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Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit
The Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit light panels are expensive, but they’re the real deal when setting the mood in your den, dining room, or bedroom.
Nanoleaf is a household name in the smart lighting industry with its impressive, interactive, and high-tech panels. The Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit line is an improved version of its already-unique smart gadget line.
The Hexagon’s first shape panel series is an incredible upgrade to its earlier models (the ones with old loose connectors). Plus, it also boasts a refined installation process that ensures you can get it done yourself.
Set your home mood with a beautifully animated lighting scene, a smart touch action, and unique integrations like the Apple Home kits, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa.
Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit Features
The introduction of Hexagon has revolutionized the Nanoleaf Shapes series with its excellent smart technology.
Like other Shapes series, Hexagon has three key innovations over the canvas and light panels.
First, Shapes panels come with new, more secure, lockable “links” compared to the old slide-in connectors in the previous releases.
Furthermore, Shapes panels boast separate snap-on mounting plates, which saves you from the stress of screwing or taping the light panels on the wall.
What’s more, the shapes series will be more compatible with other smart home devices, unlike the Canvas squares and light panels, which cannot be connected.
Its power supply system supports up to 21 panels, so you can get extra packs and add to your favorite design.
The setup process is pretty seamless: attach the panels with plasticky linkers, then stick each panel to the wall using the included double-sided foam fixing pads.
This makes the Nanoleaf Shapes cheap, considering their price, and it works well. However, you can choose to get a screw mount kit.
Once you’ve set it up physically, the app walks you through the steps to get started, and it won’t take long to start lifting the mood in your room.
Considering the intense light emitted from these panels, you won’t need the maximum brightness.
Exploring the features physically is excellent, but the in-app experience is second to none. You can utilize the smart bulb’s potential by poking around the app.
Nanoleaf shapes are more exciting to use than a typical smart light bulb.
While you’ll struggle with some complex settings and occasional WiFi connection loss, it’s unbelievable how much the Nanoleaf shapes can light up your room.
Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit Specifications
Unlike the slide-on connectors on previous panels, Nanoleaf used a much more snap-on link to connect the Hexagon panels.
From side to side, the hexagon panels measure 8 inches, and 9 inches if you measure from a corner.
Weighing in about half a pound, the panels are light and durable.
Each Hexagon panel produces 100 lumens in brightness.
That said, the Nanoleaf light panel focuses more on mood and decoration.
When it comes to color temperature, you can tune the Hexagon from a warm 1,500-degree kelvin to a cooler 6,000-degree kelvin, and it can shine in 16 million colors or more.
The panels are designed to last up to 25,000 hours, so you can be assured they will last a very long time.
You connect this indoor-only panel to a 2.4GHz WiFi network without the help of a smart home hub.
Prices and Availability
The Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit is available on Amazon and other online retailers, including directly from Nanoleaf. Their demand is exceptionally high, making them run out of stock regularly in the United States. They are not cheap, with the seven-panel kit coming in at around $199.
With this kit, you’ll get a seven-panel starter kit along with an adapter, a snap-on controller, adhesive tape, sufficient mounting plates, and links for panel installation on the wall.
If you need to boost your light display, you can purchase an additional three-panel expansion.
Design
Unpacking the Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit right out of the box, you’ll notice several plastic panels. The panels don’t look too eye-appealing when off.
Each panel has oversized foam-fixing pads and a swivel connector at the back. This makes it easier for you to remove the panel from the wall.
In addition to the panels are a series of plastic linkers which helps to connect the panels alongside the controller and power supply.
The controller unit has a series of buttons, including the pairing switch, power switch, and + and – switches to control brightness.
Set Up
My assumption was that running a physical test would be the best way to explore the Nanoleaf Shapes design. Wrong!
Using the Nanoleaf app to set up a layout and follow it on the wall is easier and more efficient.
Regardless of the method you use, the plastic linkers are fantastic in helping to click the panels together. However, they can be delicate to handle so take care during installation. Everything was fine during our test run, but we were extra careful to avoid damaging anything.
