Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit Review

If you have ever wanted a visual representation of your music, you need to check out the Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit.

It allows you to create a light show that responds to your music in any room. The kit is easy to set up, creates a cool ambiance in your home, and can be controlled using a number of different devices.

With that, not everyone had such a good experience with this kit. Some testers thought it should have more pre-set color and effects built-in, while a few testers had issues with the mounting adhesive, and others had connection problems.

Nonetheless, were these just a few instances or do they indicate a greater fault in the system? Let’s take a closer look at the Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit and find out.

Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit: The Details

Specs

• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 10.2 x 6.1 inches.
• Product Weight: 1.6 ounces.
• Product Type: Smart light show.
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa? Yes.

How Does It Work?

While the Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit may seem intimidating to those who aren’t the most technologically savvy, don’t worry! It’s easier than it looks.

It essentially exists as a swath of futuristic smart wallpaper, which flashes and alternates between colors in tempo with your music’s beat.

Once the components are unboxed, you can spread the light panels across whatever surface you’re working on. Plug them into a power outlet nearby and connect the remote to one of the panels. They will change from white to different colors.

Next, go to your smartphone and download the Nanoleaf Smart Series app. Add this new device when it prompts you. From there, the app will guide you through the process.

Now it’s time to set up the panels and create whatever design you prefer. First, tape the QR code to the wall you want to preview. After this, open the app and go to Layout Assistant.

You will be able to create a panel layout using the app, and then it will show you a preview on your wall. Next, you will recreate that design on the wall by sticking stencils in the right areas.

Use the adhesive included on the back of the stencils. Mark the wall lightly with a pencil, outlining where the panels will go. Now, when you put up the panels, you’ll know exactly where to locate them.

To install the panels, place the included 3M tape to the back of each panel. After this, locate the panel in the correct area based on your stencil, and hold for 30 seconds.

Next, you should install the Rhythm module. Plug the Rhythm into any free panel port and wait for the indicator light to stop blinking. Press the center triangle to turn it on and then press it again anytime you want to change the music scene.

From there, you can customize everything using the app. The app will also help you connect any voice-assistants you want to add to the Nanoleaf.

Now, once you play music, the module will pick up the ambient noise and make the panels change based on the beat. Pretty cool, right?

Nanoleaf: The Brand

Founded in 2012 by engineers Gimmy Chu, Tom Rodinger, and Christian Yan, the company launched its first two products, NanoLight and Nanoleaf Bloom, through a Kickstarter campaign.

They didn’t open their headquarters in Toronto, Canada, until 2015, and it took another year before they would launch the Nanoleaf Rhythm.

They introduced the Rhythm on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. It was then shown off in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The company primarily focuses on green LED lighting.

Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit Review

The Positives

Easy to Set Up

With something as unique and innovative as the Nanoleaf Rhythm, you would imagine it’s incredibly difficult to set up. Based on tester feedback, that is not the case.

Once everything is unboxed, it requires only a little work to download the app, figure out how to arrange the panels, and then mount them in their correct locations.

All in all, it takes less than an hour or two to get the Nanoleaf up and running. This all depends on where you’re mounting the panels and how complicated your design is though.

Once everything is mounted, you plug in the Rhythm module and you’re ready to go! You won’t need to be a tech expert or super handy to set this device up all your own or with some help from the fam.

Easy to Use

Once the Rhythm is set up, it’s very easy to use. The triangle panel, located in the center, works as a control center.

Here, you can cycle through the pre-sets or turn the Rhythm on or off. You can also utilize the remote included with the kit.

The kit comes with a range of different presets you can choose from, which alter the color of the panels and how they react to the beat of your music.

Testers also noted that the app works extremely well. It’s intuitive and easy to control.

However, you’re not limited to these established options; you can also create your own using the app. Once you’ve selected the pre-set you desire, turn on your music and watch as the panels change and flash to whatever song you’re playing.

