Smart lighting has become ubiquitous, so much so that it’s shocking when you come across a light fixture that can’t be controlled with a smart app. But for those of us with weird post-fixture bulbs and LED downlights have been left out of the game. Until now.
Nanoleaf has been at the smart lighting game for a while, starting out with light sculptures that appeal to a certain aesthetic but aren’t necessarily for everyone, then branching out further into back-panel media center lighting and Matter-compatible lighting that seamlessly uses your Apple or Android devices as a hub and creates a network of its own.
Matter networks (up to 20 devices at least, after that they get laggy) are wonderful little things, consisting of a subnetwork of devices in your home that can use other devices in the network to boost the signal, eliminating the need for things like relay points. The fact that they work with apps like Apple Home eliminates the need for an additional hub device, letting you control the whole system from your phone (or iPad or Apple TV or Android device…you get the picture).
Like a GU10
Nanoleaf has had standard screw-in bulbs on the market for a while but now they’re branching out into more esoteric bulb styles. Their latest GU10 bulbs fit post-style fixtures. I’m oddly excited about these because anyone who has these kinds of bulbs knows how hard it is to get just the right wattage and color temperature. Since they’re small, they’re often used in multi-light fixtures and the variance always seems to be either impossibly dim or blindingly bright.
The Nanoleaf bulb is fully controllable via the Nanoleaf app (or your Home app). Since it’s an Essentials bulb it doesn’t do scenes like Nanoleaf’s other lights but it has full RGB capabilities. Need to boost the brightness so that you can apply your makeup without losing natural light tones? You can do exactly that. Want to create a spooky orange and burnt umber chandelier for Halloween? You can do that too. They’re more versatile than you expect or probably even need, but being able to have that level of control is quite satisfying.
A 3-pack is $49.99. They also come in 6- and 12-packs on the Nanoleaf site.
Sugar we’re going down swinging
Nanoleaf also released a line of 4-inch LED downlights. These hardwired smart lights secure via clips and each connects to wired control boxes that you tuck away in your ceiling. So there’s a bit more work here than your standard screw-in bulb.
Like the GU10 lights, the Downlights are Essentials and are full RGB LEDs but can’t use smart scenes or reactive lighting like Nanoleaf’s more advanced lights. Which is fine, These are workhorse lights that you install in your living room ceiling and never think about again. They install easily enough (if you’ve installed a light switch or a fan, you can install these) and can easily be operated via the Nanoleaf app or home control app of your choice (a Matter-compatible hub device is required).
These downlights support Circadian lighting, which I love. One of the main issues I have with whole-room lighting is that what works mid-day isn’t necessarily what you want when you’re winding down in the evening. A manual dimmer switch can help, but it doesn’t really replicate the color temperature of natural light like Circadian lighting does. The downlights can be added to schedules and scenes just like your other Nanoleaf lights.
They come singly or in packs of 4 starting at $34.99. You can pre-order them on the Nanoleaf site.
Happy Holidays!
But what about those lights that you only need a few times during the year? That you bundle up in the attic until the air gets crisp and the urge to decorate rises? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could automate those? Maybe switch the lighting styles without having to replace the entire strand of bulbs? Well, now you can do just that.
That’s right, Nanoleaf has added Holiday String Lights to their lineup! They come in a pack with two 10m strings attached to a single controller—perfect for entryway columns or porches. Since the strands are linked, they act as a single unit. Any lighting changes you make apply to both strands.
And unlike the Essentials bulbs above, the Holiday String Lights are have full Nanoleaf capabilities. You can completely change their look with downloadable scenes (mine are currently rocking a Jack-O-Lantern pattern). They also are reactive and can sync up with music.
Don’t feel like using the app? You don’t have to. The Holiday String Lights come preloaded with holiday patterns that you can cycle through with the integrated push-button controller.
They have an IP44 resistance rating, so as long as you’re not putting them up in a place where they’re going to be immersed in water, you can leave them up all year long. And with 16 million colors to choose from, there won’t be a reason to take them down. They’re available right now for pre-order at $119 per bundle, with a $20 coupon available, on the Nanoleaf site.
Read the full article here
