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The best options for ambient, task or accent lighting.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
They are very energy efficient and do not generally cost much to use.
We also consulted Butters on what to look for when choosing the best LED strip lights for our space.
Our overall pick for the best LED strip lights is theGovee Smart LED Strip Light.
Credit: Amazon
The strip installs easily with adhesive backing and can be bent or trimmed to fit your space.
For smaller spaces, this strip also comes in two shorter lengths.
The lighting emits 36 watts and features 600 LED lights, making for a bright option.
Credit: Amazon
As an RGB strip, however, it only displays one color at a time.
With 44 keys, the remote control may be a little overwhelming for some users.
TheTenmiro LED Strip Lightis a great choice for those who dont want to invest much in LED strip lights.
Credit: Amazon
Though less expensive than other options, this pick isnt short of features thatll come in handy.
Plus, installation is quite simple.
To take advantage of full smart capabilities the Phillips Hue Bridge (sold separately) is required.
Credit: Amazon
ThePhillips Hue Lightstrip Plusis one of the best LED strip lights to invest in.
With 1,600 lumens, this 6-foot strip offers bright, vibrant color.
It can also connect to up to 32 feet of extension strips using Phillips connectors.
Credit: Amazon
Theres even one connector included to get you started.
Like other RGB strips, this one is limited to displaying one color at a time.
This strip doesnt offer smartphone connectivity.
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The strips can be easily trimmed to fit your space as well.
Whether using white or color lights, know thatbright light isnt the bestin every situation.
When winding down in the evening, for instance, bright lights should be minimized.
Credit: Amazon
Pieces cut from the strip cant be reconnected and are therefore not usable.
The lights need three hours to fully charge.
Unlike some other options,this pick has a motion sensorthats sure to come in handy.
The light comes in a set of two strips and in either a 12.5-inch or 7.8-inch length.
The convenient wire-free design of the lights is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery.
There are magnets that make installation easy.
The lights are easily pulled off the magnet strip for charging using the included USB cable.
A full charge lasts two to four weeks in motion sensor mode.
This option doesnt sync with smart home voice systems.
TheNovostella Outdoor Rainbow Color Smart Strip Lightis a top choice fortransforming indoor or outdoor spaces.
Various colors and effects can be displayed at once.
Through the app you might synchronize the strip to music, set lighting schedules, and adjust brightness.
To complement LED strip lights outside, consider other lighting options such asexterior solar lightsand motion sensor lights.
For reference, a standard 60-watt light bulb gives off about 800 lumens.
How much energy the light strip requires to operateand how it affects your energy billis measured in watts.
Watts is the measurement of power and that is what you pay for, says Butters.
If you are looking for the most energy efficient source, look for the highest lumens per watt.
That is the measurement of efficacy.
It is similar to miles per gallon.
The more miles per gallon your car can go, the more energy efficient it is.
Also consider the color temperature since warm and cool whites are vastly different.
In general, correlated color temperature (CCT) is measured in Kelvins (K).
Lower CCTs such as 2,700K and 3,000K provide a warm light akin to old school incandescent, says Butters.
LED strip lights are available in lengths from a few feet to over 50 feet.
If purchasing a 100 feet of strip light, it will typically come as two 50-foot rolls.
Also determine if you need a strip that is moisture-resistant such as for a bathroom.
If using outdoors, be sure to get a waterproof striprated for outdoor use.
Other strips may only offer the ability to dim the lights and nothing more.
Your Questions, Answered
Can you leave LED strip lights on all night?
There should not be any safety issues to leaving LED lights on all night, says Butters.
Where can you put LED strip lights?
LEDs hate the heat, says Butters.
When setting up LED strip lights, follow the measure twice, cut once rule.
Do a mock-up before installing, says Butters.
Plug in the product and put it where you would like it to go before adhering it.
