Whether you need more light underneath your kitchen cabinets or want to brighten up your home office, adding lighting to your home can be a costly task. However, LED strip lights are a less expensive option that are easy to install and can illuminate your space just as well. “LEDs do not use a lot of electricity compared to traditional light sources,” says Tom Butters, LC IES Emeritus and founder and executive director of The Lighting Agora. “They are very energy efficient and do not generally cost much to use.” To find the best LED strip lights, we researched a variety of options, keeping in mind brightness, color quality, price, ease of installation, and smart features. We also consulted Butters on what to look for when choosing the best LED strip lights for our space. What We Researched We evaluated eight LED light strips for their brightness, color, length, light sources, connectivity, and compatibility. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Budget: Best Brightness: Best Colors: Best with Motion Sensor: Why You Should Get It It features an easy-to-use app and entertaining music sync mode. Keep in Mind The strip is limited to displaying one color at a time and there’s no remote control, which means the app is required for use. Our overall pick for the best LED strip lights is the Govee Smart LED Strip Light. The lighting is less expensive than other other options and can connect to the accompanying app, as well as smart home devices. The strip installs easily with adhesive backing and can be bent or trimmed to fit your space. For smaller spaces, this strip also comes in two shorter lengths. The lighting emits 36 watts and features 600 LED lights, making for a bright option. The lighting doesn’t come with a remote control, so you have to use the app to enjoy the strip’s many features. For example, you can easily dim this 65.6-foot strip on your device or with voice command using a smart device. If you use the app, you’ll be able to enjoy interactive music sync, auto timing, and customizable settings for its dynamic scene effects and color options. As an RGB strip, however, it only displays one color at a time. Product Details: Wattage: 36 watts | Lumens: Not listed | Color: Multicolor | Length: 65.6 feet | LED Light Sources: 600 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Compatibility: Govee app via iOS or android, amazon alexa, and google assistant Why You Should Get It The strip features adjustable auto timer and customizable color configurations. Keep in Mind With 44 keys, the remote control may be a little overwhelming for some users. The Tenmiro LED Strip Light is a great choice for those who don’t want to invest much in LED strip lights. Though less expensive than other options, this pick isn’t short of features that’ll come in handy. To start, the length makes this light suitable for larger areas such as room perimeters, hallways and stairways. Smart features are controlled by the accompanying app or the 44-key remote control, which some users may find overwhelming at first. Plus, installation is quite simple. Like most lighting strips on our list, all you have to do is simply cut to desired size, peel backing from the adhesive strip, and stick to a clean, dry surface. The lighting features a large variety of customizable color options and 64 scene modes means you can have fun experimenting with new hues and effects such as flash or fade. The strip’s built-in sensitive microphone lets the lights change color in sync to music and the memory function remembers your last mode settings. Other functions let you set the timer to automatically turn on/off the lights and adjust brightness from 1% to 100%, depending on your preferences. Product Details: Wattage: 60 | Lumens: Not listed | Color: Multicolor | Length: 130 feet | LED Light Sources: 150 | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Compatibility: Keepsmile app via iOS or android Why You Should Get It This strip offers bright, high-quality color and both cool and warm whites. Keep in Mind To take advantage of full smart capabilities the Phillips Hue Bridge (sold separately) is required. The Phillips Hue Lightstrip Plus is one of the best LED strip lights to invest in. With 1,600 lumens, this 6-foot strip offers bright, vibrant color. Through Bluetooth connectivity and the Hue app, users can enjoy millions of colors as well as a range of quality whites not often generated on color strips. The adhesive backing and ability to bend, curve, and cut to size makes this strip easy to set up. It can also connect to up to 32 feet of extension strips using Phillips connectors. There’s even one connector included to get you started. Smart features via the app include custom colors, pre-programmed mood settings, and ability to create and save scenes of your own design. Like other RGB strips, this one is limited to displaying one color at a time. It’s worth noting that to enjoy this strip’s full potential and create a complete integrated smart home lighting system, you’d need to invest in the Phillips Hue Bridge and other compatible Phillips products sold separately. Product Details: Wattage: 10 Watts | Lumens: 1,600 | Color: Multicolor | Length: 6 feet | LED Light Sources: 50 | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Compatibility: Philips Hue app via iOS or android, amazon alexa, google assistant, and apple homekit Why You Should Get It This straight-forward strip is easy to use and offers six levels of brightness. Keep in Mind This strip doesn’t offer smartphone connectivity or voice assistant compatibility. