TP-Hyperlink Tapo L930-5 RGBIC Gentle Strip Assessment vs L920-5 vs L900-5

Sharing is caring!

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 reasonably priced Tapo L900-5, which makes use of an RGB chip that solely permits a single color for use on the strip directly. 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 common mild. Then in fact, that is the primary product with Apple HomeKit assist permitting you to manage your mild strip with Siri utilizing Apple HomeKit.

Specification / Options

• Zonal Coloration Management – benefit from 50-section addressable color zones, to go well with each temper or state of affairs setting.
• Additional White LEDs – acts as common lights, strengthening the practicability of the colorful Wi-Fi mild strip.
• Fancy Lighting Results – amuse your self with well-designed animated lighting results, out there 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– suitable along with your good voice assistants, together with Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Floor Coating-stays sturdy, tidy, and full, because of the high-quality PU coating on its floor.
• Wi-Fi Connection – with a steady connection to your 2.4Ghz networks, it really works effectively with out hub necessities.
• Straightforward 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 any hub required for this mild strip, it makes use of 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and the set-up is similar 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 customary stuff for a sensible house product.

In-use and app options

It is a regular model mild strip, slightly than the subtle/gradient types from Philips Hue and Twinkly. Subsequently you possibly can trim the sunshine strip right down to the size you require.

The Tapo app is practical and straightforward to make use of, I’m simply not overly eager on the UI design, it seems to be a bit low cost and infantile in comparison with the Kasa app. Functionally, there may be little distinction, and there may be nonetheless no interoperability between merchandise, regardless that it is the identical firm producing them.

Throughout 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 inferior to 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.

Much like Hue and different merchandise, you possibly can sync the lights to the music that’s performed out of your cellphone, which might present a pleasing 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, however it works effectively 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 never examined this may Apple HomeKit.

Value and Various Choices

The Tapo L930-5 has an RRP of £45 and is presently out there on Amazon for £34. You’ll be able to 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 it’s possible you’ll as effectively simply get the Tapo L930-5.

From a pure worth perspective, Govee is the most suitable choice. You may get the 10m LED Lights for lower than £20.

The WiZ Color & Tunable Sensible Wi-Fi LED 4M is obtainable 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 may be, in fact, a giant worth 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 the event you solely desire a mild strip, then it’s possible you’ll as effectively stick to reasonably priced manufacturers.

General

There may be 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 may be very engaging.

I’ve a couple of Tapo plugs, so I’ve grow to be accustomed to this ecosystem, and I would want to keep it up for affordable lights vs getting one other app from manufacturers like Govee.

TP-Hyperlink Tapo & Kasa Finish of Life

One factor price noting, previously, I’ve typically highlighted my frustration with the Kasa/Tapo lack of integration and my common annoyance at having too many good house apps. In April final yr, I used to be advised TP-Hyperlink Kasa was getting into the tip 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 good thermostatic radiator valves (KE100). TP-Hyperlink has dedicated to Matter, and this may very well be the place we lastly begin to get some interoperability in 2023.

Final replace on 2023-01-22 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API