Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip - BETTER Than LIFX Z Strip?

The Nanoleaf Essential line of lights are thread enabled smart lights that work with Apple's HomeKit, Google Assistant and Bluetooth. But are the Nanoleaf Essential Light strips better than LifX Z Strip? When it comes to color I would say no. But with warm or cool white light the Nanoleaf Essentials does beat LIFX. I like that they are based on a new Protocol like Thread. Instead of relying on Zigbee or Wifi. They are also very affordable for HomeKit lights. I do like these and do recommend them for white. Watch how you use them because they are thick. Similar to the Philip Hue Strips.
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Chapter:
00:00 Start
00:45 My credentials
01:33 About Nanoleaf
02:06 Spec’s
02:43 Has Thread
04:17 Buy Strips With White LED
04:45 Settings and Control
07:00 Light Test
08:05 Test results
08:37 Nanoleaf App
10:48 Big Strip & Recommendations
#Nanoleaf #NanoleafEssentials #Lifx #CraigsTechTalk

[@CraigsTechTalk]

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[@robertbolton9154]

So I actually watched your video before picking up my first light strip. I’m using HomeKit primarily and then the Alexa feature on my Ecobee to supplement where HomeKit lacks. I decided to use my strip under the bedroom dresser and created an automation so that when I climb out of bed at night, a motion sensor triggers it so I can see where I’m going. It then shuts off after 2 minutes. The Thread feature is what sold me. Thanks for the video!

[@Collective_Oilers]

Love my Essentials - my first foray into smart lights - the whites really do pop! My wife loves the strip in our living room where lighting isn’t the best - white setting makes a big difference. Wish their bulbs were brighter but the white again looks great. Use them with the HP mini and response time is instant. No issues!

[@orcusdei]

This is the best review I've seen so far. Really great, thank you very much!

[@TheDarklordHimself]

Awesome video, thanks Craig! I did pick these up as my first ones :)

[@momadness4938]

Thank you for review. I use the LIFX. Love it.

[@adaml.5355]

I love my Nanoleaf light strip. Such a nice quality product. Nice quality light and nice quality adhesive too. Still holding up great. I love my Nanoleaf lights for their nice whites. I use colors at the end of the day in the darkness so brightness doesn’t affect me.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Very cool Adam. Thanks for sharing your thoughts after using them for a bit. They are well-built. I do love the white light out of them. In a darker room the brightness won’t matter as much with the color like you’re saying. Thanks for watching.

[@graehambourdon]

My first "smart light" purchase was the LifX Z strip and I was happy with them and then picked up some of their mini blubs. But after discovering the Nanoleaf bulbs and the much easier to swallow purchase price I have since gone basically all Nanoleaf. I also prefer the adaptive lighting, which sadly is not available on the LifX bulbs or strip. But I can definitely see a huge color difference with the one LifX bulb I am using in the bedroom vs the three Nanoleaf bulbs I have in my living room / office. Great video!

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Nanoleaf bulbs are much easier to swallow at the price point. I can’t blame you for making the switch. Plus the white light out of them is great. Thanks for watching. Have a great day

[@seanirl9552]

Has anyone tried the adaptive lighting mentioned in any other system other than apple homekit? I'm thinking possibly the only option is to setup home-assistant.

[@shebyjlo]

Nanoleaf user love it and use it in kitchen and in the wall to do indirect lighting. Great channel ;)

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Very cool. Glad to hear you’re putting the strips to good use. That’s nice you have them all over. Thank you for the nice comment in for watching. Have a good day.

[@ChevyGuy70]

So I have multiple smaller projects that I want to light up with these lights. More specific about 80 in of light needed per project. And I have a few. So can this light strip be cut multiple times and connect to one app or remote? If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate the input👍

[@jamie.wilkinson]

How did you manage to recreate a good warm white light in the Apple Home app? They make it so hard to recreate with the colour wheel!

