The USA is known for strict law maintenance. That is why, regarding LED strip light purchasing, USA manufacturers are highly reliable due to proper quality assurance. Though the pricing of their products is comparatively high, many American customers prefer them to ignore importing hassles. So, here I have listed the top 25 LED strip light manufacturers and suppliers in the USA.
For more information, please visit Joineonlux.
Therefore, go through the list and choose the best deal:
The major reason why you should buy from a US manufacturer is because of their superior product quality. Most of the USA companies are big-budget and use good quality materials for production. This ensures high LED quality. Besides, they have advanced machinery and chambers to test lighting. Here, I’m highlighting some positive aspects of buying LED strips from USA manufacturers:
Nevertheless, one of the drawbacks is the cost. The price of LED strips in the USA is higher than that of the Chinese market. Yet purchasing from USA manufacturers will save you from taking the importing hassles.
Founded in , LEDSupply has completed more than 100K+ orders and has worked for renowned brands like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Disney, and more. They manufacture a wide range of LED lighting, including strip lights. You will get their LED strips in single-color and color-changing variants. Besides, these are available in different lengths to fit your needs- from short to extremely long.
LEDSupply has two voltage variants for LED strips- 12V and 24V. The 12V LED strips come in White, Colors & RGB variants. Aside from all these, LEDSupply also offers you modules: AA-powered, motion-activated kits & more. This way, you will get a complete LED strip solution from LEDSupply. Moreover, by purchasing from LEDSupply, you will get greater discounts for bulk orders and have free shipping facilities, too!
You will be shocked to know that Flexfire LEDs offers a 7 to 15-year warranty on their LED strips. This company stepped foot in the lighting industry in . Now, they are known to be the provider of the brightest LED strips in the world! Industry leaders like Google, Amazon, and BOSCH use fixtures from Flexfire LEDs. They manufacture a variety of LED lighting. This includes- LED strips, LED neon strip lights, smart lights, and more. You will also get customized solutions from them. Besides, they offer top-notch customer service.
LEDYi has specialized in manufacturing premium-quality LED strip lights since . Though it is a China-based company, we export LED lighting to the USA, too. But why purchase from us rather than going to USA brands? Our price point is more competitive than the US market. Besides, we offer flexible customization and bulk production at the least time possible. However, quality is never a concern with LEDYi. All our fixtures go through a five-step testing process. You will get LM80 and IP rating test reports to confirm the quality. Moreover, we have achieved many certifications like UL, ETL, RoHS, CB, CE, etc. These international certifications confirm the reliability of our LED strips.
From LEDYi, you will get a complete LED strip light setup. We have LED strip profiles, drivers, controllers, and connectors to pair up with your LED strips. Besides, if you need OEM and ODM facilities, we are open to doing so too. We will manufacture LED strip lights with your brand’s labeling. Moreover, you will get a 3 to 5-year warranty on all our products.
Diode LED is the largest low-voltage linear lighting solution provider in the USA. All the big brand names like Apple, Samsung, PORSCHE, LOUIS VUITTON, and Starbucks use their lights. Till now, Diode LED has supplied its fixtures to over 3,000 lighting showrooms all over the country. You can use their lighting solution for both residential and commercial use. Besides light fixtures, Diode LED also sells LED drivers, connectors, wires, and accessories. Thus, you will get a full lighting package from them.
Lumilum, established in , is widely popular for high-voltage lighting solutions. They have their headquarters in Miami. At present, they are one of the leading strip lighting manufacturers in the USA. You can get 120V LED strip lights from them for your commercial lighting needs. Various options are available to choose from, such as RGB LED strips with DMX control, driverless dimmable LED strips, and neon LED strips. Apart from high voltage strips, they also have 24V COB LED strips. Moreover, all their solutions are UL or ETL-certified. Therefore, you will get the top-notch quality. Besides, Lumilum offers free shipping for orders over $150 within the US!
Super Bright LEDs is an online retailer, wholesaler and consultant lighting company headquartered in St. Louis, MO. They started their journey as a small business in with a few products. At present, they have thousands of LED products in their catalog. Super Bright LEDs is now one of the leading lighting brands in America. They offer lighting solutions for houses, vehicles, commercial areas, industrial applications, and more.
