I tried 12 light strips and found a hidden gem!

There are a LOT of smart light strips out there, but I’m looking for the best! I’ll show you how these 12 light strips survived my tests, and which ones I ended up installing around my smart home.
LINKS (affiliate):
-everything I installed-
Best Kasa RGB (still my favorite, behind my desk): amzn.to/3we5LAP
Kasa cheap version (under my bed): amzn.to/3if7dL9
WiZ (on my TV console): amzn.to/3wlMaPh
Kasa new less expensive RGBIC (on the black shelf): amzn.to/3iiZmMM
-all of the rest-
Wyze light strip: amzn.to/3wbYC4a
Wyze light strip Pro: www.wyze.com/products/wyze-li...
Govee RGBIC Pro: amzn.to/3qcjVyv us.govee.com/products/govee-r...
Meross: amzn.to/3Ifl9Q1
Sengled Zigbee: amzn.to/36uYzWo
Sengled WiFi: amzn.to/3662pVS
Govee rope lights: amzn.to/3wi51e1
Philips Hue gradient light strip: amzn.to/3N35EhJ
DISCOVER MORE
BEST Smart Light Strips Compared: • 10 BEST Smart Light St...
Light Strips in Unexpected Places: • Light Strips in 6 Unex...
Motion Light Strips: ​​ • Motion Activated Light...
FOLLOW ME
Subscribe: bit.ly/3joO1dZ
Twitter: / smarthomesolver
Instagram: / smarthomesolver
0:00 Intro
0:33 Choosing the light strips
1:07 Less expensive light strips
2:24 Multicolor light strips
3:43 White accurate light strips
6:25 Extra light strips
7:05 Dad tax backfires…
----------
MUSIC
Doctor Momentum by Slynk
The End by EVA
open.spotify.com/artist/6UIs5...

[@SmartHomeSolver]

What are your favorite light strips? I’d love to try out more and feed the addiction…

[@Doylerealestateteam]

My favorites are Philips Hue if you've got the money or Govee if you're on a budget. I'm actually using adurosmart in my office because of the light diffusion, connectivity, physical button and mostly cost.

[@csquared9660]

Sk6812 light strips and a cheap wemos d1 mini running WLED. I know it’s not the same out of the box experience as the ones shown here but worth the setup and works great with home assistant

[@KojoSmith]

I actually just started using Twinkly light strips, because my wife likes programming the animations.

[@topperdude2007]

I was totally debating between the Kasa from your last comparison video and the Wiz which I loaded up on when Costco had a deal on them about a year back. I was outnumbered by wife and kids and we went with Wiz in the kids' bedroom ceiling (inside an aluminium diffuser channel). Ended up putting up 33ft of it covering three of the four walls. Kids love it. And I was outnumbered again from adding them to my home automation routines. And even though they were happy controlling them with the app, they now want to get the compatible Wiz remote they saw in a store recently. Uugh - upgraditis! Or is Downgraditis? 😏

[@eisenguard]

I’m doping the ledvance light strips..

[@nroman1977]

Great video but a few things to consider for next time. 1) Cut interval 2) LED Spacing/Hotspot. 3) How easy to add extensions or space out pieces of strip like down each side of the inside of a cabinet with a concealed wire connecting them. 4) Maximum length after extension..... BTW a chart at the end comparing them would be great also.

[@supashaf4046]

Another great video! I’d love to see content on how you manage cables in these scenarios and, for instance, where you’re pulling power from to install under kitchen cabinet lights.

[@CHGOfficial512]

I guess I am just in time for new video, found your channel today and already got a lot of inspiration for my own smart home projects.

[@florida23]

Long time sub and avid watcher I like how you get right into your vids. Always candid thanks! You've guided me & others through the smart home process.

[@BakersTuts]

Have you ever installed light strips under a roof eave? Like right behind the facia so it lights up part of the exterior wall? What would be the best way to wire and set up everything? The total length required would probably be difficult to manage, no?

[@ScottWallace5]

Great updates! I just needed something cheap but good so I sticked with the Wyze light strips. Basic, but they do the trick. Always love your end scenes haha

[@boby3602000]

Would you ever consider compiling all the data in a table at the end of the video?

