With the increasing popularity of smart home technology, app controlled Christmas lights have become a must-have for many households. App controlled lights allow you to easily customize and automate your Christmas lighting display right from your smartphone or tablet. There are many different options on the market, so finding the right app-enabled lights for you may seem daunting. This article will walk you through some of the top app controlled Christmas light products and highlight the key features you’ll want to consider when making your purchase.
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What are app controlled Christmas lights?
App controlled Christmas lights are string lights and accessories that connect to your home WiFi network and can be controlled through a mobile app on your smartphone or tablet. The lights connect directly to your WiFi router, allowing you to turn them on/off, dim, create lighting scenes, set schedules, and more all from the convenience of your mobile device.
Most app enabled Christmas lights are LED lights, which allow for bright, energy efficient, customizable displays. The lights usually connect to your WiFi router via a small wireless receiver that plugs into an outlet somewhere centrally located in relation to your Christmas lights display.
With app controlled lights, you can easily:
- Turn your Christmas lights on and off
- Dim your Christmas lights up and down
- Program dynamic lighting effects and scenes
- Set schedules to have your lights turn on/off automatically at certain times/days
- Control individual light zones throughout your decor
- Activate effects in sync with holiday music
The range of lighting control and customization offered by app enabled Christmas lights allows you to create elaborate, multi-zone lighting displays with ease. Most apps also allow you to control your Christmas lights away from home, meaning you can turn your lights on/off even when you’re not physically present.
Benefits of app controlled Christmas lights
There are many benefits that app controlled Christmas lights provide over traditional string lights:
- Customization – Apps allow you to control individual lights zones, program dynamic effects, and create custom lighting scenes.
- Automation – Set schedules to have your lights turn on/off automatically at set times each day.
- Remote access – Control your Christmas lights even when away from home.
- Energy efficiency – Most app enabled lights are LED for maximum brightness at minimal energy use.
- Safety – No need to climb ladders outside in the cold to turn lights on/off.
- Fun! – Dynamic app effects make your lights dance to music and create a festive show.
App controlled Christmas lights take the frustration out of decorating and allow you to create elaborate, customized lighting displays with ease. The ability to automate and control your lights remotely also provides convenience and peace of mind.
Factors to consider when purchasing app-enabled Christmas lights
If you’ve decided app-controlled lights are right for you, there are a few key factors to consider when selecting products:
Compatibility with your smartphone/tablet OS
Make sure any lights you purchase are compatible with your smartphone or tablet OS (either iOS or Android). Most options today work with both iOS and Android, but double check before making a purchase.
WiFi connection and range
The lights will need to connect to your home WiFi network in order to be controlled via app. Make sure your WiFi router is centrally located in your home and has strong signal coverage to reach all areas you plan to install lights.
Number of zones/channels
Consider how many independently controllable lighting zones you need for your display. The more zones, the more customizable your setup will be.
Number of bulbs
Calculate how many individual bulbs you’ll need to cover your display area. Bulb counts tend to range from 50 up to 400+ on higher end commercial products.
Dimmability
Make sure any lights you get can be dimmed up/down through the app. Dimmability allows you to create cool ambient lighting scenes.
Special effects
Many app-controlled lights offer dynamic effects like color cycling, strobe, chasing, fading, and more. Determine if any special effects are important for your display.
Scheduling/timers
The ability to schedule your lights to turn on/off automatically at set times is very convenient. Make sure the app includes scheduling if this is a priority.
App interface and ease of use
You’ll be using the app any time you want to control your lights, so make sure the interface is intuitive and simple to use.
Smart home integration
Some app-enabled lights also offer integration with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, etc. This allows for voice control of your lights.
Warranty
Make sure any lights you purchase come with a warranty in case of any manufacturing defects. 1-3 years of coverage is standard.
Weather resistance
Since Christmas lights are installed outdoors, make sure any products you get are built to withstand the elements and are rated for outdoor/wet locations.
Taking these factors into account will ensure you select app controlled Christmas lights that meet your specific needs and work well for your display.
The best app controlled Christmas lights
Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the top app-enabled Christmas light products on the market:
1. Twinkly Flex
Twinkly Flex is our top overall pick for app controlled Christmas lights. Key features:
- 600 full color LEDs on 18.5 foot flexible strip
- Maps your lights to do immersive displays and effects
- Control each individual bulb if desired
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- Connects directly to WiFi
- Create custom lighting scenes
- Music synchronization and sound activation
- Schedule lights to turn on/off automatically
Twinkly Flex offers unparalleled customization for advanced lighting effects. With the ability to map your display and control individual bulbs, the possibilities are endless. The flexible LED strip is also easy to install anywhere.
2. Philips Hue
Philips Hue is one of the most popular and user-friendly app-based lighting systems. Key features:
- Wide range of Hue lighting products from bulbs to strips to projectors
- Syncs with iOS, Android, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Easy-to-use app with preset effects and customization
- Scheduling for automations
- Add up to 50 Hue lights to a single Hue Hub
- Animated lighting themes and color cycling
- Dimmable and tunable white options available
- Sync lights to music and videos
Philips Hue offers reliability and simplicity. With the ability to expand your system over time, Hue is a great entry point for app-based lighting.
3. MagicLight Bluetooth Smart Mini LED String Lights
MagicLight Smart LED String Lights offer an affordable Bluetooth-controlled option. Features include:
- 66 foot string with 300 LEDs
- Bluetooth connectivity to smartphone/tablet up to 100 feet away
- Sync multiple strings to control together
- Brightness dimming
- 8 lighting modes and customization
- Control via app or voice assistant
- Wide angle LEDs
- 1-year warranty
For an easy-to-use app-controlled string light, MagicLight is a great budget-friendly choice.
4. LINEPOWER Smart Wi-Fi RGB LED Strip Lights
LINEPOWER Smart WiFi LED Strips provide advanced app control in an LED strip form factor. Features include:
- 16.4 foot strip with 300 LEDs
- app control via iOS, Android, Alexa, Google Assistant
- connect to 2.4Ghz WiFi
- 16 million color options
- schedule automations
- sync to music
- preset themes and customization
- control multiple zone up to 30 feet apart
LINEPOWER LED Strips offer zone control and vibrant RGB colors through app integration. Great for adding a pop of color anywhere.
5. Kiwi Design Christmas Lights Projector
For a unique take on app-controlled lighting, the Kiwi Design Christmas Lights Projector lets you turn any surface into a customizable display. Features:
- Projects Christmas light effects onto walls, fences, etc
- App control via Bluetooth
- Laser etched glass for vivid effects
- Phase shifting mode for animation
- Sound activated and music sync
- Splash and drop resistance
- Projects up to 400 square feet
This Christmas projector makes it easy to create a massive lighting display on any surface indoors or out. Very customizable and fun!
Conclusion
App controlled Christmas lights make decorating easy and fun. When shopping for app-enabled lighting, consider factors like smartphone compatibility, WiFi connectivity, number of zones/bulbs, effects, scheduling, app interface, smart home integration, warranty, and weather resistance. Products like Twinkly Flex, Philips Hue, MagicLight Bluetooth Strings, LINEPOWER LED Strips, and the Kiwi Design Projector are great options that provide customizable control from your smartphone.
With app lighting solutions removing much of the hassle from decorating, you can easily create elaborate Christmas displays with spectacular effects. Plus, app controls allow you to automate your lights, control them remotely, and have them dance in sync with holiday music. If you’re looking to take your outdoor Christmas decorating to the next level, app-enabled lights are the way to go for a festive and luminous display.