Review of Razer Aether Standing Light Bars: Are They Worth the Investment?

When I first got the chance to dive into the Razer Gamer Room, I found myself impressively surprised by how smoothly Razer transitioned into the smart home sector. Their debut lineup of Razer Aether smart lights didn’t just offer an outstanding experience through their cutting-edge software; they also meshed beautifully with the existing smart home systems that many of us are already enjoying.

From high-quality lighting to ample options for customization and straightforward setups, the Razer Gamer Room quickly became a top recommendation. And now, with a fresh new product in the mix, it looks like (for the most part) Razer has continued down this enticing path. Enter the Razer Aether Standing Light Bars, which deliver the same vibrant ambiance as the rest of its siblings. Yet, as with much of the Gamer Room offerings, the price does feel a bit steep.

This cost issue is exacerbated as the light bars seem to be the most affordable element of the Gamer Room. But even with this lower cost, the overall price can still sting, especially once you factor in the need for adequate free outlets or ports to accommodate the complete Gamer Room setup on your desk.

I’m Zachary Boddy, a seasoned Staff Writer and Expert Reviewer here at Windows Central. I’ve reviewed countless devices, from laptops to smart lights, always on the lookout for standout quality and unique features.

Before we proceed, a quick note: This review was made possible by a sample provided by Razer, but rest assured, Razer had no influence on the content you’re about to read.

Moving into the specifics, the Razer Aether Standing Light Bars hit the shelves at $99.99. They come as a duo, permanently tethered by a single cord. They’re the sixth (or seventh, counting the extender) addition to the Razer Gamer Room family. These light bars seamlessly connect to the Razer Gamer Room app, the Razer Synapse PC app, and are compatible with Matter, Google Home, and Alexa ecosystems.

If you’re looking at piecing together the full Razer Gamer Room setup, anticipate a cost of around $570 for everything, including the Light Strip, Light Strip Extender, Light Bulb, Lamp Pro, Monitor Light Bar, and the Standing Light Bars themselves. The light bars are exclusively available in black, matching the Monitor Light Bar, while other Gamer Room items are offered only in white.

Upon opening the box, you’ll find the Razer Aether Standing Light Bars linked by a durable, split, non-detachable 3-meter braided USB Type-C cable. Plus, you have the reassurance of Razer’s standard one-year warranty backing your purchase.

Visually, the Standing Light Bars are quite the sight. They manifest as elegant, oblong cylinders showcasing a wide strip of vibrant RGB LEDs. The quality of the RGB is unmatched; these bars brighten beautifully when given enough power, achieving a perfect balance between brightness and color temperature.

Customizing your lighting setup is a breeze, thanks to Razer Chroma’s extensive options. You get every possible color and pattern under the sun, along with the detailed customization offered through Chroma studio. As the Razer Chroma engine continues to evolve, with more spatial and contextual awareness features, these light bars and other related products are only destined to become more impressive.

The integration experience further adds value, with a remarkably simple setup process mirrored by the rest of the Razer Gamer Room. Plug them in, open the mobile app, and pair them up—it’s as straightforward as that. Even getting them up and running on your Razer Synapse is simple, even if the quick start via the mobile app is the best route.

Regarding logistics, the Standing Light Bars come in pairs, bound by a nondetachable, braided USB Type-C cable that offers decent flexibility in placement. While it might be tempting to use your computer’s ports, they might not deliver the full power these bars require. Using an outlet might then be your best bet if you’re aiming for max brightness.

For positioning, the bars can face you directly or cast a soft light against a wall, giving off a nice ambient feel comparable to some TV light strips. The choice is yours—personal preference goes a long way here, and both configurations have their perks.

Now, onto the downsides. Despite their striking looks, the Standing Light Bars can feel underwhelming in hand. Made from matte black plastic, they feel light and, unfortunately, somewhat cheap. Adjusting wired accessories nearby can disturb and misplace these bars due to their slippery bases.

Coupled with this, a universal issue with RGB lighting rears its head: color calibration. The Standing Light Bars appear a bit different from their Gamer Room counterparts, leaning towards a subtler palette akin to the Light Bulb rather than matching the Light Strip’s vibrancy. Power-wise, these light bars are a little demanding. While they’ll operate with lower power, reaching their full potential requires adequate juice, which could mean more outlets or USB Type-C ports.

With the extensive suite of Razer Chroma products available, managing power sources can become overwhelming. A dedicated hub to streamline this setup could be a worthwhile addition for future iterations.

Reflecting on the whole experience, if you’ve already bought into the Razer Chroma ecosystem, these light bars fit right in, extending the aesthetic and capability seamlessly. Yet, if options are limited on your desk, power-wise, maybe these aren’t the best fit.

All in all, the Razer Gamer Room continues to impress, skillfully integrating into Razer Chroma’s wider ecosystem for a mature, dependable smart home solution. While the hardware might not feel as premium as some might like, the lights themselves perform admirably—backed by solid software support. At the end of the day, if you’re set on adding a bit more Razer flair to your home, the Aether Standing Light Bars are available for $99.99 at Amazon.