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.

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Nanoleaf Elements Review: Smart Lighting From the Forest

nanoleaf elements look like wooden light panels

"You will fall in love with the rustic appearance of the Nanoleaf Elements and at the same time appreciate its smart functions."

  • Unique lighting design like no other on the market

  • Easy to use, intuitive app

  • easy installation

  • Incredibly customizable

  • High price point

  • No support for 5 GHz networks

Smart lights from Nanoleaf earned a spot in the background of more Twitch streams than I can count, and for good reason: the Nanoleaf Aurora and Nanoleaf Canvas look amazing, with loads of customization options to suit just about any mood. With that in mind, I took the chance to review the Nanoleaf Elements, the newest addition to the company's lineup.

Nanoleaf Elements look like they are made of wood and are lit from within. Their purpose is ultimately decorative, but they will stand out when placed on a wall and make for a real talking point. This is no ordinary set of smart lights!

Design: Natural light that makes you feel like you are in a forest

The design of the Nanoleaf Elements is the main attraction. The hexagonal design leads to six specific points that are equipped with an LED. This allows the elements to generate light at each of the six points and shine from the outside in.

The panels made of imitation wood attract attention and give the lights a rustic look that makes them a great addition to a dining room. While the Nanoleaf Elements only produce white light, the temperature of the light can be adjusted to produce different levels of heat. The light ranges from 1,500K to 4,000K – from cold white to warm white.

However, the light is not that bright. At just 22 lumens, you could use it for reading if you were sitting right next to it, but it doesn't provide enough light for any kind of task-oriented work. It makes for great mood lighting and with a lifespan of 25,000 hours, these lamps will last a long time.

In my experience, the lights create a kind of peaceful atmosphere. They are perfect for a quiet dinner or just to chat with friends in the background.

easy installation

The Nanoleaf Elements are easy to install. It took less than 10 minutes to create the pattern I wanted on my wall, and that includes the 30 seconds of pressure required to attach each panel to the wall. The panels have a swivel pad on the back that allows you to easily adjust the angle, and each side has a fastener to snap the connectors into place.

Thanks to this design, you can create an almost infinite number of shapes and designs with tiles. A single power supply can support up to 22 panels, although the device I tested only came with 10. The maximum number of tiles per controller is 80, but you'd have to set up a really impressive system to deal with the maximum number of tiles. It would take up quite a bit of space – at 9 "x 7.75" per title, the elements are large enough to function as wall art all on their own.

A complete set of functions

The choice of pattern and design of the tiles is yours, and the Elements contain a whole host of features that give them many different capabilities.

For example, you can play music and sync the lights to pulse and move to the beat. The Connect + feature means the tiles will automatically sense where they are in relation to each other to ensure that the lights shift in an organic and natural way. In the Nanoleaf app, you can arrange tiles in specific patterns and assign roles to each one.

That leads to the next important feature that Nanoleaf offers: touch controls. You can set specific tiles to perform tasks based on touch. For example, one panel can scroll through different HomeKit scenes while another can change the pattern or turn on the lights in your home.

The Nanoleaf Elements also connect to all major smart home platforms and intelligent assistants. You can turn your lights on and off and change the pattern through Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. The Elements also connect to Samsung SmartThings and IFTTT.

The Elements kit also comes with a manual control panel. All you have to do is connect it to one of your tiles to turn the panels on or off, change the pattern, mix the patterns, and much more. However, I would recommend connecting it to the edge somewhere near the floor. It doesn't light up and sticks out like a sore thumb when the rest of the panels are lit.

An intuitive app

One of the standout features of the Nanoleaf Elements is the ease of use of the above app. If you've used a Nanoleaf product before, you know there are thousands of custom scenes for Nanoleaf Aurora and Canvas. You may think that you don't have access to these scenes – after all, they rely on color – but that's not entirely true.

The elements translate all the different colors into different heat levels. This means that every single scene is available. If you don't like the default scenes and patterns in the app, just look for one that better suits your tastes.

The layout wizard allows you to visualize the design before creating it. Just line it up and organize the tiles and then tap the eyeball icon in the bottom right and it will show you what the pattern would look like on your wall with augmented reality.

You can also invite users through the app so that more people can control your lights.

Finally, you can use the Explore tab in the app to check out related apps, scenes, integrations, and more. If you're new to Nanoleaf, the Explore tab makes it easy for you to familiarize yourself with all of the different options the Elements offer. You can also sign up for the beta program this way to explore new, not-yet-public features.

Our opinion

The Nanoleaf Elements are a beautiful, fresh interpretation of intelligent lighting that really stands out due to its rustic design. Other decorative smart lights appear to be aimed at a playroom or arcade, but the Elements will feel right at home in your mother's kitchen. The easy installation and intuitive app are just cherries on a great core system.

Is there a better alternative?

There is no other intelligent lighting system like the Nanoleaf Elements on the market. Sure, there are plenty of lights out there that offer a wide variety of colors, but if you want a natural look the Elements are the only real option.

How long it will take?

With a lifespan of 25,000 hours, the Nanoleaf Elements will continue to function for a long time. That's 1,041 days and 16 hours. So if you don't keep the lights on 24/7 (and even then they will last forever), your Elements will be working for the foreseeable future. A two-year warranty is also included with the purchase.

Should you buy it?

The Nanoleaf Elements are a fantastic lighting system, but the cost is a little prohibitive. At $ 300 for the Elements Smarter Kit and $ 99 for each expansion pack, the Elements will make a dent in your wallet. However, if you want to create a unique lighting system in your home, there is nothing quite like it.

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