As an online-oriented business, they have a super user-friendly website. This allows you to purchase LED strips with more convenience. You can sort them by color, type, application and voltage. Besides, on their website, you will get separate segments for indoor and outdoor LED strips. They also offer variations in voltages, such as 12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, and 120V. This allows you to pick the one that is appropriate for your application. Their website also categorizes LED strips based on applications such as underwater, under cabinet, high CRI, etc. Thus, Super Bright LEDs make your online light purchasing experience easier.
Founded in , Waveform Lighting is a 100% US-based company. Their primary concerns are client satisfaction and quality assurance. They have quickly established a reputation in the lighting sector by upholding these. High-quality components such as PCBs, LED chips, housing, and other components are all utilized in their fixtures. As a result, they guarantee a brighter and more even light output for the finished product.
From Waveform Lighting, you can choose LED strips of different colors and voltage options. They also produce LED strip connections, LED strip power and control systems, and aluminum channels. You will thus get an entire LED strip light setup.
Aspect LED is an LED lighting company by Wilson Tool. This company has over 50 years of experience in tool manufacturing. With this knowledge, they established Aspect LED in . Within a few years, they turned into a tough competitor in the US lighting market. You can buy a variety of LED strip lights from Aspect LED. This can be waterproof, color-changing, tunable, single-color, and side-emitting models. In addition, they offer accessories for LED strips, such as wiring, connectors, and mounting channels.
Solid Apollo is a Washington-based LED lighting company established in . They have a large warehouse of sq feet where the real magic happens! Solid Apollo manufactures about different LED light products, including LED strips, puck lights, neon lights, etc. Need the quickest delivery for bulk orders? No worries, they always keep bulk stocks to pack big orders on the same day.
Furthermore, they have a well-experienced and organized R&D team to help you get the desired customized solution. From light design to control system, they provide you with a thorough service. Let’s not skip their ODM facilities! They allow you to manufacture LED strips from them under your brand name.
Wired4Signs is popular for both residential and commercial lighting. The company started its journey in from Powell, Tennessee. They are mostly known for their signage and display lighting. Big brands like Meanwell and Samsung use their product line. However, LED strips are the main product of Wired4Signs. They have different types of strip lights to offer. Besides LED strips, they produce LED profiles, modules, drivers, controllers, etc.. Want to design your own lighting? Wired4Signs opens up this facility, too. You can have services like 3D design, prototyping, laser cutting, fabrication, 3D drawing, and more.
KLUS entered the lighting industry back in . Since then, they have been designing, manufacturing and selling innovative light solutions. You will get high efficiency and CRI 95%+ LED strip lights from them. The range of LED strip lights in their catalog is vast. You will find adjustable white, dim-to-warm, tunable, RGB, digital, side-emitting, and more. They also produce lumiere systems, LED extrusions, diffusers, and LED accessories.
At present, KLUS has over 50 sales representatives in the USA and 100 distributors in Poland and Europe. If you are planning to import OEM LED strips from them and export them globally, KLUS is just the right choice. Till now, they have exported their products to over 50 countries globally!
Nova Flex has been providing high-quality LED light solutions across the United States since . They offer a large selection of LED strip lights. For example, you can get RGB, COB series, tunable, full spectrum, static white, and more. All these fixtures come in varying IP and voltage options to meet indoor and outdoor applications. Nevertheless, with an LED strip, you will also need additional instruments. For example, an LED driver is essential to power the strips. Again, connectors are needed to join multiple strips. You will get all these accessories available in Nove Flex.
Ecolocity LED offers you a full package of LED strip lights. From the start of their business in , they have focused on bringing innovative solutions. Wanna know what their biggest strength is? Ecolocity LED is very focused on maintaining good relationships with customers. You can get a free consultancy from them anytime. Just for example, if you can’t decide which LED strips to purchase, call them directly for suggestions. The team will guide you in buying. Thus, you will never be wrong when picking and installing LED strip lights.
Environmental Lights was established in in San Diego, California. This company is fully focused on providing eco-friendly lighting solutions. However, when it comes to sustainable solutions, one major concern is high pricing. Environmental Lights works to break down this taboo. Green technology doesn’t mean it’s highly expensive. So, they produce innovative green lighting solutions at affordable prices.
They doesn’t sell products but sells services that add value. All big brands that are concerned about sustainability choose environmental lights as their top priority. Their LED strip lights are widely used in commercial places and big stores, such as Sephora. Besides the regular strip variants, they also have zigzag LED strip lights. You can easily shape these flexible strips for signage and creative DIY projects.
