DESIGN
At first glance, the Lamp One can be quite a deceptive product. The lamp itself is relatively small and weighs only 260 grams. It has a cylindrical shape with rounded edges, and apart from the base, the entire device is essentially one large plastic light diffuser, which plays a significant role in its lighting magic. There are no fancy features like motion or touch controls. Instead, it has a simple plastic base at the bottom that is practically invisible when the Lamp One is upright, and on this base you have the power button and the USB-C power input.
Lamp One is deceptively simple – until you turn it on
As I mentioned, the ultra-simple design and feel can make it seem more like a child’s toy than a robust smart product. The light weight is particularly noticeable, and even the slightest touch to the lamp or the surface it stands on can be enough to knock it over. With that in mind, I recommend carefully considering where you will ultimately place it.
Fortunately, in that regard, you have plenty of options because the simple and unobtrusive design means that the Lamp One will easily blend in wherever you decide to place and use it. It works great as a night lamp beside the bed, as ambient lighting in the living room next to the TV, or as a cool addition to your gaming setup.
The entire surface of the lamp is a big light diffuser, making the light soft and omni-directional
Now, despite some minor issues, all of them absolutely disappear once you turn on the Lamp One. The LEDs inside the lamp, combined with the diffuser casing, are capable of producing some amazingly beautiful light scenes. As mentioned, the lamp’s shape and the fact that its entire surface acts as a light diffuser means the light shines not only in 360 degrees but also from the top and bottom. This in itself is relatively unique among smart light products and creates an excellent vibe in any space.
On a technical note, the LED’s provide a range of 16 million colors and up to 120 dynamic color zones. This means that while the Lamp One can shine in a single color, the real star of the show is the dynamic scenes where multiple colors blend into one another in mesmerizing ways.
The light effects look amazing, and the colors smoothly blend into one another
You can basically turn it into a nostalgic lava lamp or set the mood in some amazing ways with colors smoothly moving across its surface. For example, the Lamp One can mimic real fire or candlelight, with various pulsing effects, seasonal or holiday-themed effects, and much, much more.
When it comes to brightness, the Lamp One can deliver 850 lumens, which is relatively bright, but don’t expect it to fully illuminate a room, even when set to pure white light. The Lamp One is definitely more in the realm of mood lighting, and it excels at this role. It’s strong enough for reading a book if placed beside the bed, and you can keep it on a desk relatively close without the brightness causing eye strain.
PERFORMANCE
The Lamp One does not have an internal battery and needs to be constantly connected to a power source to function. Once turned on, the setup is super-straightforward and easy. Simply download the Moonside mobile app and connect to the Lamp One using Bluetooth. The mobile app has gone through several iterations, and I can definitely say that its current version is visually and functionally excellent. The user experience is very intuitive, and you generally don’t have to dig through a bunch of functions or menus to access the key features of a smart light product like this. It helps that the interface is extremely visually appealing, with colorful icons and a clean presentation.
The app has a colorful UI and is very easy to use
The landing screen of the app greets you with your Moonside connected devices. Here, you immediately have the option to explore automation functions for the Lamp One, such as changing the light after a certain period, based on your location, or according to other criteria. Controls specific to the Lamp One include turning it on and off, adjusting brightness, temperature, and color, but the most robust menu is the one with predefined effects or user-created effects. You can choose from over 150 super-creative themes in all colors imaginable, and it’s really fun to explore which ones best fit your space.
Of course, you also have the option to create your own themes, and the process is extremely simple. You can select specific effect presets and then customize them with your preferred colors. If that’s not enough, you even have the option to literally draw on the surface of the Lamp One. Naturally, the light diffuser and the way it works isn’t ideal for drawing specific symbols, but it works quite well when you want more granular control over the blend of colors displayed on the Lamp One.
Although small, it shines bright and has a few smart features
But that’s not all. If you connect the Lamp One to Wi-Fi, you can use voice controls through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, or IFTTT. This allows you to use simple commands such as turning the device on and off, changing the color, adjusting the brightness, or even setting scenes. This feature is always a welcome addition when you want to be hands-free and don’t want to bother with the app. Unfortunately, this does not apply to Apple device users, as the Lamp One still does not support Apple HomeKit.
CONCLUSION
The competition in the smart light market is definitely strong, and while other products often offer more robust features, that doesn’t mean the Lamp One doesn’t have a place in your space. Although it is a relatively simple product with plenty of room for improvement, particularly in terms of design and build quality, there’s still a lot to appreciate. It’s sort of a best buy smart light product where, for the relatively low price of $60, you get to enjoy a beautiful piece of smart light technology without breaking the bank, one which you can customize to your heart’s desire in many exciting ways.
