Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite – My Gadget of the Year 2025
Why this €80 gadget is an absolute no-brainer
There are gadgets that make you question after purchase: Do I really need this? And then there are gadgets that make you wonder: Why didn’t I get this years ago? The Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite definitely falls into the second category.
As a long-time gadget enthusiast, I regularly test new technology for Gadget-Tester.de. I’ve tried a lot – from high-end soundbars to 3D projectors. But this unassuming LED system for around 80 euros completely surprised me. It is my personal highlight among all the new purchases of 2025.
Product at a Glance
Product: Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite
Price: approx. €80-90 (often on sale)
Available Sizes: 40-50″, 55-65″, 75-85″ inches
Tested: Version for 75-85″ (16.4ft / 5m LED strip)
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
My Backstory with Ambilight
The idea of enhancing the TV with reactive ambient lighting has fascinated me for a long time. When the first generation of Govee was released, I actually gifted the system several times to friends – but I never bought one for myself. Typical, right?
I once saw a DIY Ambilight system with a Raspberry Pi and LED strips at a friend’s place. Impressive, but also requiring quite a bit of tinkering. I was also familiar with the original Philips Ambilight TVs from the electronics store – technically great, but only available in certain TV models and correspondingly expensive.
As a gadget tester, I’m always on the lookout for products that provide real value. Immersion is particularly important to me: whether it’s a 3D projector, my Samsung soundbar with 7.1.4 sound, or now the Govee Backlight – I want to be right in the middle of the action.
The Purchase Decision: 3 Lite vs. T2 Pro
Before making the purchase, I did extensive research. The choice was between the Govee Backlight T2 Pro and the new 3 Lite. After watching several YouTube comparisons, it became clear to me: The 3 Lite offers two significant advantages.
While the T2 Pro is said to have a slightly more intense color representation, I found the price-performance ratio of the 3 Lite to be more convincing. For my 85-inch TV, I chose the largest version – on sale for around 80 euros. Most of the time, the product is found at a discount, with the MSRP being around 100-120 euros.
“I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into. I didn’t know how good it would be. But after the first switch-on, it was clear to me: Why didn’t I get this years ago?”
Installation: Easier than you think
The setup is surprisingly straightforward, even though there was a bit of apprehension about the task at first. The LED strip consists of four segments (two longer ones for the top/bottom, two shorter ones for the sides), which are connected by flexible cable pieces at the corners.
Step 1: Install LED Strip
The strip has an adhesive back – simply peel off the protective film and stick it to the back of the TV frame. I had to briefly remove the soundbar to work well at the bottom. The adhesive strength is strong, it holds firmly. Important: The cable connections at the corners are slightly longer than necessary – even with my 85-inch model. Just lay them neatly in the corners so that nothing sticks out.
Step 2: Camera and Sync Box
The system operates via a camera that is mounted centrally on top of the TV. This camera captures the image and analyzes the colors in real-time. The camera is connected to the sync box, which also accommodates the LED strip and the power cable. The box itself can be attached to the TV using the included adhesive.
My Tip from Personal Experience
My sync box keeps falling off. Unfortunately, I didn’t use the included cleaning cloth – a mistake! Clean the adhesive surface on the TV thoroughly beforehand, and the box will hold permanently. Alternatively, you can simply leave it hanging if the cable management is correct.
Step 3: Calibration via App
To set up, you need the Govee Home app and an account. The package includes small red foam markers that you stick to the corners and edge centers of the TV. These serve as a reference for the camera during calibration. Press the markers down lightly – they should not leave any traces.
In the app, you can see the camera image and fine-tune the detection areas. The whole process is really intuitively designed. After calibration, you set up a so-called “DreamView” scene, which activates the video mode. From then on, the lighting automatically responds to the TV image.
In Practice: A Game Changer
Once the system is up and running, you immediately understand the hype. The entire wall behind the TV shines in the colors of the current image content. During sunsets in movies, the room is bathed in warm orange, during underwater scenes in deep blue, and during explosions, it flickers red and yellow.
Gaming Experience
For Christmas, I treated myself to the PlayStation 5 Pro (there will be a separate review for that). Currently, I’m playing MotorFest – and I’m convinced that I’m enjoying this game so much partly because the colors of the Govee Backlights are just so much fun. The colorful racing track environments are practically projected into the room.
