Nanoleaf updates its Essentials smart lightbulbs for Matter

Nanoleaf has pushed out a minor update to their original Essentials lightbulb, which has been on the market since 2021. The actual lightbulb hasn't changed - what has changed is that the Essentials bulb is now compatible with Matter, with the Matter symbol branded on the side.

The better Matter integration comes in the form of improved software. Nanoleaf is always checking to see if you have the latest updates, and if you don't, you will be nagged to get them. This will apparently make Matter pairing a piece of cake.

However, for Apple users, it isn't all good news. Some of the features won't work with HomeKit yet, as they haven't been certified by Apple. One example is Apple Adaptive Lighting. The bulb will still work with HomeKit, but for the time being, you will need a separate hub to control it.

One surprising thing is that Nanoleaf hasn't seen fit to raise the price of the bulb, given its improvements. Instead, the price remains the same as the previous model which doesn't have Matter integration.

Speaking of pricing, one bulb costs $19.99, while a three-pack will save you some money at $49.99. Just head on over to the Nanoleaf website for more details.