QTL is one of the earliest players in the lighting industry surviving since . They are proud to be an ‘Made in America’ company. QTL provides high-quality architectural lighting with over 30 years of experience. You can check on their addressable LED strip lights. They are magical. You can sync them with music that fits best for stage lighting. Apart from this, they have other LED strip variants like tunable white, RGB & RGBW series, and more.
YouTube: We Are QTL | Formerly Q-Tran
SIRS-E began its journey in . At present, they are a leading LED strip and DMX control system provider in the USA. Besides, if you want OEM facilities, SIRS-E is a trusted option. You can manufacture different types of strip light from them. Their pricing point is also affordable for new business. Moreover, they offer flexibility for both big and small orders. Aside hardwares you can also ask them for customized softwares for your lighting needs. They further provide you complementary products like LED extrusion, connectors, waterproof accessories, and more.
Highlights, established in , is an American-based company specializing in LED strip light manufacturing. They have an expert team that develops new ways of utilizing LED strip lights for different applications across the USA. You will get a complete LED strip solution from Highlights. Therefore, you need not move to another supplier for other complementary parts like connectors, panels, drivers, or controllers. Besides, Highlights offers an extensive customization facility and is open to OEM solutions.
JESCO Lighting is one of the fastest-growing light manufacturing companies, founded in . This is a New York-based business headquartered in Port Washington. However, they have three distribution centers, one in New York and the other two in California and Spain.
From LED strips to designer pendant lights, you will get a variety of LED lighting from JESCO. Therefore, whether it’s your house or office space, choosing JESCO lighting is always reliable. Want to have a face-to-face meeting with them? There is a great opportunity for a live business deal. JESCO Lighting is participating in the upcoming event of - “LEDucation” and “Lightfair” to be held in NY and Las Vegas. So, get ready to join these light exhibitions to examine their products and have the best deal.
YouTube: JESCO 25th Anniversary BBQ
GL LED US Lighting took a step into the lighting industry in . Though it started as a small Chicago-based business, within a few years, GL gained wide popularity in the industry. What was their key to success? So, they implemented the strategy of having both physical and online presence for easy access to customers. They have local store channels from where customers can purchase lights by examining them well. This increased their reliability and repeat purchase rate.
However, the most fascinating fact about GL LED strips is their voltage variations. They are available in 120V, 24V, and 12V variants. So, you can pick one, considering the application needs. They also sell LED wall washers, track lights, downlights, modules, power supplies, controllers, etc. Additionally, they are offering you free samples! So, if you can’t decide which color LED strip will fit your space, you can try their samples and purchase them accordingly. This free sample is available for aluminium channels, too.
With the aim of providing good quality LED solutions at an affordable price, LED Wholesalers started its business in . From the beginning of the journey, they focus on keeping the price budget-friendly without compromising light quality.
They have a highly experienced R&D team that researches on bringing innovative products to the market. Thus, they are able to bring many unique features that are specific to their brand. Besides, they constantly work to improve the longevity, efficiency, and consistency of all their products. You will get a complete product line for LED strips from them. This includes modules, controllers, and aluminum profiles. Apart from these, they have other lighting varieties like recessed lights, downlights, and a lot more.
Alcon Lighting, founded in , is one of the industry leaders in commercial and residential lighting. You will get versatile and cost-effective lighting solutions from them. Customer service is their prime focus. Therefore, they implement effective strategies to earn trust. For instance, you will get the shortest lead times and deliver products fast from them. Besides, they have specification-grade lighting to meet application needs.
Apart from these, they claim a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. So, purchasing LED strips from Alcon Lighting is worth investing in. However, they also manufacture recessed lights, flush and semi-flush fixtures, track lights, and more.
LED Lighting Inc. is well-known for its leading OEM standards and strong warranties. They entered the lighting industry in the year . Since then, LED Lighting Inc. has targeted the offer of personalized solutions to their customers. Their product catalog includes LED strip/tape lights, neon flex, LED flex sheets, controllers, modules, and more.
Customization is the biggest strength of this company. Therefore, if you want to start a business with LED strip lights, LED Lighting Inc. is your go-to option. They design, engineer, and manufacture specialized light systems for their customers. The best part is that they provide samples of customized lighting within 2-3 days. So, no longer waiting for the final order; you can quickly confirm the sample and go for bulk production.
