Fun but expensive, the Nanoleaf Shapes are a unique smart lighting system.
UPDATE: There now three different Nanoleaf Shapes to choose from – the Hexagons (that were originally reviewed here), with Triangles and Mini Triangles joining the eight-sided panels on October 16,2020. We’ve added information on the new additions towards the end of the original review. There’s something delightfully aspirational about everything to do with the Nanoleaf Shapes. The box looks a little like a toy set, but the moment you glance at images of what it can do to your home, you can’t help but be a bit thrilled. It’s the lighting equivalent of an IKEA showroom, transforming a dull wall into something rather special. As it should, given its premium price tag. This isn’t the first Nanoleaf smart lighting product, (check out our Nanoleaf Canvas review) but the Nanoleaf Shapes is easily the best yet. While there are some minor issues afoot, it doesn’t stop you adoring many of the major features here, as well as some of the finer details that you’ll smile at the effectiveness of. At a time when we’re all indoors more than we’d probably like to be, the Nanoleaf Shapes make things better. Made up of nine hexagonal (ish) flat panels, the Nanoleaf Shapes is a jigsaw puzzle of your own design. You can choose to create a snaking pattern of panels or to create a more sensible looking closely bunched arrangement. The included power supply supports up to 21 panels so you can buy extra packs and add to your heart’s content if you want, although obviously it’ll cost you a fair amount at $179.99 / £179.99 / AU$229.99 per nine-panel pack. Setup is a matter of attaching the panels together with a series of plasticky linkers before sticking each panel to your wall with the included oversized double-sided foam fixing pads. That’s where the Nanoleaf Shapes feel a little cheap given their price tag, but it does work pretty well, and you can opt to purchase a screw mount kit instead. Once physically set up, the app guides you through the simple steps to get started and it doesn’t take long to see just how much the Nanoleaf Shapes can light a room up. Maximum brightness will be rarely needed here with a surprising amount of light pumped out from these lightweight looking panels. Being able to touch them to interact with certain features is great but it’s poking around the app that will uncover just how much you can do with them. The Nanoleaf Shapes soon feel as expensive as they are and far more exciting to use than a regular smart light bulb. Overall, while you’ll wish for a few minor changes to the system and occasionally grumble at the odd Wi-Fi drop out, it’s hard not to love how much the Nanoleaf Shapes can transform a room. The Nanoleaf Shapes are currently available to buy for $179.99 / £199.99 / AU$229.99 – and they’re in high demand, which is why at the time of writing, they’re out of stock in the USA. For the price, you get a nine-panel starter kit that also includes the controller and power supply. For $69.99 / £49.99 / AU$119.99, you can buy a three-panel expansion pack if you want to extend your light display. We’d expect the kits to be available on Amazon in the near future as other Nanoleaf products are stocked there. Unpack the Nanoleaf Shapes starter kit box and you’ll find yourself with a lot of plastic panels.
