Nanoleaf’s lighting panels are renowned for their intricately-designed and unique lighting options, making them an appealing decorative addition to modern smart homes. They offer a distinct flair that sets them apart from other smart lighting options. These panels can be creatively arranged to form decorative pieces on one or more walls, or they can add an exciting element to house parties by pulsing and changing color in sync with music.
While their aesthetics are unparalleled, one question that arises is how well they fare in terms of providing sufficient illumination for performing daily activities in a room. It is undeniable that Nanoleaf’s products are visually captivating, but their higher price tag is also reflective of their unique features.
The key concern is whether Nanoleaf’s lighting panels can effectively light up an entire room on their own, or if they require assistance from other lighting sources.
In reality, Nanoleaf’s lighting panels are more suitable for ambient or accent lighting rather than being the primary light source for functional tasks. Their design emphasizes creating a pleasant atmosphere and mood with their colorful and dynamic illumination. However, they may not produce the level of brightness required for tasks that demand focused and adequate lighting, such as reading, cooking, or working.
As a result, for practical purposes and to ensure sufficient brightness for daily activities, it is often advisable to supplement Nanoleaf’s lighting panels with other light sources, such as traditional overhead lights, floor lamps, or task lighting. Combining Nanoleaf’s decorative lighting with functional lighting solutions will help strike a balance between ambiance and practicality, offering both a visually appealing environment and adequate illumination for daily tasks.
Nanoleaf’s products excel in providing captivating decorative lighting options for the modern smart home. While they contribute significantly to creating a visually stunning ambiance, they might require assistance from other lighting sources to fulfill the practical lighting needs of daily activities in a room.
What Exactly is Nanoleaf?
Nanoleaf is an innovative company that has introduced a fascinating array of products, gaining popularity for their creative and unique lighting solutions.
Their most well-known product is the lighting panels, available in various shapes such as hexagons and triangles. These panels come in different colors and sizes, allowing users to interlock them together to create visually stunning and creative patterns on walls. If mounted with screws, they can even be used to decorate the ceiling. The possibilities for decorative designs are virtually limitless.
These lighting panels have the impressive ability to synchronize with music, video games, movies, and even mimic the color scheme of a computer’s desktop. The newer Elements panels have an intriguing feature, where the wood-like hexagon panels’ sides can light up independently, allowing them to replicate natural patterns like waterfalls.
However, Nanoleaf has much more to offer beyond their lighting panels. They have introduced another line of lighting called Nanoleaf Smarter Essentials, which includes decorative bulbs and light strips.
Their decorative bulbs, despite being of the same A19 size as standard bulbs, possess a unique hexagonal shape, making them stand out. These bulbs can display a wide range of colors and can be dimmed and brightened, making them a beautiful addition to any light fixture.
Nanoleaf’s light strips are also noteworthy, offering a variety of colors and being among the brightest available on the market. They are available in 40 and 80-inch versions and can be adjusted to set the desired mood.
Both the bulbs and light strips can be programmed to automatically adapt to specific lighting preferences for different times of the day or special occasions.
Nanoleaf’s lighting panels, bulbs, and light strips are compatible with numerous smart home hubs, including Amazon Echo, Samsung Smart Things, and Apple HomeKit, among others. The introduction of Thread border routers has made Nanoleaf’s products compatible with Thread, an innovative IoT protocol that enhances functionality, particularly in terms of response time and network security.
Nanoleaf offers a diverse range of lighting products, with their lighting panels being particularly renowned for their decorative potential and ability to synchronize with various media. Their bulbs and light strips are equally impressive, offering versatility and compatibility with various smart home systems, including the cutting-edge Thread protocol.
Lumen Output of Nanoleaf Products
Before delving into lumen output, it’s essential to understand what a lumen is. According to Merriam Webster, a lumen is defined as “a unit of luminous flux equal to the light emitted in a unit solid angle by a uniform point source of one candle intensity.” In simpler terms, a lumen measures the amount of light emitted from a lighting source. It represents the luminous flux, which indicates how much light the human eye perceives. More lumens mean brighter light and a larger area illuminated.
To illustrate lumens in practical terms, consider an average 60-watt light bulb, which typically emits around 800 lumens. For adequately lighting an average-sized room, approximately two 60-watt bulbs (totaling 1600 lumens) are usually sufficient.
