Govee has successfully innovated all types of smart lights, so it was only natural for them to take on LED bulbs intended for curtains. Govee Curtain Lights are premium string lights that hang on top of curtains, but can also drape over garage doors or blank walls. The main attraction of these lights is that they can show illuminated artwork, logos, and patterns in great detail. Govee achieves this feat with a dense configuration of 520 bright LED beads that retain the same features of Govee's best smart lights.
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The Govee Curtain Lights have obvious appeal to gamers as perfect backdrops to a streaming setup. They also can unleash the creative side of users, becoming a large illuminated canvas to render digital art. However, the Curtain Lights are costly compared to most fairy or string lights, so they must meet some high expectations. Since connecting up to three of these kits is possible, Govee sent GameZXC two sets of Curtain Lights to evaluate their full potential.
Govee Curtain Lights
Govee Curtain Lights defy what was previously possible with outdoor/indoor string lights. The Curtain Lights are a generous 5 x 6.6 feet in size and include a high-density array of 520 LED bulbs. Once installed with double-sided tape, seamless nails, or hooks, the Curtain Lights feature over 107 dynamic scene modes which can display images suited for holiday gatherings or everyday mood lighting. Users can upload GIFs to display on the Curtain lights or design scenes from scratch in the Govee Home app's DIY mode.
- Brand
- Govee
- Integrations
- Amazon Alexa, Google Home
- Protocol
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Hub Required
- No
- Music Reactive
- Yes
- Multicolor Capable
- Yes
- Voltage
- 5
- Wattage
- 25
- Type
- String Lights
- Outdoor
- Yes
- Bright with a wide range of colors
- Three different installation methods
- Diverse selection of preset scenes
- Can be installed outdoors
- Easy to add additional sets of lights
- Preparing lights for installation is tedious
- Not the same visual impact when in close proximity
- Lights curl up and tangle easily
Contents of Package
The Curtain Lights ship in a compact rectangular box with the same color scheme as other Govee smart lights. As an example of what buyers can expect, the packaging shows a Govee logo projected in front of some typical curtains.
Installers will find the Curtain Lights wrapped up inside the box with ties and various parts. Among the components are a variety of hooks with small screws, a screwdriver, double-sided tape strips, seamless nails, a control box, and a power adapter. Since there are several different ways to secure the lights on curtains or walls, some of these parts may go unused.
Installation
In this instance, the Curtain Lights were installed on a wall with some trim or framing, making it easier to route them neatly. It's important to realize that a buyer doesn't need an appropriate set of curtains for the lights, but the background will impact the display somewhat. Flat white backdrops are ideal, and avoiding high-traffic areas is advised since the Curtain Lights are easily entangled. Patios and garage doors can also become homes for the lights because they are IP65-rated to withstand outdoor elements.
Govee allows buyers to hang the light strands with hooks on a curtain rod, use small nails, or opt for double-sided tape. The Curtain Lights are attached to a series of small plastic rectangular pieces that connect to hooks. They each require assembling front and back-facing pieces with tiny screws, so the process is rather time-consuming. Double-sided tape, like the strips included with Govee wall panel lights, seemed the most sensible choice in this setting. However, using them on every piece of white casing is probably overkill.
Hanging the lights took less time than preparing them for installation. Each set of Curtain Lights measures 6.5 feet wide and 4.9 feet long, so they can easily cover most windows. The light strands are rather lightweight, and the tape was enough to keep them securely on the wall. Regardless, compared to cheap fairy lights, the craftsmanship of the Curtain Lights is far superior, with each strand coming closer to the quality of LED light strips. Each set of Curtain Lights has a control box and power adapter, so it's wise to think about how to hide this wiring.
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Govee was kind enough to send two sets of Curtain Lights, so the additional lights were set up next to the first strand.
Software
Most Govee smart lights follow the same setup procedure, and the Curtain Lights don't stray far from this routine. The Govee Home app will scan a room for unpaired devices and then ask users to press a button on the control box to connect to the detected lights. As usual, the app can communicate with the lights via Bluetooth, but the new device will need a 2.4 GHz wireless network for functionality outside the software.