Good Design

The “cool factor” of this product cannot be stated enough. Who wouldn’t want a custom-designed wall panel that changes color and flashes to the beat of their music?

Testers loved how Nanoleaf designed this kit. It’s simple, looks impressive, and will wow anyone you show it to. If you’re looking to make your friends jealous, this is a great way to do it.

The unique design of the Nanoleaf kit means it will fit into any home and any decor. Completely customizable, it’s perfect for the person who likes to be a trendsetter.

Adding the Nanoleaf to any space will not only give your home decor points, but it will easily help to add an overall fun (or relaxing) vibe to your environment.

Versatile

Since you can control the panels a multitude of different ways, this Nanoleaf kit is extremely versatile.

You can control it by tapping the middle panel, using the remote, or connecting it to Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, the Apple Home app, or IFTTT.

Additionally, because you can create your own presets, it can look however you want it to. Testers noted the colors are vibrant, creating an immersive experience.

Convenient 

Smart lights are meant to add a bit more convenience to your home, and the Nanoleaf Smarter Kit definitely assists with that.

By adding technology like voice controls, you won’t have to lift a finger whenever you want these lights to join the party. You can even schedule them to come on a certain time so you can set the mood right on schedule.

While they’re vibrant, they’re dimmable, so you can adjust these lights to just how you want it, and the type of ambiance you want your space to have.

Warranty

A warranty shows a company backs their product and cares about their customers. Nanoleaf does just that by offering a 2-year warranty with the Nanoleaf Smarter Kit.

This warranty is in place to protect customers against defective products. Should you find something to be wrong with your device, you’ll have two years to contact Nanoleaf for a replacement.

Customers will also have 30-days to return unused products should you purchase and decide it’s not really what you’re after.

As a bonus, their customer service department seems to be helpful and respectful, hoping to help when they can.

The Negatives

More Pre-Sets

While testers liked the pre-sets, a few of them would’ve appreciated more options.

They wanted to be capable of tying specific colors and effects to certain panels, or to assign different colors and effects for bass and treble.

Hopefully, as Nanoleaf expands, this will be something that becomes available.

Issues with Mounting Adhesive

A couple of testers also had issues mounting the panels onto their walls. They found that the adhesive included with the kit lacked strength.

This was not an overarching issue, so it could be user error or a couple of faulty batches of the adhesive. If you do end up having issues, 3M sells the same mounting adhesive at most stores.

Connection Issues

There were also a few connection issues.

Either the app wouldn’t connect to the panels all the time, which prevented users from controlling the kit from their phone, or the panels weren’t connecting to each other properly.

Make sure the connection between the panels is secure and that your Wi-Fi connection is steady.

Price

The price of the Nanoleaf Smarter Kit was another issue commonly brought up with this device. Some thought that paying hundreds of dollars was way too much for having smart lights in their home.

Taken into consideration the smart elements and the number of panels that come with this kit, the price is understandable. That being said, customers on a budget may not be thrilled.

If you’re looking to try the Nanoleaf, there are smaller kits and sets of panels available as well.

This video shows what the Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

After combing through all the positives and negatives, we highly recommend the Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit. It’s easy to set up, easy to use, and very cool! There is not much bad to say about this kit.

While a few testers had issues, the positive experiences far outweigh the negative ones. If you are looking for something to change up your music experience and wow your friends, give the Nanoleaf Rhythm a shot.

Where to Buy the Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit

Nanoleaf may be a newer company in the tech department, but they’re a popular brand with their product available at a wide variety of retailers.

Since being a feature on television, their brand has risen in fame, making the Nanoleaf Rhythm a sought after product around the globe.

Thanks to this brand’s success, the Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit won’t be hard to find both in-store and online. While it’s best to check tech and home department stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• Best Buy (from $179)
• The Home Depot (from $199)
• Apple (from $259)

And of course, you’ll also be able to find this smart lighting kit on Amazon.

That’s the end of our Nanoleaf Rhythm review. Tempted to give this item a try?