Govee LED Strip Gentle M1 overview: Do you have to purchase it?

Though the Matter 1.0 spec first launched in late 2022, suitable sensible dwelling equipment have been gradual to roll out. That’s very true with lightstrips — in actual fact, the one different Matter-compatible strip available on the market as of the M1’s launch is Nanoleaf’s Important Matter mannequin. That product additionally requires a Thread border router, so Govee’s Wi-Fi-based strip is an enormous deal.

After setup within the Govee House app, I efficiently used Matter to pair with Alexa, HomeKit, and Google House, however there have been some hiccups. For instance, I began with HomeKit, however the Matter QR code taped to our check strip was so small that the Apple House app couldn’t scan it. With out a bodily copy wherever else, the one choices have been to learn the numeric code from that tape or pull a code up in Govee House. I additionally needed to swap from an iPhone to an Android cellphone to pair with Google House, since Google has but to allow Matter pairing on iOS. Even on Android, it took just a few tries to pair.

The Govee LED Strip Gentle M1 usually behaves such as you’d anticipate in paired platforms, together with automation help and voice management. It doesn’t help platform-specific options like HomeKit’s Adaptive Lighting, however you do have customary management over brightness and (strong) colours. You’ll have to make use of the Govee House app to set off multi-color results, the excellent news being that there are many presets and full customization.

Govee’s lightstrip definitely delivers in output. Whereas the corporate appears oddly detest to share max lumen rankings, it will get as vivid as you may need, and its colour is each correct and well-saturated. Visually, in actual fact, I most popular it to Nanoleaf’s strip which I additionally examined not too long ago.

Sadly, just a few issues cease the Govee LED Strip Gentle M1 from getting a full advice. Above all are technical points — other than Matter quirks, the lightstrip often misplaced contact with a number of sensible dwelling platforms throughout testing, regardless of my having an Eero Professional 6E router simply inches away. I used to be capable of pressure it to reconnect by unplugging the strip for a second and plugging it again in, however this made the Govee House app or the included distant probably the most dependable management choices, considerably defeating the purpose of a Matter-enabled product.

It additionally suffers from its reliance on Wi-Fi. It’s noticeably slower to react than lights based mostly on Thread or Zigbee, and naturally, you’ll want a Wi-Fi router that’s each in vary and never overly saturated with connections. Nonetheless, you probably have a Matter controller (like an Echo or Google Nest speaker) however nothing that helps Thread, that is your solely Matter-compatible choice for now.

Lastly, I’ll word that I wasn’t impressed by Govee’s music sync choices. You may solely sync out of your cellphone or the distant’s built-in speaker, and all of Govee’s sync patterns appear to imagine you’re listening to high-energy pop, rock, rap, or EDM. When listening to genres like ambient or energy electronics, the flickering brought on by music sync initially made me suppose the M1 was damaged.

There are many sensible lightstrips available on the market, but just a few match the invoice of being each high-quality and supporting all three main sensible dwelling platforms. So far as pricing goes, word that all the costs beneath are for strips within the six- to seven-foot vary.

• Nanoleaf Necessities Matter Lightstrip ($148.99 at Amazon): The Nanoleaf Necessities Matter lightstrip requires each a Matter controller and a Thread border router, however with these in tow, you’ll get faster response and the advantages of Thread’s mesh know-how. We did have hassle getting Matter pairing to work with Google House.
• Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus (€2199 at Amazon): This Philips Hue strip is decidedly costlier, not the least as a result of it requires a Zigbee-based Hue Bridge/Sensible Hub when you don’t have one. Hue merchandise are famously dependable although, and also you’ll get Alexa, HomeKit, and Google House help with out Matter.
• LIFX Lightstrip ($279.99 at Samsung): The LIFX lighstrip might be your most suitable option if you would like a Wi-Fi strip that provides Alexa, HomeKit, and Google House compatibility sans Matter. It does include the downsides of Wi-Fi, and stays pricier than Govee or Nanoleaf’s choices relative to size.