[@georgecardell9061]

I have both of them. And nanoleaf is more friendly with the HomeKit setup. With the new thread tech I don’t need to struggle every time I change router. I don’t even need it anymore.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Very cool George. Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m excited to see the thread stuff grow more. Thanks for watching.

[@eymontierro3054]

The Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip has certainly made a splash in the smart lighting market. Many users have praised its vibrant colors, smooth transitions, and intuitive app controls.

[@---GOD---]

You should take a look at TP-Link's Kasa LED Strip and Philips' Wiz LED Strip. Both cheap, high quality, works with Alexa, Homekit, and Google Assistant, and they're both Wi-Fi based.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will check them out. Thanks for watching.

[@victorvek5227]

What is the maximum length per controller?

[@yeecheonglam6777]

Craig, does the nanoleaf light strip bright enough for indirect lightning for the hidden light for plaster ceiling?

[@SR-dg5ek]

Can you use normal scenes for the essential lightstrip as for like the aurora lights? For example Northern Lights?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Yes you can access scenes. There are 4 of them including Northern Lights

[@markmurphy599]

This looks very good. Thanks for the review. I am looking for a light strip that will work outdoors around a deck rail and it has been difficult to find. Any suggestions on one that can handle the weather?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you very much Mark. The only ones that I know that are officially out of doors are the Philip Hue. But those are expensive. I have not looked into any outdoor lighting. I’m sorry I can’t be of any help.

[@markmurphy599]

@@CraigsTechTalk I understand. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I enjoy your channel. Thank you.

[@psrobert1961]

Thanks for this video. I have Lifx strips behind my computer monitors and they refuse to connect to homekit. I'm so frustrated with Lifx. Quite happy with my Nanoleaf bulbs, so I guess it's time to try the strips.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I love the Nanoleaf bulbs and strips for white light. But the color intensity sucks on the strips and bulbs. I have a video coming out soon comparing the Philip strips, LIFX and Nanoleaf. Thanks for watching.

[@sidzhottake]

Question: When I tell Siri to turn on my lights via HomePod Mini, she always answers back with "your lights are on now". Before she didn't say anything. How can I revert back to no voiced confirmations?

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Craig.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you Ron, hope you’re doing well.

[@spidersav]

are they already diffused?

[@LAGASTEST]

Where can I find the lifx z led strips? The ones I find in Amazon don’t have the same case as the one I always see in these videos, any help?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

LIFX just redid there packaging. From what I have seen there has been no change to the product.

[@samuelgomez974]

O have quite a number of Nanoleaf light panels and canvas too and although they are amazing (and pricey) they are not that great at the connection from time to time, I think the connection problem you talk about it’s present on these light strips too and it’s a shame cuz it ya been years since they haven’t work on this problem

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I don’t know how much of it is the Apple app side of things. I hope it is that over the Thread side. Hopefully software can fix any of the lag that sometimes happens. Also lights becoming unresponsive. Thanks for watching.

[@trevorstepoo8838]

When will you think Amazon have thread because I use Amazon as my smart speaker like the echo shows when will Amazon have thread capability? I don’t feel like spending an extra $100.00 on a Apple HomePod mini for these bulbs to work

[@iamsid9850]

How many nanoleaf strips would I need to fully cover the perimeter of a 55” tv?

[@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr]

4 will work for sure

[@NipponKiwi]

you can buy LIFX corner connectors on Amazon!

[@lucasgiles7613]

so I want smart lights under my kitchen cabinets, I only care about white would you recommend nano leaf or lifx based on my need for white light

[@CraigsTechTalk]

If they work for you, I think the Nanoleaf for white light is a great option. They have great warm and cool white. Plus they have thread. Downside would be only works with HomeKit right now and the color brightness falls off. I would still lean towards LIFX because of flexibility of assistants and bright colors.

