Smart outdoor light strips in the test: Weatherproof LED light for the garden

Highlights: Light strips can be used to create lighting moods on the terrace and balcony that would not be possible with normal light bulbs. You can even control them flexibly via app, voice and automatic. Seven weather-protected light strips from the brands Cololight, Innr, Ledvance, Lunartec, Paulmann, Philips Hue and Tint had to prove which smart light tricks they have mastered in the test. Reasonable smartphone apps and voice commands are a must, lots of control features are a plus and a physical switch or remote control is a bonus.

Light strips can be used to create lighting moods on the terrace and balcony that would not be possible with normal light bulbs. We tested seven models.

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There are snakes in the garden, electric

Photo: Berti Kolbow-Lehradt

This article was first published on July 16, 2022. We have added two new products and updated the article.

If you want to immerse your garden, terrace or balcony in indirect mood light, you will quickly reach your limits with conventional light bulbs. This can be achieved more precisely with flexible LED strips. You can even control them flexibly via app, voice and automatic.

The two to five meter long, centimeter thin silicone strips flank, for example, the back and bottom of the garden bench, nestle against window sills or meander elegantly through the bed. There, they can be illuminated discreetly but effectively at the right time using a smartphone or automatic shifter – in the white spectrum or in bright colors, sometimes even with animated effects.

There are a number of models for indoors, but the selection for outdoors is much smaller. Seven weather-protected light strips from the brands Cololight, Innr, Ledvance, Lunartec, Paulmann, Philips Hue and Tint had to prove which smart light tricks they have mastered in the test.

The tested models at a glance:

Cololight Strip (60 euros):
The two-meter-long Wi-Fi strip from the Chinese manufacturer Lifesmart can color each of its 120 light-emitting diodes differently. The variant with half as many LEDs costs 15 euros less.

Innr Outdoor Flex Light Colour OFL 122 C (80 euros):With 220 diodes,
the two-metre strip of the Dutch brand enables a very diffuse light without visible light cones. The double length is available for 130 euros. Both models transmit with ZigBee and require a box as an exchange to the WLAN router.

Ledvance WIFI Smart+ Outdoor Neon Flex (45 euros):
The Ledvance brand continues Osram's range for smart lighting and complements it with new WLAN products such as this three-meter light strip for outdoors. A two-meter longer version costs 65 euros.

Lunartec Wi-Fi Neon Tube with RGBW IC LEDs ZX-7256 (55 Euro)
The five-meter-long light strip of the own brand of the online retailer Pearl is supposed to score with multi-colored LED zones and a low price.

Paulmann Plug & Shine Smooth Strip RGBW (75 Euro)
The two-meter light strip from the German manufacturer can be operated with its new Smik system, consisting of an app and a ZigBee bridge. A well-rounded thing? There are also versions with a length of five meters (115 euros) and ten meters (180 euros).

Tint Outdoor LED Strip (105 euros):
The light strip from the German manufacturer Müller-Licht is longer at five meters and therefore more expensive than the other test products. As a ZigBee device, it receives commands over long distances.

Philips Hue Outdoor Lightstrip (110 euros):
The Dutch market leader for smart light is the most expensive product in terms of length. This ZigBee strip measures two meters. A five-meter alternative costs 150 euros.

Here's how we tested:

Light impression: How brightly do the stripes shine? To what extent are there additional lighting effects such as pulsating to the beat of music? How pleasant is the lighting? The more LEDs are placed on the strip, the more uniform and diffuse the light will appear.

Commissioning: Ideally, the strips are so weather-resistant that they can be placed anywhere outdoors without hesitation. How easy or time-consuming it is to contact the radio network is another criterion.

Operation: Reasonable smartphone apps and voice commands are a must, lots of control features are a plus, and a physical switch or remote control is a bonus. What else happens when the Internet or the home network goes on strike?

Automation: As light strips for the smart home, the models should be able to be integrated into the preferred lighting concept in as many ways as possible by automatic timer or sensor or controlled together with other devices.

Cololight Strip

The tested variant of the Cololight Strip has an average brightness of 800 lumens. That's the equivalent of a nine-watt bulb. With a total of 120 LEDs, however, it shines evenly. Thanks to the USB socket, the strip also draws energy from a power bank if necessary. If you prefer socket operation, you have to get a power supply yourself, none is supplied. At 1.4 meters, the power cable is shorter than that of the other test devices. The strip adheres to the substrate through a self-adhesive backing or in screwed metal guide clips.

Installed stationary, the darker version of the two-metre-long base strip can be extended to up to eight metres, while the lighter version can be extended to a maximum of six metres. This is not possible with any other outdoor lightstrip. The Cololight model can theoretically be shortened after each diode. However, this is not an option for outdoor use if it is to remain sealed in accordance with IP65, because the strip can only withstand dust and water jets unshortened. The small switch box on the cable is not sealed at all, so it should be placed away from the rain. In winter, the Lightstrip should not be left outside, as it is only designed for temperatures down to minus five degrees.