Now, let’s explore the lumen output of Nanoleaf’s products. The following summary provides an overview, but please keep in mind that the exact lumen output may vary depending on the specific product you purchase:
- Nanoleaf Hexagons: 100 lumens per panel
- Nanoleaf Shapes Triangles: 80 lumens per panel
- Nanoleaf Lightstrips: 2000 lumens per strip
- Nanoleaf A19 bulb: 1,100 lumens
It’s worth noting that the lumen output of different Nanoleaf products can vary, so it’s essential to consider the specific model you are interested in to determine its brightness capabilities accurately.
Lumens quantify the brightness of a lighting source, and Nanoleaf offers a range of products with varying lumen outputs, catering to different illumination needs and creative possibilities.
Lumen output of Nanoleaf Wall Panels
Indeed, the lumen output of Nanoleaf’s wall panels varies depending on the specific product.
For instance, the Nanoleaf Hexagons, which are part of the Nanoleaf Shapes line, as well as the Light Panels, emit approximately 100 lumens per panel. On the other hand, the Shapes Triangles emit about 80 lumens per panel.
When it comes to the Canvas panels, the lumen output is even lower, emitting about 44 lumens per panel. The elegant Elements panels have the lowest lumen output, emitting only 22 lumens per panel.
Considering a Starter Pack of the Elements, which includes 7 panels, the average lumen output would be around 154 lumens at best.
Even if you opt for a Starter Pack of the brightest panels, such as the Nanoleaf Lighting Panels or Hexagons, which emit 100 lumens each for a total of 7 panels, you would get a maximum of 700 lumens. This lumen output does not match the light output of even one 60-watt light bulb.
It’s important for consumers to be aware of the lumen output of Nanoleaf’s wall panels and consider whether they meet their specific lighting needs and expectations. While these panels excel in creating decorative and visually stunning lighting effects, they may not provide the same level of brightness as traditional light bulbs for practical illumination purposes.
Lumen output of Nanoleaf Bulbs and Lightstrips
In contrast to Nanoleaf’s decorative lighted wall panels, their Essentials Line offers much brighter lighting options, catering to practical illumination needs.
Nanoleaf’s light strips are particularly impressive, being one of the brightest light strips available on the market, emitting a remarkable 2,000 lumens. This brightness level surpasses competitors like the Hue Lightstrip, which offers up to 1,600 lumens.
Moving on to their light bulbs, Nanoleaf’s Essentials bulbs emit approximately 800 lumens, which is equivalent to the average output of a standard 60-watt light bulb. However, the unique feature of Nanoleaf’s Essentials bulbs is that they can become even brighter, with a maximum output of about 1100 lumens. This brightness level can be adjusted through dimming or brightening controls in the Nanoleaf app.
The Essentials Line’s light strips and bulbs provide a higher level of brightness compared to their decorative wall panels, making them suitable for practical lighting purposes in various settings. With their ability to deliver significant lumen output, Nanoleaf’s Essentials Line offers a compelling choice for those seeking both decorative and functional lighting solutions.
Is Nanoleaf Bright Enough To Light A Room By Themselves?
The adequacy of Nanoleaf products to light a room depends on the specific product and desired brightness level.
Regarding Nanoleaf’s lighted wall panels, they are unlikely to provide sufficient lighting to fully illuminate a room for everyday tasks like working in a home office or preparing meals. While they emit a variety of colors at a reasonably decent brightness, it may not be enough for practical illumination. The brightest light panels can emit a total of 700 lumens with the 7-panel starter kit, and adding more panels through an Expansion Kit can become expensive.
On the other hand, Nanoleaf’s Essentials line offers brighter lighting options. The light strips in this line can emit up to 2,000 lumens throughout the entire 40 or 80-inch light strip, providing a good amount of light. However, due to their size, they generally serve as ambient or mood lighting in specific areas.
For more practical room lighting, using Nanoleaf’s Essentials light bulbs in conjunction with the light strips can be beneficial. The Essentials bulbs emit up to 1100 lumens per bulb, which is suitable for illuminating a room to a desired brightness and beyond.
In summary, while Nanoleaf’s lighted wall panels may not be sufficient for fully lighting a room, their Essentials line, particularly the light strips and bulbs, offer brighter options that can enhance the overall ambiance and provide additional lighting for various spaces.