[@fadyghali]

Hey! First off, love all the videos you put out, super helpful. I recently got the Meross light strip and have been debating whether to keep them or not (I managed to get a 32ft strip for $38 which I thought was a great deal). They've been working well so far, but I haven't used them enough to notice major red flags. What didn't you like about them?

[@Similee]

So helpful man. Thank you. I love the Kasa and I believe the Philips hue will be a great choice. The dust under the tv cabinet was hilarious I was thrown off. I would have said the same thing haha.

[@AtrumNoxProductions]

I can't hear someone say, "Home Assistant" without hearing Paul Hibbert's, "HOME ASSISTANT HOOOOME ASISTANT!" *cue thrusting*

[@accordxtc319]

Great review on all those light strips. Had no idea about the dedicated white led for strips. As always the ending to your videos is hilarious

[@BenDunx]

This was a really helpful video, thanks! Also very nice quality with editing

[@cppctek]

Perfect timing I’m in the market for some and I almost ordered some the other day but wanted to wait and now I’m glad I did

[@ashkanrmp7442]

I love ur smart home ideas and ur honestly about product’s plz stay that way!

[@xXDeadJesterXx]

Not only informative, but I love the skits at the end these videos!

[@manggyver7852]

Very informative. "All in" video for LED strip light and it really helped me where to start for my Home automation lightings. Thanks Man!

[@5280Woodworking]

I use a Shelly RGBW2, wrgb strip and Home Assistant. Amazing results. Great vid!

[@stingray2107]

Great video! Did you already decide on which light strips or lights you are going to use for your kitchen cabinets?

[@jstmo95]

I'll be anxious to see your under kitchen cabinet lighting because this is something that I want to do. Will you be using channels to put them in or just relying on the adhesive on the light strips? Can't wait to see what you do.

[@totobs1]

Great video! Btw when you cut light strip can you use the other half somewhere else? Thanks

[@thejedijohn]

Hey Reed. Great video. It's always nice when someone knowledgeable does all the legwork, and I can just pick up the best ones with confidence. Also, I have some old light strips I got from a friend. I'd like to start using them, but I need a power supply and a controller. I've never set up light strips before. How do I know what controller / power supply will be compatible?

[@jenky1865]

reply to comment to help out w/ the algorithms!

[@Kivaskib]

absolutely love your videos!! good review

[@azeraeth]

thanks for the video. i thought about getting the sengeled strip but went with the new kasa. going to try for some behind the couch accent lighting!

[@matthewungar2138]

This is Matt from Govee. Appreciated watching the review. Thanks for including the Govees, and hope you found a fun way to use the Neon. Cheers.

[@omarwilliams4106]

Great video! Are there any solid color led strips that are thin?

[@donbanayo6814]

Love your work Reed! If not in the works, would you be able to do an updated video comparison on current LED light strips? I’m interested in the Kasa KL430 but looks like they are now discontinued. I’m interested in one with a dedicated white diode to get the best out of both warm/daylight temperatures.

[@cozmic8004]

Ooo been waiting for this one!

[@noinimod]

Fantastic review as always. You're the gold standard for smart light reviews!

[@GothBoyUK]

Be aware that the Kasa sub-brand is being withdrawn and a new TP-Link sub-brand (Tapo) is taking its place. As often happens, the replacement is worse. Kasa has already gone from the UK and most of Europe (any stock is discontinued) but I recall reading it'll be a bit longer until it's finished in the USA as there's a lot of old stock to get rid of. The app is going too and will be migrated to the new Tapo app. My Kasa Energy Monitor Switch has already lost 'cloud function' here in the UK so can only be operated by things on the same network. 😔

[@evbunke2]

the big thing missing from this comparison is a smart controller like Gledopto paired with whatever strip you like. I even run mine with a separate CCT white and RGB strips right next to each other.

[@dudestpriest504]

I own a couple Sengled light strips and one thing I do like, is that if you hold the power button down you can cycle colors even offline. I figured that out one day when my internet was down.

[@ashkanrmp7442]

Hey, First of all i want to thank you for your amazing contents! Just wanted to ask if you have any video anout gu10 smart lights ? Or which brand is the best on budget?

[@nzhook]

I saw a note on the TP-Link/Kasa integration for home assistant that the company is dropping the local API. Doesn't appear to affect the lights just yet but if one is going the others will as well.

