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Product Review > Smart Light Panels
Nanoleaf Elements Review
By Rashko Arnaudov Updated March 17, 2024
The rising popularity of smart lighting has surged, especially given our increased time spent at home. Whether you aim to illuminate your living space or foster tranquility in your home office, Nanoleaf Elements offers an array of versatile systems to cater to your needs.
Pros
- It has the capability to serve as a Thread border router.
- Compatibility is established with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant for seamless integration.
- Engaging lighting effects are provided.
Cons
- The controller without backlighting and the hanging power cord may detract from the aesthetic appeal.
- Costly
- Only offers white hues.
What's in the box?
- Wood Look Hexagons
- Controller
- Power Supply
- Mounting Plates
- Mounting Tapes
- Rigid Linkers
Nanoleaf Elements: Design
Measuring 9 inches across, 7.75 inches wide, 4.6 inches on each of its six sides, and about 0.24 inches thick. It weighs about 280 grams. When they are turned off they have a wood-like surface that closely resembles laminate flooring.
Although the Elements panels are crafted from plastic instead of wood, they feature a wood-like veneer with a textured grain pattern. True to their description, each light panel boasts a distinct grain pattern, lending a handsome and appealing look, whether illuminated or not. However, achieving optimal results during installation requires careful attention to detail.
(Credit: Nanoleaf)
Nanoleaf Panels: Features
The main difference between Nanoleaf Elements and the rest of the company’s lighting panels is that it does not support more than 15 million colors but has focused on a range of white colors and you can adjust the light temperature from a hot 1500K to a Cooler 4000k. Gamers are probably not the primary audience for Nanoleaf panels because they are tailored to add style and fit us in any living space.
Nanoleaf Panels: Setup
Setting up the Nanolead Elements is just like any of their products, extremely simple and easy to do. It would help to have a clean wall and know exactly where to position your first hexagon. If you are wondering what shape to make with the Nanoleaf Elements, just open the Nanoleaf app and choose the design that suits you, you can even overlay it on the wall to see how it will look in real life using your phone’s camera.
Before completing the installation process and having already stopped at the layout, you must very carefully and strictly clean the part where you will install them, and accordingly, if you don’t do this. the flying tape will not stick well, which is a prerequisite from your side to peel off a panel.
Once the first hexagon is in place, the rest are pretty simple, just connect them with the links and your desired pattern. In terms of fixing the hexagons on the wall, you just need to peel off the plastic backing of the adhesive backing and stick it to your chosen location!
(Credit: HomeKit Autority)
To be sure, hold the panel for about 40 seconds to ensure a secure fit. Alternatively, you have the choice to secure the panels to the wall by screwing them into the screw holes on the mounting plate.
Once you’re done with the panels, you must install the Nanoleaf controller with sensitive buttons and a power cable. The controller attaches using one of the links that connect the panels, while the power cable. The controller itself has a wood finish, like the Nanoleaf elements themselves.
Although Nanoleaf has done everything possible to make the controller hidden and hard to notice, it’s easily noticeable to me, but I don’t think it’s a problem. The thing that annoys me is the hanging cable, but since I decided to hide it on the wall, the panels create a very pleasant and soulful atmosphere.
(Credit: Appleinsider Forums)
Advice
As I recommend you from personal experience, every time you place a new hexagon, measure with a level to move well, regardless of whether you have leveled your first hexagon, because every millimeter ofdisplacement would cause a large distortion in the installation process!
Nanoleaf App
Of course, like most smart devices, the wood effect hexagons have their own app, which in this case gives you much more control over the settings of these lights. From the app, you can control specific things like brightness, colors, range of use, and more, but I”ll leave that up to you to figure out.
Regarding the color temperature range, you can control it by going into the app and you can see that is has a range of 4000 Kelvin to 1500 Kelvin. Elements produce cool white to warm white, which can be adjusted by moving a slider such that the range around 4000 kelvin is cool white, while around 1500 kelvin is warm white.
