ctrlspace
// Decorative, early on Thread, expensive

Nanoleaf

Light panels, bars and shapes aimed at making a wall into a feature. Nanoleaf was early to Thread and Matter, which makes the range more interesting technically than it first appears.

Why we use Nanoleaf

  • Genuine Thread and Matter support, and their mains-powered products act as Thread border routers or routers.
  • The panels do something no other lighting product does, and clients who want them really want them.
  • Local control through Matter or Thread, without a vendor cloud in the path.

Where we do not, and why

  • Expensive for the amount of usable light produced. This is decoration, not illumination.
  • The adhesive mounting is semi-permanent and unkind to painted walls.
  • Feature support outside the vendor app has historically lagged.

Pros and cons at a glance

Pros
  • Real Thread and Matter support
  • Distinctive decorative effect
  • Local control without a cloud account
  • Doubles as Thread network infrastructure
Cons
  • Poor light output per dollar
  • Wall mounting is semi-permanent
  • App-exclusive features
  • Niche appeal

The technical position

Main protocol
Thread and Matter, some Wi-Fi models
Local control
Yes
Vendor hub needed
No, a Thread border router
Home Assistant support
Good via Matter
Singapore availability
Available

Where it fits in a CtrlSpace build

Specified when a client wants the effect - a games room, a studio, a feature wall. We never count it as room lighting.

// Frequently asked

Nanoleaf, answered plainly

Do Nanoleaf panels work with Home Assistant?

Yes, over Matter or Thread, locally. Some vendor-app-only effects will not carry across, which is normal for Matter integrations.

Are they bright enough to light a room?

No. They are decorative. Plan real lighting separately and treat the panels as a feature.
// 7 more in this category

See others in lighting

Zigbee Philips Hue The best smart lighting, at the price you would expect Zigbee IKEA Honest value, modest ambitions Wi-Fi Yeelight Good value, tied to a cloud we would rather avoid Wi-Fi · open firmware WLED The best way to run addressable LED strip Wi-Fi · Bluetooth Govee Cheap and cheerful, and mostly cloud Wi-Fi · Matter Meross Budget devices, best in their Matter form Wi-Fi LIFX Excellent local API, awkward everything else

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