As the only light strip in the comparison, it has a button with which it can be switched on and off and prefabricated light scenes can be selected. This means that it can also be operated in a dead zone on a greenfield site. For the full range of functions, we pair it with the Wi-Fi home network via a smartphone app. This allows you to adapt the dynamic scenes to your own ideas. This is recommended because the high preset speed of the color changes is annoying. It's a shame that the software decides which LED lights up and how. They cannot be defined individually.

The app (download for Android and iOS) masters switching on and off, dimming, toning in full colors or color gradients as well as group control and time schedules. If desired, it can also use the microphone of the smartphone or switch unit to pulse the light to the beat of music. A nice party gag.

Unlike when the product was introduced, you now have to create a cloud account to use the app. If the Internet fails, the strip can no longer be operated smartly. Cololight can be accessed via the web via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri or controlled together with other devices. Alexa and Apple HomeKit enable automatics, for example in combination with motion sensors.

Innr Outdoor Flex Light Colour

Innr's Strip offers mediocre brightness with 660 lumens. With 224 diodes, it offers the most evenly distributed light. The semi-transparent protective jacket enhances the diffuse, natural light impression.

At the place of use, the LED strip can be brought into position with screwed metal clips. Like most outdoor models, it cannot be lengthened or shortened because of the weather protection. Because the strip meets the IP67 standard, it is not only dustproof, but can also withstand a half-hour puddle bath. However, the IP44 power supply does not tolerate more than a few splashes and should therefore be covered. Wintering is no problem because of the frost protection down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

There is no physical switch. The strip can only be operated smartly. Because it transmits with the ZigBee standard, but smartphones do not, the Innr Bridge BG220 (30 euros) is necessary as a link to the WLAN home network. It is not protected from the weather and needs a place in the dry. The advantage of ZigBee devices is that they form a meshed network and pass on switching signals. With additional strips, the radio range can therefore be extended far into the garden.

Innr's smartphone app (download for Android and iOS) offers a good scope with functions for manual switching, timed schematics and connections to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The automatic geofence system is practical: it switches on the outdoor lighting when a linked smartphone approaches the address and off when it moves away. Nothing works without the cloud, and in the event of an Internet failure, the strip cannot be operated.

Ledvance WIFI Smart+ Outdoor Neon Flex

The LED strip from Ledvance offers the lowest brightness in comparison with up to 520 lumens. However, it scores points when light is required in the white spectrum. In addition to one color diode for red, green and blue, it has two for cold and warm white. This allows him to mix shades more precisely. In addition, the semi-transparent diffuser layer ensures a beautifully uniform light. It should not be confused with the darker models that have the term "digital" in their name.

According to IP65 protection class, the Lightstrip is sealed against dust and a short shower from the garden hose. However, the IP44 power supply can only tolerate a few splashes. At the place of use, the light tube is held in place on screwed plastic clips. The socket must not be too far away because of the two-meter supply line.

The Lednave LED strip responds exclusively to smart remote control and has no physical switch. Because of the built-in WLAN chip, there is no need for an exchange and transmits directly to the home network. Ledvance's smartphone app for Wi-Fi products (download for Android and iOS) requires a personal account in the manufacturer's cloud. However, it can also be operated without contact to the web servers. The light strip stores time circuit diagrams locally.

In addition to the usual manual control, schedules and a switch-off timer, the app also offers a music sync. As a result, the LED strip pulsates to the beat of a summer hit or other songs of choice with the help of the smartphone microphone. The option of being able to automatically change the colour temperature from cool white in the morning to warm white in the evening during the course of the day is more useful for basic lighting indoors.

If the LED strip is to listen to your word, it accepts commands from Alexa and Google Assistant. It can also be used together with devices from other brands. Ledvance itself offers a motion sensor for indoors as well as an automatic geofence. Although the light strip comes from supplier Tuya, it cannot be coupled with its reference app Smart Life or with other automation services.

Lunartec Wi-Fi Tube ZX-7256

This is the most sophisticated lighting technology of the test. This strip not only mixes colors of red, green and blue together, but can also produce warm and cool white with two additional diodes per LED group. This enables very precise color reproduction. In addition, it shows up to seven colors at the same time, because the diodes can be bundled into several circuits and controlled differently. With up to 3430 lumens, the Lunartec strip is much brighter than the tested alternatives. Because of the weather protection according to the IP65 standard, the outdoor strip also feels comfortable in the rain. However, the power supply should be placed protected from moisture. According to the manufacturer, frost down to minus 20 degrees is not a problem.

The on/off switch is built into a box on the power cord. An included remote control allows for easy color changes. Pearl's Elesion app (download for Android and iOS) has cooler tricks on it. There you can select different color combinations and be alternated automatically. If the latter is annoying, you create effects yourself and set their change speed to zero. Overall, however, this looks great because the transitions are smoother than with the Cololight. The music mode is hardly usable. The rhythm in which the light organ dances is not clear.

By means of a schedule, switch-off countdown and additional sensors, the light can be comprehensively automated. The only flaw: When switched on, the last selected color always lights up. Connections to Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri shortcuts as well as to the device cosmos of Tuya's Smart Life app expand the operating and combination options. This requires a cloud account. If the Internet fails, however, the LED strip remains accessible in the WLAN and also executes schedules.