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the technological features of the best LED strip lights, so we loved the back-to-basics design of the Govee Daylight White LED Strip Lights. This no-frills strip can be installed in minutes using the adhesive backing and clips to hold the lights firmly in place. The strips can be easily trimmed to fit your space as well. While it includes a built-in short circuit prevention feature, it’s worth noting that the strip is not designed to connect to smart phones or voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, unlike some other options on our list. With 2,000 lumens this 16.4-foot strip is bright enough to light a small room on its own and can adjust to six different levels of brightness using the simplistic remote control. This version emits a daylight white hue rated at 6,500 kelvins for bright, cool illumination, but the strip is also available in a warm white strip if you prefer a lower color temperature. Because this strip is limited to only white light, you’ll need to select a different light strip if you want a color-emitting light. Whether using white or color lights, know that bright light isn’t the best in every situation. When winding down in the evening, for instance, bright lights should be minimized. Dim your LED strip lights and consider night lights, other dimmer switches, and learning about lighting your home for a good night’s sleep. Product Details: Wattage: 18 Watts | Lumens: 2,000 | Color: White | Length: 16.4 feet | LED Light Sources: 300 | Connectivity: None | Compatibility: None Why You Should Get It The strip features special effects. Keep in Mind It’s 3.3 feet, which is shorter than other options. The LIFX Color Zones Lightstrip is one of the best LED strip lights for those seeking an option with colorful lighting. The technology generates vivid color combinations as well as tunable white light so you can select the perfect hue for any occasion, mood, or purpose. The 3.3-foot starter strip is easy to install, cut, and connect to additional strips and Wi-Fi connectivity allows lighting control from anywhere. It’s also compatible with several smart home voice systems and is suitable for bias lighting behind TV monitors as well. Just note that it is shorter than other options, so it’s better suited for small spaces. Through the LIFX app, you can create ombré-like gradients of complementary colors which can then be animated through exclusive special effects like waves or flickers from the LIFX app library. Up to eight different lighting zones can be set to different colors from millions of options. The app also offers light scheduling, preset color themes, dimming, sync with music, and other smart features for a dynamic color experience all year round. To boost color even further during the holiday season, you can also combine Christmas lights with your LED strip lighting mix. Product Details: Wattage: 8 Watts | Lumens: 700 | Color: Multicolor | Length: 3.3 feet | LED Light Sources: 48 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Compatibility: LIFX app via iOS or Android; Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Homekit Why You Should Get It This strip can display multiple colors and effects at once. Keep in Mind Pieces cut from the strip can’t be reconnected and are therefore not usable. With 50 customizable color zones and a few unexpected features such as a motion detection option, the Kasa Smart Multicolor LED Light Strip is a great option to consider. The built-in independent chip means this strip can display multiple colors and effects all at once along its 16.4-foot length. To view and control the light’s features, connect from anywhere via Wi-Fi to the intuitive Kasa app or use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Samsung SmartThings for a hands-free experience. With this pick, you can enjoy millions of vibrant colors and preset animated effects, like a raindrop, rainbow, or ocean at the touch of a button or voice command. The strip is fully dimmable, offers an auto set timer, and is compatible with other KASA smart devices. The protective polyurethane coating is durable and moisture resistant for use in kitchens and bathrooms and the strip is easily installed with its adhesive backing. Though you can cut the strip to a desired length, the pieces you cut off can’t be reconnected and are therefore no