Linkind Matter Smart Bulbs & LED Strips Review: A Colorful, Connected Smart Home Experience

This review dives into the Linkind Matter smart bulbs and LED strips, offering a comprehensive look at their performance and user experience. We explore the ease of installation, the seamless integration with various smart home platforms, and the extensive customization options available through the accompanying app. From simple setup to complex automations, we detail the features that make these lights stand out, including their vibrant color accuracy, dual-mode connectivity (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi), and the fun addition of music sync capabilities.This in-depth analysis covers everything from the unboxing experience and packaging design to the advanced functionalities enabled through Home Assistant integration. We'll assess the overall value proposition, considering the affordability, reliability, and broad compatibility of the Linkind system. Discover if these smart lights are a worthy addition to your smart home setup, regardless of your technical expertise, and learn about the brand's commitment to social responsibility.

Pros And Cons

Link Kind LED Strip
  • Matter compatible
  • Easy installation
  • Works with the same app as the bulbs
  • Supports group control with bulbs
Link Kind A12 Smart Bulb
  • Matter compatible
  • Works with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
  • Easy installation
  • Supports Apple, Google, Amazon, and Home Assistant
  • Good app with room sorting and group control
  • Color temperature adjustable (1800K-6500K)
  • Supports schedules, scenes, and music sync
  • CRI over 90
  • Easy Home Assistant integration

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Unboxing and Initial Impressions

The Linkind smart bulbs arrived in a surprisingly pleasant package. The quirky Jimmy Darts box is a nice touch, reflecting the brand's commitment to supporting good causes. Inside, everything was neatly organized – bulbs, LED strip, controller, and power adapter – ready for quick setup.

Close-up of the Linkind smart bulb packaging with the Jimmy Darts branding.
Close-up of the Linkind smart bulb packaging with the Jimmy Darts branding.

The packaging itself, while simple, conveyed a sense of quality and functionality. It's a testament to the brand’s focus on creating a user-friendly experience from the very beginning.

Shot of the contents of the packaging: bulbs, LED strip, controller, and power adapter.
Shot of the contents of the packaging: bulbs, LED strip, controller, and power adapter.

Easy Installation and Setup

Installation was a breeze. The E27 bulbs screwed in just like any standard bulb, and connecting the LED strip to the controller and power adapter was equally straightforward. The whole process took just a few minutes.

Close-up of the E27 bulb being screwed into a lamp socket.
Close-up of the E27 bulb being screwed into a lamp socket.

This simplicity is a huge plus for those who aren't technically inclined. The intuitive design makes getting started with smart lighting effortless.

View of the LED strip being connected to the controller.
View of the LED strip being connected to the controller.

Matter Compatibility and Connectivity

These Linkind lights are fully Matter certified, meaning they seamlessly integrate with various smart home ecosystems including Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Home Assistant. One setup truly does rule them all.

Screenshot showing the bulbs and LED strip connected to a smart home system.
Screenshot showing the bulbs and LED strip connected to a smart home system.

A standout feature is dual-mode support with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This ensures control even if your Wi-Fi goes down, offering reliable operation through Bluetooth connectivity.

Image highlighting the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity features.
Image highlighting the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity features.

App Control and Features

The accompanying app simplifies managing multiple lights. Automatic device detection eliminates the need for individual bulb pairing. Simply select the devices and click pair.

Screenshot showcasing the app's color and brightness controls.
Screenshot showcasing the app's color and brightness controls.

The app provides comprehensive control: adjusting color, brightness, selecting presets (mimicking sunsets, horror movie scenes, etc.), and creating scenes/automations (circadian rhythm lighting, wake-up lights, evening light fades).

Home Assistant Integration and Advanced Automation

Integration with Home Assistant was remarkably easy, using the Matter integration. Once connected, the full power of Home Assistant’s automation capabilities becomes available.

Screenshot of the lights displayed within the Home Assistant interface.
Screenshot of the lights displayed within the Home Assistant interface.

This opens up a world of possibilities: color-changing based on weather, mood lighting triggered by Netflix, alerts via blinking lights (e.g., for unread emails). The only limit is your imagination.

Example of Home Assistant automation – mood lighting triggered by Netflix.
Example of Home Assistant automation – mood lighting triggered by Netflix.

Music Sync and Additional Features

The music sync mode adds a fun dimension, transforming the lights into a personalized disco. You can choose sync or async modes for different lighting effects.

Screenshot showing the music sync mode in action.
Screenshot showing the music sync mode in action.

Other notable features include high CRI (over 90 for vibrant colors), scheduling options, scene creation, and compatibility with various IoT devices.

Highlighting the high CRI (over 90) feature of the bulbs.
Highlighting the high CRI (over 90) feature of the bulbs.

Conclusion: Are Linkind Matter Smart Lights Worth It?

The Linkind Matter smart lights offer a compelling combination of reliability, colorful lighting options, broad smart home compatibility, and affordability. The dual-mode connectivity ensures consistent control, and Matter certification provides seamless integration across various ecosystems.

Mentioning the Jimmy Darts Kindness Campaign.
Mentioning the Jimmy Darts Kindness Campaign.

The ease of setup, intuitive app, and extensive automation capabilities make them highly accessible and enjoyable to use. Whether you're a seasoned smart home enthusiast or a beginner, these lights deliver an impressive and satisfying experience. Supporting a good cause through the Jimmy Darts initiative is an added bonus.