TP-Link Tapo L930-5

The length of the strip as it comes in the box, before any extension.

Measure the run you want to light before buying: a strip that falls short cannot always be extended, and one that is too long has to be cut or doubled back.

Devices are typically rated using the Ingress Protection (IP) scale, which indicates the level of protection against dust, solid particles, and moisture.

An IP rating (Ingress Protection rating) is a standardized way to describe how well a device is protected against solids (like dust) and liquids (like water). The rating consists of two digits:

- The first digit represents protection against solid particles (e.g., dust).

- The second digit represents protection against liquids (e.g., water).

First Digit (Protection Against Solids):

- IP0X: No protection against solid objects.

- IP1X: Protection against solid objects larger than 50 mm (e.g., accidental touch by hand).

- IP2X: Protection against objects larger than 12.5 mm (e.g., fingers).

- IP3X: Protection against objects larger than 2.5 mm (e.g., tools or thick wires).

- IP4X: Protection against objects larger than 1 mm (e.g., thin wires or small tools).

- IP5X: Dust-protected. Limited ingress of dust is allowed, but it won't interfere with operation.

- IP6X: Dust-tight. Complete protection against dust, ensuring no ingress of particles.

Second Digit (Protection Against Liquids)

- IPX0: No protection against water.

- IPX1: Protection against vertically falling water droplets (e.g., light rain).

- IPX2: Protection against vertically dripping water when tilted up to 15°.

- IPX3: Protection against water sprayed at an angle of up to 60° (e.g., light splashing).

- IPX4: Protection against water splashes from any direction.

- IPX5: Protection against water jets from any direction (e.g., a garden hose).

- IPX6: Protection against powerful water jets (e.g., heavy rain or washing with a hose).

- IPX7: Protection against temporary immersion in water up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes.

- IPX8: Protection against continuous immersion in water beyond 1 meter.

Total light output of the whole strip in lumens, at full white.

Brightness on a strip is spread over its length, so compare lumens together with the length: 1500 lumens over 2 metres is a working light, while the same 1500 lumens over 10 metres is an accent.

How many sections of the strip can show a different colour at the same time. A strip with one zone is a single colour end to end.

This is what marketing calls RGBIC or gradient. More zones mean smoother rainbow effects and finer reactions to music or to what is on screen.

The strip can produce colours, not just shades of white.

Nearly every smart strip does, but a few white-only models exist for under-cabinet and task lighting where colour is a distraction.

The strip carries separate white diodes instead of mixing white from its red, green and blue channels.

Mixed white tends to look pink or greenish and dims poorly. A strip with dedicated white diodes (sold as RGBW, RGBWW or RGBCCT) is the one to pick if it will ever be used as ordinary lighting.

The range of white tones the strip can produce, in Kelvin, from warm amber to cold daylight.

A wider range is more useful over a day: warm white around 2700K in the evening, neutral or cool white above 4000K for working.

The strip can be dimmed from the app, and not only switched on and off.

Check how low it goes: strips that stop at 10 percent are too bright for a bedroom at night, while others dim down to 1 percent.

The strip can be shortened with scissors at marked points and keep working.

A strip that cannot be cut has to be hidden or doubled back where the run ends. Note that on most strips the cut-off piece stops working, since power enters from one end only.

The spacing between the marked points where the strip may be cut.

A short interval gives a closer fit to the surface being lit. Cutting anywhere else breaks the circuit for the rest of the strip.

More strip can be added with a connector or an extension kit sold by the same brand.

The controller sets a hard ceiling on total length, so extending is only possible up to the maximum the manufacturer specifies.

The longest total run the controller and power supply can drive, including extensions.

Going past it dims the far end of the strip or shuts it down, whichever the controller decides.

The strip ships with adhesive tape on the back for mounting.

Adhesive holds well on clean, smooth, room-temperature surfaces. On textured paint, or anywhere warm, mounting clips do a better job and are what most brands include for outdoor runs.

The voltage the strip itself runs on, fed by the bundled adapter.

Higher voltage strips hold their brightness better over a long run. Low voltage models are safer to cut and rewire but lose light at the far end.

Maximum draw of the strip in watts, at full white and full brightness.

Real consumption is well below this for coloured or dimmed light, but the figure is what the power supply and any smart plug in front of it have to handle.

The strip runs off a USB port instead of a wall adapter.

Convenient behind a TV or monitor, which can then switch the strip on and off with the screen, but USB caps how bright and how long the strip can be.

Range: The 2.4 GHz band offers a longer range, meaning it can cover larger areas and penetrate solid objects like walls more effectively than 5 GHz.

Speed: Generally, 2.4 GHz provides slower speeds compared to 5 GHz due to a lower maximum data rate.

