Copyright © 2022, Quiller Media, Inc.
AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.
If you're looking for unique lighting solutions for your home, Govee's Lyra corner lamp and StarPal table lamp are great ways to incorporate RGB LEDs into your favorite spaces.
Most of us are aware of LED light strips — and many of us have incorporated them into our homes. However, while we love them, there's no denying that they can look a bit lackluster when left out in the open.
To cover for this shortcoming, we often hide light strips behind monitors, TVs, headboards, and even under kitchen cabinets, so we can see the light but not what produces it.
However, there are times when you might want to add a pop of color out in the open. Sure, you could throw a color-changing LED into a table lamp, but there are other options.
Govee has provided two such alternatives. The first, Govee's StarPal, is a small portable table lamp designed to fit in nearly any space.
The second is the Lyra, a striking statement floor lamp designed to cast color across your walls with its unique corner design.
Before delving into the lights themselves, let's take a moment to discuss the app that makes the lights work — the Govee App.
The app, as we've talked about in the past, is fantastic. Not only is it easy to use, but it's also packed to the gills with features.
For example, it has times, the ability to create your own lighting schemes, dimming options, and more.
If you're not into creating your own schemes, you can pick from more than 30 presets the app has that includes simple animated scenes to more elaborate presets. There's even presets for things like a nightlight mode.
Frustratingly, though, you still cannot dim many preset animated scenes the same way you can for single-color options. This means some presets are extraordinarily bright, even when dropped down to the lowest setting.
Still, for the most part, we enjoy the Govee app.
Important: Govee's products are not currently compatible with HomeKit. While there are quite a few smart home-oriented features, you just can't use them with Apple's platform.
If you're in the market for a small tabletop lamp, you might want to look at Govee's Portable Table Lamp. Govee sometimes refers to it as the Govee StarPal.
Its small size makes it easy to place on a bedside table, an end table, or in the corner of a room. In addition, its high level of diffusion makes for a beautiful ambient light that doesn't produce any "hot spots" of brightness.
Unlike many other customizable LED lights, the StarPal includes two kinds of white LEDs. It can produce a wide range of warm and cool whites, rather than the typical yellow-or-blue whites seen in cheaper brands.
The StarPal also has a built-in battery, making it an ideal companion for backyard game night or your next camping trip.
Govee claims that you can get up to 4.5 hours worth of use from a single charge, but that heavily depends on how you're using it. Any time you jack up the brightness, you will wind up with shorter battery life. The same goes for any animated color scenes.
On average, we got about two to two-and-a-half hours of use for animated color scenes on a medium to medium-high brightness.
Overall, it's a nice, small lamp with a decent price point. While we're still a little frustrated with the dimming features of certain scenes, it's still one of the better standalone LED lamps we've used.
If you're interested in grabbing your own Govee StarPal, you can get a Bluetooth and WiFi version from Amazon for $65.99. If you'd prefer a Bluetooth-only version, you can snag one for $49.99.
While it may not fit into everyone's decor, the Govee Lyra is a striking lamp that you can use to light up the corner of a room.
Setup is surprisingly easy, though advisable to do so in an area with a bit of space to spread out. A second set of hands also makes setup so much easier.
Like the StarPal, it has both warm and cool white LEDs, allowing you to pick your ideal color temperature between 2,200k and 6,500k.
Additionally, this is an RGBIC lamp, enabling multiple colors to be displayed on a strip at once. This allows for more blended gradients, a higher overall brightness, and a wider color range than traditional RBG strip lighting.
The Lyra also includes a remote, allowing you to control your lamp without requiring your phone. It magnetically snaps onto the lamp, too, so there's less chance of losing it.
For what it is, we like the Govee Lyra lamp. It's especially nice for dark corners that could use a bit of extra light.
It would also make for excellent lighting for a teenager's room, a man cave, or a home theater or gaming room.
There are currently two versions of the Govee Lyra available for purchase. If you want one that works with both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, it will run you $149.99. A cheaper Bluetooth-only version is available for $84.99
If a smart home device isn’t HomeKit compatible it shouldn’t be reviewed on this site.
