Aqara has recently launched their latest smart light strip, the LED Strip T1, which operates on the Zigbee protocol. This light strip is priced at $49.99 and requires an Aqara hub for functionality. It is compatible with various smart home platforms including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT. Additionally, it supports the Matter smart home protocol when used with certain hubs such as the Aqara Hub M2. The Aqara LED Strip T1 is unique in its support for both Apple's Adaptive Lighting feature and the Matter protocol, making it a standout choice among light strips. However, it is worth noting that the Adaptive Lighting feature does not work through Matter. Nevertheless, this development showcases the expansion of Matter-compatible lighting options using the reliable Zigbee standard. Unfortunately, the status of the Hue-to-Matter bridge remains unknown.

One of the key features of the 2-meter Aqara LED Strip T1 is its Adaptive Lighting support. This function automatically adjusts the colors of the strip to create a warmer or cooler ambiance depending on the time of day. Currently, the only other light strips that support Apple's circadian lighting feature are those from Hue and Eve, as well as the old Nanoleaf Essentials strip, which does not matter in this context.

When connecting the Aqara Strip T1 to Apple Home using the Matter protocol, Adaptive Lighting is not available due to the limitations of the nascent "universal" smart home standard. However, Aqara's Apple HomeKit certification ensures that users can still enjoy Adaptive Lighting functionality.

The Aqara LED Strip T1 is an RGBIC strip, enabling it to display multiple colors simultaneously. Unlike older light strips, each of the ten segments of this strip can be controlled individually when changing colors. However, this feature does not apply to the tunable white light portion, as it affects the entire strip at once. In addition, users can create custom effects using the Aqara app, allowing for swaying gradients, flashy colors, and even music synchronization through the built-in microphone.

The Aqara T1 LED strip is trimmable and has an IP44 rating. It is available for purchase at $49.99, with a 1-meter extension kit priced at $14.99. Customers can find it on Amazon in the US, Canada, and various European countries, as well as through other authorized retailers listed on the designated "where to buy" page.