longer usable as they are with RGB strips. Product Details: Wattage: 18 Watts | Lumens: Not listed | Color: Multicolor | Length: 16.4 feet | LED Light Sources: 150 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Compatibility: Kasa app via iOS or Android; Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings Why You Should Get It The light offers a convenient wireless design and the battery recharges via the included USB cable. Keep in Mind The lights need three hours to fully charge. Encased in aluminum and with a diffuser, the Lepotech LED Motion Sensor Light is one of the best LED strip lights to consider. Unlike some other options, this pick has a motion sensor that’s sure to come in handy. The light comes in a set of two strips and in either a 12.5-inch or 7.8-inch length. You can also choose between a cool white light with a color temperature rating between 7,000-8,000K or a warm white light with color temperature rating between 3,000-3,500K. The motion sensor feature makes this strip perfect for under kitchen or bathroom cabinets, but also for closets, under beds, stairways, or near garage or basem*nt doors. When set in the motion sensor mode, the light automatically turns on when it senses motion within 10 feet and turns off after 20 seconds of no motion. The convenient wire-free design of the lights is powered by a built-in rechargeable battery. There are magnets that make installation easy. The lights are easily pulled off the magnet strip for charging using the included USB cable. A full charge lasts two to four weeks in motion sensor mode. However, keep in mind that charging each light to full capacity takes three hours and can be time consuming if needing to charge several lights. Product Details: Wattage: 3 Watts | Lumens: 300 | Color: White | Length: 1.04 feet | LED Light Sources: 54 | Connectivity: None | Compatibility: None Why You Should Get It The strip contains a lot of LEDs and the adhesive alternative is great for outdoor installation. Keep in Mind This option doesn’t sync with smart home voice systems. The Novostella Outdoor Rainbow Color Smart Strip Light is a top choice for transforming indoor or outdoor spaces. The strip boasts 1120 LEDs along its 105-foot length and is controlled by a remote control or through the Smart Life app via Wi-Fi. Various colors and effects can be displayed at once. Through the app you can synchronize the strip to music, set lighting schedules, and adjust brightness. Because the common peel-and-stick method of installation may not be secure outside, this strip attaches using clips and ties following the included instructions and using the provided accessories. Strips can be shortened but the cut edge needs to be sealed with the provided glue for a water-tight seal, and the section cut off is not usable. To complement LED strip lights outside, consider other lighting options such as exterior solar lights and motion sensor lights. Product Details: Wattage: 42 Watts | Lumens: Not listed | Color: Multicolor | Length: 105 feet | LED Light Sources: 1,120 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi | Compatibility: None Our overall pick for the best LED strip light is the Govee Smart LED Strip Lights. The strip is less expensive than other options, connects via Wi-Fi to the Govee app, and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The brightness of an LED strip light is measured in lumens (LM) and determined by LED density, which is the number of LED lights per meter or foot of strip. The more LEDs per meter or foot, the higher the LED density, the higher the lumens, and the brighter the light output. Some manufacturers don’t list lumens, but by knowing the LED density, you can determine the average brightness of the strip. Standard density (SD) strips have 30 LEDs per meter or about 9 LEDs per foot and produce an average of 540 LM. High density (HD) strips have 60 LEDs per meter or about 18 LEDs per foot and produce an average of 1,080 LM. For reference, a standard 60-watt light bulb gives off about 800 lumens. Most LED strip lights use power adapters plugged into wall outlets and are inherently energy efficient and not too expensive to operate. How much energy the light strip requires to operate—and how it affects your energy bill—is measured in watts. Strips with lower brightness (lower LM and LED density) require less wattage and cost less to operate, and those with higher brightness (higher LM and LED density) require more wattage and cost more to operate. “Watts is the measurement of power and that is what you pay for,” says Butters. “If you are looking for the most energy efficient source, look for the highest lumens per watt. That is the measurement of efficacy. It is similar to miles per gallon. The more miles per gallon your car can go, the more energy efficient it is.” Many LED strip lights offer the full RGB light spectrum which offers millions of colors (16.8 million to be exact), though some strips may only offer limited