For many, smart lamps are the entry into the smart home world. It was the same with me over ten years ago when I installed my first Philips Hue Leds.
In the meantime, however, there are a number of alternatives, including from the Chinese Govee brand - often to a fraction of the price. But how good are the Govee lights, where are the weaknesses and is the purchase worth it?
I have now tested twelve different models from the manufacturer. Here is my experience report after over two years.
Govee as Philips Hue alternative-an overview
Before I introduce you to the individual lamps in detail, a brief overview: What is Govee at first, and why is the brand often traded as a cheap Philips Hue alternative?
What is Govee?Govee is a Chinese company that specializes in smart LED lighting. In recent years, the brand has established itself as a serious competitor of Philips Hue - with versatile, colorful and, above all, cheaper products.
GOVEE now offers a huge selection: LED strips and bulbs, floor lamps, spot and floodlights, various fairy lights and even more unusual products such as light curtains and networks. The gaming range is also with decorative wall panels andAmbilight
-Alvel-like TV environmental lights grown steadily.
The biggest advantage of Govee?The price! While a colored Hue LED lamp with E27 version quickly costs 25 euros or more, there are comparable models from GOVEE for just under 10 euros. Light strips and the smart outdoor lights are also significantly cheaper and often cost half. But you have to make a few compromises - more on that later.
The 12 Govee lamps tested in detail: My experience
I tested that:I have used various in and outdoor lamps from Govee in the past two years, most of them over a longer period of time and in different seasons.
The outdoor lights in particular have taken everything through: rain, snow, storm and heat. But: Not everyone survived the weather. More on that.
Here briefly summarized my tested lamps. I have linked the products so that you can see which product I refer to because the names vary depending on the shop.
Light hoses & LED strips
LED strips are among my favorite products because they can be used flexibly. TheLight Strip M1is very thin and flexible. For me, he ensures a pleasant, indirect light at the workplace at the back of the desk.
Brightness, color intensity and even illumination already have me in mineTestconvinced. Here I cannot see any difference to the more expensive Hue counterpart.
Lölich: After two years, the self -adhering adhesive strip still lasts like on the first day. In the meantime, the M1 is no longer in the range, but oneAlternativethat works similarly.
TheIndoor-neon light hoseIs more robust and shines even more even, but is less flexible. The assembly is particularly tricky around corners. For me, it is the ideal solution for a visible mood light, whereas I would like to lay the Light Strip (M1) rather invisibly.
TheRGBIC outdoor light stripesWith a length of ten meters, I have been a terrace lighting for two years. Regardless of whether it is freezing cold winter, pounding rain or summer heat: it still works without any problems (although my son has often stumbled over it).
I also like the very even lighting here. The luminosity is more than sufficient, I usually only have it in operation at 30-50 percent brightness. Due to the fantastic colors, strong luminosity and robust production, it is one of my favorites from Govee.
Smarte Indoor lamps
The dimmableFloor lamp 2Is a modern, minimalist lamp with very good color rendering and brightness. Here, too, the lighting is even, the color gradient is almost fluid.
Cool: The base also shines, which throws a nice shimmer on the floor. With the remote control, the lamp can be dimmed and change between cold and warm white by colors. Unlike, for example, with the light lamps, cooler color gradients cannot be switched on with the remote control in the floor lamp. You have to use the app for this.
Minimalistic chic and yet fluorescent: The Govee floor lamp makes a good impression.
DieChristmas tree lightingis also extremely recommended. I particularly like the selection of given scenes and the music recognition that make the lights glitter with Jingle Bells.
SmartOutdoor lighting
With the outdoor lamps, on the other hand, I have not only had positive experiences. During theNeon light hoseAs already mentioned, my favorites have been mentioned, both theLED floodlightsas well as the15 meter long light chainadopted. Apparently, moisture has penetrated the switch in autumn and caused a defect. This should not happen with an outdoor product with IP65 protection type (water resistant).
However, Govee was accommodating and sent me a free replacement. In addition, there is now a new version of the astated chain of lights, but I have not yet been able to test.
Also annoying: theGovee Icicle LightsAlso have a quirk - sometimes only part of the light chain shines. I therefore cannot recommend it.
Both the very light ones holdLED-Spotlightsas well as the30 meter long RGBIC outside light chainover two years. Due to their length, the latter is particularly suitable for garden sheds.
