Verdict
At its best , the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip provides fast ascendance using the Thread protocol on a miscellanea of platform . Yet , as effective as this sound , the ironware and software requirements are quite special , so check compatibility with your hardware , software and phone variant before you corrupt . For those that can habituate this light strip , it ’s good value , has excellent colour procreation and benefits from in - line controls .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Launching with Thread support , theNanoleaf Essentialsline - up seemed to be in prime situation for an update to Matter , make it compatible with a wider range of smart systems . Sadly , the update never amount and those that want Matter support need to corrupt the Modern range of a function of products , including the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip that I have on limited review here .
mostly , the change does n’t make much remainder day - to - day , but Matter support does mean that the production will function with a spacious range of smart system directly , kick in faster reply meter than when using a cloud connection .
Design and features
Externally , the 2 m Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip looks just like the pilot . It comes with a sticky back , so it can be stuck to furniture , and it can be cut at the marked pointedness every 13 - in to lose weight the size . Of naturally , once it has been cut , the cartoon strip ca n’t be lengthened again .
As with thePhilips Huelightstrip , the Nanoleaf airstrip can be extended up to 10 megabyte long , adding extra 2 m enlargement . Each expansion light striptease is the same as the original , although they do n’t ship with a power supply or in - assembly line control .
This in - personal credit line control has on / off , brightness and scene toggle controls . That pretend it a utilitarian tool , as the lightstrip can be used as a traditional lamp without having to attain for the app or use voice control to insure it .
At its most basic , the light can be controlled via the Nanoleaf app using Bluetooth , but mean no remote control and you have to be within mountain chain to control it . count over Thread makes more signified .
countersink the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip should be straightforward using Matter , although there are some prerequisite . For full control condition , it needs to be link up to a Thread meshing using Matter .
The system is compatible withSmartThings(provided you have the V3 or Aeotec hubs ) , Amazon Alexa ( via theEcho 4thGen ) , Google Home ( Nest Wifi Pro , Nest Hub 2ndgenand Nest Hub Max ) and Apple ( HomePod Mini , HomePod 2or Apple TV 4 K 2ndGen required ) .
That ’s not quite the full story . If you have an iOS machine , the Google Home app does n’t give you the Matter choice , as this has n’t been free yet . If you have an Amazon Alexa system , Thread support should be provided by an Eero organisation , such as the Eero Pro 6E ; however , in the UK the system polarity in via the US website , so this does n’t work .
For compatible systems , it should be as wanton as scanning the Matter computer code . I attempt to get started with Apple Home , but the code publish on the back of the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip ’s remote did n’t go , as it does n’t have a QR computer code on it . I could have entered the computer code manually , but I run down the codification on the front of the teaching guide alternatively . This added the lightheaded cartoon strip to my Apple Home .
I then examine to link up the Inner Light to SmartThings , after turning on Pairing mode in the Apple Home app . Only , this came up with an mistake . I readjust the spark , added it to SmartThings first , plow on pairing mode from there and then added the visible light back to Apple Home .
fire up the Nanoleaf app , I was give the option to cease setting up the brightness level , connecting it to a local Thread Border Router on my internet .
As I was connected via Thread and Matter , I could control the striptease remotely through the Nanoleaf app , but not through Google Home or Amazon Alexa . It ’s all a little scrap frustrating .
Of naturally , via both systems the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip can be integrate into act .
More control is available via the Nanoleaf app . As well as give the same solid colour and brightness control condition of other systems , the Nanoleaf app also gives motion scenes , too , change colour mechanically . For a chip of ambient light and impart interest to a room , motion scenes are overnice to have .
Performance
Where Matter and Thread body of work , the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip is warm to reply . Via Apple Home , I could promptly adjust light or find fault the color I wanted .
It ’s a standardised story with SmartThings , and I find the visible light more responsive than when connecting via the Nanoleaf cloud connection . That ’s for sure a welfare , especially if you want to use physical controls , such as the Flic 2 Hub buttons , which are compatible with HomeKit and SmartThings , to turn the lightstrip or off .
peak at a maximum of 2200 lumens , with an middling brightness of 2000 lumens , the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip is bright enough to be used as a utility light , whether that ’s run under a kitchen cupboard to help see what you ’re cook or running behind a seam as a recitation Light Within .
Colour temperature vary between 2700 K ( strong yellow ) and 6500 K ( moth-eaten blue ) , so the lightstrip can give a cosy consequence or be hopeful and acute for density .
Colour facts of life is excellent , too . Cheaper luminosity will struggle with one character of semblance , but across the entire range , the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip produce strong , bright light .
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Should you buy it?
If you meet the hardware and software system requirements and want a good value light slip , this is a brainy option .
If you do n’t gather the strict necessary , you ’ll have Bluetooth control only , which means this is one to forefend .
Final Thoughts
The only difference of opinion between this model and the previous one is the Matter support . It ’s not Nanoleaf ’s geological fault , but currentlyMatterisn’t all that it prognosticate to be , and the hardware you have will determine if the light works for you . If you do n’t have the right Thread hardware and software funding , then this organization is n’t deserving buying .
If you do have Matter accompaniment then I would bribe this version over the quondam one , particularly as keep for other systems will get better over the coming month . Matter does have in mind that link the airstrip to different organization does n’t degrade operation , as when using a cloud link , such as for the Amazon Alexa Skill .
Compared to the Hue equivalent , the Nanoleaf Matter Essentials Smart Lightstrip is well valued , and it has controls build - in . For just one or two strips , it ’s a good bargain , but if you want a full ecosystem of bulbs and light strips controllable with wireless remote control , I recommend spending more on the Hue organisation instead .
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FAQs
It needs a compatible Thread border router and Matter control .
