Comparison Xiaomi Mijia Night Light 2 vs Xiaomi Yeelight LED Bedside Lamp D2

The type defines the general principles and design features of the luminaire and its purpose.

— Lamp. In this case, a luminaire is a relatively compact lighting device designed to illuminate a small space — for example, a terrace or an entrance door. In this case, the light is usually non-directional (180°), although models are available that look like small spotlights and have a narrower direction of the light flux (see "Illumination angle"). Usually, fixtures are designed for one, less often two lamps of not particularly high power — the maximum power (see below) rarely exceeds 150 watts. They can be installed in almost any way, but the most popular are wall, ceiling, suspended and built-in models (see "Installation").

— Spotlight. Floodlights are quite powerful light sources that provide mainly directional light (although in some models the illumination angles can reach 180 °) with a relatively high luminous flux. However, the key difference between such devices and lamps is their general purpose: spotlights are not intended for general lighting, but mainly for directional illumination. Moreover, the situation when the observer is standing in the shade can be called the best option for using such devices: even in relatively low-power models, the light can be sharp and very uncomfortable for the eyes.

— Garden bollard. Lighting device in the form of a column of small he...ight (usually up to 1.2 m), installed separately. Such columns can have different designs and designs, however, the light sources in them, usually, are located from above, and the light flux is usually directed mainly downwards — in order to illuminate the ground and not hit the eyes of a nearby person. In accordance with the name, such models are mainly intended for lighting garden and park paths, lawns, etc., and in such a way that a person can first of all see the surface on which he is walking.

— Lamp post. The features of this type of lamps are in many respects obvious from the name: these are high (usually more than 2 m) poles with lamps installed at the top. The lamps themselves (and individual lamps for them) are often provided in the design for several (2 or 3). Lampposts capture a vast space, not only on the ground, but also above; such devices are suitable for general lighting in urban and rural streets, parks, etc. But for use in a private house, they are poorly suited because of the bulkiness and high cost; the purchase of a lamppost can only be justified if the area is large and you want to have original lighting.

The general style of the design of the lamp. This indicator, usually, does not affect the functionality of the device, but it makes it easier to choose a model for the style of the environment and your own wishes for the appearance.

— Classic. In fact — the second name for the style of "retro". The classical style usually involves antique decoration, with characteristic frilly decoration, curlicues, decorative elements, etc. However, most of these lamps look good in a modern setting.

— Hi-tech. Luminaires decorated in the style of "high technology". Usually, this design is quite restrained, it provides smooth metal surfaces, a minimum of decorative excesses and hints that the emphasis in the design is primarily on functionality. However, such minimalism is often the result of the painstaking work of designers, and high-tech models can also look very stylish.

— Modern. Relatively restrained style, essentially a cross between classic and futuristic high-tech (see above). In other words, this category includes fixtures that do not fit into either “retro” or high-tech; while some models have a design close to one of these directions, while others are quite neutral. In general, this style, on the one hand, is not very bright, on the other hand, it is very universal.

— Garden figurine. Lighting fixtures designed in the form of gard...en sculptures. The textbook version of such a sculpture is the “garden gnome with a lantern”, however, there are a great many other options: a tree with luminous flowers, a fabulous bird with shining plumage, etc. This is perhaps the most original and unusual style for outdoor fixtures; on the other hand, garden figurines are much more expensive than similar models in a more traditional design.

Regular installation methods allowed by the design of the lamp.

— Wall mounted. Attach to a wall or other suitable vertical surface. In this case, the lamp itself can be directed both up and down.

— Ceiling. Fastening the luminaire directly to the ceiling (or other similar surface — for example, a cross member in a doorway).

— Suspended. Similar models are also mounted on the ceiling, however, it is not the body of the lamp that is attached to it, but a special base plate; a lamp hangs from this plate, and the role of a suspension can be played by a separate cable, chain, etc., or a power wire. This option is especially good for high ceilings — it allows you to slightly lower the location of the light source for more efficient lighting. However, the height of the suspension may be low, in which case such models differ little from the ceiling ones.

— Portable. Luminaires, originally designed to be quickly carried from place to place. To do this, the design provides appropriate devices — such as a carrying handle and a stand that allows you to put the device on any horizontal surface. However, the need for such an application arises relatively rarely, therefore, portable lamps have not received much distribution, such an installation is found only in single models of spotlights.

—...Track (guided). A specific type of luminaires designed for installation on a special conductive bus (track). The device can be moved along this rail like on rails, which allows you to choose its optimal location. In addition, track models traditionally have a movable design: the lamp can be rotated relative to the base fixed in the tyre, choosing the optimal direction of the light flux. The tyres themselves can have different lengths, if necessary, they can be connected to each other (straight or at an angle). All this gives a very wide range of options for setting up the lighting system. Track lights are popular primarily in retail spaces: they make it easy to highlight the right products or showcases and are easily reconfigured when changing the layout of the room.

