The days are getting shorter and the first string lights are going up. If you want to control your Christmas lights by app, voice or scene, you can now choose between classic string lights for the tree and permanently installed systems for the roofline. This guide shows how Philips Hue Festavia, the new SwitchBot Permanent Outdoor Lights, Nanoleaf Essentials and Govee differ, what to look for in terms of wireless standard, Matter and outdoor use, and what to think about before you buy.
The overview at a glance
| System | Design | Wireless and Matter | Indoor and outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips Hue Festavia | String lights, 8, 20 or 40 m (100, 250 or 500 LEDs) | Bluetooth and Zigbee, Matter via the Hue Bridge | indoor and outdoor (from model year 2023) |
| Hue Festavia Permanent | 18 m, 32 light points, white | Hue system | outdoor, permanent installation |
| SwitchBot Permanent Outdoor Lights | 30 m, 72 LEDs, 6 × 5 m | Matter over Wi-Fi, no SwitchBot Hub needed | outdoor, permanent installation |
| Nanoleaf Essentials Holiday String Lights | String lights with addressable LEDs | Matter over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | indoor and outdoor |
| Govee | several Christmas string lights, tree lights and curtains | Matter, Alexa and Google via the Govee Home app | depends on the model |
Philips Hue Festavia: the string lights for Hue homes
The Festavia comes in three lengths: 8 metres with 100 LEDs, 20 metres with 250 mini LEDs and 40 metres with 500 LEDs. It is the most expensive option in this comparison. From model year 2023, the Festavia is suitable for indoor and outdoor use: the string is rated IP54, the power supply IP44. Older Festavia strings from 2022 are meant for indoor use only.
The string connects via Bluetooth and Zigbee. You reach Matter platforms such as Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa through the Hue Bridge. The Hue speciality: you control three zones along the string for gradients in the Linear, Scattered and Mirrored styles, but individual LEDs cannot be addressed. According to Hue, the included power supply delivers 30 watts. A 20-metre string draws 14 watts, a 500-LED version 28 watts.
If you want to light up your facade all year round, Hue also offers the Festavia Permanent: 18 metres with 32 light points in white.
SwitchBot Permanent Outdoor Lights: permanent lighting without a hub
The SwitchBot Permanent Outdoor Lights are not classic string lights but a 30-metre system made of six 5-metre segments with 72 LEDs, designed for rooflines, garages and pergolas. They use Matter over Wi-Fi, so they don’t need a SwitchBot Hub, but they do need a Matter controller such as a HomePod mini or Apple TV. The light strings are rated IP67, the controller and power adapter IP65.
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Nanoleaf Essentials Holiday String Lights: Matter over Wi-Fi
Nanoleaf launched Matter string lights back in 2023. The Essentials Matter Smart Holiday String Lights connect via Matter over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth instead of Thread like the rest of the Essentials range. They are designed for indoor and outdoor use and have a microphone for music-reactive effects. To add them to Apple Home and similar platforms, you need a Matter controller. Lengths vary by retailer, so check the exact variant in the shop.
Govee: lots of variants, Matter in the Govee Home app
Govee offers a wide range: Christmas string lights for indoor and outdoor use, tree lights, curtains and icicle lights. Several models support Matter as well as Alexa and Google Assistant. The features available via Matter are usually more limited than in the manufacturer’s app, which offers scenes and music modes, for example. Before buying from Govee, check the length, the IP rating and whether the specific model supports Matter, because the product family is large and changes every year.
How to find the right smart Christmas lights
- You already use Hue: The Festavia fits into your system, and scenes, zones and automations work as usual. A bridge is required for Matter and the full feature set.
- You want to start without a hub: Matter over Wi-Fi from SwitchBot, Nanoleaf or Govee only needs Wi-Fi and a Matter controller, such as a HomePod mini or Apple TV.
- You don’t want to put them up and take them down every year: Permanently installed systems such as the SwitchBot Permanent Outdoor Lights or the Hue Festavia Permanent save you the ladder, but cost more.
- You’re decorating a tree: Hue recommends placing the free end of the string at the top of the tree and the power supply at the bottom.
Planning tips before you buy
- Check the IP rating: The light string and the power supply often have different IP ratings, such as IP54 or IP67 for the string and IP44 or IP65 for the power supply. Keep the power supply in a sheltered spot.
- Mind the power supply rating: With Hue, there is a limit of 30 watts per power supply. Add up the wattages before you connect several strings.
- Test your Wi-Fi outdoors: Matter-over-Wi-Fi lights need a stable signal where they are mounted.
- Schedules via a smart plug: For strings without smart features of their own, a weatherproof Matter plug is a good fit, such as the Aqara Outdoor Plug H2 EU. More options are in our smart plug overview.
Verdict
If you have Hue at home, the Festavia is the most convenient choice, but also the most expensive. If you want to start without an extra device, SwitchBot, Nanoleaf and Govee offer Matter-over-Wi-Fi solutions that suit a tree or a roofline depending on the model. For permanent facade lighting, SwitchBot and Hue are the options with a dedicated system. Decide on the location and the wireless standard first, then on the brand. You can find more lights in our smart lighting overview.
Disclaimer: All product names, logos and brands mentioned in this article are the property of their respective owners and are used for description and information purposes only. All information is based on official press releases and publicly available sources at the time of publication. No guarantee is given for the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information.
