Do you play or work in the dark? BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 lighting solutions will color the space around the monitor!
BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 - what is the article about?
When working or playing in front of the monitor, our eyes are exposed to constant strain. Adequate ambient lighting not only protects against eye strain, but also creates a pleasant atmosphere. BlitzWolf's two products, the BW-CML4 monitor lamp and the BW-AL1 RGB mood lighting, together offer a complete solution for lighting the space around the monitor.
In recent years, the BlitzWolf brand has grown into a major player in the computer accessories market. In the smart home category, more and more products are also appearing, of which we will now take a closer look at two exciting lighting solutions. The BW-CML4 monitor lamp and the BW-AL1 RGB mood lighting complement each other perfectly - while the former provides practical work lighting, the latter serves as spectacular background lighting.
The BlitzWolf engineers have apparently put a lot of emphasis on the user experience. Both products can be controlled via a smartphone app, support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice assistants, and offer many automation options. In addition to color temperature and brightness adjustment options, various lighting effects and music-controlled modes make their use even more versatile.
In line with smart home trends, the products connect to the network via WiFi, so they can even be controlled remotely. In addition to the BlitzWolf Home application, they are also compatible with the popular Tuya and Smart Life platforms, so they can be easily integrated into existing smart home systems.
The market for monitor lighting is increasingly competitive, but BlitzWolf's products stand out in several ways: in addition to reasonable prices, they have professional functions and reliable quality. But do they live up to the expectations placed on them in practice? Let's see in detail what these tools can do!
BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 - Sleek design and practical design
The BlitzWolf BW-CML4 monitor lamp creates a quality impression even at first glance. The 48 cm long lamp body is made of aluminum alloy and high-quality ABS plastic, which ensures not only an aesthetic appearance, but also durability. The cylindrical design with a diameter of only 2,2 cm fits elegantly on the top edge of any monitor. A spring-loaded clamp holder is responsible for fixing, which is compatible with 12-55 mm thick monitor brackets, although some monitors with curved backs may require extra fixing.
The BW-AL1 RGB mood lighting consists of two 28 cm high columns, which take up little space thanks to their compact, 29 mm diameter design. With the support brackets included in the package, the columns can be stably adjusted to a vertical position, but they can also be used horizontally. The lamps, made of a combination of aluminum and ABS plastic, weigh only 400 grams per piece, so they can be easily moved.
The control interface of the BW-CML4 includes five touch buttons on the front of the lamp. The outermost buttons control the on/off of the front and back lighting, while the middle three buttons are used to switch between color modes, color temperature (between 3000-6500K) and brightness. In addition to the first row of LEDs with a brightness of 900 lux, there is also an RGB backlight, which can make the area behind the monitor more atmospheric with different effects and colors.
In the case of the BW-AL1, control is primarily done with the supplied remote control or via the smartphone application. The luminaires offer ten types of static color modes and five types of dynamic effects, and thanks to Sound Pickup technology, they can respond to music or game sounds. Both columns can be controlled individually, so you can even set different colors and effects.
The power supply for both products is provided by a USB connection. The BW-CML4 has a Type-C port and requires a 5V/2A power supply, which can be supplied from a computer's USB port or an external adapter. The BW-AL1 is also powered via USB, and both columns have separate USB ports for flexible placement.
The smart home functions are made possible by the 2.4 GHz WiFi connection. Pairing can be done via the BlitzWolf Home, Tuya or Smart Life apps, after which the lights can be controlled remotely and integrated into various automation systems. In the case of the BW-CML4, controlling the RGB LED is facilitated by the lamp's ability to detect music via the phone's microphone, although the synchronization is not always perfect.
As part of the practical design, it is important to mention that the USB cable of the BW-CML4 is replaceable, so in case of damage, the entire lamp does not have to be replaced. The BW-AL1 columns can be positioned extremely flexibly thanks to the included brackets, either on either side of the monitor or as decorative table lighting.
BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 - Performance and Technical Details
The BlitzWolf BW-CML4 monitor lamp has impressive technical parameters. The front LED row provides a maximum brightness of 900 lux, which is sufficient even for reading or writing. The color temperature can be adjusted in a wide range, between 3000K and 6500K, so all shades from warm yellowish light to cold white are available. The excellent color rendering index (CRI) of 90 ensures that the colors of illuminated objects and surfaces appear naturally.