[@lucasgiles7613]

@@CraigsTechTalk I only have one google home but loads of home pod minis I have LIFX z strips at the moment but find the white light more blue… I really enjoy the LIFX and think I will stay using LIFX thank you bud

[@marcoontingco5370]

my Govee Immersion lightstrips are on its way probably knocks my door tomorrow, will put it behind my living room TV so Cocomelon will be more lively than ever 🤣..would go for Lifx as per your recommendation but been a while since its out of stock in here

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Very cool Margo, Govee is doing great stuff. It’s crazy how long the LIFX strips hav been out of stock. They are leaving money on the table with as popular as they could be if they were in stock.

[@marcoontingco5370]

@@CraigsTechTalk True, sad that a lot of company wont ship to Europe too like Wyze. If i can get a hold of Lifx i'll get one too, you know your lights so your opinion matters to me a lot

[@neekster28]

I'm personally a fan of the Govee H6143. It's pretty bright, it's individually addressable, it has a pretty good app, and at a low price.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing. It’s good to have other suggestions. Thanks for checking out the video. Hope you’re doing well.

[@lukesmith8792]

I've got allot of govee strips and a couple of lifx strips, the lifx strips are amazing... but the app is fucky and there allot of money for this reason I go for govee most of the time, pound for pound you ain't getting anything better and there app always works... properly

[@PlENSAENVERDE]

@@lukesmith8792 Homekit compatible?

[@lukesmith8792]

@@PlENSAENVERDE that I don't know mate sorry

[@Andrei-zy3on]

@@PlENSAENVERDE no only google home (I think that’s what it’s called) and alexa

[@markwilkins9048]

Great video thanks. But to be honest,,,my LifeX strips CONSTANTLY lose connection with the network. I have to reset them several times a week

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am sorry to hear that. I was having problems with my Google Wifi. But after I had bought eero and it hasn’t been a problem. I would not necessarily run out and think the Wi-Fi is going to fix it. But I know what you mean with the losing connections in the past

[@GrandmaHatesTech]

What if you like them both?

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Get them both and blame it on the channel. That always works for me. Thanks for checking out the video. Hope you’re doing well.

[@mpetrides]

I was having real trouble with my WiFi network when I had 25-30 Hue bulbs/lightstrips on the network along with all my other devices, including numerous HomePods/HP Minis. So I replaced most of my Hue bulbs and all of my Hue lightstrips with Nanoleaf Essentials bulbs and lightstrips, relieving much of the strain on my WiFi. The Essentials bulbs ARE pretty dim when used for colors, but the lightstrips seem to be brighter than the Hue lightstrips had been. Even if I find a way to beef up my WiFi network, I won’t be going back to the Hue lightstrips but I might go back to the Hue bulbs. I’ve never tried LiFx.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I like the hue bulbs. But their strips are not great. If you’re looking for great color I still recommend the LifX. But the Nanoleaf stuff is cool especially since it’s thread

[@powerinnumbers6159]

Hue don't use WiFi at all so not sure you are on the right track.

[@mpetrides]

@@powerinnumbers6159 Actually, Zigbee (which is what Hue uses) depends on WiFi, operates over WiFI. Thread does not.

[@powerinnumbers6159]

@@mpetrides say what ? I don't think so. . Let's do a test. Okay, I just turned off my WIFI completely at the router. Then I used my Homekit app, to turn on and off each of my Hue lights. It works perfectly.

[@mpetrides]

@@powerinnumbers6159 That’s interesting. When I unplug my WiFi router and use my iPhone only on cellular, I can turn my Thread lights on and off but all of my Hue lights are unresponsive, giving a No Response error. And that’s been the case in the past as well, with respect to the Hue lights.

[@appleintro]

I’m hoping Nanoleaf get some more improvements as for the price the feature set is lacking and they support don’t Alexa.

[@mikegogiants3493]

All of my LIFXZ broke pretty quick.

