Best Light Strips 2021: Our Top Picks For November

Adding some of the best light strips into your setup could be a fantastic way to add some RGB to go alongside your cracking gaming keyboard, or brilliant gaming mouse.

These are simple to install and can be hooked up to be controlled from your phone or through all sorts of smart assistants.

However, it can be difficult to know what to look for. Luckily, we've done all the hard work for you by looking through the reviews, spec sheets and additional features to pick out what we think are some of the best out there.

So, whether you're looking for a brilliant all-round light strip in the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus or you're on the hunt for a cracking pick for streamers like the Elgato Light Strip, we've got you covered right here.

Let's get to it!

Best Light Strips

• Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus
• TP-Link Kasa Smart Light Strip
• Govee LED Smart Wi-Fi App Strip Lights
• Elgato Light Strip
• Eve Light Strip

Best Light Strips - Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus

Manufacturer: Philips | Light Source: LED | Brightness: 1600 lumens | Smart Assistant/Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit | WiFi/App Control: Yes

We think the best light strips come courtesy of the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus, largely thanks to both their versatility and convenience.

Its base kit comprises a 2 metre strip, mains adapter and a connector into the Hue system, but if you do want to add more lighting, then you can purchase extensions.

These lights can easily be integrated into any Philips Hue system along with their array of smart lights, and don't require any additional hubs to work.

The Hue Lightstrip Plus instead is compatible and works with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant, as well as the included Philips app over Bluetooth from your phone.

Brightness of 1600 lumens and a choice of 16 million colours should also keep this strip sharp enough to place in your office. The set-up looks to be easy thanks to these having self-adhesive pads on the back.

Best Smart Light Strips - TP Link Kasa Smart Light Strip

Manufacturer: TP Link | Light Source: LED | Brightness: 1400 lumens | Smart Assistant/Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT | WiFi/App Control: Yes

If having a truly smart light strip is a priority, then the TP-Link Kasa Smart Light Strip should fit your needs well.

These work with plenty of different assistants and systems including Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and are also IFTTT compatible. You'll also find an additional app from which this light strip can also be controlled, giving you a lot of choices.

As well as being convenient to use, given that the TP-Link Kasa also features self-adhesive backing, we think they should also be pretty damn easy to install and get up and running.

It also performs well with a brightness of 1400 lumens ensuring vivid colours and the ability to split the light strip into different zones making this TP Link choice a standout offering.

If you want more lights, then you can of course purchase up to 10m of additional strips to go alongside the original 2m on offer here.

Best Budget Light Strips - Govee LED Smart Wi-Fi App Strip Lights

Manufacturer: Govee | Light Source: LED | Strip Length: 5m/10m | Smart Assistant/Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | WiFi/App Control: Yes

For a more wallet-friendly set of lights, the Govee LED Smart Wi-Fi App Strip Lights look to be a handy candidate.

Where these ones stand out particularly is on the part of both their quick install thanks to a self-adhesive backing and also their strip length of either 5 or 10 metres.

The usual length for strips is 2 metres, and 5 or 10 as a starting point just gives that little bit more flexibility.

Speaking of flexibility, these strip lights also look to be highly adjustable and manoeuvrable and can be trimmed precisely according to each connection point.

Compatibility isn't an issue with this Govee choice either, thanks to support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can also control them through the included app.

Best Light Strips For Gamers - Elgato Light Strip

Manufacturer: Elgato | Light Source: LED | Brightness: 2000 lumens | Smart Assistant/Compatibility: Elgato Streamdeck | WiFi/App Control: Yes

If you're a gamer looking to spruce up your desk and gaming den with some cracking lights, then the Elgato Light Strip is perfect.

2000 lumens of brightness with anti-flicker LEDs inside mean that these are also great for content creators wanting to film with some lights in the background for extra mood.

If you've any other key lights from the accessories manufacturer, then the Elgato Light Strip will be a great addition, especially if you've got a Streamdeck as from there, every aspect of your setup's lighting can be controlled.

These are also dimmable and the colours are user-configurable through the included Elgato app.

Best Light Strips For Apple HomeKit - Eve Light Strip

Manufacturer: Eve | Light Source: LED | Brightness: 1800 lumens | Smart Assistant/Compatibility: Apple HomeKit, Siri | WiFi/App Control: Yes

The Eve Light Strip looks like a great choice if you're someone invested in the Apple smart home ecosystem and just want a decent light strip to work seamlessly with it.

There's no need to connect a bridge with these, as everything should connect conveniently over the Eve App and work with your iPhone or iPad within a couple of minutes.

What's more, the Eve Light Strip are fully dimmable and work through Siri voice control, so if you're away from your phone and want to use the HomePod to turn them down, then you can.

A 2m length is rather standard but is enough to start off with, but if you do want to have up to 10m of light, then you can with these.

1800 lumens of brightness should also keep things sharp and vibrant when you need them to be.

Frequently Asked Questions Light Strips

Can you combine light strips?

It is possible to combine light strips through male-to-male connectors if you do need a piece longer than what you've cut.

You can also buy extensions to attach to the original length if you do run out, like with the TP-Link Kasa.

How easy is it to install light strips?

Installing basically any light strips is a remarkably simple process. All of the ones we've featured on this list, including the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus, for instance, have self-adhesive pads on the back which can stick to surfaces and hold the strips up.

Otherwise, it's a case of plugging them in and connecting them to the respective app or your phone, and you're all set up.

Where is the best place to put LED light strips?

This is all down to personal preference, and you can put light strips wherever you fancy, as long as you think they look good.

We'd say the best places to put them are under shelves, or perhaps behind your cracking gaming monitor on your desk to add a little bit of atmosphere.

Read More: Best Smart Light 2021: Our Top Lighting Picks For Home