Pleasant for the Eyes
An effect I didn’t expect: The backlight is actually more comfortable for the eyes. The contrast between a bright screen and a dark room is reduced because the entire background is at a similar brightness level. Longer movie or gaming sessions feel less strenuous as a result.
Optional: The Kit with Light Bars
I purchased the Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite Kit, which additionally includes two 15-inch Light Bars. These can be placed on the left and right of the TV or stuck to the wall to enhance the lighting effect.
The bars are connected via a common cable, the middle of which leads to a small control box. In the app, you can define which zone of the TV image is transmitted to which area of the bars – each bar has three separately controllable zones.
My Problem with the Bars
To be honest: I didn’t really need the bars at all. With my setup – an 85-inch TV in a relatively narrow TV niche with walls on the left and right – there was a problem: The bars reflected their light off the side walls back onto the highly reflective TV. The camera picked up these reflections and interpreted them as part of the image. Result: The colors no longer changed correctly because the system was essentially seeing its own light.
After some experimentation, I finally placed the bars behind my PC monitor – they now provide pleasant ambient light while working. Those with enough space who can position the bars at least 50cm away from the TV will surely be happy with them. However, for my living room setup, the LED strip alone was completely sufficient.
✓ Benefits
✗ Disadvantages
Regarding the Delay: Not a Real Issue
Yes, there is a minimal delay between the image content and the light response. This is due to the system: The camera needs to capture the image, analyze it, and then control the LEDs. This latency is noticeable when you pay close attention to it.
But – and this is the crucial point – after a short time, you no longer notice it. The brain filters out the delay, and you simply enjoy the enhanced light ambiance. In fast-paced games like racing simulations, it doesn’t matter anyway, as the colors are constantly changing. And in movies, the minimal latency during camera switches becomes hardly noticeable after a while.
Alternatives and Variants
The Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite is available in various sizes:
Those who want even more can opt for the Govee TV Backlight 3 Pro (starting at around €180). This model features a triple camera with HDR support, denser LEDs, and even more precise color detection. However, for most users, the 3 Lite is more than sufficient – even in direct comparison, the difference is hardly noticeable in everyday use.
💡 Alternative: Philips Hue Sync TV App
The premium solution without a camera – but at what cost?
If you own a compatible Samsung TV (QLED Q60 or higher from 2022) or LG TV (from 2024 with webOS24), you can alternatively use the Philips Hue Sync TV App. The main advantage: synchronization occurs directly through the TV processor – no external camera, no sync box needed. The app analyzes the video signal internally and controls the Hue lights practically without delay.
✓ Advantages
✗ Disadvantages
Cost Calculation Philips Hue (65 Inch TV)
• Hue Sync TV App: €129.99 (one-time) or €2.99/month
• Hue Bridge (Pro): €45-90
• Hue Play Gradient Lightstrip 65″: ~€200
➜ Total: approx. €375-420 vs. Govee 3 Lite: ~€80
Conclusion: The Hue solution is technically more elegant (no camera!), but the price is absurd. €130 for an app? That’s hard to justify – especially since you still have to buy the Bridge and Lightstrip separately. For most users, Govee is the clearly more sensible choice.
Conclusion: An Absolute No-Brainer
The Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite is one of those rare products where you immediately know after the first switch-on: That was a good decision. For around 80 euros, you get a system that enhances your movie nights, gaming experience, and even eye health.
The installation is easy, the app works reliably, and the wow factor is guaranteed – not just for me, but for the whole family. If you’re looking for a gadget that offers real value and one that you don’t have to think twice about whether it’s worth it: This is the one.
★★★★★
Clear Purchase Recommendation!
Technical Specifications
| Product Name | Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite |
| LED Technology | RGBICW (4-in-1 beads with white) |
| Camera | Fish-eye correction camera |
| Control | Govee Home App, Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Smart Home | Matter compatible (via OTA update) |
| Connection | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi |
| Features | Black detection, letterbox mode, DreamView Sync, 99+ scenes |
| Price (RRP) | approx. €90-120 (often on sale for €70-80) |
This review is based on my personal experiences with the Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite. The product was purchased by myself and was not provided by Govee.
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Govee TV 3 Lite
The device I tested:
Price: from 67.49 Euro
Govee Envisual TV T2
The predecessor device in the standard version:
Price: from 84.99 Euro