Consider wireless LED strip lights if you need a better lighting experience in your home or business. Moreover, you will benefit from the LEDs’ longevity, durability, and energy efficiency.
Generally, most wonder if the wireless LED lights are complex to install, require additional components during setup, or consume much power. Well, the answer is that they are better than traditional light sources in most regards.
For instance, they are nearly nine times more efficient and, in some cases, 100 times more durable. In today’s article, we introduce the aspect of wireless connectivity in LED lights and why they are a perfect match for you.
How do wireless LED lights work?
(A smiling young girl in a room with wireless LED lights)
Wireless LED lights are a true revolution because you don’t have to press switches to control your lights. Rather, they utilize communication protocols, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave, among others, to connect and interact with other devices.
And the devices include control devices like smartphones, remote controls, or hubs that link your home network to the lights. Moreover, they act as the interface to manage your lights’ properties.
For instance, you can send commands such as increasing the brightness of the lights from a remote location. However, the catch is that you must be within the control device’s range. Otherwise, you won’t receive feedback in time or at all.
Additionally, LED lights rely on Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology to produce light. Unlike traditional light sources, LEDs are more efficient.
They rely on the electric current passing through a diode to produce light. On the other hand, the less efficient incandescent light uses current to heat a tungsten filament to produce light.
Another important area in wireless LED devices is feedback and synchronization. When one adjusts the light settings, the wireless LED lights may respond with status updates or feedback to your control device.
The information is important to a user, including color, brightness, power status, or any errors hindering smooth operation.
Features of Wireless LED Strip Lights
(A smart light bulb)
The main reason for adopting wireless LED strip lights is to promote convenience. In other words, you don’t have to walk around the room to a switch for the lights to change color, brightness, or even patterns.
All you have to do is provide an appropriate signal in the comfort of your current position, and the lights will respond. Here, we look at the features of wireless LED strip lights.
Energy Efficiency
LEDs are generally energy efficient, with high-quality ones converting nearly 95 percent of electrical current to light energy.
In contrast, incandescent light sources convert less than 20 percent of wattage to lumens, meaning they waste energy.
Remember, with the LED lights’ higher efficiency, you will incur slightly more due to the inclusion of control devices in the setup.
Scheduling and Automation
Some wireless LED lights have timers enabling you to set when you want them to turn on or off.
Such a feature is crucial, especially when you use your lights as security lights and would like them to turn on at dusk and off at dawn.
Moreover, automation features allow integration with smart devices like doors or motion sensors. Consequently, the lights will respond to certain events or conditions within the sensors’ reach.
Voice Control
(Using voice commands to control LED lights)
Some wireless LED lights are compatible with voice assistants like Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Amazon Alexa.
As such, you can use voice commands to control lighting properties such as color. Moreover, such a feature adds convenience and hands-free operation to your wireless LED lighting experience.
Programmable Lighting Effects
Advanced and more sophisticated wireless LED lights offer lighting animations and effects, including color fading and strobing.
Furthermore, they may have pulsing and synchronized lighting patterns that you can manipulate to create various lighting scenes.
However, you must buy wireless LED lights with the features as not all are compatible.
Music Synchronization
Some wireless LED lights have inbuilt microphones that enable them to listen to music. Afterward, they convert the sound to electrical signals that the lights interpret and react to.
For instance, they can respond to a beat and create an immersive lighting experience similar to what we see in the discos.
Wireless Connectivity
The wireless connectivity separates wireless LED lights from any other light sources.
With the technology, you can rely on your home Wi-fi or dedicated hubs using wireless protocols like Zigbee and Bluetooth.
You can control your lights using a compatible control such as a mobile app or remote control.
Installing Wireless LED Strip Lights
(Installing LED strip lights under a wooden surface)
Generally, most people prefer LED strip lights for their wireless lighting due to their easy installation.
With the lights, you don’t need additional wiring connections as they are within the lights.
Some have adhesive backs, making them suitable for mounting on glass, ceramic, and metallic walls.
Here are the steps to install wireless LED lights.
Plan and Measure
Before installing wireless LED lights, consider the control mechanism you will use. Moreover, consider the power consumption and the lighting effect you desire to create.
Afterward, measure the length of your installation before settling on a particular LED light.
Purchase
During purchase, ensure you include all the necessary components for the smooth operation of your LED lights.
For instance, you may need a power supply unit if your wireless LED strip lights require a constant voltage supply.
Clean the Mounting Surface
It’s important to clean the mounting surface, especially if you install wireless LED strip lights with adhesive backs. Dirt and debris reduce the adhesion of the strip reducing its longevity and usefulness.
Attach the LED Strip
At this stage, remove the adhesive backing and align the LED lights according to your installation plan. Carefully press it onto the surface while ensuring it’s straight and firm.
Set Up Wireless Connectivity
Since there are multiple connection protocols, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations at this step. Typically, setting up includes downloading an app and configuring it to your lights.
FAQs
Do LED lights need to be wired?
It depends. LED lights must be wired if you are drawing power from an external source. Conversely, some have built-in batteries, and wiring them would be redundant and unnecessary.
However, the downside of the second option is that you may need to wire up a charging unit to replenish your batteries’ charge.
How long will wireless LED strip lights last?
The longevity of your wireless LED strip lights is important to reduce maintenance and replacement costs. Generally, LED lights are long-lasting, with high-quality ones lasting more than 100,000 hours.
In other words, they can last you 11 years if you keep them on 24 hours a day throughout the year. Conversely, that equates to a service life of 34 years if you keep them on for 8 hours daily throughout the year.
Do wireless LED strip lights use a lot of electricity?
Wireless LED lights use slightly more electricity than wired LED lights due to the inclusion of wireless controls. In other words, the extra electricity consumption results from the additional hardware, not the lights.
Typically, LED lights are the most efficient light source, with a more than 90 percent electrical energy to lumens conversion.
Conclusion
If you tire of walking around your room looking for a switch to control your lights, you should consider wireless LEDs. You will benefit from the convenience of the technology in addition to the lights’ energy efficiency.
Moreover, you will have better customization of your lights, whereby you can create multiple lighting effects using your mobile phone applications.