Paulmann Plug & Shine Smooth Strip RGBW

This LED strip is also very bright with around 1000 lumens. The light-emitting diodes of the two-metre-long LED strip are very densely packed at 120 pieces per metre and covered with a milky top layer that ensures a pleasantly uniform glow. In addition, Paulmann offers the second-best weather protection. According to IP67, the strip can even withstand it in a puddle of water for a short time.

The manufacturer can pay for this. Neither a connection cable nor a power supply unit are included in the high-priced light strip. Paulmann charges both at 20 euros and 30 euros extra, respectively. Clips for floor mounting are also absent. A remote control (35 euros) or a gateway (55 euros) with ZigBee radio are added on top. Otherwise, the strip cannot be operated.

Great for privacy: The manufacturer's app Smik (download for Android and iOS) is the only one in the test that does not require a cloud account. You only have to create one for Alexa voice commands and remote control from outside the home. Otherwise, you control the strip completely without internet.

The app offers a good standard scope. Dimming, coloring, group control with scenes, switch-off countdown, time schedules and a link to radio switches for wall and table are possible. For automation with sensors and other devices from other manufacturers, interaction with Amazon's platform remains the only option for the time being. Smik does not yet support any other networking services.

Philips Hue Outdoor Lightstrip

With a maximum of 850 lumens, the tested two-meter variant offers slightly above-average brightness. Among other things, this trumps a typical nine-watt bulb from the same manufacturer. The other lighting characteristics do not stand out from the test field. The diffuser layer provides an even light.

The Lightstrip offers advantages in other criteria. In addition to the light body itself, the control unit and the power supply are also dustproof according to IP67 and prepared for a short immersion bath. This makes the Hue model the most robust choice for outdoor use. Its supply line is almost three meters long. In winter, it can stay outside thanks to frost protection down to minus 20 degrees Celsius. It is a little stingy that the manufacturer only donates clips made of plastic instead of metal for mounting.

Due to the lack of a switch on the power cable, the LED strip only responds to smart control commands. The operation requires a non-weatherproof ZigBee radio box as a connection point to the WLAN. Such a "Hue Bridge" costs 60 euros extra. In contrast to other current Hue products, the outdoor strip does not accept Bluetooth control commands sent directly from the smartphone.

The Hue app has plenty of manual controls, schedules, and motion sensor and geofence automatics. If you have a Spotify subscription, you can light up the Hue strip to the sounds of your playlists. Because the apps communicate directly with each other and do not take the detour via the smartphone microphone, this light disco harmonizes better than with Cololight, Ledvance and Lunartec.

In addition, the Hue strip is more connectable than any other model. In addition to Alexa, Google Home and Apple HomeKit, it can also be paired with virtually all other relevant automation systems. A cloud account is now mandatory at Philips Hue even if you don't use Internet services. Nevertheless, the Lightstrip can still be operated during an Internet failure, as long as WLAN and ZigBee Bridge are still running.

Tint Outdoor LED-Strip

At five meters, the LED strip is the longest of all test candidates and is very bright. The maximum output of 1200 lumens is not only suitable for decorative purposes, but also for basic lighting. The light evenly distributed by the diffuser layer and the color fidelity are pleasing. The luminaire does not mind dust and rain because it is sealed according to IP65. The power supply (IP44) is slightly less robust. There are plastic clips in the box for fastening.

After installation at the place of use, the LED strip is far from ready for use. Due to the lack of a physical switch, we need additional technology. The manufacturer itself does not offer an app or bridge for the ZigBee wireless standard used. Just like with the Calluna lamp, you need either the ZigBee remote control from the manufacturer's own accessories (25 euros) or a radio bridge from another brand.

With the non-weather-protected Tint remote control, the outdoor strip can be switched on and off, dimmed, colored and provided with a color temperature. If you don't always want to adjust the color and brightness manually, you can select a pre-programmed light scene with one of six buttons. Coupled tint bulbs can bundle the remote control into three groups and control them together.

If you also want time control, voice control, remote control outside the home and sensor automatics with third-party devices, you depend on which functions the outdoor strip offers in conjunction with control centers from other manufacturers. In the practical test, the Strip can be easily coupled with a Hue Bridge and then operated in almost the same way as a conventional Hue product. Only a few things don't work out. It can't be synced with Spotify, for example. Firmware updates with new functions are also currently not possible in this way.

Result

The Philips Outdoor Lightstrip offers the most control functions, the best weather protection and a wide range of possible combinations with smart home systems. This justifies the high price and overlooks the fact that it has no special lighting properties.

More light tricks, with color changes and treadmill effects, are offered by the light strips from Lunartec and Cololight. Because they also cost less, they are the price-performance winners of this test. However, Lunartec offers the more extensive weather protection and greater brightness. Cololight also understands itself with Apple's HomeKit and can also be used on the move to a limited extent due to the USB plug. Cololight, Ledvance and Lunartec can also be considered if you want the setup to be as simple as possible. They can be integrated directly into the WLAN without an additional control center.

Tint, on the other hand, offers a lot of length and brightness for the money, but no smart operation out of the box. The LED strip from Paulmann is supplied without the necessary standard accessories.

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