[@konsul2006]

Just trying out the smart home things for the first time. Nailed down z-wave, zigbee, wifi and bluetooth - then I go ahead and buy this kit, and fml it uses a new protocol and it won't sync with google home!! So mad :P

[@GreeniusGenius]

When Matter comes out the issues should be solved, the latest Google Nest devices apparently have Thread radios.

[@hessulipoika13]

You have smart home tour?

[@trevorstepoo8838]

I don’t know why nano leaf does not put enough LEDs for color. I don’t want to buy LED strips just for white light.

[@dkodko11]

Yeah, I think LIFX are better bulbs. LIFX is brighter and the color stands out too. But I wish they had recessed lighting for your home that are also bright and had bright colors.

[@CraigsTechTalk]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts David. I am surprised they haven’t made a recessed light either. I think they figure the full size lifX bulb is sufficient enough. They should make one. Thanks for watching.

[@nateb69]

Are you talking about Lifx? They do sell downlights if that's what you're after. I have some myself. They do all the shades of white and colour, pretty amazing tbh!

[@dkodko11]

@@nateb69 Yeah, the one they show in LIFX only has a 2-inch downlight and it's only 400-450 lumens of light. Not bright enough in my book. I did send LIFX feedback on having 4 inch and 6 inch recessed lighting in the future and there interested so maybe in the future hopefully.

[@nateb69]

@@dkodko11 I'm guessing you're in the US? I'm in Australia and got these ones. www.lifx.com.au/collections/downlights/products/lifx-downlight-colour It appears that they don't list them on the US site. However it does say that they are compatible with 50hz and 60hz power. I got the previous generation which was 1100 lumens, but this one is 700 lumens which is still pretty good. It's a shame they're not selling them in your market 🙁

[@ihatesignupsgrrrrrrr]

Only better colors. Worse whites, and far worse protocol which is really important if you want reliability and/or distance. Oh ya, plus a significant cost difference! NANO the winner to probably most people.

[@arcowo]

Great video! One tip: In the intro, you say "before we get started" and detail your professional experience with lighting. I don't know if you script your videos or not (you sound very natural), but I would try to avoid phrases like that. A lot of people say "before we get started" to talk about e.g. their sponsors and people like me who watch youtube a lot have developed a subconscious response to tune out (or skip past) the stuff after prepositional phrases like that. I think you could remove it while still sounding natural. It's a small nitpick but I almost seeked forward out of habit.

[@notflx]

it doesn't look like you are looking at us/the lens...

[@faithangel9955]

🤗🤗🤗

[@powerinnumbers6159]

I found Lifx Z Strip to be great colour brightness and usability, however being WiFi is it's worst feature. They would not reliably work on my 5G data network ( external ip )

[@CraigsTechTalk]

I am with you. The WiFi is the worse part. Thanks for watching.

[@eetohi]

bought the nanoleaf strip. They are terrible. Idk if mine are broken but the white lights suck ass. If i go from 2500K to 2499K they just get 40-50% less bright. And the 2100K is just 2500K but maybe 60-80% dimmer. and the colors are incredibly dim. I will be replacing them with the lifx z strip.

[@MottiWolkenbruch]

This device sucks. It can only show 1 color at the same time. There are no animations, no chaser light, no blinking, nothing. Only 1 color. Super lame, since the Nanoleaf Aurora is perfectly capable of animations.

[@nateb69]

11:59 - I have cut the Lifx Z Strip. There are no issues if you cut it in the right place. Lifx has a guide here. support.lifx.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000428586-Bending-or-Cutting-LIFX-Z-strips Fortunately the strip light is smart enough to recognise that the strip has been cut, and compensates in the Lifx App. In other words, when using the addressable zones of the strip within the App, it deletes the part of the strip that got cut off. So each end of the strip in the App corresponds to the physical strip in real life.

[@jonenas9731]

My nanoleaf lightstripe is an absolute dogshit. It keep being unreachable no matter how many time i tried factory reseting.