Holectron began its lighting journey in from Vilnius, Lithuania. It is an LED strip light specialized company producing fixtures for indoor and outdoor uses. These LED strips are very versatile and can be mounted in several ways. For instance, you can use them as pendant lights, recessed lights, ground lights, etc.
Holectro’s production zone is highly organized. They own an area of sq.m space facilitating production factories, warehouses, and testing labs. And to provide you with good quality products, a team of 80 factory workers are employed. They further have a modern, human-centric illuminated office that will amaze you. This section is allotted for the departments of R&D, Sales, and Administration.
Core Architectural Lighting Group, established in , is focused on manufacturing architectural LED solutions. You will get lighting for both indoor and outdoor areas from Core. They have LED tape or strip lights of different lumen ratings and CRI values to meet specific needs. Core Lighting further sells recessed, in-ground, surface-mounted, and trimless profiles for LED strips. Their product catalog further includes a wide range of outdoor fixtures.
Glowback LED, established in , is a UL-listed LED strip manufacturer in the USA. They have a versatile range of LED strip lights that fit residential and commercial needs. Moreover, they have 75 different LED profiles. These help to maintain the lifespan of LED strips and protect them from overheating. These aluminum-housed LED strip lights make them more applicable for commercial applications. Glowback LEDs also offer you light designing and customization facilities. And the most amazing fact is that, by purchasing over $200, you will get a free delivery. Besides, they will give you discounts for bulk and B2B business.
Apart from considering just the LED light color and variations, there are many more facts to look at before choosing a manufacturer. These are as follows:
Quality of the LED: If you get LED strips of poor quality, it will be a costly investment. Therefore, always purchase LED strips from reputed brands. Also, check the test reports and certification. This will ensure that the LED strips are tested and follow international standards.
Customization & OEM Facility: Customization offers you more flexibility to fit unique lighting requirements. Therefore, look for a US manufacturer that offers a tailoring facility. Besides, if you want LED strip lights for your business, an OEM facility is a must. This will allow you to label the strips of your own brand. In this case, research whether the company has a good R&D team.
Customer Support & Warranty: Communication is the key to any business. If you purchase an LED strip from any manufacturer, always choose a company that has a strong team for customer service. This will keep the door for help always open for after-sales services. Nevertheless, to ensure product quality, purchase from manufacturers that are confident about their goods and give you an extended warranty.
Power Consumption and Efficiency: Considering energy efficiency is must for both residential and commercial application. So, check on the power consumption rates of the LED strip before buying. If there’s an OEM facility, you can also ask them to design an energy-efficient solution. This will save you electricity bill.
Cost & Delivery Times: Different brands offer different price ranges. So, go through the market and get the best deal. Nevertheless, many manufacturers offer free shipments for purchasing over a certain limit. You can thus save your delivery charge. Besides, give preference to quick delivery. Manufacturers that have bulk amounts of stock can pack orders in a day. Even if you are looking for an OEM facility, choose manufacturers that provide samples within 2-3 days.
You must have essential papers and export rights to import LED strips from the USA, the LED strip manufacturer. So, the company you import from must abide by regulations like Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and Export Control Orders. Remember, as per EAR, the LED strip lights that don’t contain any US-made components are not regarded as US-origin. Besides, you will need some regional-specific certifications based on the region in which you are importing the light fixtures. For example, to import USA LED strips in Europe, the brand must have CE certifications.
Next, the shipping method, terms and conditions are crucial when importing LED lights. You have three mediums for shipping- rail freight, sea freight, and express/air shipping. Air shipping is the fastest medium; you will get the product within 3 to 7 days. However, this is quite expensive. Rail freight, though a slower process, is an affordable alternative to air. Lastly, ship freight is the shipping medium, but it takes a lot of time to get the product in hand.
Nevertheless, discuss the payment medium before importing. Also, check the products carefully once you receive them.
China is always a preferable option for importing LED lighting. They sell LED lighting at a very cheap rate. This is possible due to China’s low labor cost. Besides, there are hundreds of LED lighting manufacturing companies in China. This large number keeps the pricing competitive. The government of China is also supportive of the LED industry. All these factors make them the number one LED light exporter.
Nevertheless, compared to China, the cost of LED striping in the USA is very high. The labor cost in the USA is very high. So, you need to invest a large capital in this sector. This eventually makes the overall manufacturing expensive. However, the R&D team in the USA is very professional and technically advanced. Thus, you will get more innovative products from the USA. Moreover, they are more strict about quality assurance. In contrast, the quality of Chinese LED strips is sometimes questioned. But if you pick the right Chinese LED strip manufacturer, it won’t be an issue.