— Console (on a pole). Models of LED lamps for providing street lighting. Such devices are installed along roads, in parking lots, gas stations, parks and other areas that need lighting. The main criterion for such lamps is a rectangular elongated body with several LEDs and installation on a lamppost.

— Embedded in the floor. Luminaires mounted in a niche in the floor; can also be installed in the vertical part of the step, highlighting the lower step. Also included are soil models designed for digging into the ground. Anyway, the methods of using such devices can be different, depending on the design and power: for example, some are suitable for illuminating high walls at night, others are designed to illuminate stairs, and others are more likely to designate a certain area on the ground ( garden path borders, parking spaces, etc.). In addition to the application possibilities that are not available for more traditional models, another advantage of recessed luminaires is that they practically do not protrude above the surface in which they are mounted (except for a few millimetres). Glasses in such models are usually made strong enough so that you can safely walk on them, and for many devices more solid strength characteristics are also claimed.

— Built into the wall. Luminaires designed for installation in a wall niche. Unlike models built into the floor (see above), they often have a more traditional application: in fact, they are an analogue of wall lamps, only they are installed not on the wall, but in it, practically without protruding. However, there are solutions for specific tasks — for example, side lighting of stairs. Anyway, compactness is the main advantage of recessed solutions, they are especially useful in cramped conditions, when a luminaire protruding from the wall can create inconvenience. On the other hand, the installation itself is noticeably more complicated due to the need to prepare a niche in the wall.

— Standing separately. Luminaires that can be installed on any suitable surface and are not dependent on walls, ceilings, etc. Note that the specific installation method may vary: some models are able to stand normally on any flat surface, others have a leg immersed in soft ground. This installation method can be found in any type of fixture (see above), however, in garden bollards and lampposts, it is used by definition.

The highest power of the light source (lamp) with which the luminaire can operate normally. For models that do not use replaceable lamps (usually LED, see "Light source"), this item indicates the nominal power of the light source; for devices with several lamps or LEDs — the total maximum power (for example, for three 60 W bulbs this figure will be 180 W).

This limitation is due to the fact that more powerful lamps emit more heat (with the exception of LED, where heat generation is minimal) and consume more electricity; this puts forward the corresponding requirements for the heat resistance of the luminaire body and the reliability of the wiring. Therefore, recommendations for power cannot be exceeded — this can lead to failure and even fire of the lamp.

In general, the higher the maximum power, the brighter the lamp will be and the higher its power consumption. However, only models with the same type, in extreme cases, similar light sources, can be compared according to this indicator (see above). In addition, it is worth considering other design features — in particular, the angle of illumination (narrowly directional models usually use reflectors that increase the apparent brightness of light compared to non-directional ones).

The luminous flux, nominally given out by the lamp (in models with replaceable bulbs — when using lamps of maximum power).

The higher the value of the light flux, the brighter the glow will be, the farther the lamp will turn out and the easier it will be for it to cover a vast space (at the same lighting angles). However, the number of lumens is a rather specific parameter and is rarely required in fact, mainly for special purposes. It is easier for many to evaluate the capabilities of a lamp using special tables in which the luminous flux is related to the overall brightness of light, lighting range, etc. Here is one of the simplest tables — luminous flux values for the most popular incandescent lamps:

— a 40 W lamp produces approximately 370 lm;
— 60 W — 550 lm;
— 75 W — 800 lm;
— 100 W — 1200 lm;
— 150 W — 1900 lm;
— 200 W — 2700 lm.

That is, for example, if an LED lamp produces 1800 lumens, its capabilities approximately correspond to a 150-watt light bulb. In everyday life, it is often easier to evaluate the brightness of fixtures in this way.

Note that the principle “the more the better” in the case of brightness is not always applicable. And the point here is not only in energy consumption: too bright light can be uncomfortable, and even harmful to the eyes.

The colour temperature of the light emitted by the luminaire when using a standard lamp. Note that this parameter is most often indicated for LED models (see "Light source"): it is LEDs that can differ markedly in colour temperature, but among halogen lamps and incandescent lamps, noticeable differences from the general norm are extremely rare.

According to this indicator, you can evaluate the colour of the glow in warm, or, conversely, cold tones. Note that an increase in colour temperature shifts the colour towards cold, bluish colours. So, neutral white light has a colour temperature of 3500 – 4500 K, lower values correspond to the warm light of incandescent lamps, and the highest values \u200b\u200bfound in modern lamps reach 6500 K — this is a pronounced bluish tint.

The choice of colour temperature depends primarily on the personal preferences of the user, as well as design considerations.

The presence of a motion sensor in the design of the lamp.

Such lamps are usually configured to turn on when movement is detected nearby and turn off some time after the moving object has disappeared from the “field of view” of the sensor. The most popular way to use this feature is to work as a circuit breaker: for example, the lamp above the entrance to the house can turn on even when a person is at the gate, allowing you to walk through a brightly lit yard. In addition, a lamp with this function can play the role of an impromptu alarm, warning the owner of a possible intruder and at the same time highlighting the place of violation.

Motion sensors are also available separately, but the built-in sensor is often more convenient, more compact, and even cheaper.