A buyer can purchase up to three sets of lights and splice them together in the app. The result is a larger canvas for elaborate patterns, given the fact that multiple lights can work in tandem with all supported features. On the other hand, not all of the suggested scenes will still appear in the app with additional Curtain Lights.
Govee keeps a consistent theme in its software across the Music, Color, Scene, and DIY modes available with many of its products. Users can set the lights to a single color, but most buyers will test them using the dozens of preset scenes available. The Curtain Lights can also become backdrops for concerts, reacting to the beats of the music.
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Gamers with experience designing lighting schemes for RGB keyboards or mice will jump at the chance to create new scenes in the DIY mode. However, small phone screens are not the easiest devices to create custom designs, and the process will seem intimidating to most users. Nevertheless, many Govee customers have mastered the routine, and their creations are available for download in the app. This is where the complexity of the crowded Govee Home software becomes frustrating, since it's not immediately clear how to find and apply these custom patterns. The Discover tab will eventually lead users to some forums where others have posted videos of light schemes, and it's then possible to apply them to the Curtain Lights.
Frustrations with navigating the Govee Home app aside, browsing the preset scenes divided into categories like Natural, Life, and Festival is straightforward. More importantly, the connection to the Curtain Lights never dropped when using the software, although one set of lights turned on randomly occasionally.
Once set up, the Curtain Lights can become accessible in Google Home or Alexa networks for voice commands and whole-home syncing. Sadly, Apple HomeKit is not an option, and at the moment, the Curtain Lights are not compatible with other Matter smart devices.
Performance
Considering their steep asking price, Govee feels pressured to impress with the Curtain Lights. Even with just one set of lights active, they make quite the statement with some definable designs. Still, the distance an observer is positioned from the lights will impact how easy it is to discern what's being looked at. With 520 bright LED bulbs, the Curtain Lights excel even alongside existing ambient light in a living or gaming room.
With both sets of Curtain Lights on, the full scope of their capabilities becomes apparent. Logos are a main attraction with these lights since it's an achievement not possible with wall panels or conventional LED strips.
Govee realizes that the Curtain Lights are popular accessories for streamers, and several of the preset patterns are gaming-oriented. The lights are also compatible with Razer Chroma-enabled mice and keyboards through a desktop app, so an entire PC rig can sync with this giant illuminated display. It may take a moment to figure out what the lights show, especially when a viewer is not using the Govee app.
Even non-gamers will appreciate the holiday images possible with the Curtain Lights, which can make neighbors jealous when displayed outside.
The range of colors exhibited by one of Govee's most recent inventions is outstanding, allowing scenes to have even more impact. With animated effects, the transitions between each light strand are fast and fluid, enabling objects like trains to fly across walls.
The Curtain Lights can also enhance movie watching, and Govee will occasionally release new effects for titles like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. DreamView enables a room full of compatible Govee lights to work together, which is intriguing when the Curtain Lights are paired with a screen mirroring kit like the TV Backlight 3 Lite.
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Despite being thicker than many fairy lights, the bottom of the strands on the Curtain Lights tend to curl up. This doesn't distract much from the overall display, but some buyers have resorted to hairdryers or discreet clips to keep the lights hanging straight. Wind is a major problem outdoors, so it's essential to securely affix all strands to a surface.
There is quite a bit of variety in the preset scenes, but the more detailed an image is, the more difficult it is for the lights to render it convincingly. The Curtain Lights are already pushing the budgets of some buyers to the limit, but having the strands even closer together in a future version would be beneficial.
Otherwise, there was little to complain about with how the Curtain Lights looked when in action. Music fans will find they react to tracks convincingly, with only a slight delay in responses to pulsating beats. The available scenes are diverse enough that the Curtain Lights can celebrate any occasion or set an appropriate mood for a room.
Conclusion
Govee Curtain Lights
Govee Curtain Lights defy what was previously possible with outdoor/indoor string lights. The Curtain Lights are a generous 5 x 6.6 feet in size and include a high-density array of 520 LED bulbs. Once installed with double-sided tape, seamless nails, or hooks, the Curtain Lights feature over 107 dynamic scene modes which can display images suited for holiday gatherings or everyday mood lighting. Users can upload GIFs to display on the Curtain lights or design scenes from scratch in the Govee Home app's DIY mode.