Therefore, considering the overall aspect, China is better than the US if you want to import LED lighting. But if budget is not an issue, you can surely go with US brands to ensure more reliability.
All the above-mentioned USA-based LED strip light manufacturers are well-reputed and reliable. So you can choose someone who best fits your needs. However, I suggest you choose a Chinese manufacturer if you are on a tight budget. Even after paying all shipping bills, it will be a profitable deal. Nevertheless, if you don’t have budget issues, the listed USA LED strip manufacturers are good to go with.
By Rachel Cericola
Rachel Cericola is a writer covering smart home. In addition to testing hundreds of smart devices, she has also tested dozens of ice cream sandwiches.
Smart strip lights can add cool lighting to your kitchen counter, accent your fireplace mantel, or be part of a glow-up for your Zoom or social videos. And they’re a popular way to add pizzazz to an otherwise dungeon-like dorm room.
Designed to be more permanent than seasonal string lights, smart strip lights are made of a flexible rubbery material with LEDs embedded, and many can be extended or even trimmed down with scissors to meet the needs of your space. Most have special modes, like being able to sync to music, and they can be put on Schedules or triggered on or off by other smart devices.
We have tested dozens, and we like the Govee Strip Light 2 Pro because it delivers bright, accurate colors, includes more special effects and features than most other models we tested, is easy to fit into any space, and supports all the major smart-home platforms via Matter.
This light strip has more LEDs per foot than any of our picks, making it bright enough for task lighting, but it can be dimmed and includes a large number of special effects.
This Tapo strip light set doesn’t have as many special features as our pick, but it is affordable, produces accurate colors, and is dead simple to set up and use.
This inexpensive model has basic controls and special effects available in three lengths, but it’s not as bright or as advanced as other smart light strips.
$36 from AmazonMay be out of stock
Smart light strips come in specific lengths. Some are extendable and some trimmable; follow manufacturer’s guidelines for cutting them to prevent damage.
For more information, please visit LED strip lights supplier.
Most light strips are coated in protective polyurethane, which can yellow over time. This won’t affect colors, but they won’t look great when they are turned off.
Adhesive backing makes installing light strips simple, but once you pull them off they lose stickiness (and sometimes you'll remove paint in the process).
A light strip’s app typically has features that aren't usable when you control them using a third-party app like Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home.
This light strip has more LEDs per foot than any of our picks, making it bright enough for task lighting, but it can be dimmed and includes a large number of special effects.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Matter
If you want a strip light that can light up a countertop or add ambiance to a room, get the Govee Strip Light 2 Pro. This model has more LEDs per meter than any of our picks, so it is brighter with bolder colors. The Govee 2 Pro also includes more special effects and customization than most other strip lights we tested. The companion app presents a learning curve, which may be off-putting to some people—there’s too much going on—but you can opt to control it with other, less fussy apps like Alexa. It’s controllable via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
This Tapo strip light set doesn’t have as many special features as our pick, but it is affordable, produces accurate colors, and is dead simple to set up and use.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings
While the TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Strip L930-5 isn’t as bright as our Top pick and has fewer features, it has an especially easy-to-use app. There’s no learning curve here: Setup and control are both simple, and all of the features are straightforward and easy to use. It produces accurate colors and brightness on par with or better than those of other strip lights that cost the same. The Tapo L930-5 also includes preset scenes and animations (for making different colors cycle through the strip), as well as an Away Mode (for triggering the lights to a specific setting when you leave the house).
This inexpensive model has basic controls and special effects available in three lengths, but it’s not as bright or as advanced as other smart light strips.
$36 from AmazonMay be out of stock
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Matter, Siri Shortcuts
The WiZ Smart RGBIC LED Light Strip comes in three sizes: 16.4, 32.8, and 65.6 feet—and all of them are inexpensive. It also has the best connector between the cord and the light strip as it snaps into place, making it nearly impossible to come unattached. The WiZ isn’t as bright as our other picks and the features are comparatively basic, making this a perfect option for dorms, kids’ rooms, and people who simply don’t want to spend a lot of money on strip lights.
I’m a senior staff writer covering the smart home for Wirecutter. I have been writing about technology for more than 20 years, and I’ve written guides on outdoor security cameras, smart speakers, and smart bird feeders.