[@user-pf7mm5cc9i]

Great video! Excited to see you try out the Nanoleaf Lightstrips! They're known for their stunning color effects, flexibility, and easy installation. Looking forward to your review!

[@jumpmanjourneys]

I've been using some Govee RGB and some normal old Daybetter RGB strips. They are the best for the money.

[@YouTubeUserLol]

I love your content, keep it up!

[@chavezabelino]

I think one thing to call out between the RGBIC options of Wyze and Govee is that the Wyze Pro seem to be able to alternate colors at the individual diode level, whereas Govee splits the strips into segments (groups of diodes). Subjectively, I like the effects this can produce in the Wyze option.

[@zeekjones1]

Dust bunny candy seems safer than mystery hole candy... _I remember as a kid finding candy stashed in a hole in my door._ _Looking back, as I didn't put it there, it must have been from the prior renters of the place,_ _and sat for years in the door._

[@xivx4679]

@2:20 lol the roll of rejection

[@CannabisTechLife]

I'll definitely look at the kasa lightstrips. I've been a hue fanboy but the price is killer sometimes.

[@MikeKow80]

I buy the little zigbee controllers and just use LED tape various vendors. More advanced install for sure and don't get fun pixel options, but can easily make a 9" pieces or a 32' strip.

[@Djack30275]

So I'm looking to add some color to our media room ceiling by way of the crown molding. I looked at the Phillips Hue, however, for 50 linear feet the cost is just insane. How do you feel about the Govee RGBIC PRO WIFI LED Smart Strip Lights? Do you recommend anything better at this point? I'm not really concerned about the white lights as we have recess lighting in the room. This will be strictly for the color effect.

[@PfabDesign]

I currently have RGB strips and a separate white strip underneath my kitchen cabinets as well as above. The issue I’m having with the RGB strips is that there’s a dedicated sensor for each strip. (total of six separate strips, with dedicated plugs and sensors). The color wants to change on each one every time you press a button on the dumb little remote and some colors come up wrong. Any advice on how to fix this?

[@waynegranzin3824]

hey, THANKS! i was looking for a comparison between the kasa 430 and 420 models

[@samuelcoles]

Are you using smart switches for your kitchen lights? Do they work well in conjunction with the smart bulbs?

[@johnroguetech8241]

For compatibility issues (with non-addressable LEDs), if they connect using wires, then a compatible controller can be used, unless you just enjoy having dozens of different button controllers and dozens of apps

[@Doylerealestateteam]

Awesome, great job!!

[@SmartHomeSolver]

Thanks Brandon!

[@Phelper99]

I've been pretty happy with Sylvania Smart Zigbee Flex Strips, RGBW. They're a little expensive though.

[@kennygraveson2007]

You mentioned getting Kasa to work with home assistant. I was recently trying to do this with some switches and found that they wouldn’t work. Any chance you could elaborate on how you connected them?

[@rcb3000]

You put me on to Govee a couple years back and I’m sticking with them!! I love there stuff. Not saying you’re wrong, but I feel super bias to my Govee. Team Govee for me. 😅

[@Tydyrium]

Any suggestions on shorter light strips? I know some can be cut and some can have an extra controller purchased. But that ads up fast when you need a lot of short segments. I'm looking to put in lights under my kitchen cabinets. But its an L shaped kitchen with only single sets of upper cabinets. So I can't make long runs of them.

[@PrestigeOfficeSolutions]

I recently inst alled outdoor concrete floating steps and I can't seem to decide which outdoor LED strip light to buy. it will mostly be light up in warm light but want to occasionally use different colors for holiday times....what would you recommend?

[@Rohan2698]

Have you seen the cololight strip? Interested on your take on the 60 leds/m feature

[@MsSassyThaang]

Hi Reed, I'm having trouble finding a sensor that will work with a running light strip for our stairs. I have an outlet at the bottom of the stairs so I would love to use the plug-in Homeseer multi-sensor but I can't find what light strips it's compatible with. Ideally, I would like to work without a hub but if I have to I have the Hue Bridge. Will the Kasa or the Nanoleaf work with any sensors?

[@travismcleod5078]

Ikea has both white and standard RGB color strips. No app or Wi-Fi connectivity but they are pretty bright and work great on a budget.

