If you’re looking to take your TV time to the next level, Govee’s relatively inexpensive TV backlights are a nice, if hacky, upgrade. They are also now cheaper than usual, from $63.99. Govee has made a name for itself (among home theater enthusiasts, at least) with its fantastic backlighting, which makes it seem like the colors of your TV screen seep through the bezels to the wall behind.
After years of dismissing them as gimmicks, I was finally sold The edge‘s review of an older Govee model. As the video below illustrates, the backlights are great for high-contrast content, and they work best in rooms where there aren’t multiple light sources for the camera to pick up.
A few models from Govee are cheaper than usual right now, in case you want to try one out. The basic model, called the Imagine T1 for TVs from 55 to 65 inches, is sold at a 20% discount on Amazon. Normally $79.99, the kit is $63.99. This is the model I have and the model pictured in the image at the top of this post.
If you want to dive into Govee’s more expensive model, which includes dual cameras to pick up colors on your screen faster and more accurately than the cheaper model, then it’s Imagine T2 is $89.99, instead of $139.99. We’re not sure how long this deal will last, but Govee usually has deals on these models every few months.
To get it working, you’ll need to install the adhesive-backed LED strips along the back edges of your TV, then plug them into the adapter. It knows what colors to display via an included camera that can be placed on top of your TV or placed on the bottom and watch the TV.
I like having the Govee backlight turned on for all kinds of content, but especially for games, movies, and TV shows that I really try to get lost in. If you’re using a Google Home or Amazon Alexa smart speaker, the lights can be turned on by using your voice, or you can toggle a shortcut on your phone to turn them on or off via Bluetooth. From the Govee app, it’s also easy to adjust their brightness, white balance, and other effects to make them look just right.