Best TV Backlights in 2024 (Change with Picture)

By Naila Syifa
Updated Jan 2024

Are you looking for a TV backlight that can sync with your TV and change color according to the picture on the screen? You're in the right place! In this article, we'll be taking a look at the best TV backlights that can change with the picture.

Whether you're watching a movie, playing a game, or streaming your favorite TV show, these backlights will enhance your viewing experience by providing ambient lighting that perfectly matches the colors on your screen.

On our list

#1 Best Overall: Nanoleaf 4D

#2 Best Premium: Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip

#3 Best for Budget: Govee DreamView T1

#4 Best for Large TVs: Govee Envisual T2

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#1 Best Overall: Nanoleaf 4D

Nanoleaf 4D

Nanoleaf 4D is the best overall TV backlight we highly recommend. At a reasonable price of US$99.99-$119.99, it offers more than 16 million colors with 10 color zones per meter, with the RGBIC technology that allows for color changes based on the content on your screen. The resolution is also very decent at 30 LEDs/meter, which ensures a smooth gradient as it changes with the picture on your TV.

The backlight is able to recognize your on-screen content with the help of an included camera, which comes with a privacy cover for peace of mind. The result is an immersive 4D Screen Mirroring with adjustable Immersion Levels from 1D, 2D, 3D, to 4D to suit your preference.

If you have other Nanoleaf RGB lights, such as Nanoleaf Shapes and Lines, you can also extend the Screen Mirroring effects across your entire home with the Sync+ feature.

Magic Scenes feature in the Nanoleaf 4D

Other than visual content, Nanoleaf 4D can also sync with your music with the Rhythm Music Visualizer feature, creating a stunning light show that dances along with the beat. Other than that, preset and customizable color-changing Scenes can be easily set up via the Nanoleaf app, allowing you to personalize your lighting experience in a snap.

Another interesting feature is Magic Scenes, which uses AI to automatically generate a color palette to create a scene that matches certain moods, themes, or keywords.

Nanoleaf 4D can be easily controlled via the Nanoleaf App available on Android and iOS, the Nanoleaf Desktop App on Windows & Mac, with voice control, or with the included physical controller. It is also compatible with smart home systems including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, SmartThings, and Razer Chroma.

Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit

Best Overall

✓ 4D Screen Mirroring with Immersion Level
✓ Rhythm Music Visualizer and Scenes
✓ Camera with Privacy Cover
✓ Sync+ across Nanoleaf RGB Lights

Buy on Amazon Buy on Synced

#2 Best Premium: Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip

Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip

If you're looking for a premium TV backlight that can offer you numerous features than just the essentials, the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip is the perfect choice for you. However, bear in mind that it also comes with a premium price, ranging from US$249.99 to US$299.99 depending on the size of your TV.

At such a price, you can enjoy watching TV with a color-changing LED backlight that can display 16 million colors with color temperatures ranging from 2000-6500K. The backlight casts a smooth, blended gradient of lights at an optimum 45° angle to ensure the best possible projection.

Other than typical features like syncing with your TV content, music, games, and movies, Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip also offers some other features like Scenes, which can be customized to match your preferred colors or to fit different moods and occasions.

Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip

There are also numerous automation features, including Schedule, which allows you to set a time for your backlights to turn on and off, Routines, which can be set to trigger certain actions based on your daily activities like waking up or going to bed, and Geofencing, which can automatically turn the backlights on or off based on your location. These are features that set the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip apart from other TV backlights, making it worth the premium price.

However, it is worth noting that the Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip requires Philips Hue Bridge and Hue HDMI Sync Box to work, which add additional costs of $59.99 and $229.99 respectively. If you're not already invested in the Philips Hue ecosystem, these huge additional costs may be a deterrent.

Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Razer Chroma, and Corsair iCUE. It can be controlled with the Hue app, compatible voice assistants, or Hue smart accessories.

Philips Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip

Best Premium

✓ Color Temperature 2000-6500K
✓ 45° Angle Light Projection
✓ Scenes, Schedules, Routines, Geofencing
✓ Requires Hue Bridge and Sync Box

Buy on Amazon

#3 Best for Budget: Govee DreamView T1

Govee DreamView T1

If you're more budget-conscious but still want to enjoy the benefits of a TV backlight that can change with the picture, the Govee DreamView T1 is an excellent choice. It is priced at US$79.99 for 55"-65" TVs and US$99.99 for 75"-85" TVs.

Powered by Govee Envisual Color-Match technology, the Govee DreamView T1 can change colors to match the content on your TV screen, creating a more immersive viewing experience. The 1080p intelligent camera captures the color on your screen while the RGBIC lightstrip consisting of 30 LEDs/meters ensures that the colors change smoothly and accurately.

Govee DreamView T1

Despite its budget-friendly price, the Govee DreamView T1 also has other smart features such as Music Mode which allows the TV backlight to sync with your music, and Scene Mode which offers preset and customizable color-changing scenes to match your mood and preference.

The backlight can be controlled with the app, by voice (via Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant), and with the included control box. It also has a decent power consumption of 24W, making it one of the energy-efficient options.

Govee DreamView T1 TV Backlight

Best for Budget

✓ Envisual Color-Match
✓ Music and Scene Modes
✓ Intelligent 1080p Camera
✓ Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant

Buy on Amazon Buy on Synced

#4 Best for Large TVs: Govee Envisual T2

Govee Envisual T2

Most TV backlights only support TV screens up to 85", but if you have a larger TV, the Govee Envisual T2 is a great option. It is available at US$199.99 for 98"-100" TVs, US$159.99 for 75"-85" TVs, and US$139.99 for 55"-65" TVs.

Govee Envisual T2 features RGBIC LED beads with a high density of 60 LEDs/m, much higher compared to the standard 30 LEDs/m density that most backlights like the Nanoleaf 4D and Govee DreamView T1 offer. This dense light bead distribution provides a more granular control of the colors to create a smoother gradient, representing the color more accurately even for larger TVs.

Govee Envisual T2 is also equipped with a dual camera, which recognizes the on-screen color faster, more accurately, and with an improved color-match range. Also powered by DreamView Syncing Technology, the result is a dynamic and vivid screen mirroring that allows you to watch TV more in a more immersive way with the backlight colors perfectly matching the TV content.

Govee Envisual T2

In addition, you can also use Music Mode to create a stunning light show that syncs with your music, Scene Mode to personalize your lighting experience with preset and customizable color-changing scenes, or DIY feature to create your own unique lighting effects.

You can access those features and control your backlight with the Govee Home App, but you can also use Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control. In addition, the Govee Envisual T2 comes with a Control Box, which allows you to easily adjust the settings of your backlight.

However, bear in mind that the Govee Envisual T2 consumes the highest power among all the backlights mentioned in this article, at 60W for the 98"-100" version, 48W for the 75"-85" version, and 36W for the 55"-65" versions. This may be a concern for some users who are looking for an energy-efficient option.

Govee Envisual T2 TV Backlight

Best for Large TVs

✓ DreamView Syncing
✓ Music and Scene Modes
✓ Dual Camera
✓ High-Density RGBIC LED Beads

Buy on Amazon

Compare the Best TV Backlights