For this guide:
For an unexpected burst of color or for more-practical task lighting, smart strip lights can make areas throughout your home more inviting, whether you live in a house, an apartment, or a dorm room. We keep finding new uses for them. They’re great for a homeowner who wants to create a more memorable space for entertaining or the remote worker who’s looking for a cost-effective way to spruce up a dull home office. And they’re a fun option for high schoolers who want to create a cool bedroom, as well as for the college student looking to call attention to a dorm room several floors up.
Smart light strips are relatively easy to install. Most have a peel-and-stick adhesive backing that lets you quickly install them on any clean, fixed surface, such as baseboards, around a doorframe, or underneath kitchen cabinets. Before you do that though, a word of caution: During testing, I found that the adhesive was strong enough to damage paint. If you live in an apartment or dorm, we recommend opting instead to use a non-permanent solution like painter’s tape, or Command Hooks (and also have a peek at your housing contract first).
Some of the models we tested can also be cut with a pair of scissors to fit almost any space. Typically, once a strip has been cut, the trimmed piece is no longer usable. Some models can be extended by daisy-chaining them together. If you have more than one unconnected strip you can have them all light up simultaneously and in the same way by linking them in the companion app or a third-party platform (such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, or Google Home).
After you have installed a smart light strip, connect it to your smartphone to call up colors on command, schedule lights to go on and off throughout the day, or create special light shows for a holiday or a party.
Strip lights shouldn’t be confused with rope lights, which encase LED bulbs in a flexible, moldable plastic tube. Strip lights are generally brighter and easier to install, and there are currently more options available for purchase. Like strip lights, rope lights can yellow over time. However, unlike strip lights, rope lighting may be dimmed as a result.
We have been researching smart strip lights for years, looking at reviews from trusted publications, Reddit posts, and YouTube videos, as well as talking to people who own and use them. In selecting and testing, we considered the following criteria:
After setting up each strip, we tested scheduling, color changes, and special effects (when available) using an iPhone 12 and a Google Pixel 7 Pro. We also measured the output of each strip with a light meter and used an Amazon Echo Show 5, Google Home Mini, and Apple HomePod Mini to assess smart-home integration. We will continue to evaluate all of our picks for performance, as well as to see whether the adhesive on each model stands up to long-term use.
This light strip has more LEDs per foot than any of our picks, making it bright enough for task lighting, but it can be dimmed and includes a large number of special effects.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Matter
The Govee Strip Light 2 Pro was the brightest of our picks, which makes it an excellent choice for task lighting in the kitchen or over a workbench or desk. You still have the option to dim those bright lights, so this set is also great for creating accent areas around the house. And it can fit into more spaces than our previous pick, the Govee LED Strip Light M1, because it comes in three sizes, each of which you can cut or extend. The latest Govee strip also has an updated processor, which makes special effects appear smoother and more seamless. Curiously, this strip relies on a Bluetooth connection when you are close by and switches to Wi-Fi when you connect remotely, though we didn’t notice any hiccups.
It has more LEDs than the competition. This model was one of the brightest smart light strips we tested. (The Govee M1 and the Eve Light Strip are equally bright, and the LIFX strip may be a little brighter, but this is a better model overall.) The brighter light is due to its having more LEDs per meter: The 2 Pro has 60, whereas the average strip light contains about 30 LEDs per meter. This produces brighter light and better color saturation overall, though naturally you can opt to dim it as you like, too.
Besides improved color reproduction, the 2 Pro can produce both white and warm-white colors—a feature missing from the. When comparing them side by side, I noticed that some of the whites looked the same, but the M1’s cool white was a little more blue, and warm white was more of an orange color.
It has extra-special effects. The Govee app has more special effects than that of any other model I tested. And because this latest model has an upgraded processor, the special effects slide through the strip a lot smoother than they did on its predecessor, the M1. I found myself flipping between Winter, Fireworks, Easter, Sports, and Twinkle scenes—it’s actually a kick (though probably more interesting to teens and kids). The Govee strip has preset Scenes that let you go directly to a specific color and lighting level, and you can create and save your own but also borrow and share others, which live in the DIY tab in the app, with fellow Govee users.
An intriguing AI feature in the app allows you to make general requests rather than trying to tweak the settings yourself. Through voice prompts, I told the AI (previously known as Lighting Bot) that I wanted to relax, and it switched the strip to calming light-blue tones. Figuring out all the varieties of features and settings definitely entails a learning curve (see Flaws but not dealbreakers).