As you clamp your hexagonal shapes on the wall, remove the foam fixing pads before you hold the panel firm to the wall.
Remember not to place the panel on a wallpapered area or on any material that can disrupt the stickiness of the pads. Get a wall-mounted kit if you’re looking for a more reliable option.
Everything got more sturdy when we assembled the pieces on the wall. The weight of the controller unit and power supply cable tilted the first panel down, but everything was normal when we attached more panels.
Once you complete the physical assembly of the product, it takes only a few minutes to get everything set up on the app. The app truly makes setup a breeze.
A unique feature of this smart lighting system is that the hardware and app can identify the design you created, displaying it on the app while helping to create the right scene for you.
The only downside is that there may be occasional loss of connection between the app and the light panel, and you may have to start everything over again by unplugging the controller unit. This happens only once in a blue moon, and it’s not uncommon among smart home devices. I mean, how often do you find yourself having to reset your Wi-Fi router?
Smart Lighting
Like most popular smart light bulbs like Philips Hue or GE CYNC, the Nanoleaf Shapes can be connected directly to your TV to reflect on-screen activities; you can place the lights behind the TV.
And lastly, the Nanoleaf Shapes are compatible with many smart devices, including Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Home Kit. IFTTT support eases the navigation process as it enables you to set up key shortcuts.
App Performance
You can explore many features of the Nanoleaf Shapes via the app.
And they’re super easy to use. For instance, there are arrays of presets for different situations. Of course, the app allows you to create a personalized layout to reflect the beauty of your room.
This smart light’s ability to set a schedule is a great feature. When testing the light, I set up a timer to help me wake up early. The panels slowly turn on with a pleasant brightness to wake me up according to the timer settings.
It’s a fun way to wake up, so kids will love this. If you want to wake up your little ones in a more convenient way than doing it yourself, I recommend giving this set a try.
The app has an in-store tutorial that guides you through the set up process (this is amazingly important when creating layered scenes).
The Nanoleaf Shapes are super easy to customize, and they give you the flexibility to make any design you can think of.
Should I Purchase the Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit?
The Nanoleaf Shapes come with an incredible array of features. At the least, it can be set up to display certain types of lights, illuminating your room brighter than any smart light system.
Understandably, Hexagon Shapes aren’t for everyone. Their “soft edges” can be discouraging for someone looking for “nice clean lines.” We didn’t care during our test, as it still looked great. However, if your priority is “sharp looks,” it’s worth considering another option such as the Govee Glide Hexa Light Panels.
This smart bulb system also features a music visualizer in which the light synchronizes with the music you’re playing from an audio device in your room. Just make sure the volume is not low.
If you have kids who like to poke things, install games that use touch control on their panels.
Purchase the Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit if…
You want an upgrade to your room
Like elegant furniture, the Nanoleaf Shapes instantly give your room an outstanding look and feel.
While this simple upgrade, the lighting looks sophisticated and attractive. It’s an easy way to elevate the mood in any space.
These fantastic panels can also liven up your kid’s room. They’ll enjoy communicating with them, and the schedulers and timers can help them feel safer at night.
You’re looking for a grander option than light bulbs
If you’re looking for a grander option than the typical lightbulbs, smart lighting is the real deal, and the Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit is an excellent option. It’s also super easy to install compared to light strips.
Don’t Purchase the Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit if…
You’re on a tight budget
As mentioned earlier, the Nanoleaf Shapes don’t come at a cheap price. That could be an issue for some, considering the cost of buying extra panels and the possible need for a wall-mounting kit. The smart lighting is premium grade quality, and so is the price.
Bottom Line
Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit
The Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit light panels are expensive, but they’re the real deal when setting the mood in your den, dining room, or bedroom.
Yes, the Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit is a bit pricy, but it’s the real deal when it comes to setting the mood in your den, dining room, or bedroom.
They’re easy to install and configure and support most smart home devices.
I never thought I’d need the Hexagons on my office wall, but now I can’t live without them!
NOTE: All prices mentioned in this review are as of the date of publication.
