, the white wire goes to be very seen. Oh, and the 33 ft size is a bit brief when wrapping round a medium to massive tree. Like typical good lights, these good string lights supply much more character and creativity than you get from conventional string lights.Aside from the white wire, Govee additionally went with extra of an inline design for its LEDs. Instead of sticking off the wire, the lights are extra a part of the wire. I do like this design selection as it’s going to make storing the string lights simpler, and I just like the look when on the tree. For a 33-foot string, you get 100 “lamp beads,” all of that are addressable through the Govee app — similar to the remainder of Govee’s glorious good lights.For comparability, Nanoleaf and Philips Hue have 250 LEDs per 65 ft of string lights. So not solely are these longer than what Govee provides, however there are extra lights. Govee does have a 66-foot possibility, nevertheless it solely has 200 LEDs. All three of those good string lights may also get put in outside, because of weather-resistant {hardware}.Image 1 of 4Govee Christmas String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Philips Hue Festavia String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Nanoleaf Matter Smart Holiday String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Traditional LED string gentle(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)When we have a look at the brightness of those lights, none are dim, however all are dimmable. The solely model right here that gives a brightness score for the lights is Nanoleaf, which states 250 lumens. Looking on the three when at most brightness and in the identical cool white and likewise a royal blue, every appears to be like very comparable, though Govee does seem a bit dimmer purely as a result of it has fewer lights.Speaking of the colours accessible on these lights, you are getting over 16 million colours to select from and a full vary of tunable whites from heat to chill. None of the choices right here sport the brand new RGBICWW LEDs for the devoted white diode, however the whites nonetheless look fairly good.Image 1 of threeNanoleaf Matter Smart Holiday String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Govee Christmas String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Philips Hue Festavia String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)What actually makes these string lights stand out is the customization choices for each. Let’s begin with the Philips Hue Festavia String Lights. Like with all Philip Hue lights, when related to a Hue Bridge, these lights have glorious connectivity and reply in a short time to modifications you make within the app or through your favourite voice assistant.However, like different Philips Hue lights, the premade scenes and customization aren’t nearly as good as opponents like Nanoleaf and Govee. You can positively make your individual customized scenes within the Hue App and use what’s made for you, however there are fewer premade choices and selections accessible to animate your lights. Philips Hue additionally does not supply community-driven scenes within the app so as to add to your setup, however I do actually just like the scenes that supply twinkling lights, as I feel these work very effectively.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)Moving onto Nanoleaf, I’ve at all times been a fan of how effectively the model handles the creativity of its customers. There is a thriving neighborhood of customers that make tons of customized scenes for all of Nanoleaf’s glorious good lights which can be searchable and straightforward to use to your lights. All of that’s relevant to the brand new Matter Smart Holiday String Lights, with a great deal of DIY customization choices accessible together with the community-made choices.While I do like that these lights are Matter suitable, when you aren’t certain what which means, we’ve a pleasant breakdown of it right here. However, I do want these may join on to Wi-Fi. These lights fall extra into the Essential line of gadgets from Nanoleaf that makes use of Thread and Matter, together with Bluetooth, to hook up with the app and, in flip, to your different good dwelling ecosystems. This is all fantastic and effectively, however Nanoleaf restricts a few of the scheduling and automation for these gadgets within the app. So, you may must depend on Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to do this process.(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)Finally, it is Govee’s flip. I’ve at all times thought that Govee does a implausible job of designing spectacular scenes for its lighting merchandise. Almost each Govee good gentle that I’ve examined had at the least 50 totally different premade scenes which can be categorized into totally different themes, like pageant, life, emotion, nature, and many others. Some can be reactive to music, as Nanoleaf additionally does, however all may have some form of movement concerned.Seeing the lights transfer throughout no matter fixture you are utilizing is form of mesmerizing. Govee at all times has such vibrant colours, and seeing the LEDs give motion to your house is simply enjoyable. However, on my Christmas tree, most of the scenes that Govee gives are an excessive amount of. There are simply a number of dancing lights, and it will get to be a bit annoying for me. Thankfully, you can also make your individual to get simply the correct search for your scene. The different space I’d prefer to see Govee enhance in is the invention of community-driven designs. You can share your creations with different Govee followers, however discovering these designs is not as straightforward as it’s with Nanoleaf.Image 1 of 7(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)(Image credit score: Chris Wedel / Android Central)As for that movement, all three of those lights supply scenes with dancing lights to offer some extra liveliness to your festive decor. Each has its strengths within the premade choices, with my preferences leaning in direction of Nanoleaf when the lights are on my tree.Image 1 of threeNanoleaf Matter Smart Holiday String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Govee Christmas String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Philips Hue Festavia String Lights(Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Govee Christmas String Lights. (Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Philips Hue Festavia String Lights. (Image credit score: Chris Wedel/Android Central)Which good string lights will don my Christmas tree?I’ve lights from all three of those manufacturers in my good dwelling setup that I exploit every single day, however for my Christmas tree, I’m going to stay with Nanoleaf. I like that the wire is darkish and hides within the foliage of the tree higher. I additionally want the scenes, each customized and premade. I do want I may join the lights on to Wi-Fi so I may handle scheduling the lights within the Nanoleaf app, nevertheless it’s not an enormous use and I can nonetheless do the scheduling in Google Home. That mentioned, they don’t seem to be low cost, and you will be paying $120 at full value for these lights.The runner-up for me is the Philips Hue Festavia String Lights. I just like the dependable connectivity, and although I want there was higher customization for the lights, the choices which can be there work for my most well-liked Christmas tree lighting aesthetic. The largest draw back for these lights is that you’re going to be paying the Philips Hue premium of $220.Govee takes third on this spherical for the sunshine coloured wire, fewer LEDs, and overly energetic premade scenes. I do love the vivid colours, and even the energetic scenes, however these are higher suited to different decor concepts apart from my tree. However, the place Govee sometimes wins is within the options/product-to-value recreation. You can add these to your vacation decor beginning at $60 for the 33-foot strand and $90 for the 66-foot possibility.There are loads of execs and cons to every possibility right here, however all will supply extra creativity than conventional lights and you may spend much less time looking for dangerous bulbs right here.
Nanoleaf Matter Holiday String Lights
Doing what Matters
Nanoleaf has been making distinctive lights for years and has actually nailed the joy that comes from having good lights by offering glorious customization choices with premade scenes and community-made creations. The lights look nice on a tree or in different decor.
Festively dependable
Philips Hue is king for rock strong connectivity and its merchandise are at all times dependable. It may work on opening up the customization choices to its customers, however in any other case these string lights to look fantastic on a tree and have simply sufficient aptitude to interchange conventional lights.
Govee Christmas String Lights
Get shifting
Though you do not have to make use of scenes which have shifting lights in them, that’s largely what Govee provides within the premade scenes for these string lights. In conditions the place you might be utilizing these lights to spruce up an space, on a tree, it may be a bit a lot. However, because of the DIY house, you can also make them look simply the best way you need. The different draw back is the light-colored wire and fewer LEDs than the competitors.