Nanoleaf for General Lighting & Ambient Lighting
When it comes to smart lighting for your home, two kinds are commonly needed: General Lighting and Ambient Lighting, each serving different purposes in day-to-day life and requiring distinct lighting options.
General Lighting
General lighting is essential for performing daily functions in your home, such as cooking, cleaning, and studying. It is also ideal for maintaining productivity, especially when working from a home office. This type of lighting requires a higher brightness level than Ambient lighting.
General lighting typically simulates the brightness of daylight, with hues of white and off-white at approximately 1600 lumens (equivalent to the brightness of two average 60-watt light bulbs) being the most suitable. This level of brightness ensures you can see everything you need to perform your tasks effectively.
For this purpose, Nanoleaf’s Smarter Essentials line of light bulbs is an excellent choice among their products. These decorative bulbs can emit 800 – 1100 lumens per bulb, providing the necessary lighting for all your daily activities.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is perfect for winding down after a long day of work or errands. It offers dimmer and softer illumination compared to General Lighting, creating a calming mood conducive to relaxation.
Ambient lighting is also great for entertainment purposes, such as syncing up with music, movies, or video games. It can mimic the rhythm of your music or provide a cinematic atmosphere while watching movies with your family.
Nanoleaf’s lighted wall panels are specifically designed for ambient/mood lighting. With their lower lumen output and an array of dazzling shapes and colors, these panels are perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere at the end of the day, enhancing your entertainment system, or setting the mood for a romantic dinner.
Additionally, Nanoleaf’s Smarter Essentials light strips also serve well as ambient lighting. While they have the capability to glow brightly, they can also be dimmed to create the perfect ambiance in your home with various colors to suit your preferences.
In conclusion, Nanoleaf offers a range of smart lighting products suitable for both General Lighting and Ambient Lighting needs. The Smarter Essentials light bulbs provide ample brightness for daily tasks, while the lighted wall panels and light strips are ideal for creating a relaxing and atmospheric ambiance in your living spaces.
Alternative Options for Nanoleaf
If Nanoleaf is beyond your budget or if you prefer smart home lighting that can serve both general and ambient purposes, there are alternative options available:
- LIFX Bulbs: LIFX bulbs are a great alternative, emitting up to 1100 lumens per bulb, making them suitable for both general and ambient lighting needs. These bulbs primarily operate via Wi-Fi, making them popular among smart home owners. They can easily integrate into your existing setup as they are compatible with a majority of smart home hubs.
- Philips Hue Smart Lighting: Philips Hue offers a diverse range of smart lighting options at a lower price point than Nanoleaf. Their E26 bulbs emit 800 lumens per bulb and can be set to the color or mood of your preference using the Hue app. Just like Nanoleaf, Philips Hue products are compatible with various smart home hubs, including the Amazon Echo and Samsung SmartThings, allowing for seamless integration into your smart home system.
Philips Hue also provides lightstrips and the Play Bar, which, similar to Nanoleaf’s lighting panels, can be customized to sync up with your entertainment system, offering versatile and dynamic lighting effects.
Both LIFX and Philips Hue offer alternatives to Nanoleaf, giving you a variety of smart lighting choices that can fulfill your general and ambient lighting requirements while being compatible with your existing smart home setup.
Wrapping it up
While Nanoleaf panels add an attractive touch to your smart home, they may not be the best option as general lighting. However, their Smarter Essentials Line offers a different story.
Nanoleaf’s Smarter Essentials bulbs have the advantage of emitting more lumens than the average light bulb, making them a practical alternative or addition to using the lighted wall panels. These bulbs not only provide exceptional brightness but also feature a geometric shape that can enhance the appearance of any standard fixture. They offer a decorative way to illuminate your home, especially in situations where you have fixtures that cannot accommodate a cover and regular bulbs become an eyesore.
Furthermore, Nanoleaf’s light strips are a viable choice for lighting up a room, though some individuals may still prefer the traditional light bulb route for optimal brightness.
If Nanoleaf doesn’t meet your preferences, no worries! There are alternative smart lighting systems like Philips Hue and LIFX that may be a better match for your needs and preferences.
In conclusion, while Nanoleaf may not be the ideal solution for general lighting, their Smarter Essentials Line, particularly the bulbs, provides a bright and decorative lighting option. Additionally, alternative smart lighting systems offer a range of choices, ensuring you find the perfect match for your smart home lighting needs.
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