These thin, flexible circuit boards are packed with small LED (light-emitting diode) lights that are controlled through an app and in most cases can also use your voice with a smart speaker.

We love that they can be bent, and some can be cut to size for use around a door frame, under a cabinet or anywhere else you want to add some color. Plus, they don’t use as much electricity as incandescent bulbs and will last for years.

Though some LED light strips display only one color at a time, others can show multiple colors or dance to the beat of music, allowing for endless combinations and hours of dazzling fun.

LED light strips can be installed just about anywhere you have a flat surface — under kitchen cabinets, on a back deck or patio railing or in a child’s bedroom — but it’s important to note that not all light strips work well in all locations. Some are for indoors only, while others are waterproof for use outside the home. Some light strips are better for entertainment use with their ability to pulse or change colors to the beat of the music.

Whether you want lights for a TV room or a cascade of color outside, here’s what to look for when purchasing a smart LED light strip.

Here are some important tips for you to choose the right LED strips.

Consider smart home integration

If you already own smart lights, you might want to consider strip lights from the same brand, especially if they require a hub or bridge. For instance, the ones that have Wi-Fi built in, so there’s no need for a hub. If you don’t already own one, you’ll be adding on the cost of the hub to the cost of the strips.

Make sure the light strips work with the smart home ecosystem you use, whether that’s Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit. Most work with Alexa and Google, but some are not compatible with Apple HomeKit. This is important so you can use your voice to control the light strips.

Think about location

Think about where you’re placing the light strips. Under a bed or inside a bookshelf, or outside on the deck? You can put them anywhere; your only limitation is the availability of a power outlet. If placing them in a bathroom, consider a water-resistant light strip in case it gets splashed or there’s a lot of moisture.

For outdoor use, look for one with at minimum an IP44 rating, meaning the strip can get wet and withstand jets of water. An IP65 rating means it can be exposed to all weather conditions.

Make sure your lights have something to reflect off. If you place them facing toward you, all you’ll see is LED lights. Unless you intend to use them to shine down and add direct light, place them facing away from you toward a wall or the ceiling so you’ll get that diffused effect you’re looking for.

Light strips are typically held in place with double-sided adhesive on the back of the strip, but some that have a heavier silicon coating or are a bit thicker and bulkier for waterproofing work better with the included mounts and screws. Be sure you’re able to use screws in whatever it is you’re mounting to before choosing this type.

The area will need to be prepped by cleaning it and wiping it down with an alcohol pad to ensure a proper hold, so make sure you have access to the entire area. Proper prep is what will keep the light strips in place.

Think about how you’ll use the lighting

Are the lights being used to create ambiance or for entertainment? This will help you decide whether to buy ones that can display segment colors and sync with music. If you’re looking for entertainment, make sure the strips have a built-in mic to pick up the sound. For ambiance, you don’t need anything more than a simple strip that shows one color at a time.

Measure twice

Light strips come in all different lengths, so it’s important to measure the area you want to cover before you make a purchase. Some strips can be cut, while others can’t, so measure twice to be sure. If you’re putting lights on the back of a TV or PC, you’ll want to choose a light strip that come in shorter lengths so there’s less waste if you need to cut to size. If you want to light the side of a wall or run it under a countertop, opt for the longer strip, but be sure there’s an outlet nearby for power.

Color and color temperature

Most of the multi-color light strips we looked at are RGB, which means they can display any combination of red, green and blue color. Typically, there are 16 million color combinations to choose from. There is no “true white” in RGB lights, but variations of white can be created.

If you’re looking for a truer white along with multiple colors, then get an RGBW light strip, which has a dedicated white LED alternating between the RGB diodes. These are typically a little more expensive.

Different tones of white light help create the mood in a room. Daylight white is good for home office use or anywhere you need to be focused, while warm white is perfect for creating a relaxing mood. Warm lighting is often used in the family room or bedroom where you’re trying to create a calming atmosphere.

Some strips can display only one color at a time, while others can be segmented, showing multiple colors at once. If you’re using the lighting to create a party atmosphere, you’ll likely want one that can show multiple colors and create fun dancing and cascading types of effects.

Brightness

The brightness of LED lights is measured in lumens. For reference, a standard 60W lightbulb gives off around 800 lumens. Most of the lights we tested give off between 1,400 and 1,800, making them extremely bright. They can be dimmed, but it’s important to know how bright they are and how low they can be dimmed when considering what situation to place them in.

Look at the number of LEDs per strip. The more LEDs there are, the more light you’ll get, and the more accurate that color will be.

Color temperature describes how warm or cool a light’s color is. Temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) degrees. Lower numbers produce a warmer temperature, which gives off a yellowish tone, while higher is much cooler, producing a blue tone. Most strips have a range of 2,700K to 6,500K, with the higher number producing a natural daylight temperature.