[@EricChiEric]

what's the difference between the Kasa KL430 and the Tapo L-930 they all have white leds and customizable zones?

[@tmrasu1]

Are there any out of the box smart leds (vocolinc, Eve, onvis, etc) that you can put multiple strips in different places and have them all change to the same color at the same time throughout the day through the manufacturers app? Sorry if this is a noobie question.

[@mariuszb8240]

Thanks for another great overview! Quick question though - have you ever tested accuracy of the colours picked on the app vs. what the strips actually produce? I find Govee frustrating in this regard (at least the H615C), which don't resemble the picked colour at all (other than solid R G or B, which isn't saying much).

[@serjdaher]

I'm going through this as we speak with a Govee H617A.. Absolute trash it's mindblowing. You need to manually fiddle around in the color wheel to get something remotely decent. After much experimentation with RGB products I have learned that when it comes to these things "you get what you pay" for has never been more true.

[@Reedith]

I normally use Philips hue but I'm looking for a gradient light strip to use outdoors but that also reproduces warm White and incandescent Amber like the Philips Hughes do

[@philcampbell85]

Good video, but I was really hoping you would discuss customization of the light strips as far as cutting and using extensions. Looking for the best option to put under my kitchen cabinets which are segmented in a few spots. Unfortunately I'm unable to find any reliable information for cutting and extending high quality, smart light strips. Any recommendations?

[@bigrat6099]

I love Govee there is a lot of customization too

[@kdstyles1979]

i have everything wyze in my house. was looking into getting them for my kids rooms to go around the top of their walls, but by time i get everything it would cost too much. i ended up getting them all bluetooth strips that work great but are limited because of bluetooth. are the wyze strips a standard 4 pin connector? was wondering if i could just swap out the modules and control the existing lights that way

[@TheChozenOneTV]

Love the videos!

[@xdandev1991x]

Would love to see a similar video for addressable LEDs - as similar to the below comments, WLED is so accessible now with Home Assistant integration.

[@apollonin]

hey, thank you for the video! Could you please give a hint how did you make WIZ work with apple home assistance? I can not find anything except of useless scenes + Siri connection.

[@ledlightingaccessories-led5160]

Nice work🙂

[@levilengkeek]

what lights did you use over your celing cabients? to give the aimbient glow.

[@jefferygrantham5582]

I'm liking the video in the first minute just because of the t-shirt you're wearing in this video. But I also love light strips.

[@FakeAre]

What would you recommend for smart rgb wifi light strips and bulbs and type b bulbs, all the same brand so you don’t need to flip through countless apps

[@biyunli4563]

Do you have any recommendations for led lights that powered by batteries instead? But also has a selection of changing colors through app on smartphone?

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Reed.

[@braaitongs]

For the wifi ones, is there some wireless toggle that you can use to control the lights?

[@unitgamex2972]

I have been trying to find some RGBIC strips that have 300LEDs on a 16ft roll (basically a higher density)

[@BrianThomas]

Can can you use when they lose the glue on the back of the lights that makes them adhere to the surface?

[@crisfranco3583]

I'm going to install LED strips under my kitchen cabinets and think I'd use daylight and warm colors more than RGB. Which LED strip has the best daylight white and warm white on the same strip? Is the KL430 my best option or is there something better? Does BTF-LIGHTING offer good white and warm with their addressable LED strips?

[@annegozdowiak9458]

I have hue strip lights around living room picture window...looking for your advice on best difuser channel to purchase.

[@watts4reel756]

I’m wanting to fill my garage with some cool lights but nothing is really jumping out at me as the obvious choice. I got the Govee strip and while it’s pretty cool I didn’t realize you can’t connect multiple strips together. Ideally I’d like to run these along the ceiling of my garage. Also the music sync was pretty terrible

[@MiChAeLoKGB]

I use 24V Gledopto RGBCCT LED strip with Gledopto controller (compatible with Hue bridge, HA etc.)... They really aren't bad, but I wish they had individually controllable LED's...

[@brandon_wallace]

The end of the video was really funny.

[@JPow51]

Thanks!

