PROS:
- 2 strong small magnets on back
- Steel strip for non-ferrous surfaces with choices of screws or adhesive strip to mount
- USB-C charging
- IR remote with all functions
CONS:
- No mountable holder or magnetic mount for remote
OTHER:
Remote is IR (infrared) not RF (radio frequency)
This is one of the lights I am evaluating for use in a darkened area between an upright freezer and my refrigerator where my portable ice maker sits. While the overhead situation does not lend itself to mounting a light and a plug in light would be ungainly, a magnetically attached light works nicely.
The magnets attached it firmly to the side of the upright freezer. For surfaces that are neither iron or steel, a long metal strip is supplied. This can be mounted either with a long adhesive strip or two small screws (for which holes are present in the metal strip), both of which are included.
The included flat style remote with bubble type buttons works well for accessing all the functions. In addition to simple on/off functions, this includes setting the color temperature of the light, turning on sensor mode, adjusting brightness, and setting the light to turn off automatically after 15, 30, or 60 minutes.
The remote itself has no magnet on the back, nor is any mountable holder for it included. To keep it nearby without having it laying on a flat surface, one will need to provide their own solution.
ATTENTION: The remote has a plastic tab sticking out of the battery compartment that needs to be pulled prior to first use.
The remote is infrared rather than using any type of radio frequency connection, however, so it needs to be within line of sight to be used.
I also had another light that appeared to have an identical remote, and I found either remote would control both lights. Keep in mind if you have two of these (or another light with the same remote) in close proximity, this would be problematic if one wished to control each light individually. I listed this under "Other", however, as there could be situations where this is a positive. In my situation, I moved the other light to the side of the refrigerator and can now turn on and off both lights with a single remote.
Another positive to infrared control is this could lend itself to home automation via various WiFi to IR devices. I have used a couple of Broadlink RM Mini3 units in my home to control devices such as this using IR remotes by voice via Alexa.
While I prefer to use the remote to turn the light on and off, it also supports motion detection triggering. Settings are provided both for only use in darkened areas as well as those with more light.
The downside to motion detection (which uses a PIR sensor) is that it detects motion, not presence. This means if one is in the area but not moving, the light will shut down when it times out.
This light has a textured white diffuser that avoids any distinct LED hot spots, giving an even emission of light across the surface.
The light charges via USB-C and a USB-C to USB-A cable is included.
This light represents a decent value for the price at the time of review, and a good solution for many situations where adding a wired light would impractical and/or expensive. I also appreciate the even diffuse light.