Review: Decorate for the Holidays with Smart String Lights

It's time to start thinking about the holidays! This year, instead of boring tree lights or holiday lights that just turn on or off, check out the Smart LED String Lights (starting at $103.96) from Twinkly. They work on your tree, or anywhere, and can display colorful lights and moving patterns thanks to an easy to use smartphone app.

Related: Review: iDevices Home Automation Products

Twinkly

The Twinkly lights are sold in assorted lengths, and you can purchase an add-on set to go with a base kit. It's easy to set up and use thanks to the straightforward app. You just connect to the lights via Wi-Fi and select the light pattern. You can edit patterns as well.

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Twinkly also has other options, such as a wall of string lights. The lights are IP44 certified and suitable for outdoor use. While the app does allow for setting an on and off time, the light are not otherwise able to be integrated with a smart home. If that's not smart enough for you, you could use a compatible wall plug to turn the lights on or off using Alexa or a smart home system like HomeKit.

Pros

  • App-controlled string lights
  • Multicolor with animations
  • Assorted sizes
  • Easy to setup and use
  • Other options besides tree lights

Cons

  • Not integrated with Alexa or HomeKit

Final Verdict

If you want a smart home that's also a well-lit home for the holidays, check out the Smart LED String Lights from Twinkly.

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Author Details

Todd Bernhard's picture

Author Details

Todd Bernhard

Todd Bernhard is a bestselling (6+ million downloads) award-winning (AARP, About.com, BestAppEver.com, Digital Hollywood, and Verizon) developer and founder of NoTie.NET, an app developer specializing in Talking Ringtone apps including AutoRingtone. And his profile photo is of the last known sighting of Mr. Bernhard wearing a tie, circa 2007!

An iPhone is almost always attached to his hip or in his pocket, but over the years, Mr. Bernhard has owned an Apple Newton, a Motorola Marco, an HP 95LX, a Compaq iPaq, a Palm Treo, and a Nokia e62. In addition to writing for iPhone Life, Mr. Bernhard has written for its sister publications, PocketPC Magazine and The HP Palmtop Paper.