[@Semaj.18272]

So which wyze exact model U used that was bright ?? U used 3 in the video

[@georgekabacinski]

I enjoy your videos even though I haven't done a lot with smart home stuff just yet. QUESTION - what would you recommend? I'm doing a master bath remodel. I'm going to install led strip lighting under the edge of the new countertop and on top of an 8' tall linen closet (10' ceilings). When doing the electrical I installed outlets under the two sinks (opposite sides of the room) as well as above the 8' cabinet. I have a wall switch that controls power flow to the three outlets. My thinking was to have three strips of led lights that will all be turned on / off from the wall switch. These LEDs are for accent / mood lighting, there are plenty of other lights in the room. I'd like to have LED strips that ..... All three strips can be controlled from one controller. iPhones being the controller would be great. Remember the settings when they are turned on / off from the wall switch White light is not a concern as there are lots of other lights Slowly changing colors would be cool Being able to select a color or color group from a remote or iPhone would be great Reliability is important Can be used in a damp (but not wet) area

[@GreeniusGenius]

Hue bridge, and hue outdoor strip. Supports HomeKit, Alexa, etc. Has power on state settings.

[@rsaxena3]

What's the maximum length for the wiz light strips? I have the wiz recessed lights throughout my home and a different brand of led light strips outlining ceilings in different rooms of the house which uses smart life. I am hoping to consolidate everything to one app.

[@girlgotwood]

Hi there. I am building a Star Wars coffee table and I wanted to add some LED rope light underneath. The regular LED's are tricky b/c I have to aim them upwards or sideways but I can see the individual LED lights. Do you think the Govee Rope light can be aimed to go through the resin and my Jakku scene? LOL Thanks

[@doble_G]

Where do you get so many outlet to connect all these lights!

[@matteastwell1198]

Can you do a video on using strip lights outdoors for Christmas lights?

[@ps_83]

I want to upgrade from the simple led strip that plugs into the USB port in the back of my TV but all the newer ones have their own power adapter and I don’t want to power them on/off separately. Can any of these do that?

[@janmatavovsky6252]

You mentioned at the end of the video you would be doing under cabinet lighting. Don't see the video if you made it already. I specifically want to know if the KL420L5 or KL430 can turn off the lights completely per zone? This would be handy if you need to go up through the cabinet on the other side of the sink to the next set of cabinets. Would be awesome if you did a video. I saw on Amazon one of the guys did splice the Kasa strip even though they say you can't. With the amount of extensions you can get with the KL430 you might not need to splice, but I can see it get quite costly if turning off a whole section for $25 bucks the cost of the extension. Kasa should just make extension wires and I think people would be all over it.

[@jon27d]

I have a standard wyze light strip Under my bed with 1 of the wyze motion sensors. I've had 0 issues with it

[@andythefork]

Thanks to the hard candy shell, those floor snacks are probably safe enough after a wipe or a rinse

[@kitsumiii]

@ 5:03 is it possible to change the colours of this led strip to other colours manually with an app? like Purple or pink for example?

[@danielcolman7663]

Are there compatible wall switches/remotes that can look like normal switches for these? I can only find hue compatible switches but was hoping to spend less (but need the switch)

[@rak3shpai]

Any recommendations for light strips and bulb that just do warm and cool white (no RGB), but with good brightness and color temperature? I don't even know what to search for dual color temperature white strips and bulbs.

[@RichardGunther]

Do the wiz strips fade on and off the way Philips hue lights do?

[@UBAYBE]

How do you hook up led lights for stair lips?

[@macminn18]

I'm looking for some light strips for under and above our kitchen cabinets, as well as toekicks under the cabinets. Suggestions?

[@michaeljohnson8773]

I need to find a good set for my theater room. They need to be 21 feet long, so extentions are kind of a buzz kill

[@JonathanPalomboPhoto]

I noticed the latest Kasa RGB reviews on amazon have set on fire ........ have you had any experience of this or over heating?

[@djjoey0812]

Should've done BTF-Lighting rgb (grb) strips they're fully IC (independently controlled) and you can cut it at every led, pair it with their controllers (which you might even not have to use theirs) and it's amazingly customizable. They have so many options too (try the WS2812B strips)

[@TintiKili69]

or the SK6812 for more premium strips

[@nikhilmankars5994]

Can I connect a flicker free driver to any smart RGB LEDs to get a flicker free output?