It plays well with pretty much everyone. The 2 Pro integrates with Alexa and Google Home, and it also supports Matter, which means it’ll also work with Apple Home, too. That makes it possible to integrate with other Matter devices for Automations and Routines. It’s the only one of our picks that lets you do anything beyond basic color changes when you’re using a third-party app, and even then it’s only when you’re using Alexa (you can choose Scenes and turn on the Music Mode).
It can be shortened or lengthened. Govee’s strip is the only one of our picks that you can both cut and splice with other strips. The strip is available in three lengths: 6.56 feet, 16.4 feet, and 32.8 feet. I cut one of them to fit the test space in my office. The strip has cut lines every 4 inches, which makes it easy to fit into almost any space. For reference, the Govee M1 has cut lines just under the 10-inch mark. (Tapo’s strip also has them every 4 inches, while the WiZ strip is almost 10 inches.) Govee also sells a 3.28-foot extension kit; the 16.4-foot strip light can be spliced up to 32.8 feet, and the 6.56-foot strip light can be spliced up to 16.4 feet. Beyond that, you need to have more than one power adapter controller.
It has complete manual controls. The remote control box that’s connected to the light strip is the most advanced of any of our picks. It includes an on/off button, a button that can cycle through six colors or Scenes of your choice, and a button to adjust brightness.
For more details, read Govee’s privacy statement.
This Tapo strip light set doesn’t have as many special features as our pick, but it is affordable, produces accurate colors, and is dead simple to set up and use.
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings
The TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Light Strip L930-5 installs easily and is equally breezy to control. Although it’s not as bright as our top pick, this Tapo light strip emits accurate colors and hosts a nice array of special effects and a few useful features, like Away Mode.
They aren’t banned. In December , The Wall Street Journal reported that US authorities may seek to restrict the sale of TP-Link Wi-Fi routers following federal investigations into potential security vulnerabilities, including links between the company and the Chinese government. We reached out to TP-Link and a company representative stated that there is “no interdependence” between TP-Link Technologies Co., Ltd. in China, and the US-based TP-Link Systems Inc, the global headquarters since which markets and sells TP-Link smart home devices. Furthermore, the TP-Link Cloud for all global users is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS), with Virginia-based infrastructure serving U.S. users. The TP-Link representative also noted that nearly all TP-Link products sold in the US are currently manufactured in Vietnam, and the remainder will eventually.
It’s easy to install and use. The Tapo app for both iOS and Android is far more straightforward to use than Govee’s. On and off commands are accessible from the homepage of the app. Tapping on the light strip icon brings up a variety of options, including color favorites that you can customize, the Sync-to-Sound music feature (more on this below), Schedule options, an Away Mode, and a Timer (to have lights turn on and off after a set amount of time). It also has a remote attached to the light strip for manual control; pressing the button once can turn the strip on/off, pressing multiple times can cycle through preset lighting effects.
It has fun to use features. Although it doesn’t have as many lighting features and effects as our top pick, there are more than enough preset Scenes to mimic holiday lighting schemes, the weather, party options, and even moods. (While I didn’t find the roller-coaster effects of the Relaxed setting very relaxing, I did like having the slow-moving blue tones from Thinking and blue and white twinkles from Ocean in the background while I was working.) There’s also the ability to create your own. This is the only strip we tested to include an Away Mode, which will randomly turn the light strip on/off during a set period, so it looks like someone is always home.
It also keeps track of usage. This Tapo light strip is the only one of our picks to include energy-consumption stats, for anyone who cares to know how much energy is burned when the strip lights are on or cycle through colors all night. It turns out, it’s not very much; I averaged about two hours a day, which translated to 0.022 kWh (or just pennies per day).
For more details, read the TP-Link Tapo privacy statement.
This inexpensive model has basic controls and special effects available in three lengths, but it’s not as bright or as advanced as other smart light strips.
$36 from AmazonMay be out of stock
Compatible with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Matter, Siri Shortcuts
If you’re unsure about investing in a smart light strip and want a low-cost experiment, go for the WiZ Smart RGBIC LED Light Strip. It’s the only one of our picks available in three sizes: 16.4 feet, 32.8 feet, and 65.6 feet. It has very basic controls and special effects, and it’s not as bright as either of our other picks, but it’s also dramatically less expensive, starting at just $18.
