18 Oct
Blog

Nanoleaf Lines Review: Dazzling Glow Sticks For Your Wall

Nanoleaf lines enliven the lifestyle 1

Nanosheet lines

RRP $ 200.00

"The Nanoleaf lines are an excellent product with incredible versatility in design and pattern creation."

advantages

  • Easy setup via thread

  • Two-zone lighting makes full use of the colors

  • Customizable faceplates

  • More design and pattern options than ever before

  • Works with multiple intelligent assistants and IFTTT

disadvantage

  • Plastic bars feel thin

  • Connection caps are difficult to snap into place

Smart lighting is one of the first ways many people experience smart home technology. Simple smart lightbulbs make it easy to turn lights on and off, but smart lighting is so much more than just convenience. Companies like Nanoleaf have transformed the perception of lighting from utility to decoration. Just check out the Nanoleaf Canvas, Shapes, or even the original Aurora. They have become a staple of most Twitch streamer setups, or just a way to add flair to a home.

Now, with the Lines, the company has launched a new product that perfectly matches its aesthetic theme. These new lights are basically like glow sticks for your wall – a series of two-zone lights that are linked together and can be arranged in a variety of shapes. The package contains a suggestion of possible shapes, but the lines are connected by hexagonal hubs. This means that there are far more options than before.

installation

The Nanoleaf Lines are relatively easy to install. Each line is attached to a mounting connector. The connections each have six possible areas in which the line can snap into place. You can place many lines starting from a single connector or use the connector as an endpoint in your design. The only requirement is that the controller cap, a special mounting plug with physical controls, must be connected to the configuration in one place. I placed it at the end of the design, closest to the socket.

Close up of the Nanoleaf connector on the Nanoleaf lines.

It only takes light pressure to snap the lines into the connectors. Once connected, cover the connections with a cap that will secure the leads in place. The main problem with the installation came from the caps. At least at first glance, there doesn't seem to be a particular way to snap them into place – but on closer inspection, it's clear that the caps are meant to slide into the ports in a certain way. The caps feel slightly thin which I feared applying too much pressure for fear they would break.

I suggest connecting the pipes on the floor and then attaching them to the wall. Each connector cap has an adhesive strip on the back. After peeling off this strip, you need to press it against the wall for about 30 seconds. Make sure the system is level as there is no easy way to remove it from the wall. The caps separate from a base piece. Although you can remove this base piece from the wall, the glue won't work as well a second time.

Nanoleaf connector disassembled

The connection of the lines with intelligent assistants is very easy. Nanoleaf Lines are compatible with HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT. Alexa automatically picked up the lines and added them after they were set up.

Nice patterns and lights

One thing Nanoleaf has long been known for is how amazing its lights look, and the lines are no exception. Each line has two-zone lighting that can display two different colors at the same time. Combined with the motion effects, this results in an almost unlimited number of scenes and patterns that create stunning effects on your wall. I counted 19 built-in scenes, from Cotton Candy to my personal favorite, Kaleidoscope. Each of these scenes look different, although some are pretty simple, like the daylight scene. Lines are perfect when you want a little lighting on your wall.

Other scenes, like Starry Sky, look a lot like their namesakes. You can almost see the stars shooting across the darkness of the sky. If you can't find a scene you like in the pre-made list, you can head over to the Explore tab and search through literally thousands of user-created scenes. And if you still can't find a scene you like, you can easily create your own using the Scene Creator. While it's not the most intuitive system, Nanoleaf's step-by-step guide will help even beginners figure out how to create their own look.

software

The Explore tab is divided into three sections: Scenes, Playlists, and Motions. In the "Scenes" header, users can find user-defined scenes. The Playlists tab is made up of collections of different scenes that go from one to another and all of which are user-created. It's especially useful at this time of year as there are both Halloween and fall playlists.

The coolest aspect, however, is in the Motions header. This includes a collection of different, moving scenes such as rhythmic northern lights or meteor showers. These create a completely different effect and can offer everything from high-energy transitions to meditative experiences.

There is also a music visualization mode that responds to music. The various music scenes have been specially developed for different types of music; For example, a scene created for smooth jazz does not have the fast transitions that a scene created for EDM does.

The screen mirror function also really stands out. With the Nanoleaf desktop app you can connect your lines to a computer monitor or television. It makes a viewing or gaming experience more immersive. Match mode provides a one-to-one match of the colors on the screen and changes quickly and easily to keep up with the action. Melting mode is a more subtle transition that is better suited for cinematic experiences.

characteristics

The shape and design of the Nanoleaf Lines stand out from other products. You can display 16 million different colors, with two colors per zone. There will also be devices called Flex Connectors that you can use to add corners to your design. According to Nanoleaf, these should be available in December.

Other than these features, the lines work similarly to any other Nanoleaf product. If you've used one, the lines will look familiar. You can plan times for the lights to be switched on and off and connect the lines to other devices via IFTTT. You can also activate an automatic brightness function, where an integrated sensor adjusts the light intensity based on the ambient light in the room.

A major difference is in the setup, especially through the use of thread. Thread makes it incredibly easy to install and set up, and shows what the future of smart home technology could look like as more products adopt the technology.

Our opinion

The Nanoleaf lines are an excellent product with incredible versatility in design and pattern creation. The lower price is also more appealing. At $ 200 for the starter kit and $ 70 per extension, users can create extensive designs without breaking the bank. Whether you're looking to add a bit of grown-up decor to your home or want the coolest streamer setup anyone has seen on Twitch, the Lines are a great way to do it.

Is there a better alternative?