Also Nanoleaf panels work with touch gestures, meaning you can force your panels through the app so that when you swipe your hand across them, they turn on, turn off, dim or switch different scenes.
The app also allows you to connect the light panels with Google Assistant and Homekit, so you can ask your voice assistant to change the color, turn it on and off, and even change the brightness that the Nanoleaf elements illuminate.
Nanoleaf Elements Specs
| Table Header | |
|---|---|
|
Touch Control | |
|
Max Panels per Controller |
80 Panels |
|
Voltage |
100VAC – 240VAC |
|
Colour Temperature |
Ambient Whites, 1500-4000K |
|
Music Sync | |
|
Lifetime |
25,000 hours |
Conclusion
Nanoleaf elements create this kind of peace and comfort that I want to curl up in the corner and start reading a book. The wood effect creates a very nice feeling of warmth, especially if there is a fireplace neat the panels (pure family idyll). The fact they are compatible with Google Assistant, Homekit, and Alexa makes them the perfect choice for most smart homes, providing owners with extreme convenience. I Use the panels in my bedroom, as I have set them to light up at a certain time in the morning to wake me up (much better than annoying phone alarms).
But to own them you will have to say goodbye to almost $300 which at first glance is a lot for one light, but in practice the service you get is phenomenal, being able to adjust from anywhere at any time.
Are Nanoleaf Elements bright?
Indeed, Nanoleaf Elements deliver an impressive level of brightness that effectively illuminates your surroundings. Their LED panels are designed to emit vibrant light, ensuring that your space is adequately lit up with a warm and inviting glow.
Whether you’re looking to brighten up a room or create a cozy atmosphere, Nanoleaf Elements offers versatility in adjusting brightness levels to suit your preferences. Additionally, their innovative design allows for even distribution of light, ensuring that every corner of your space is illuminated effectively. With Nanoleaf Elements, you can enjoy the perfect balance of brightness and ambiance in any room of your home.
Do Nanoleaf lights use a lot of electricity?
Nanoleaf lights are designed to be energy-efficient, utilizing LED technology to provide bright illumination while consuming relatively low amounts of electricity compared to traditional lighting sources. While the exact amount of electricity usage can vary depending on factors such as the number of panels in use and the brightness settings, Nanoleaf lights are generally known for their energy efficiency.
With their efficient LED technology and customizable brightness options, Nanoleaf lights offer a balance between providing ample illumination and minimizing electricity consumption, making them a sustainable lighting choice for your home or workspace.
Do Nanoleaf lights get hot?
Nanoleaf lights typically do not get hot to the touch during regular operation. The LED technology used in Nanoleaf lights generates very little heat compared to traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs.
This makes Nanoleaf lights not only energy-efficient but also safer to use, as there is minimal risk of overheating or causing burns. However, it’s always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and ensure proper ventilation around the lights to maintain optimal performance and safety.
Do Nanoleaf lights damage walls?
Nanoleaf lights are designed to be lightweight and easy to install without causing damage to walls when installed correctly. The adhesive mounting options provided by Nanoleaf are typically safe for most wall surfaces, including painted walls, drywall, and wallpaper.
However, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully to ensure proper adhesion and minimize the risk of damage. Additionally, if you choose to use screws for mounting, be sure to use appropriate hardware and avoid drilling into areas that may contain electrical wiring or plumbing. Overall, when installed properly, Nanoleaf lights should not cause any damage to your walls.
Can you put Nanoleaf in bathroom?
While Nanoleaf lights are not specifically designed for use in bathrooms, they can be installed in bathrooms under certain conditions. Nanoleaf lights should not be directly exposed to water or high humidity, so it’s essential to ensure that they are installed in a location where they will not come into direct contact with water.
Additionally, bathrooms with excessive moisture or steam, such as those without proper ventilation, may not be suitable environments for Nanoleaf lights as prolonged exposure to high humidity can affect their performance and longevity. If you choose to install Nanoleaf lights in a bathroom, be sure to place them away from direct sources of water, such as sinks and showers, and consider using additional waterproofing measures if necessary to protect the lights from moisture.