Long-term: Incidentally, diverse accessories are included with all outdoor lamps from GOVEE. With light hose, for example, you have the choice between double -sided adhesive tape and plastic wedges that you can ram into the ground.
More unusual lamps
DieCurtainlumsCan you attach to the inside in front of your window, but with me they were always used outside - most recently as an optical accompaniment for Christmas and New Year's Eve. The second version has better brightness and more effects. Depending on the motif, the curtains are so light that you need no other light source in a dark room (for example after sunset).
There are now many animated templates in the app, but not all image motifs are easy to see. For a version 3, Govee should also add small weights so that the light threads do not flutter in the wind. Rain and cold kept both curtains without any problems.
TheStar light projectorCorrect beautiful wave patterns on the ceiling and almost fills the entire room. You can relax wonderfully with the different sounds such as pounding rain, cracking fire or rushing wind.
Nevertheless, I am disappointed here by the Govee scenes in the app. They all look far too similar. In addition, a remote control would have been nice. To switch, you have to operate the buttons on the projector, which are not easy to recognize and feel in the dark.
My experience with Govee's customer support
As already mentioned, two outdoor lamps broke me. The support was accommodating here:
- In the first case, the product was replaced without comment
- In the second case, I should turn a short evidence video so that the lamp cannot be switched on (after that the product was replaced).
However, both defects were also within the2-year guaranteevon govee.
In both cases, communication was quick and friendly. The new lamps were delivered to me within seven days.
Strengths and weaknesses of Govee
After two years with Govee lamps, I have a fairly clear picture of where the brand shines and where it still has improvement potential.
Strengthen: What Govee does really well
Excellent color rendering and high luminosity: Thanks to RGBIC technology, GOVEE offers lively colors and liquid color processes. On paper you cannot hand the HUE lights to the water, but in practice you can actually see no difference.
Diverse light scenes with regular updates: Depending on the lamps, the Govee app offers up to 100 scenes, from relaxing color gradients to disco-like lighting effects. New new ones are added with updates.
Simple furnishings without bridge: The installation is child's play and doesn't even need a tax hub. Simply pair the lamps via Bluetooth and then feed it into the WLAN with your cell phone. The lamps can already be controlled anywhere in WLAN. At Philips Hue, on the other hand, you can set up individual lamps without bridge, but then only a maximum of 10 pieces and not control them from anywhere.
Good app control with music recognition: The app is extremely extensive and allows many adjustments. For example, I have one on my light curtain40
written for my neighbor's 40th birthday. The music recognition, in which the light pulsates to match the sound, also works surprisingly well for all compatible products.
Cheaper than Philips Hue: The biggest plus: price-performance. Govee often costs half or less compared to Hue - with similar or even better color rendering.
Weaknesses: Where Govee still has to improve
Overloaded app, difficult operation in automations: The app can do a lot, but is not always intuitive. In the meantime, it is so overloaded that some important attitudes are being searched for forever. The latest update has banished the schedules and automations in submenus, where I would never have suspected. That is better!
Sometimes lack of weather resistance in outdoor products: Some outdoor products (e.g. fairy lights) are not as robust as I would have liked it. The cold and damp seasons did not survive two products. I don't rule out a mistake for myself, but that shouldn't happen.
No native homekit integration without workarounds: As an Apple user, this is my biggest criticism: Govee does not support a direct connection to Apple Homekit. Integration is possible via matter, but you need a compatible hub (Apple TV 4K, HomePod Mini) and it is always freaky.
Conclusion: Is Govee worthwhile as Philips Hue alternative?
After two years with Govee I can say:Yes, Govee is a good alternative to Philips Hue - but with restrictions.
The lamps are sometimes significantly cheaper than with Philips Hue, but I also had two defects for twelve products. However, these were exchanged after a short evidence video.
Who is Govee better choice for?
- If you are looking for cheap but powerful smart lighting without building a whole smart home system.
- If you want cool lighting effects, color transitions and music synchronization
- If you do not use Apple Homekit or be ready to use workarounds.
When is Philips Hue more worthwhile?
- If your value places even higher quality workmanship and/or the HomeKit support.
- If you want to control your home via a uniform system and prefer accessories such as light switches or smart sockets.
Do I stay with Govee or do I return to Hue?
I willFurthermore a mix of both use. Govee remains my first choice for LED strips, outdoor lights and creative lighting. Here the automated Govee app is enough for me. For normal lamps and reliable smart home integration, I continue to rely on Philips Hue in combination with various light switches and reliable voice control via Siri.
