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Joe Tries

Smart string lights

String lights are seasonal gear that increasingly stays up all year. The two specs that decide satisfaction are the weather rating and whether each bulb is individually addressable, because per-bulb control is what makes the effects look like anything.

In the catalog
14
Work without a hub
12 of 14
Hub required
1
Most common radios
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, Matter, Thread
Price range
$70 to $400

What decides compatibility

  • Outdoor use needs an outdoor rating on the string and on the connection point, including the plug end.
  • Addressable strings can run chase and gradient effects. Non-addressable strings change all bulbs at once.
  • Connecting multiple strings end to end has a limit. Exceeding it dims the run or refuses to light.

How these connect to your system

A works-with badge does not say how the device gets there, and the path changes what you get. Direct means the maker built the integration and the device's own features tend to come with it. Via Matter means the standard controls work and anything unusual about the device may not carry over. Via a hub means you need a second box, usually the maker's own, before it works at all.

  • Google Home14 work with it
    Direct 10Via Matter 3Via a hub 1
  • Alexa14 work with it
    Direct 10Via Matter 3Via a hub 1
  • SmartThings8 work with it
    Direct 1Via Matter 6Via a hub 1
  • Apple Home8 work with it
    Direct 1Via Matter 6Via a hub 1
  • Home Assistant7 work with it
    Via Matter 6Via a hub 1
  • Hue1 work with it
    Direct 1

Smart string lights we list

Filter and compare these in the catalog
Enbrighten VIBE Wi-Fi Sphere Lights, 12 Lights, 57ft.
Enbrighten VIBE Wi-Fi Sphere Lights, 12 Lights, 57ft.
Enbrighten · Smart light string · Wi-Fi
No hubGoogleAlexa
$180
Govee Christmas String Lights 2
Govee Christmas String Lights 2
Govee · Smart light string · Matter
No hubSmartThingsAppleGoogleHome AssistantAlexa
$70
Govee Curtain Lights 2
Govee Curtain Lights 2
Govee · Smart light string · Matter
No hubSmartThingsAppleGoogleHome AssistantAlexa
$150
Govee Curtain Lights Pro
Govee Curtain Lights Pro
Govee · Smart light string · Wi-Fi
No hubGoogleAlexa
$200
Govee Net Lights
Govee Net Lights
Govee · Smart light string · Wi-Fi
No hubGoogleAlexa
$150
Govee Outdoor S14 Bulb String Lights 2
Govee Outdoor S14 Bulb String Lights 2
Govee · Smart light string · Matter
No hubSmartThingsAppleGoogleHome AssistantAlexa
$160
Govee Outdoor String Lights 2
Govee Outdoor String Lights 2
Govee · Smart light string · Wi-Fi
No hubGoogleAlexa
$190
HVS Smart RGBW Outdoor String Lights (48 ft, 24 bulbs)
HVS Smart RGBW Outdoor String Lights (48 ft, 24 bulbs)
Home Venus · Smart light string · Wi-Fi
No hubGoogleAlexa
$80
LIFX Outdoor SuperColor String Light 24ft Kit
LIFX Outdoor SuperColor String Light 24ft Kit
LIFX · Smart light string · Wi-Fi
No hubSmartThingsAppleGoogleAlexa
$130
Nanoleaf Matter Permanent Outdoor Lights Smarter Kit
Nanoleaf Matter Permanent Outdoor Lights Smarter Kit
Nanoleaf · Smart light string · Matter
No hubSmartThingsAppleGoogleHome AssistantAlexa
$200
Nanoleaf Matter Wi-Fi Smart String Lights (300 LEDs)
Nanoleaf Matter Wi-Fi Smart String Lights (300 LEDs)
Nanoleaf · Smart light string · Matter
No hubSmartThingsAppleGoogleHome AssistantAlexa
$75
Nanoleaf Outdoor String Lights Smarter Kit
Nanoleaf Outdoor String Lights Smarter Kit
Nanoleaf · Smart light string · Matter
Hub requiredSmartThingsAppleGoogleHome AssistantAlexa
$130
Philips Hue Festavia Permanent (outdoor)
Philips Hue Festavia Permanent (outdoor)
Philips Hue · Smart light string · Zigbee
Optional hubSmartThingsAppleHueGoogleHome Assistant+1
$400
WiZ String Lights
WiZ String Lights
WiZ · Smart light string · Wi-Fi
No hubGoogleAlexa
$110

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