Interference: More prone to interference since many other devices (like cordless phones, microwaves, and Bluetooth devices) operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, leading to potential congestion and slower network performance.

Range: Offers a shorter range compared to 2.4 GHz and may have difficulty penetrating walls and other obstacles.

Speed: Typically provides faster speeds and higher data rates due to more available bandwidth.

Interference: Less prone to interference as fewer devices operate on this frequency, leading to a more stable connection.

Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology used for exchanging data over short distances.

Bluetooth enables devices to communicate wirelessly within a short range, typically up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) for most consumer devices.

Zigbee is a wireless communication protocol designed for low-power, short-range applications, commonly used in smart home devices, industrial automation, and other areas requiring reliable, low-data rate communication. It features low power consumption, making it ideal for battery-operated devices, and supports short-range communication, typically up to 100 meters. Zigbee employs mesh networking, allowing devices to relay data through each other to extend range and improve reliability. It supports data rates up to 250 kbps, suitable for small data packets, and ensures interoperability among devices from different manufacturers if they conform to Zigbee standards. Security is robust, with AES-128 encryption for data protection.

Zigbee devices need a Zigbee-compatible hub to connect and communicate with other devices in your smart home setup.

Thread is a wireless communication protocol designed specifically for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, providing secure, reliable, and scalable networking. Unlike some other protocols, Thread is IP-based, which means it can seamlessly integrate with existing internet infrastructure. It operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and uses mesh networking to enhance reliability and extend range by allowing devices to relay data through each other.

Thread is optimized for low power consumption, making it suitable for battery-operated devices. It supports low-latency communication, which is crucial for real-time applications like home automation and security systems. The protocol ensures high security with AES-128 encryption and end-to-end security at the network layer. Thread also supports over-the-air updates, ensuring devices can stay up to date with the latest features and security patches.

Thread-enabled devices require a Thread Border Router (such as certain smart home hubs or routers) to connect to your home network and other Thread devices.

Additional connectivity options not covered by the standard protocols.

This may include proprietary wireless protocols, infrared, or other specialized communication methods.

Google Home serves as a central hub for a variety of smart devices, including lights, thermostats, cameras, and speakers. It leverages Google Assistant for voice control, enabling users to manage their smart home with simple commands.

Amazon Alexa is one of the most widely used smart home systems, known for its compatibility with a vast array of devices. Users can control everything from smart lights to appliances using voice commands through Echo devices.

Apple HomeKit is designed for users in the Apple ecosystem, providing a seamless way to control compatible smart devices through iOS devices using the Home app or Siri. It emphasizes security and user privacy.

SmartThings is a flexible platform that connects a wide range of devices from different brands, offering a unified interface for control. It supports various communication protocols, allowing for extensive device compatibility.

Home Assistant is an open-source platform that allows for extensive customization and integration of a wide variety of smart devices. It supports a multitude of protocols and brands, making it ideal for tech-savvy users.

Matter is a unified, open-source connectivity protocol designed to standardize and simplify communication between smart home devices from different manufacturers. Developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly the Zigbee Alliance), Matter aims to improve interoperability, security, and reliability across various smart home ecosystems.

Matter operates over existing networking technologies, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Thread, providing flexibility in device connectivity. Its IP-based nature allows seamless integration with existing internet infrastructure and cloud services. Matter uses a mesh networking topology, particularly when operating over Thread, to enhance range and reliability by allowing devices to relay data through each other.

Security is a cornerstone of Matter, with end-to-end encryption and secure device onboarding processes ensuring robust protection for data and privacy. Matter also supports over-the-air updates, allowing devices to stay current with the latest features and security enhancements.

The strip reacts to sound, picked up by a microphone in its controller or by the phone running the app.

A microphone in the controller keeps working when the phone leaves the room, which is the difference that matters for a strip left running at a party.

The strip follows the colours of what is playing on a TV or monitor, through an HDMI box or a camera aimed at the screen.

This is the main reason to buy a strip with many addressable zones: with a single zone the whole strip averages the picture into one colour.

Preset animated effects that move colour along the strip, such as sunrise, candle or aurora.

The number and quality of these presets is most of what separates two strips with the same hardware, since it is entirely down to the app.

The ability to create automated actions based on sensor readings or schedules.

Automations can trigger other smart devices, send notifications, or adjust settings without manual intervention.

A physical remote or a wall button ships in the box.

It is what lets anyone else in the house use the light without installing the app or being on the same network.

The strip returns to its last colour and brightness after a power cut, instead of resetting to plain white.

It matters wherever the strip is fed from a switched socket or a wall switch that someone will eventually flip.