Since its announcement in December, the Mi Bedside Lamp 2 has garnered significant attention, particularly for its ability to bridge the Xiaomi and HomeKit ecosystems. As someone who values both ecosystems, I was eager to explore this lamp’s capabilities and integration potential.
Initial Impressions and Design
The lamp arrived in a sleek, sturdy box reminiscent of Apple’s packaging. The design is minimalist yet robust, with a glossy finish that, while not fingerprint-prone, does attract dust. The power supply is well-designed but slightly bulky, interestingly featuring a North American plug despite being a Chinese product.
Setup and Integration
Setting up the lamp was straightforward. It works seamlessly with both the Mi Home and HomeKit apps, allowing for full functionality in both ecosystems. A key tip: add the lamp to Mi Home first before integrating it into HomeKit to avoid any setup issues.
Features and Functionality
The lamp offers versatile controls through its touch-sensitive slider and two buttons. It supports color cycling, preset modes, and even a ‘Snap’ feature to replicate colors from images. The Yeelight app adds further customization, including music-synced lighting effects, though these are more gimmicky than practical.
Performance and Customization
Brightness and color adjustments are smooth, with the lamp transitioning effortlessly between modes. The ability to set delay timers and customize color flows adds a layer of convenience, making it ideal for ambiance adjustments.
Conclusion
At around $30-40, the Mi Bedside Lamp 2 is a fantastic value, offering excellent design, functionality, and ecosystem integration. While it may not outperform Philips Hue in every aspect, its price point and versatility make it a standout choice for those looking to bridge Xiaomi and Apple ecosystems. Highly recommended for anyone exploring smart lighting solutions!