Keychain Access is an Apple app in macOS that stores passwords and other login information — and it has a few features that go beyond iCloud Keychain. Here's how to get the most out of it.
On June 9, Apple dealer Simply Mac abruptly closed. Here's what happened, how service customers affected by the sudden shutdown can get help — and how to buy assets from the shuttered company.
Apple's AirTag has aided the return of a stolen SUV in Memphis, TN, by helping the owner and police locate the vehicle the morning after it was taken.
We have both M2 Macs here in our testing studio. We're comparing the M2 MacBook Air against the M2 MacBook Pro to see how they stack up and how much of a difference the thermal limitations make.
Master & Dynamic's MW75 are high-quality headphones offering ANC features, directly competing against Apple's AirPods Max. Here's how the premium personal audio accessories compare.
The new Surface Laptop Go 2 is a thin and light Windows notebook at a low cost, and has been positioned by Microsoft to be a competitor to Apple's latest M2 MacBook Air. Here's how the ultra-portable notebooks compare.
Just as we have in years past, we've gotten our hands on dummy units of all four of the iPhone 14 models to see how they line up with what the rumor mill is saying.
Apple's new M2 is the start of a new Apple Silicon generation. Here's how the M2 fares when compared against the already-released M1 family of chips.
Latest VMWare Fusion tech preview brings Windows 11 to Apple Silicon Macs
Best Buy's epic MacBook, iPad sale knocks up to $350 off Apple products, deals as low as $399
Hands on: Tandem t:slim X2's iPhone connected insulin delivery feature
Apple testing new App Store ad placements very soon
Doomed if it does, doomed if it doesn't — Apple will keep beating expectations
Breaking down Apple's tricky, 'gravity defying' $83 billion June quarter
Apple's HomePod mini dips to $89.95 during weekend sale
Amazon Drive is shutting down on December 31, 2023
Keychain Access is an Apple app in macOS that stores passwords and other login information — and it has a few features that go beyond iCloud Keychain. Here's how to get the most out of it.
On June 9, Apple dealer Simply Mac abruptly closed. Here's what happened, how service customers affected by the sudden shutdown can get help — and how to buy assets from the shuttered company.
Apple's AirTag has aided the return of a stolen SUV in Memphis, TN, by helping the owner and police locate the vehicle the morning after it was taken.
Apple's computers are powerful tools with fantastic displays. If you need more real estate, though, we've rounded up the best monitor for your Mac in 2022.
Apple has released the fourth beta of iOS 16 to developers and soon public beta testers. It contains a number of new changes as Apple prepares it for release. Here's what we've uncovered thus far.
When watchOS 9 launches for Apple Watch owners they'll receive a hearty array of updates to keep you fit including new workout types, more metrics, and improved customization.
If you're looking for Thunderbolt 4-compatible hubs and docks so that you can add more connectivity to your Mac, we've curated some of the best docking and port-expanding accessories currently on the market.
The Sonos Ray is a new budget-friendly offering from the premium audio maker that now has a more affordable soundbar that sits below the Beam and Arc.
The second-generation Eve Motion is better in almost any conceivable way for HomeKit users, but its design is tired and doesn't mesh with the company's other products.
Upgrade your everyday carry with a luxury organizer that can fit all your Apple gear, including your MacBook, iPad, AirPods, and more.
The Manfrotto CFexpress Professional CFexpress Type B card reader is a great utility tool for creative pros on Mac or iPad.
The SmartMi 2 air purifier has HomeKit smarts, UV sterilization, and good coverage. If not for a messy setup process, this would be a great purifier to add to your home.
Bellroy's Mod Case + Wallet may be the ultimate solution for those who want a great MagSafe iPhone case with a matching wallet as it fixes some of Apple's missteps.
AppleInsider is one of the few truly independent online publications left. If you love what we do, please consider a small donation to help us keep the lights on.
If you love AppleInsider and want to support independent publications, please consider a small donation.