color options. Some strips display only one color at a time, while others with an independent chip (IC) can display gradients of various colors all at once. If you need white light, be sure to look for a RGBW strip that alternates dedicated white LEDs with the RGB ones. Also consider the color temperature since warm and cool whites are vastly different. In general, correlated color temperature (CCT) is measured in Kelvins (K). “Lower CCTs such as 2,700K and 3,000K provide a warm light akin to old school incandescent,” says Butters. “Higher CCTs such as 4,000K and 5,000K are bright and blue and may not provide the desired hue in living rooms and bedrooms.” LED strip lights aren’t designed to meet all of your lighting needs but can supplement other room lighting such as floor lamps and pendant lights to create the perfect lighting combination. LED strip lights can go almost anywhere there’s access to a power outlet, though the LED lifespan will be diminished if installed where there’s a heat source. LED strip lights are available in lengths from a few feet to over 50 feet. If purchasing a 100 feet of strip light, it will typically come as two 50-foot rolls. Always measure your space to make sure you buy a strip that is long enough, has the ability to connect to other strips for added length, or can be trimmed for shorter length. Also determine if you need a strip that is moisture-resistant such as for a bathroom. If using outdoors, be sure to get a waterproof strip rated for outdoor use. Some of the best LED strip lights connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to an app for operating from a smartphone, while others are operated with an included remote control. If you have a smart home voice system such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can select a light that is compatible with your system for hands-free control of your lights. Smart LED strip lights often offer dynamic lighting effects and may even synchronize those effects with music. Strips might allow you to create custom colors, set automatic timing for turning the lights on and off, integrate with smart home voice or lighting systems, and offer a motion sensor option. Other strips may only offer the ability to dim the lights and nothing more. If you only need to light up a stairway at night or illuminate inside a closet, a basic LED strip light may be all you need. If you plan to use the light for entertaining or just want endless color options and special effects, select a strip with all the bells and whistles. LED strip lights are safe and energy efficient and since they don’t overheat, they can be left on overnight. “There should not be any safety issues to leaving LED lights on all night,” says Butters. “In my home we have LED tape lights on our stairs which are always on overnight and occasionally our under-cabinet LED strip lights in the kitchen are left on all night.” LED strip lights can go virtually anywhere there is a power outlet, but keep ingress protection (IP) ratings in mind if the strip is near moisture or outdoors and be aware of temperatures. “LEDs hate the heat,” says Butters. “If they are installed in a hot area, such as over a stove, their lifespan will be diminished severely.” When setting up LED strip lights, follow the measure twice, cut once rule. “Do a mock-up before installing,” says Butters. “Plug in the product and put it where you would like it to go before adhering it.” The amount of energy a light strip uses differs amongst styles. For the most energy-efficient lights, look for ones that have the highest lumens per watt. Pamela Porter is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience writing and researching products and home design stories for Better Homes & Gardens. For this article, she researched key performance factors such as brightness, color quality, price, and installation, and smart features to select the best LED strip lights. She also interviewed Tom Butters, LC IES Emeritus and Founder and Executive Director of The Lighting Agora, for additional insight.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-LED-Strip-Lights-BHG-tout-58e5450db2674b67a1bc1705d423d2c6.jpg "The 8 Best LED Strip Lights of 2024 to Illuminate Your Space (1)")
Best Splurge
Philips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip
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Best Waterproof
Novostella Outdoor Rainbow Color Smart Strip Light
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Novostella-Outdoor-Rainbow-Color-Smart-Strip-Light-3d1c2f8b258d45dcb0ddd80213684da5.jpg "The 8 Best LED Strip Lights of 2024 to Illuminate Your Space (9)")
The Bottom Line
What to Know About LED Strip Lighting Before Shopping
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Length and Location
Compatibility and Connectivity
Additional Features
Your Questions, Answered
Can you leave LED strip lights on all night?
Where can you put LED strip lights?
Do LED strip lights use a lot of electricity?
