ctrlspace
// The best way to run addressable LED strip

WLED

Open-source firmware for ESP controllers driving addressable LED strip. It is not a product you buy in a box, and it is the single highest-impact, lowest-cost thing in smart lighting.

Why we use WLED

  • Completely local, with a native Home Assistant integration and no cloud anywhere.
  • Effects, segments and per-pixel control that no consumer strip product comes close to.
  • Cove lighting, stair lighting, under-cabinet and TV bias lighting all become possible for the cost of strip, a driver and a small controller.
  • Open source and actively developed, so it does not depend on a company staying interested.

Where we do not, and why

  • It is a build, not a purchase. Strip, power supply, controller and injection points all have to be specified correctly.
  • Power supply sizing and voltage drop are real engineering considerations on a long run, and getting them wrong looks bad and runs hot.
  • Not something we would leave a homeowner to extend without guidance.

Pros and cons at a glance

Pros
  • Fully local, native Home Assistant integration
  • Per-pixel control and a huge effects library
  • Very low hardware cost for the visual impact
  • Open source and long-lived
Cons
  • Requires proper design, not just purchase
  • Power supply and voltage drop must be calculated
  • No consumer warranty on a built controller
  • Overkill for a simple single-colour strip

The technical position

Main protocol
Wi-Fi, native ESP firmware
Local control
Yes, completely
Vendor hub needed
No
Home Assistant support
Native integration
Singapore availability
Components widely available

Where it fits in a CtrlSpace build

Every cove, stair run, under-cabinet detail and TV bias light we install. It is where a modest budget produces the most visible result, and it is entirely local.

// Frequently asked

WLED, answered plainly

Is WLED reliable enough for a permanent installation?

Yes, when the power supply is sized correctly and the controller is mounted properly. The firmware is mature and widely deployed. The failures we see in other people's installations are almost always power design, not software.

Can I use WLED with an existing LED strip?

Only if it is addressable - a strip with an individually controllable chip per pixel or per group. Plain single-colour or RGB strip needs a conventional dimmer or controller instead.
// 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 Thread · Matter Nanoleaf Decorative, early on Thread, expensive 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

Not sure what belongs in your home?

We do not sell hardware or carry brands. Bring your list to a design session and we will tell you what is worth buying, what you already own that can stay, and what to skip.

Book a design session See every brand