The BW-AL1 RGB mood lighting also boasts impressive technical data. The two columns, each with a diameter of 29 millimeters, contain 60 high-brightness LEDs with a color rendering index (CRI) of >85. The luminaires offer ten types of pre-programmed static color modes and five types of dynamic effects, and thanks to the Sound Pickup technology, they are able to respond to ambient sounds.
In terms of energy consumption, both products are extremely economical. The maximum power consumption of the BW-CML4 is 10 watts, while the columns of the BW-AL1 consume 7,5 watts each. Both devices require a 5V/1-2A power supply, which they receive via a USB connection. The products can be used in the operating temperature range between -10°C and +45°C, which is suitable for practically all indoor applications.
The total length of the BW-CML4 luminaire is 432,5 millimeters, which is ideal for lighting most monitors. The clip-on mounting system is compatible with 12-55 millimeter monitor mounts. The expected lifespan of the LEDs is impressive, the manufacturer guarantees 50 operating hours, which means more than 000 years of operation even with 8 hours of daily use.
The columns of the BW-AL1 are each 280 millimeters high, and their bases measure 100x51 millimeters, which provides a stable base. Thanks to their compact dimensions, they can be placed flexibly on both sides of the monitor or even for other decorative purposes. The luminaires have a modern 2.4 GHz WiFi module and Bluetooth connection for wireless control.
Both products support popular smart home platforms. They are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control systems and can be integrated into the Tuya and Smart Life ecosystems. The BlitzWolf Home app is available for both Android and iOS and allows you to configure the lights in detail, including timing functions and customizing different lighting modes.
The control options include stepless brightness adjustment, changing the color temperature, and customizing the RGB effects. In the case of the BW-CML4, the touch button control makes five different functions available directly on the lamp, while the BW-AL1 has a remote control and application control for maximum convenience.
BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 - Experiences in practice
The BlitzWolf BW-CML4 monitor light has many practical advantages. Based on experience, the brightness of 900 lux is indeed sufficient not only for illuminating the keyboard, but also for reading or writing. Compared to previous versions, it is a significant improvement that in the case of the CML4, the power cable is not an integrated design, but a replaceable USB solution, which may be more practical in the long run.
The clamp mounting system is not perfect, although it can be mounted on almost any monitor case. However, it is not certain that it will provide a perfectly stable fixation for monitors with a curved back, as it is clearly not designed for such displays. Of course, a double-sided adhesive tape can be a solution in this case, without it the lamp tends to fall forward. The point is that this is not a general problem, but rather a monitor-specific feature, or in other words, rather a shortcoming.
The touch control design proved to be practical. The layout of the five buttons is logical, anyone can learn how to use them in three minutes. The adjustment of the color temperature is not completely stepless in practice, which may be because the system actually achieves the desired color temperature with different combinations of warm-white and cold-white LEDs, which sometimes results in noticeable "steps" when switching.
When it comes to syncing RGB backlighting to music, my experience shows mixed results. The solution that uses the phone's microphone doesn't always follow the rhythm of the music exactly, sometimes for some inexplicable reason it turns into jumbled flashing, which makes the function more annoying than fun. But the microphone is not only there, but also so that the lamp can "respond" to the sounds of the games with effects. In addition, there are many effects available, we get very spectacular lighting solutions.
In the case of the BW-AL1, the two separate columns mean a flexible placement option, which is a big advantage of the solution. The height of 28 centimeters proved to be ideal both for use next to the monitor and as general mood lighting. The Sound Pickup technology brought similar experiences here as with the CML4: although the response to the music works, the synchronization is not always perfect.
In the case of AA BW-AL1, I have to point out that I didn't like the music mode, nor the many selectable light effects, nor the effects created by external sounds, such as the sound of gunshots and explosions during the game. Much nicer than these are the internal mirrored solution of the front panel, and the sense of depth created by the mirror behind the led row in the lamp, which showed damn well in the dark, with static green or blue light.
