Nanoleaf only seems to do better each time, with the Lines being the best yet from the smart lights company.
Nanoleaf makes some of the best smart light systems in the business, but with the latest Nanoleaf Lines, the company has a clear winner. It has thrown the Nanoleaf Canvas off its perch as this reviewer’s favorite set, with its striking colors and beautiful backlit effects. It’s also the first Nanoleaf light set that doesn’t necessarily have to be an eyesore when unlit. Skins are available as optional accessories that can be fitted onto the bars so they look like geometric works of art on your wall (or ceiling), plus you can expand them to bend around walls thanks to new connectors that are also available as optional accessories. Even without the extras, the Lines don’t look too bad when unlit. Yes, they still resemble plastic pieces, but the fact that they’re just light sticks and not panels, make them look a lot better than the blocks that older Nanoleaf smart panels resemble. Switch them on, though, and the transformation is beautiful. With LEDs on the rear of the panel, the backlit effect is mesmerizing, and the colors are breathtaking. For example, the Daylight preset available on the app actually makes the room look like it was filled with sunlight through sheer curtains. Colored lights are vivid, and each light bar is dual zone, so you can get movement and several colors in one scene. Setup, while simple to do, does require help. Nanoleaf suggests you lay out your final design – connectors and all – on a flat surface, then get a friend to help you stick it up where you want it. This is to avoid mistakes when sticking the hexagonal connectors on so the light bars aren’t misaligned, but you can manage on your own if you’re careful and put up one section of your design at a time. Connecting to the Nanoleaf app is easy enough too, as is setting it up on either Apple HomeKit or Google Home. Unlike the Nanoleaf Essentials range, the Lines come with Alexa support, so you should be up and running with any Amazon-powered smart device too. Interestingly, the Lines are also a Thread router. So if you already use the Essentials range via Bluetooth, you’ll find that after setting up the Lines in your home, the Nanoleaf smart bulb and the light strip become a lot quicker to respond – no need to use another Thread router like the Apple HomePod mini. Our only complaint is still with the companion app. Nanoleaf has updated its Smarter Series app to include the Lines and its features, but it’s still not quite as intuitive as it used to be when the original Nanoleaf Light Panels and Canvas came out. It works as it should, though, although it does take a while to get used to if you’re new to the Nanoleaf ecosystem. The good looks and great performance of the Nanoleaf Lines don’t come cheap though. Prices start at $199.99 / £179.99 / AU$349.99 for the base starter kit consisting of nine Lines. That’s the same price as the 9-pack Nanoleaf Shapes starter kit and cheaper than the 9-pack Nanoleaf Elements kit, but we think the Lines are better value as they’re far more pleasing when unlit and work as a Thread router to control the Nanoleaf Essentials smart bulb or light strip if you have then set up already. In fact, if you have the money to spare, we wouldn’t hesitate recommending the 15-pack starter kit if you can get it, although that’s currently been announced for select markets only (in Australia that will cost you AU$539.99). Expansion packs with three light bars are also available if you want to elaborate your design down the line (pun intended), and this will set you back $69.99 / £49.99 / AU$119.99. As mentioned, there are optional accessories for the Lines – if you’d like to dress them up, then a pack of nine skins will set you back $19.99 / £17.99 / AU$39.99, available in matte black and pink only. Everything is currently available for pre-order directly from Nanoleaf or from select retailers, with the lights and accessories shipping from the end of November. The Nanoleaf Lines are very different from anything the company has done before – you no longer have to worry about flat, white plastic pieces looking like an eyesore on your wall when unlit.
