
If you prefer to work, play, watch movies, meditate, or relax with ambient light, smart light bars are a must. The best smart lights also have a music sync feature that changes with the beat of whatever music you’re playing. Smart light bars can be mounted in different positions on the wall, behind screens or on tables for captivating results.
What to look for in a smart light bar
When shopping for a smart light bar, it’s important to consider some of the key factors that can affect your experience, such as:
- Ease of installation: Smart light bars are generally easy to install. Some can be installed with strong adhesives or screen mounting brackets. They can also be installed on a table mount bracket and often require wiring that you can usually do yourself.
- application support: Smart light bars usually come with dedicated Android/iOS apps with which you can control features like scene modes, brightness, time, music modes, and more. Some also come with a remote control.
- voice control: Not all smart light bars have a voice control feature. However, the best smart light bars often come with Alexa and Google Assistant support. Some, like the premium Philips Hue Play White and Color Ambiance lightbar, also support HomeKit and SmartThings.
- scene modes: The best smart light bars support preset or DIY mood lighting with different scene modes or changing colors. The more scene modes that are supported, the more variety, depth, and color you can experience.
- music sync: Using built-in microphones and Bluetooth connectivity, the best smart light bars can sync up and change color to the beat of whatever song you play. Rhythmically changing scenes can enhance entertainment, but are not recommended for people with photosensitive epilepsy.
Best Overall: Govee H6053 RGBWW Smart Light Bar

advantages
- ✓ Affordable, High-Quality Smart Light Bars
- ✓ 12 scene modes with four music modes supported
- ✓ Bluetooth compatible with music synchronization
Cons
- ✗ No built-in compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant
Govee produces high-quality outdoor smart lights, TV backlights, wall light strips, and other essential smart lights for your office desk, gaming setup, TV, or living room. For the best smart light bars, you can hardly go wrong with the Govee H6053 RGBWW Smart Light Bars. Whether you want a fireplace feel or a sunset, you can count on this pair of app-controlled smart light bars.
It’s easy to install, calibrate and operate, just like the Govee Flow Plus Smart Light Bar. The bars come in pairs with Bluetooth connectivity, but they are not compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. However, you can buy a Govee Smart Switch and pair it with Alexa. Supports 12 dynamic scene modes, light effects, and four music modes. It can be mounted vertically, horizontally or behind screens.
better overall
Govee H6053 RGBWW Smart Light Bar
The Govee H6053 RGBWW Smart Light Bar is versatile, supporting 12 dynamic scene modes, light effects, and four music modes, among other features.
Best Budget: APEKX Indoor RGB Smart LED Light Bar

advantages
- ✓ Economic Smart Light Bar
- ✓ 16 colors, 10 brightness levels and four scene modes
- ✓ Bluetooth compatible with music sync support
Cons
- ✗ Alexa and the Google Assistant are not compatible
If you want a good quality and even more affordable smart light bar (than the Govee H6053 smart light bar), then we recommend APEKX Indoor RGB Smart LED Light Bar, which is economical. It’s one of the best smart light bars you can get for under $20. Unlike the Govee H6053, though, it doesn’t come in pairs.
This smart light bar supports 16 colors, 10 brightness levels and four lighting modes, and is controlled remotely and via an app. It also has a Bluetooth-enabled Dynamic Audio Sync feature that syncs and changes with the beat of your music, making it ideal for gaming, movies, parties, and other indoor use. It comes with a bracket and can be mounted in a variety of positions.
best quote
Best Premium: Philips Hue Play White and Color Smart Light Bars

advantages
- ✓ Superb smart light bars for great results
- ✓ Multiple colors, lighting options and scene modes, with music sync supported
- ✓ Compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant/Nest and Samsung SmartThings
Cons
- ✗ Expensive smart light bars that require a Philips Hue Hub (sold separately)
If you can afford to spend more on a smart light bar (and a Philips Hue Hub), then the Philips Hue Play White and Color Smart Light Bar is the best smart light bar for you. Although Philips Hue smart lights are generally expensive, this is our top recommendation for the best premium smart light bar for a reason. Sold in pairs, it comes equipped with enough bells and whistles to light up your world.
It is compatible with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant/Nest products, and Samsung SmartThings. Easy to set up and operate, it lets you connect up to three Hue Plays to enhance your TV, monitor, or space backdrop with the loveliest colors. Supports multiple scene modes and lighting modes, with music sync and different location positions.
Best Premium
Best for Gaming and Music: Sengled RGBW Smart Light Bars

advantages
- ✓ Quality smart lightbars for games, music and movies
- ✓ Supports multiple colors, lighting, and scene modes.
- ✓ Alexa and Google Assistant compatible with music sync support
Cons
- ✗ Setup requires some work
If you’re looking for the best smart light bars specifically for gaming and music, we recommend the Sengled RGBW Smart Light Bars. This option is lower in price than the Philips Hue Play White and Color Ambiance Light Bars, but can give you good value for money. Support 27 preset modes for ambient movies, music and games.
Also app-controlled (with a dynamic multifunctional app), this pair of quality smart light bars supports Wi-Fi connectivity and can be voice controlled with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also features highly sensitive microphones that allow it to perfectly sync with music and movies for the best audiovisual experiences. You can place the bars in different positions for maximum effect.
Best for games and music
Best for Wall Mounting: Govee Glide RGBIC Smart Wall Light

advantages
- ✓ Solid smart lights for any wall in your home, office or living space
- ✓ Supports up to 76 colors (per time), 40 dynamic scene modes and 12 music modes
- ✓ Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- ✗ Expensive
- ✗ Cannot be mounted on a stand
If you have small children in the house and a low-profile TV mount, a vertically mounted smart light bar may not be right for you. Instead, you might want to go for a smart wall light. And one of the best smart wall lights that we recommend is the Govee Glide RGBIC Smart Wall Light. When we reviewed the Govee Glide RGBIC, we found it easy to install, eye-catching, and easy to control via apps.
Supports up to 76 colors with up to 40 dynamic scene modes to choose from. It comes in eight pieces and four corners, allowing you to install it in different places to create a beautiful and impressive environment while gaming or streaming. It also has built-in microphones to sync music with up to 12 supported vibrant music modes. You can also opt for Govee Glide hexagonal light panels or other affordable alternatives to Philips Hue light strips.
Best for wall mounting.