LED strip lights have become increasingly popular in recent years for both interior and exterior lighting applications. These versatile lights allow for a high degree of customization and control compared to traditional lighting fixtures. In this article, we’ll explore the various methods available for controlling LED strip lights to achieve your desired ambiance and functionality.
What Are LED Strip Lights?
LED strip lights, also known as tape lights or ribbon lights, are flexible strips that contain small LED light bulbs arranged in a line. The LEDs are mounted onto a flexible printed circuit board that can be bent and shaped as needed. LED strips come in a variety of lengths like 16.4ft and 32.8ft and typically include an adhesive backing for easy installation.
The benefits of LED strip lights include:
- Energy efficient – Use up to 90% less energy than incandescent lighting
- Long lifespan – LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours
- Flexible and customizable – Can be cut to size and bent to fit any space
- Various colors – Available in single color or RGB for limitless color options
- Dimmable – Many controllers allow for dimming and brightness adjustments
- Cool operation – Very little heat output compared to other light types
With programmable LED lighting controllers, users can change the color, brightness, and effects of the LED strip lights for versatile and dynamic lighting capabilities. Let’s look at the control options available.
Recommended reading: How do LED Light Strips work?
App Control LED Strip
One popular method for controlling LED strip lights is through a smartphone app like Magic Home Pro. These LED lighting controllers have built-in WiFi and can connect to LED strips to control them from your phone.
Some key features and benefits of app control include:
Limitless Color Customization
- Choose from 16 million colors to match any decor
- Adjust brightness as needed for the right ambiance
- Create custom color palettes and save for quick access
Dynamic Lighting Effects
- Select from preset modes like fade, jump, strobe, and more
- Sync lights to music for a club or party vibe
- Microphone input responds to sounds with rhythmic effects
Group and Schedule Control
- Control multiple lights in groups like “Living Room”
- Set schedules to automate lights on/off at certain times
Voice Assistant Integration
- Use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for hands-free voice control
- Give voice commands to turn lights on/off, change colors, adjust brightness
App control provides unmatched flexibility and customization for your LED strip lighting.
RF/IR Remote Control
RF (radio frequency) and IR (infrared) controllers are another common method for controlling LED strip lights. These compact remote controls use wireless signals to send commands to a receiver module connected to the LED lights.
Some features of RF/IR remotes:
- Operate from short distances without needing WiFi
- Control basic functions like on/off, color selection, modes, brightness
- Affordable simple solution without an app
- Universal remotes available to control multiple light types
While limited compared to app control, RF/IR remotes provide a handy way to directly control your LED strip lights in the room with you. The Govee lights are a popular choice that include an RF remote.
Voice Assistant Integration
For hands-free voice control, LED strip lights with WiFi connectivity can be integrated with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.
You simply need to:
- Connect the lights to the manufacturer’s app and your WiFi
- Enable the skill/integration in your Alexa/Google Home app
- Discover devices and assign them to rooms
Now you can control the lights with voice commands like:
- “Alexa, turn the kitchen lights blue”
- “Hey Google, dim the bedroom lights to 20%”
- “Siri, turn on the porch lights”
This provides the ultimate convenience of controlling your LED lights completely hands-free.
Third-Party Home Automation
For advanced whole-home automation, LED strip lights can be integrated into systems like SmartThings, Home Assistant, OpenHAB and more. This allows incorporating lighting control into powerful home automation workflows and schedules.
With these platforms you can:
- Group lights with other devices like shades, locks, sensors
- Create lighting scenes for different activities
- Set dynamic lighting based on sunrise/sunset
- Trigger lights with motion sensors for automation
Home automation systems provide the most robust options for advanced lighting control and customization.
Conclusion
The key methods for controlling LED strip lights include smartphone apps, RF/IR remotes, voice control, and home automation systems. Smartphone apps allow the highest degree of personalization with virtually limitless lighting effects. RF/IR remotes provide simple wireless control in the same room as the lights. Integrating lights with smart assistants like Alexa enables convenient hands-free voice control. And home automation systems allow incorporating lighting into powerful whole-home automations.
The right control method depends on your budget, technical comfort level, and desired functionality. With the increasing prominence of the Internet of Things and home automation, LED strip lights can now be integrated into your smart home easier than ever. Take advantage of the options available to enjoy the benefits of app and voice-controlled accent and ambient lighting. Your LED strip lights will transform any space with the perfect mood lighting environment.
