WiZ has always delivered solid smart lighting at prices that won’t make your wallet weep, but despite this, it’s one of those brands that tends to fly under the radar. This is likely because it shares a parent company with none other than Philips Hue, the undisputed king of the smart lighting world. Still, WiZ deserves way more recognition, and with its latest launch, I genuinely think that might finally be happening.
In case you missed it, WiZ recently dropped three new products aimed at boosting your entertainment setup, and they’ve already proven to be a bit of a hit. Sure, you can tell it’s taken some inspiration from Hue itself, but each product stands out in its own right. I’ve spent the past three weeks testing them, and the one that’s really caught my eye is the WiZ Gradient Floor Light…
WiZ has dabbled in this design before, with its older Pole Smart Floor Lamp coming pretty close. However, this new Gradient version brings a whole new level of capability to the table, and seeing as it’s T3’s Home and Entertainment month, I thought it was the right time to share my thoughts…
WiZ Gradient Floor Light review: price and availability
The WiZ Gradient Floor Light retails for £79.99 and is currently exclusive to Amazon. However, knowing WiZ, it’ll probably show up at other major retailers soon.
I think the price is super fair, especially when you compare it to the Philips Hue Signe, which comes in at a hefty £280.
WiZ Gradient Floor Light review: design and features
The WiZ Gradient Floor Light is tall (just shy of 140 cm), slim (9cm in diameter) and exclusively available in black – though I wouldn’t be surprised if other finishes come out later. It fits easily into corners or behind furniture and gives off that ambient wall wash effect thanks to its seven colour zones.
It pushes out 1080 lumens from 13W LEDs and offers a colour range from a warm 2,200K to a cooler 6,500K.
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
The biggest standout is that the WiZ Gradient Floor Light is part of the brand’s new immersive experience setup. Paired with the WiZ HDMI Sync Box, the light can match your TV screen in real time or sync with music. Whist WiZ isn’t the first brand to try this, it’s definitely the most affordable way to get in on the action.
However, if syncing’s not your thing, you can still use the lamp as a regular smart light through WiFi and the WiZ app – no HDMI box needed. If you don’t want to use the app, there is a hidden physical button on the lamp, but it’ll only give you a white light with basic brightness controls.
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Another big win is that it’s Matter-compatible, so it can integrate with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and other Matter-based ecosystems. I linked it to my Alexa setup and it worked absolutely fine.
Whilst it technically works with Siri, it’s via Siri Shortcuts, not full-blown HomeKit compatibility – something to keep in mind before buying.
Design wise, it should also be noted that the build quality isn’t amazing. It’s all plastic, including the base, and there’s no protective rubber underneath. I was hoping for at least a sturdier, weightier feel, but you do get what you pay for.
That said, it comes fully assembled out of the box, which is a plus.
WiZ Gradient Floor Light review: performance
Even though the WiZ Gradient Floor Light costs a fraction of what some of the big-name alternatives do, I was still blown away by the experience it delivers. The WiZ ecosystem has always been pretty solid in my opinion, and now that immersive entertainment is part of the mix, it just feels like things are levelling up.
My own time with the Gradient Floor Light has been genuinely great, and it slotted perfectly into my existing WiZ system, and actually added something really fun to my wider smart home setup too. Everything worked seamlessly, and it synced up with my Amazon Alexa without any faff, which is always a good thing.
(Image credit: WiZ / Signify)
The only thing that disappointed me is the overall build quality, but I wasn’t expecting luxury at this price point, so I can’t complain too much.
One thing I would flag though is that where you place it really matters. It needs to be on a super flat, solid surface. Even the tiniest bit of unevenness and it starts to lean, which can be annoying. I’d definitely recommend setting it up on a hard floor rather than carpet, just to keep things nice and steady.
WiZ Gradient Floor Light review: verdict
All things considered, the WiZ Gradient Floor Light is seriously impressive for the price. It integrates seamlessly with the rest of the WiZ ecosystem, brings some fun immersive lighting to the table, and looks great doing it. The build could be better, but at under £80, it’s a fantastic choice for anyone wanting to elevate their entertainment setup without blowing the budget.
WiZ Gradient Floor Light review: alternatives to consider
You probably guessed by now that the Philips Hue Signe is the main alternative here. It’s got a very similar design, just with a bit more polish and a few extra effects thrown in. If you’ve got the budget, it’s definitely worth considering.
However, if you’re intrigued by the immersive lighting concept but not totally sold on the floor lamp, the new WiZ Gradient Light Bars are a brilliant option too. They launched alongside the Floor Light and offer the same syncing features, but in a smaller package.