Smart home integration, on the other hand, tested well for both devices. In addition to the BlitzWolf Home app, the compatibility with the Tuya and Smart Life platforms proved to be a really useful feature. The timing options work well, the alarm function is interesting, which can also be used well in practice. The application control was generally stable, although once the Bluetooth connection was lost, I had to reconnect, for which I did not understand the reason.
In terms of energy consumption, the products meet the specification. It can even be operated from the laptop's USB port, although the manufacturer recommends using a separate 4V/5A adapter for the BW-CML2. In the case of the BW-AL1, the 5V/1A power supply proved to be sufficient in all cases.
BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 - Conclusion
BlitzWolf has once again proven its ability to launch products that offer high quality and advanced features at affordable prices. Together, the BW-CML4 monitor lamp and the BW-AL1 RGB mood lighting provide a complete solution for lighting the space around the monitor, all at a price that is accessible even to the most cost-sensitive customers.
In the case of the BW-CML4, the versatile usability should be highlighted. The 900 lux brightness, the variable color temperature and the practical control options result in a product that is excellent not only for gaming environments, but also for professional work. Smaller shortcomings – such as the occasional uncertainty of clip-on recording or inaccuracies in music synchronization – are dwarfed by the services provided.
The BW-AL1 RGB mood lighting perfectly complements the monitor lamp. The flexible placement options of the two separate columns, the many different lighting modes and effects, and smart home integration result in a product that goes beyond the category of simple mood lighting. Sound Pickup technology, although not perfect, provides users with an interesting extra service.
The smart home functions are well thought out and practical for both products. In addition to the BlitzWolf Home app, compatibility with popular platforms ensures that the products can be easily integrated into existing smart home systems. Voice control support and timing options are extra features that further increase the value of the products.
Overall, both products represent excellent value for money. Purchase of BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 mood lighting together a BGBWAALL1 for HUF 18 with coupon code is an offer that is difficult to pass up if someone is looking for quality monitor ambient lighting. With these products, BlitzWolf has once again proven that an affordable price does not necessarily mean compromises in terms of quality and functionality.
Buy at the link below:
BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 RGB lighting
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about the BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 Lighting Systems
Q: Which monitors is the BlitzWolf BW-CML4 monitor light compatible with?
A: BW-CML4's clip-on mounting system is compatible with 12-55 mm thick monitor brackets, so it can be installed on the upper part of practically any modern monitor.
Q: How stable is the BlitzWolf BW-CML4 mount?
A: It depends on the design of the monitor - it is perfectly stable on monitors with a flat back, on monitors with a curved back, extra fixing (such as 3M adhesive tape) may be necessary.
Q: Can I use BlitzWolf BW-AL1 poles with different colors?
A: Yes, the two columns of the BW-AL1 can be controlled independently, so you can set different colors and effects on both units.
Q: Can the BlitzWolf BW-CML4 be operated from a laptop USB port?
A: Yes, although the manufacturer recommends a 5V/2A external adapter, the lamp can also be operated from the USB port of a laptop, as long as it can provide the required current.
Q: Can BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 be used with Google Assistant or Alexa voice control?
A: Yes, both products support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control systems after connecting them to your smart home system.
Q: Do I need a WiFi router to use the BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1?
A: The basic functions work without WiFi, but a 2.4 GHz WiFi connection is required to use the smart home functions, application control and voice control.
Q: Is the BlitzWolf BW-CML4 USB cable replaceable?
A: Yes, the USB cable of the BW-CML4 is not integrated, but replaceable, so it can be easily replaced in case of damage.
Q: How long is the power cable for the BlitzWolf BW-AL1 columns?
A: The columns of the AL1 have separate USB cables, which combined with the included brackets and flexible positioning options, can be conveniently placed around the monitor.
Q: Can BlitzWolf BW-CML4 and BW-AL1 really flash to music?
A: Yes, both devices have Sound Pickup technology, which allows you to respond to music, although the synchronization is not always perfect and can sometimes seem random.
Q: How many hours of life are the BlitzWolf BW-CML4 LEDs designed for?
A: The manufacturer guarantees a service life of 50 operating hours, which means more than 000 years of operation even with 8 hours of daily use.
