TP-Hyperlink Tapo L930-5 Assessment Ranking
Abstract
In order for you a lightweight strip with vibrant addressable RGB (and white) LEDs with wonderful sensible options, however cannot justify the price of Philips Hue, then that is your finest guess.
Execs
- Inexpensive addressable RGB mild strip
- Glorious options throughout the app
Cons
- Lack of Tapo/Kasa integration is annoying
The Tapo L930-5 was launched in the midst of 2022, and it’s the first product to launch from them that may be built-in with Apple HomeKit.
Tapo L930-5 vs L920-5 vs L900-5
I’ve beforehand reviewed the inexpensive Tapo L900-5, which makes use of an RGB chip that solely permits a single color for use on the strip without delay. The L930-5, makes use of RGBIC and permits lights to be individually addressed, offering a full-colour atmosphere expertise.
The L930-5 is a step up from the L920-5, with each of them permitting 50 separate color zones. The Tapo L930-5 then provides additional white lights, which permits it to behave as a basic mild. Then after all, that is the primary product with Apple HomeKit assist permitting you to regulate your mild strip with Siri utilizing Apple HomeKit.
Specification / Options
- Zonal Coloration Management – take advantage of 50-section addressable color zones, to swimsuit each temper or state of affairs setting.
- Additional White LEDs – acts as basic lights, strengthening the practicability of the colorful Wi-Fi mild strip.
- Fancy Lighting Results – amuse your self with well-designed animated lighting results, accessible on Tapo App.
- Music Sync – provides extra vibe by emitting dynamic lights, parallel with the encompassing music beat.
- Apple HomeKit Supported – management your mild strip with Siri utilizing Apple HomeKit.
- Voice Management– appropriate together with your sensible voice assistants, together with Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Floor Coating-stays sturdy, tidy, and full, due to the high-quality PU coating on its floor.
- Wi-Fi Connection – with a secure connection to your 2.4Ghz networks, it really works nicely with out hub necessities.
- Simple Set-up – connect the Gentle Strip with 3M Adhesive on desired spots, join it to Wi-Fi and configure it through app.
- Energy Consumption: 13W
- White Gentle for Illumination
Set-Up
Like all Tapo merchandise, there isn’t a hub required for this mild strip, it makes use of 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and the set-up is an identical for all of the Tapo merchandise. I had to hook up with the open Wi-Fi community that was broadcast by the Tapo L930-5, present my Wi-Fi credentials, watch for it to sync then replace. All normal stuff for a wise residence product.
In-use and app options
This can be a regular model mild strip, somewhat than the subtle/gradient kinds from Philips Hue and Twinkly. Subsequently you possibly can trim the sunshine strip all the way down to the size you require.
The Tapo app is practical and simple to make use of, I’m simply not overly eager on the UI design, it seems a bit low-cost and infantile in comparison with the Kasa app. Functionally, there’s little distinction, and there’s nonetheless no interoperability between merchandise, although it is the identical firm producing them.
Inside the app, you possibly can set it to a stable color or choose one of many predefined results. There are solely 17 predefined choices, and it would not appear as if you possibly can obtain new ones (like Twinkly). With the color choice, it’s not so good as Hue, the place you possibly can choose nearly limitless colors.
This has some distinctive options that you just will not see on the Hue equal. There are alternatives for customized color portray and creating new lighting results. It’s a great distance off the color portray you are able to do with Twinkly, however it’s a enjoyable function to have.
Just like Hue and different merchandise, you possibly can sync the lights to the music that’s performed out of your telephone, which might present a nice impact in social conditions.
I’m impressed at how vibrant this mild strip can go. They do not make any claims for the RGB colors however state 1,000 Lumens. I would not depend on it as the principle mild for a room, nevertheless it works nicely when used as the principle mild for temper lighting when I’ve family and friends round.
I do not use Apple merchandise myself, so I have not examined this may Apple HomeKit.
Value and Different Choices
The Tapo L930-5 has an RRP of £45 and is at present accessible on Amazon for £34. You may choose up the older L900-5 for simply £16.
Amazon would not have the Tapo L920-5, and Ebuyer has it for £36 and Argos for £32, so chances are you’ll as nicely simply get the Tapo L930-5.
From a pure value perspective, Govee is the best choice. You may get the 10m LED Lights for lower than £20.
The WiZ Color & Tunable Good Wi-Fi LED 4M is on the market from Argos for £30.
On the time of writing, the Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus v4 is £69, however it’s usually discounted to round £55 and was £44 throughout Black Friday (the one time I pay for Hue merchandise).
There’s, after all, a giant value disparity between Tapo, Govee, Wiz and Hue. For customers like myself, you aren’t simply paying for the {hardware} however the ecosystem, and that is why I’m on Philips Hue. In case you solely desire a mild strip, then chances are you’ll as nicely persist with inexpensive manufacturers.
Total
There’s nothing to essentially complain about with the Tapo L930-5, it is a wonderful mild strip with loads of options. The LEDs are brighter than anticipated in my kitchen, and the pricing could be very engaging.
I’ve a number of Tapo plugs, so I’ve change into accustomed to this ecosystem, and I might desire to keep it up for reasonable lights vs getting one other app from manufacturers like Govee.
TP-Hyperlink Tapo & Kasa Finish of Life
One factor value noting, prior to now, I’ve usually highlighted my frustration with the Kasa/Tapo lack of integration and my basic annoyance at having too many sensible residence apps. In April final yr, I used to be informed TP-Hyperlink Kasa was coming into the top of life, and there could be a Kasa/Tapo integration by Q3 2022.
Nonetheless, every little thing has gone quiet relating to this, and TP-Hyperlink Kasa has even launched new merchandise, together with sensible thermostatic radiator valves (KE100). TP-Hyperlink has dedicated to Matter, and this might be the place we lastly begin to get some interoperability in 2023.
Final replace on 2023-01-23 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