It offers few frills (in a good way). The WiZ strip doesn’t have the volume of features that our other picks have, but it produces accurate colors and has some basic special effects. There are a few Scenes, like Forest, Snowy Sky, and Fireplace, as well as themed ones for holidays like Christmas and Halloween. You aren’t able to customize and create your own Scenes within the app, but you can favorite colors for one-touch access in the app.
The cable connector is the best of the bunch. Despite a low price, the WiZ actually has a better connector to join the strip to the power cable/adapter than either of our other picks. Unlike most models that have a barrel connector or just a few pins for a plug that can be tugged out, this one locks with a satisfying click and requires a pinch to disconnect. We like that a lot since it prevents the cable from coming loose when using the strip’s remote to manually turn the lights on/off.
For more details, read WiZ’s privacy statement.
If you want extra brightness (and don’t mind paying extra): We previously had issues with the LIFX Lightstrip Color Zones, but after a new round of testing, things seem to be working fine. It’s slightly brighter than our top pick and includes a great selection of Scenes (including a whole mess specifically designed for sports fans). However, the app isn’t as user-friendly, the connector between the power cable and the strip isn’t sturdy (and poked my finger several times when I tried to reconnect it), and it has fewer features. Also, it’s one of the few models we tested that doesn’t have manual controls attached to the strip or power cord.
If you have spotty Wi-Fi: The Aqara LED Strip T1 isn’t as bright as our top picks, but it works with Zigbee, which means you can enjoy it in areas that don’t get a great Wi-Fi signal. That also means you’ll need an Aqara hub—which also provides Matter support, depending on your hub model. One thing I didn’t love is that the T1 comes in only a 6.5-foot length, which is a little expensive; but it can be expanded up to 32.8 feet via individual 3.28-foot extension kits.
If you want a permanent kitchen fixture: The Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus and the Philips Hue Solo Light Strip are both good options if you don’t want to have to rely on an app or voice control to turn your strip lights on and off; it can be controlled with a Hue-enabled light switch instead. Both also work with Bluetooth, but if you have a Hue Hub (or want to buy one), it delivers more features. If you need help deciding between the two, go with the Solo, since the Plus can’t produce multiple colors on one strip.
If you can find the Govee LED Strip Light M1 (our previous top pick) on sale, I wouldn’t blame you for picking it up. It’s almost identical to our current top pick, though its effects aren’t as smooth. It also comes in just two lengths and doesn’t provide as many cut points, so it’s less versatile. The thing is, Govee runs a lot of sales, and compared with this older model, our new top pick has been an equal or better bargain.
We dismissed the Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Lightstrip and the Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Multicolor HD Lightstrip. Both produced beautiful, bright lights, but both are also too expensive for what they can do. Plus, the former model can only display one color at a time, while the latter is not expandable.
The Eve Light Strip has respectable brightness. However, it’s available only as a 6.6-foot strip, so filling a room or even lining cabinets can be pretty pricey. Also, the Eve Light Strip works with Apple Home only, and we found that when we asked Apple’s Siri to change its colors, Siri often turned the strip off instead. And we were surprised to find that, unlike with many of its other products, Eve has no plans to upgrade its light strip to support Matter or Thread.
We prefer the WiZ as a budget option over the Meross MSL320 Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Strip, which is slightly more expensive and can’t produce more than one color on a single strip at the same time.
We dismissed the GE Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Light Strip because the adhesive on the back was horrible and peeled off of two different surfaces within minutes of being applied. Also, when we tuned to specific colors, the strip emitted a high-pitch noise. For the price (which is at the higher end of the category), we expect better.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
Rachel Cericola
What I CoverI write about everything from smart lighting and home security to Wi-Fi cameras and smart bird feeders. I’ve also covered ice cream sandwiches, robot vacuums, and snoring.
by Grant Clauser
These smart-home devices don’t need permanent installation, so you can take them with you when you move.
by Megan Wollerton
These smart devices can transform the ambiance and comfort levels of any space in the time it takes to open an app and screw in a light bulb.by Rachel Cericola
A smart dimmer works like a regular switch but makes it far easier to put lighting fixtures on a schedule, plus you can control them remotely.
by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Smart bulbs and plugs can do so much more than just turn on and off with an app. Here are a few easy tips to get the most out of smart lighting.
Advertisement
Want more information on SMD LED strip light? Feel free to contact us.
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT