We tested the new Nanoleaf lamps, with triangular shapes, combinable with each other and with touch functions that allow you to control your home automation system as well as change to the beat of the music.
Unlimited combinations
Nanoleaf launched its ‘Nanoleaf Shapes’ light panels a few months ago and started with ‘Hexagons’, hexagonal coke panels that we had already analyzed on our channel last year. With the same functionalities as these hexagons, we now offer “Triangles” and “Mini Triangles”, with more or less large triangular shapes. Hexagons, triangles and mini triangles can be combined with each other to form the decorative figures you want, thanks to its assembly system and your imagination, aided by the Nanoleaf application for iPhone (link) which will allow you to see the design on your screen before placing it on your wall.
This time we combine the triangular panels of both sizes. When deciding what to combine, you should keep in mind that each controller manages up to 500 panels, but you will need a charger for each 28 triangles or 77 mini triangles. All of the panels have connectors, so you can place the controller or charger where it interests you most, and since they’re all interconnected, energy flows from one to the other.
Associated article:
Analysis of Nanoleaf Hexagons light panels
Different kits to choose from
When purchasing your panels, you can choose between different kits. You will need at least one starter kit, which will include the charger and controller in addition to the panels, then you will need to add expansion kits which only come with the panels. Considering the limitations I mentioned earlier by charger and controller, use your imagination and choose the combinations you want.
In this review, we have chosen a Mini Triangles Starter Kit and a Triangles Expansion Kit. By combining them with each other, with a total of 8 light panels, you can close different geometric shapes. I decided to give it an “L” shape. When combined with each other, the controller ensures that they all have the same intensity and display the same color although they are different panels and their specifications are different. In the picture of the panel already placed and lit, you can check this by looking at the small blue triangle and the larger blue triangle … same color and same brightness.
Installation and configuration
When you see these kits online you always think the installation must be something very complex, nothing could be further from the truth. It will take longer to create the idea of what you want than to achieve it. Nanoleaf includes everything you need, and the good news is, you don’t need any drills or screwdrivers. The stickers included in the box are perfect for sticking the panels to any smooth surfaceeven on a rough wall like I do, although not ideal. As you can see in the video, a little patience is all that is needed for the end result to be great.
Once we have it installed, the setup to add it to the Nanoleaf app and the House app is also very simple, and by following the instructions given in the app, you won’t have any issues. . The connection is made via WiFi, so you will also have no problems with the range and you can control it from anywhere, even outside the house. Nanoleaf’s compatibility with different home automation systems is total: HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings… We are concentrating, as usual, on HomeKit.
Control with iPhone
Nanoleaf allows us to control your lights from the Home app, just like any bulb, and also from the Nanoleaf app itself. The two applications are different but complementary. With the Nanoleaf app, we can download endless colorful, static or dynamic designs, we can create our own, or even we can make the lights “dance” to the rhythm of the music or reflect what is seen on the screen thanks to the application for Windows and macOS also available. We can also make each panel have touch functions that perform actions in HomeKit, or control the brightness or design of the panels by sliding your hand over them.
With the Home app, everything is much more limited. The color is unique for all of the panels, as well as the brightness, we cannot create animations, but instead we have all the power that HomeKit environments and automations give us. By the way, Nanoleaf lets you create environments for every design you create, a pretty neat way to change the colors of your panels from Home. Home compatibility also allows you to use Siri on any compatible device to control the panels.
Editorial review
Nanoleaf creates different lighting products and after years in the business their experience is evident in every detail. A very simple assembly system, a very well developed application and very well finished products which are now not only expandable but can be combined with each other. Details such as the fact that the colors are the same even if you combine panels of different kinds, the automatic brightness or the animations according to the beat of the music make them undoubtedly unique in their category. And to the decorative functions we have to add the ability to perform actions in HomeKit by touching the panels.
- Starter Pack 5 Mini Triangles at 106 $ (link)
- Starter Pack 4 Triangles at 99 $ (link)
- Extension Pack 10 Mini Triangles 106 $ (link)
- Extension Pack 3 Triangles 71 $ (link)
- Editor’s Note
- 4.5 stars
- Exceptional
Benefits
- Compatibility of different panels
- Good shine and finishes
- Simple installation system
- Full application
- Possibility of expansion
- Compatibility with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant
The inconvenients
- Application limits Control house
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