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See Also
Stylish Home Decor + Homewares:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/amazon-tenmiro-100-foot-led-lights-with-remote-and-app-control-4561c1d1585449d5af250bbd4d017fa7.jpg "The 8 Best LED Strip Lights of 2024 to Illuminate Your Space (3)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Govee-Daylight-White-LED-Strip-Lights-a2a2912903d24af3b83a4dcb19f7701b.jpg "The 8 Best LED Strip Lights of 2024 to Illuminate Your Space (5)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/LIFX-Color-Zones-Lightstrip-5d49739de61446af920bd804c716d4a7.jpg "The 8 Best LED Strip Lights of 2024 to Illuminate Your Space (6)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Kasa-Smart-Multicolor-LED-Light-Strip-84f02532a3314c4eb3876430e8a0dad4.jpg "The 8 Best LED Strip Lights of 2024 to Illuminate Your Space (7)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lepotec-led-motion-sensor-cabinet-light-c5a50285b9414be4985b7c83f6db4085.jpg "The 8 Best LED Strip Lights of 2024 to Illuminate Your Space (8)")
FAQs
Will LED strip lights light up a room? ›
The other consideration to keep in mind with LED light strips is that they're usually not as bright as LED light bulbs. Since the bulbs on a strip are much smaller, they don't always produce enough light to function as your main light source. Instead, you may opt to use the light strip as decoration.
How do I choose the brightest LED strip? ›Generally, LED strips with higher LED density and larger chip size tend to be brighter. Among the commonly available options, 5050 LED strips are often considered the brightest due to their larger chip size and higher lumen output per meter compared to other types like 3528 and 2835 LED strips.
Is there a better light than LED? ›XED or Xenon Energy Saving Discharge Lamps are superior to the most popular LED or Light Emitting Diodes in many ways. XED lights are better in terms of spectral contents, power consumption as well as total running life hours. They produce less glares and are clearer under foggy weather.
What is the difference between cheap and expensive LED strips? ›Cheap (C Grade LED Strip)
The LEDs will most likely appear to be identical to branded LEDs such as Epistar, LG, or Samsung but inside they will be made of substandard materials, they won't have gold wires for long life and good heat transfer.
In summary, LED lights may be left on all night without risk. They can also provide advantages such as acting as a nightlight or an energy-saving choice because they are made to run for extended periods of time without posing any safety risks.
Is it bad to leave LED strip lights on overnight? ›As with any electrical product, leaving LED strip lights on 24/7 poses a potential fire hazard if the lights or wiring are faulty. Proper installation and periodic inspection can help mitigate this risk. Don't leave the lights on unattended for long periods.
How do I make my LED lights look good in my room? ›Use RGB Bulbs in Lamps, Fans, or Existing Fixtures
Swap out regular incandescent bulbs for LED RGB bulbs to give your room a pop of color. Install RGB bulbs in lamps with a semi-transparent lampshade that will diffuse the light while still creating a unique lighting look.
SMD 3528. SMD 3528 Chips are perhaps the most common of all LED light strip chips.
Do LED strips get hot? ›We have measured a typical temperature rise of 54°F (30°C) over ambient temperatures. In other words, for an LED strip in a typical room temperature environment of 75°F (24°C), you can expect the LED strip to reach a temperature of 129°F (54°C).
How do you make LED strip lights look good? ›Under Furniture or Cabinets:Install the strip lights under furniture, cabinets, or shelves to create a soft and ambient glow. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides fun.
How long do LED light strips last? ›
On average, LED strip lights have an average lifespan of 50,000 hours! However, this is an average estimation. A LED's impressive lifespan depends on the manufacturing quality and how you use them in your home.
Do you put LED strip lights on the wall or ceiling? ›Put simply, yes - LED strip lights can be placed on the ceiling. One of the best things about strip lights is the fact that they're able to be placed wherever you like, this is something that you can't usually do with other light solutions.
Which is better 12V or 24V LED strip? ›As it depends on the LED type, current flow on light strips, and the number of LEDs, 24V LED strip lights likely to have maximum run as compared to 12V strip lights. It is because the higher voltage transmits more power.
What is the difference between LED and RGB strips? ›How They Work LED strips contain white light diodes that emit a single color. The brightness can be controlled through dimming but the hue stays the same. RGB strips have red, green, and blue diodes. By adjusting the brightness of each diode, RGB strips can produce a spectrum of colors and visual effects.