LED strip lights have the power to revolutionize any space, offering a gentle glow that can enhance your office, desk, or kitchen. For a more dynamic impact, consider integrating RGB lights into your gaming PC setup. From subtle under-cabinet lighting to a vibrant RGB spectacle in your gaming room, the potential for customization is boundless.
TL;DR – The Best LED Strip Lights:
Our Top Pick: Phillips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip Plus
0See it at Amazon Wyze Light Strip Pro
1See it at Amazon Corsair iCUE Lighting Node
1See it at Newegg Elgato Light Strip Pro
0See it at AmazonSee it at Elgato Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights M1
0See it at Amazon Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite
0See it at Amazon Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles and Mini Triangles Smarter Kit (17 Pack)
0See it at Amazon Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip
0See it at Amazon Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Pro
0See it at AmazonJust like smart light bulbs, LED strip lights are a savvy investment that can help you save money over time. By pairing your lights with a compatible sensor or using them to light up smaller areas, you can optimize energy usage and reduce your electricity bills. With a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors available, finding the perfect fit for your space is easy. Plus, many LED strip lights come with user-friendly apps that allow you to customize the lighting effects to your specific needs and preferences. (Here's where to find them in the UK.)
Philips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip Plus
Best LED Strip Lights
Our Top Pick: Phillips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip Plus
0This 80-inch RGB smart LED strip kit is versatile, allowing you to cut it to size or expand it, and control it via your smartphone using Bluetooth. See it at Amazon Product Specifications
Lumens: 1,600
Color: Adjustable White and RGB
Wattage: 19 watts
Length: 6.7 feet
Extendable: Yes
Smart Home: Yes
Warranty: 2-year
Pros:
- Bright lights
- Bluetooth support
Cons:
- Only single color effect
The Philips Hue strip is an excellent starting point for building out your smart lighting system. It comes with over 6.5 feet of adhesive-backed lights that can be connected to additional Hue strips for up to 32 feet of lighting or cut down to size without damaging the circuit. This kit is versatile enough for any scenario, from wrapping around walls to attaching under tables. A special coating on the strip creates a seamless glow by hiding individual bulbs.
Like other Hue products, you can control these lights with your smartphone, smart home assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit via Bluetooth, or a smart light switch. The pre-programmed color scenes are tailored for various situations, from morning wake-ups to evening parties, and can be easily customized through the app. They look their best when a significant portion of the strip is used; shorter segments can appear disjointed with four-color scenes. Though pricey, they are definitely worth the investment.
Wyze Light Strip Pro
Best Budget LED Strip Lights
Wyze Light Strip Pro
1This affordable 16.4-foot LED strip boasts smart features and 16 customizable segments for displaying RGB colors and tunable whites. See it at Amazon Product Specifications
LEDs: 150
Color: RGB
Wattage: 24 watts
Length: 16.4 feet
Extendable: No
Smart Home: Yes
Warranty: Not listed
Pros:
- Automatically adjusts depending on time of day
- Syncs with music
Cons:
- Not extendable
For a budget-friendly yet versatile option, the Wyze Light Strip Pro is a standout. It can automatically adjust color temperatures throughout the day, sync with your music via a built-in microphone, and even has a vacation mode to deter intruders. At under $40, it offers 16 customizable segments that can display 16 of the 16 million available RGB colors and tunable whites simultaneously.
Installation is straightforward with the adhesive and clips provided. You can cut the epoxy-coated strip at designated points to fit your space, though it cannot be reconnected. Use the Wyze app to set it up and connect it to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for easy voice control.
Corsair iCUE Lighting Node
Best LED Strip Lights for PC
Corsair iCUE Lighting Node
1This kit includes four light strips with individually adjustable LEDs and an RGB controller, perfect for enhancing your PC case. See it at Newegg Product Specifications
LEDs: 10 per strip, 40 total
Colors: RGB
Wattage: Not listed
Length: 1.34 feet (410mm)
Extendable: Yes
Smart Home: No
Warranty: 2-year
Pros:
- Customizable using iCue
- Easy setup
Cons:
- No smart home functionality
The Corsair iCUE kit is ideal for adding flair to your gaming PC. It comes with four light strips, a Lightning Node Pro RGB controller, and the iCUE software, allowing you to adjust and change the colors of each of the 40 individual LED lights. For a brighter setup, you can connect up to 12 additional Corsair RGB LED strips to the two provided channels.
The kit connects via a USB 2.0 directly to your motherboard and comes with numerous effects, animations, and presets available through the iCUE software. You can sync the lights with other Corsair gaming peripherals like keyboards and PC fans to create a cohesive and dynamic environment. The main drawback is its lack of smart home compatibility.
Elgato Light Strip Pro
Best LED Strip Lights for Streaming
Elgato Light Strip Pro
0This flicker-free, 6.6-foot strip light can be controlled using Elgato’s Stream Deck to synchronize with your game or match the mood of your activity. See it at AmazonSee it at Elgato Product Specifications
Lumens: 2,000
Color: RGBWW
Wattage: 30W
Length: 6.6 feet
Extendable: Yes
Smart Home: Yes
Warranty: Not listed
Pros:
- Long and extendable
- Can be cut to size
Cons:
- Controller is quite bulky
Designed for game streamers, the Elgato Light Strip Pro integrates seamlessly with Elgato’s Stream Deck, allowing you to easily adjust your lighting to fit the mood or synchronize with your game. You can also make changes via your PC or smartphone.
With a length of over 6.5 feet, extendable up to 32 feet, this strip offers 2,000 lumens of flicker-free light in full RGB and white colors. Its slim design, adhesive backing, and ability to be cut to size make it highly adaptable.
Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights M1
Best LED Lights for Gaming Setups
Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights M1
0These colorful LED lights are compatible with Matter and perfect for enhancing your gaming setup. See it at Amazon Product Specifications
LEDs: 60/meter
Colors: RGBIC
Wattage: 72 watts
Length: 16.4 feet
Extendable: Yes
Smart Home: Yes
Warranty: 1-year
Pros:
- 50 customizable segments
- Incredibly bright
Cons:
- Can only extend up to 32.8 feet
The latest Govee strip lights support Matter and can be extended up to 32.8 feet. Their bright colors create an immersive experience, ideal for both home and gaming setups. With the Govee app, you can control the lights remotely and customize them with over 64 scenes that sync with other Govee lights. Featuring 60 LEDs per meter, these lights are vibrant and adaptable.
Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite
Best LED Strip Lights for TV
Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite
0Enhance your TV-watching experience with lights that change with every scene. See it at Amazon Product Specifications
LEDs: 108
Colors: RGBIC+WW
Wattage: 24 watts
Length: 11.8 feet
Extendable: No
Smart Home: Yes
Warranty: 1-year
Pros:
- Accurate color matching
- Syncs with other Govee lights
Cons:
- Camera must be present on top of your TV
The Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite improves upon the Govee T1 camera but falls short of the T2 kit. However, it offers better value for money as a more affordable option. The upgraded fish-eye camera ensures accurate color matching, syncing well with your TV content.
Note that Govee’s TV lights require a camera on top of your TV, which might be a concern for some. If you're comfortable with this, the 3 Lite provides an immersive experience for gaming, movies, and TV shows. The Govee app allows you to customize the lighting and connect up to seven sub-devices.
Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles and Mini Triangles Smarter Kit (17 Pack)
Best LED Strip Accent Lighting
Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles and Mini Triangles Smarter Kit (17 Pack)
0These bright, easy-to-install, and customizable lights add flair to your home. See it at Amazon Product Specifications
LEDs: 90
Colors: RGBW
Wattage: 15.9 watts
Length: N/A
Extendable: Yes
Smart Home: Yes
Warranty: Not listed
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Compatible with most voice assistants
Cons:
- Expensive
The Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles and Mini Triangles Smarter Kit (17 Pack) offers customizable lighting that's easy to install. With various shapes available, including hexagons and mixed shapes, you can create a setup that suits your style.
The modular design allows for easy expansion and mixing with other kits. Once set up, you can customize the lights using the Nanoleaf app, choosing from countless color options. The adhesive backing ensures a secure fit, making setup and long-term use hassle-free.
Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip
Best Smart LED Strip Light
Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip
0This light strip works seamlessly with most smart home systems, including Thread, and syncs with other compatible Nanoleaf and Razer Chroma products. See it at Amazon Product Specifications
Lumens: 2,000
Color: Adjustable White and RGB
Wattage: 23 watts (80in strip)
Length: 40 inches
Extendable: Yes
Smart Home: Yes
Warranty: 2-year
Pros:
- Highly compatible
- Expandable up to 10 meters
Cons:
- Starter kit required
The Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip integrates well with other smart home products and assistants, allowing for easy adjustments. It's Thread compatible for quick response times, requiring a Thread Border Router. It syncs seamlessly with other Nanoleaf and Razer Chroma products for a unified lighting experience.
The 40-inch strip requires a starter kit for local control via a controller and Bluetooth adjustments on your phone or tablet. Once set up, it offers adjustable white and RGB light, expandable up to 10 meters. Beyond dynamic scenes, it can mirror the lights of a TV or monitor for an immersive viewing experience, and features circadian lighting to boost productivity or promote sleep.
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Pro
Best Outdoor RGB Strip Lights
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Pro
0These durable RGBIC lights can cover your entire house with vibrant illumination. See it at Amazon Product Specifications
LEDs: 60
Color: RGBIC
Wattage: 48 watts
Length: 100 feet
Extendable: No
Smart Home: Yes
Warranty: 3-year
Pros:
- Can be cut for the perfect fit
- Durable
Cons:
- Not extendable
For those looking to illuminate their entire home, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Pro are the top choice. Though expensive, they offer exceptional value with their IP67 waterproof rating and compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Matter. With 75 scene modes, you can light up your home in any weather or season.
These 100-foot lights can be cut to fit your home perfectly. Control them using the included controller, your voice, or the Govee app to set schedules, customize colors, and more.
How to Pick the Best LED Strip Lights
When choosing LED strip lights, consider the brightness and color temperature to set the desired ambiance. Brightness is measured in lumens, with higher lumens indicating brighter lights. Color temperature options include warm white, cool white, and daylight, each affecting the mood of your space differently.
For a consistent color, opt for single-color LED strips. For more flexibility, RGB strips allow you to change colors and are often controllable via remote or smartphone app.
Don't overlook the importance of measuring your space to ensure the strip length fits perfectly. This step is crucial for achieving the desired effect.
Strip Light FAQs
Do LED strip lights use a lot of electricity?
No, LED lights are energy-efficient, using significantly less electricity than traditional bulbs. They're ideal for accent and ambient lighting.
Can you cut LED strips?
Yes, but it depends on the model. Some LED strips can be cut without damaging the circuitry, while others cannot. Always check the product details before cutting.
Do LED light strips get hot?
LED light strips can become warm but are much cooler than standard light bulbs.
Where to Get the Best LED Strip Lights in the UK
Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance LED Smart Lightstrip
0See it Best LED Strip Lights: Philips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip Plus
3See it Best LED Strip Lights for Your TV: Govee WiFi TV LED Backlights
3See it Best Smart LED Strip Light: Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip
2See it Govee Alexa LED Strip Lights 5m
4See it