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SwitchBot recently sent me the new SwitchBot Hub 2 to review, and they sent along some of their smart lights to test with it.
I am still in the process of finalising the hub review and thought I should quickly cover the lights separately.
SwitchBot LED Strip Light Specification
- Weight: 315g
- Length: 5m
- Strip Light Width: 10mm
- Number of LED lamp: 150pcs
- Cut Ability: Every 100mm
- Compatibility: Android 5.0+, iOS 11.0+
- Power Input: 100-240 V ac 50/60Hz
- Power Output: 12V 1.25A
- Connectivity Protocol: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz; IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
- Third-Party Service: Alexa, Google, IFTTT, SmartThings
- Others: Color, Scene and Music Mode
- SwitchBot LED Strip Light contains 30 LED lights per meter.
SwitchBot Smart LED Bulb Specification
- Size: 60 x 60 x 116 mm(2.4×2.4×4.6 in.)
- Weight: 93g(3.3 oz.)
- Compatibility: Android 5.0+, iOS 11.0+
- Input: 100-240V AC 50/60Hz
- Output: 10W
- BLE: 4.2
- Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz; IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
- Third-party Service: Alexa, Google, IFTTT, Siri, Smartthings
- Others: White, Color, Dynamic
Set Up
The lights work independently from the hub, and I had less of a problem setting them up than I did with the hub.
As these have Bluetooth, there was no need to connect to the SSID of each bulb. Bluetooth also means the app was easily able to identify devices that could be paired.
The app asks for your 2.4GHz details and passes the credentials over via Bluetooth.
SwitchBot LED Strip Light vs Tapo L930-5
I have reviewed a few light strips now. Obviously, if you are already committed to SwitchBot, then I’d recommend sticking with them. However, if you just want a smart light strip, there are plenty of other options. The Tapo L930-5 or Tapo L900-5 are good alternatives.
For the SwitchBot LED Strip Light, this is RGB but is not individually addressable, meaning that all of the LEDs along the strip will display the same colour and all behave in unison. The strip is also uncoated, making it feel a bit flimsy.
The L930-5, uses RGBIC and allows lights to be individually addressed, providing a full-colour ambience experience. The Tapo L930-5 then adds extra white lights, which allows it to act as a general light.
Both the light strips can be cut to fit, and they both have adhesives for flexible installation.
The SwitchBot LED Strip Light works with Alexa, Google Home, IFTTTT, Siri Shortcuts, and SmartThings. You can also use other control methods such as SwitchBot Tag, its built-in light controller, SwitchBot Remote, the remote included, or in the app.
The Tapo strip works with HomeKit, Alexa, Google and IFTTT.
Both Tapo and SwitchBot have hubs and sensors that allow you to set up various home automation scenes. The SwitchBot Hub 2 can be upgraded to support Matter, but the current Tapo H100 Hub will not be compatible with Matter. You will need to wait for the launch of the Tapo H100M Hub.
One advantage the SwitchBot LED Strip Light has over TP-Link is the physical remote control. In a world of smart devices, you could argue that this is not needed, but I like the convenience of picking up a physical device and controlling it easily rather than rooting on my phone around to find the specific app for that device.
In general, the Tapo L930-5 light is far superior to the SwitchBot LED Strip Light. The Tapo L900-5 is probably about the same as the SwitchBot, but it has a lower price point.
SwitchBot Smart LED Bulb
The LED bulb is sold in either E27 or B22 styles. I was sent two B22 bulbs, I am fairly sure most lights are E27 nowadays, but I managed to find one lamp that was B22.
One feature I quite like is power consumption monitoring. You don’t really need to worry about the electricity usage of LEDs too much, but it is reassuring that you can check.
Like the light strip, you have a good range of colour options. You have different temperatures of white, colour choices, dynamic changing colours or you can sync with music.
The bulb itself can work on a schedule, or you can set up more advanced automation via the scenes toggle.
I swapped this with an old Philips Hue bulb I had in the lamp and I would say that the SwitchBot Smart LED Bulb is brighter. Using a cool white temperature, it provides a lot of illumination in my office in the morning.
Price and Alternative Options
The SwitchBot LED Strip Light is priced at £24, and the LED Bulb is £12.
For smart light strip alternatives, you have:
- Tapo L930-5 (5m) for £34
- Tapo L900-5 (5m) for £16
- Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights (5m) for £25
For LED bulbs, you have:
- TP-Link Tapo L530B Smart Bulb is £18 RRP but currently £9.
- Sengled LED WiFi bulb is £15
- Nanoleaf Essentials Smart A19 bulb is £18
Overall
Both the SwitchBot LED Strip Light and bulb are good products and well worth it if you are an existing SwitchBot user.
The SwitchBot range of devices is quite affordable if you are tempted to invest in the various smart home devices they offer.
If you are not a Switchbot user, I’d say the TP-Link Tapo light strips and bulbs are a better choice if you are just after smart lighting products.
Originally posted on mightygadget.co.uk – Follow on Twitter – Instagram – Facebook – Mighty Gadget Latest Reviews
SwitchBot Lights Review Rating
Summary
Both the SwitchBot LED Strip Light and bulb are good products and well worth it if you are an existing SwitchBot user.
Overall
70%-
Overall - 70%70%
Pros
- Affordable LED lights
- Good smart home features when used with other SwitchBot products
Cons
- TP-Link lights are better quality/lower price
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