- Brand
- Govee
- Integrations
- Amazon Alexa, Google Home
- Protocol
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Hub Required
- No
- Music Reactive
- Yes
- Multicolor Capable
- Yes
- Voltage
- 5
- Wattage
- 25
- Type
- String Lights
- Outdoor
- Yes
- Bright with a wide range of colors
- Three different installation methods
- Diverse selection of preset scenes
- Can be installed outdoors
- Easy to add additional sets of lights
- Preparing lights for installation is tedious
- Not the same visual impact when in close proximity
- Lights curl up and tangle easily
The concept of hanging strands of lights on a curtain is not new, but Govee has once again elevated a smart lighting experience. With the Curtain Lights, buyers can decorate curtains and walls with designs detailed enough for logos and artwork. The installation begins with a slow sequence of attaching hooks, nails, or double-sided tape to the top of the strands, but the many options allow the lights to hang almost anywhere. Weatherproof hardware opens up new possibilities to illuminate larger outdoor areas with less effort than hanging traditional string lights and bulbs.
Govee's Curtain Lights can display more elaborate patterns than wall panel lights or traditional LED light strips. Fortunately, Govee delivers for users who aren't so creative, with dozens of preset scenes for every occasion or mood. For those buyers who are more courageous, the Govee Home app's somewhat intimidating DIY section allows them to upload image files or create lighting schemes from scratch.
The Curtain Lights are another step forward in smart lighting, but aren't perfect in their current form. While more substantial than most fairy lights, the beaded strands of these Govee lights are still prone to tangles and curls. Also, a viewer must be more than a few feet away from the lights to recognize pixel art-inspired designs. Still, the splendor of the Curtain Lights overshadows any of these drawbacks.
Pricey but capable of showstopping effects, the Govee Curtain Lights are a simple way to illuminate drab curtains or walls.
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Twinkly Curtain lights are one of the few premium alternatives to the Govee Curtain Lights. These Twinkly brand lights are nearly the same size, but only have 210 RGB+W LED bulbs, compared to the 520 beads in Govee's lights. The result is Twinkly Curtain lights struggle to display the intricate patterns of Govee Curtain lights. However, brightness is excellent, colors are vibrant, and unlike most Govee products, Twinkly lights are compatible with Apple HomeKit.
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Marketplaces like Amazon are full of inexpensive fairy lights like the Twinkle Star Curtain String Lights. These budget lights cover a larger area than Twinkly or Govee Curtain, but lack native Google or Alexa functionality. In addition to controlling the Twinkle Starlights with a control box, the lighting effects are simplistic, with eight preset modes. Still, buyers can connect them to smart plugs, and they are a far more economical way to cover entire patios or rooms.
Buyers can also think outside the box and wrap conventional string lights around curtains. The Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Holiday String Lights include over 65 feet of LED lighting for a reasonable price, considering the quality of Nanoleaf smart lights. These string lights offer similar smart home functionality as Govee Curtain Lights and can sync with other Nanoleaf lights or Matter-enabled smart devices. GameZXC's review of the Nanoleaf Holiday String Lights found that the lights were especially impressive with their color accuracy. Displaying logos is impossible, but there are many dynamic scenes to choose from, and the animations are impressive.
FAQ
Q: Is Govee WiFi or Bluetooth?
Most Govee smart lights pair with mobile phones using Bluetooth during and after the setup process. However, for more control of the lights outside of the Govee Home app, it's highly recommended to connect them to a 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
Q: Can you connect two Govee Curtain Lights together?
Buyers can connect up to three Govee Curtain Lights together using device splicing in the Govee Home app. Users can then program them to display large logos and scenes spread across all three Curtain Lights.
Q: Do all RGB lights in a gaming room need to be made by the same brand to work together?
Although it's usually simpler if all the RGB lights in a gaming room are made by the same manufacturer, there are smart home platforms and software solutions that can integrate many different types of devices into one ecosystem.