Review of Razer Aether Standing Light Bars: Lacking in Value

When I got my hands on the Razer Gamer Room, I was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly Razer had made its foray into the smart home sphere. Razer’s first line of Aether smart lights was not only easy to use with Razer’s own software, but they also flawlessly integrated with other common smart home setups.

What makes the Razer Gamer Room lights particularly appealing is their quality lighting, vast customization options, and the simplicity of their setup, making them a solid recommendation for anyone interested in jazzing up their space. Now, Razer has introduced a new product, and although it sticks to the formula that made the original a hit, there are a few bumps in the road.

The Razer Aether Standing Light Bars are a delightful addition to any home, adding vibrant splashes of color, similar to their siblings. However, they do come with a price tag that feels a little steep, especially when you start comparing them to other components in the Gamer Room series. Plus, you’ll need to consider whether your desk has enough outlets or ports to accommodate everything.

Reviewing these lights was a breeze, and you should know there was no interference from Razer. They provided a review sample but were not involved in the review process after that.

Now, let’s dive into the specifics of the Standing Light Bars. Priced at $99.99 and sold as a pair, these bars are attached via a single cable. They’re the sixth product in the Razer Gamer Room lineup, seventh if you count the extender, and bring with them some consistent design cues.

These lights, like the rest of Razer’s offerings, can be controlled via the Razer Gamer Room app, the Razer Synapse on the PC, and are also compatible with Matter, Google Home, and Alexa ecosystems. If you’re considering going all-in on the Gamer Room, you’re looking at a spend of about $570 for the entire suite, which includes the Aether Light Strip, Light Strip Extender, Light Bulb, Lamp Pro, Monitor Light Bar, and, of course, the Standing Light Bars.

Unboxing the light bars, you’ll find them connected by a three-meter, braided USB Type-C cable. It’s a solid setup Razer offers, backing their product with a one-year warranty.

Visually, the Standing Light Bars are impressive. Their design features sleek oblong cylinders with RGB lights running the length, which, in terms of quality, are quite impressive. They shine brightly when given enough power, maintaining a balanced brightness and color temperature throughout.

Customization is a big draw, with the lights supporting a wide array of colors, patterns, and features made available through Razer Chroma, including advanced customization options.

As part of the Razer Immersive Ecosystem, these light bars are set to evolve as the Chroma engine gets upgraded, promising more spatial and contextual awareness in the future. Plus, setup couldn’t be easier—plug them in, sync up with the Gamer Room app, and you’re off. Compared to similar products, such as those from NanoLeaf, Razer’s integration is incredibly smooth.

However, it’s worth mentioning that these light bars can feel a bit flimsy. They use a matte black plastic that, while common, feels a little cheap for the price. They’re also quite light, making them a bit unstable, especially if they get nudged.

The power requirements are another consideration. To run at full brightness, the lights demand a solid power source, something that an average USB 2.0 port might struggle to provide, necessitating a capable USB Type-C power brick for optimal performance.

For those with limited outlets, the power demands across the Razer Gamer Room lineup can become cumbersome. There’s a sense that a dedicated hub for managing these lights might be the welcomed solution.

In the end, the Standing Light Bars are a compelling choice for those already invested in the Razer Chroma universe, seamlessly integrating into existing setups. They offer bright, customizable lighting wherever you might need it.

But if your setup is already maxed out in terms of available ports and outlets, you might want to think twice before adding these to your collection. Despite their shortcomings, the Razer Aether Standing Light Bars are indeed impressive smart lights, easily making them a worthy addition for anyone looking to enhance their smart home setup. They’re available for $99.99 on Amazon, ready to dazzle those who make room for them.