The thread’s
too big without you
Depending on your
light fittings, the bulbs
come in E27 sc rew-in or
B22 bayonet format,
with more sizes
coming soon.73
TESTED NANOLEAF ESSENTIALS A19Roxanne, you don’t have to put on the red
light: with Nanoleaf’s new bulbs, Siri or
Google Assistant can do it for you
■ Aside from Philips Hue, Nanoleaf
is the only lighting brand that
currently offers compatibility
with Apple’s privacy-centric
HomeKit platform. It has two
distinct advantages over its
Dutch rival: there’s no need for
a separate hub, and the bulbs are
way, way cheaper.■ A budget price doesn’t mean
a budget build. The A19 bulbs have
an attractive geometric design,
they’re well made, and they feel
far more reassuring in the hand
than an off-the-shelf LED from
the DIY store. Packaging has been
kept to a minimum too. After all, it’s
just a lightbulb.■ Setup couldn’t be easier either.
Pop a bulb in its fitting, hit the
light switch, scan a QR code
via the HomeKit, Google Home
or Nanoleaf app, and watch
the two marry up. You can even
name your bulbs for a bit of light
entertainment.■ Because Nanoleaf’s Essentials
are Thread-enabled smart lights,
this gives them a step up from
basic Bluetooth tech on iOS. That
means reduced dropouts and a
speedier, steady connection. They
work best with a HomePod Mini
as a bridge.■ For speed of use, HomeKit and
Google Home are better than the
Nanoleaf app. Summoning Siri
or Google Assistant to do your
bidding is even faster... but after
a while you’ll tire or become
self-conscious of saying “Hey
Siri” every time you want to turn
on a light.The beauty of Nanoleaf Essentials is in its simplicity. This isn’t an entertainment product,
like the brand’s all-singing and all-dancing light panels, but a basic multicolour upgrade
to your existing boring lightbulbs, and at a price that makes total sense. But you’ll want
to be on iOS to get the best use, because Android bods or those without a HomePod
Mini will be relying on Bluetooth only.Every little thing
it does is magic...
as long as you’re
using iOS
James DayCan’t stand losing hue?
STUFF SAYS Simple, affordable, effective: a must for any Apple smart home HHHH✩
Colours 16 million
Connectivity Thread, Bluetooth
Voice support Siri, Google Assistant■ String on the night
Unlike Nanoleaf’s LED tiles, the
Essentials range is mainly about
basic bulbs; but there are also
1m and 2m lightstrips, great
for sticking under shelves and
cabinets or on the back of your
TV for Ambilight-style effects.■ King of stain
HomeKit may be quicker, but
the Nanoleaf app is way more
comprehensive when it comes
to playing around with colours,
customised schedules, circadian
lighting and the occasional pesky
firmware update.from £18 / stuff.tv/NanoleafA19Tech specs