The Nanoleaf Lines have a unique shape. Although there are alternatives on the market, no product offers the same design options. You could be looking for alternative products like the LIFX Beam, but the lines are in a league of their own.

How long it will take?

The lines are LED, which means that they have a long lifespan. The plastic of the lines can weaken over time because it doesn't feel as strong as I would like it to be. However, if handled and used carefully, these lamps should last for many years. Unlike its competitors, Nanoleaf offers a two-year limited warranty that covers it against defects.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. The Nanoleaf Lines are unique in appearance and look great on the wall. Well worth the investment with just a few minor setbacks to set up.

Editor's recommendations



24 Jul
Blog

Twinkly Line Review: Dazzling Light Show, Short On Length

Twinkly Line Review Smart LED Light Bar 3 of 10

"The special effects from Twinkly are abundant and give every room the perfect ambience."

advantages

  • Lots of preset lighting effects

  • Easy assembly with adhesive strips

  • Custom effects can easily be set up

disadvantage

  • Very short length to work with

After setting up the Twinkly Flex a few weeks ago, I didn't think there would be other smart lights that could achieve nearly the same level of excitement that I had with the Flex's dazzling light show. Well, unless it's something Twinkly. The company's move to year-round smart lights has so far impressed me with the performance of the Flex rather than just relying on its bread and butter Christmas lights.

With the Twinkly Line, however, it is entering a room that is already saturated with other intelligent LED light strips from the competition. Don't be fooled if you think this is your ordinary LED light strip because the magic lies not just in its brightness intensity or different colors it can produce, but rather in the special effects you can create for a custom, unique one Can use light show.

installation

Unlike the Twinkly Flex, which required more labor because it had to be attached to the wall with screws, the Twinkly Line is much easier to install. However, I had to be meticulous with the placement as this is meant to serve as an accent light – so you really don't want it to be outdoors. I ended up placing it under the windowsill in my living room, which is a bit hidden apart from the fact that the power cord snakes around one side.

Twinkly Line individual LED lighting in different colors.John Velasco / Digital Trends

The 5 foot length of the Twinkly Line proved a little tricky as I wanted to install it in one of the cabinets in my entertainment center first. However, it just wasn't long enough to cover what I needed. You can technically lengthen the length by purchasing additional 5-foot extensions that sell for about $ 37, but the cost to meet the need will add up quickly – the initial cost of the Twinkly Line is about $ 67. Dollar.

Attaching the Twinkly Line to a surface is quite easy because the underside is covered with an adhesive. Some pressure is required to ensure it stays in place while the three-prong connector is attached to one end of the conduit to complete the installation. There are clips that are included, but I found the adhesive wasn't strong enough to stay firmly in place overnight – it instead dangled from the wall the next day.

software

Basically, the Twinkly Line works like almost any other smart LED light bar on the market. You can choose different colors through the app, but what makes it unique are the different special effects that Twinkly offers. From different colors in a rainbow pattern to a neat effect that mixes two colors that start at either end of the strip, it's the customization and special effects that make it unique.

While there are several different presets to choose from in the app, you can better customize the effect due to the ability to assign the lights with your smartphone's camera. That way, the effects will be exactly the same as what you see in the app, but this becomes more noticeable when you group different Twinkly lights – resulting in elaborate pattern effects that can go from side to side. The Twinkly app is straightforward to use and the ability to easily adjust the light pattern makes it special.

perfomance

I think it's great that Twinkly has entered the category of smart LED light strips with the Line. The colors are punchy and moderately bright compared to some other comparable light strips. It's certainly not as powerful as the Twinkly Flex, but the Line still emits enough light to complement the most important lights in the house. It's not intrusive what I like about an accent light.

Some of the special effects are pretty mind-blowing.

Some of the special effects are pretty mind-boggling, which I've seen with all of the Twinkly Smart Lights I've come across. The only real limitation here is just the length, which at 5 feet forces you to really think about placement. In particular, it's not quite as flexible as other LED light strips I've used, so it's almost impossible to bend it into a 90-degree angle – although the plastic cover over the strip certainly gives the durability to potentially help it hold up potentially long term.

Rainbow colors emitted by the Twinkly Line.

Regardless, the Twinkly Line's performance is exceptional in every season. The experience is also enhanced as it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for quick and easy voice control. I managed to make it part of my living room lighting so that it can turn all the lights in the room on and off when I ask the Google Assistant.

Our opinion

The only disadvantage here is that the price of the Twinkly Line is higher than other intelligent LED light strips. You'll have to spend roughly $ 67 for the 5 foot base strip, and then an additional $ 37 for each 5 foot extension. This undoubtedly adds up quickly when your budget is tight.

Still, it's a perfect match if you already have Smart Lights from Twinkly as the grouping feature I could add makes for a dazzling presentation when you have multiple lights with the same effect.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want to save money, you get a lot more Govee Smart LED light bar. For $ 34, you get 32.8-foot lighting to work with, which is more than enough to cover larger spaces and corners.

Philips Hue offers its own intelligent LED light strip that is priced a little higher than what the Twinkly Line currently offers. Technically, you have 6 feet of lighting to work with, but it's an easy decision to buy if you've already invested in the Philips Hue ecosystem.

How long it will take?

The robust outer housing of the Twinkly Line feels super robust. While bending it at an angle is out of the question, the LED lights are encased to prevent moisture from messing up or possibly ruining the light. In the event of a defect, there is a one-year limited warranty that comes with the product.

Should you buy it?

If the cost isn't too high for you, the Twinkly Line has a unique light show that will make your neighbors jealous when they see the show from the outside.

Editor's recommendations