If Philips Hue is too expensive, the HDMI Sync Box and TV Backlight set from WiZ is a cheap and effective alternative
Create a more immersive home theater setup with this super affordable sync box and light strip bundle.
WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight: two-minute review
The first step of setting up my WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit was actually removing my Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror Kit, as that was what I had been using for TV accent lighting prior to the test period. Both Nanoleaf and WiZ are among the best smart light brands and so being able to directly compare the two was a valuable asset for the review process.
I’ll admit I was a little sad to put the old Nanoleaf light strip into storage but I really wasn’t going to miss the camera that used to linger above my screen. Luckily, the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit doesn’t have any unwelcome distractions like that, and the setup was a good deal cleaner too.
My television is 55 inches, and it was definitely the smallest screen the 55-65” kit could fit on. In fact, I had to readjust my positioning a couple of times to avoid any sections of the LED strip going beyond the TV’s edge. Thanks to the adhesive clips and weirdly ingenious corner sections included with the kit, I was to achieve an application that I was confident would last.
Alongside the included LCD light strip, I also tested the Sync Box’s functionality with other WiZ products, including the Gradient Light Bars. The app has a clever and easy-to-use function where you essentially tell it where your extra lights are in relation to your television and that dictates how its colors shift. Sure enough, the synced lights change in line with the light strip, further expanding the glowing halo around whatever episode of Kitchen Nightmares I happen to be watching.
When it got to actually testing the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit, I encountered a bit of a problem: my partner and I are the kind of adult children who own at least one of every current gen console, so the singular HDMI 2.0 port included with the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit was just not going to cut it.
Thankfully, the sync box supports the use of switch splitters, meaning you can expand your number of inputs provided you’re happy to spend a little extra. Depending on how many more ports you need, HDMI splitters can set you back about $10 to $50, so keep that added cost in mind if you plan to use the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit while gaming across multiple platforms.
Skull and Bones is undoubtedly not one of gaming’s greats, but it happened to be one my partner was playing at the time – and, in its defence, it does have an open world that delivers a good deal of color information for the sync box to work with. As I expected, the deep grey-blue of the game’s sea was reflected really beautifully on the wall behind my screen, but what was particularly impressive was when a blast of lightning cut across the game’s skybox.
This in-game weather phenomenon prompted a localised shock of white light to cut across my walls, adding a fabulous sense of drama to what was otherwise rather goofy game.
On the other hand, playing Dead by Daylight on a map with a grimy, rust colored palette intermittently produced the most random shade of violet. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for some good bisexual lighting at the best of times, but I’d appreciate it if my light strip stuck just a tad closer to the script.
One mechanic in Dead by Daylight involves the appearance of what’s called a ‘terror radius’, causing a blood-red glow to emit from another player’s character. When the sync box picked up the terror radius, it looked superb and truly enhanced the thrill of the chase. The only problem was, it didn’t activate all that reliably.
Some kind of colored light was always present and enhancing the atmosphere of my media setup, but there were times where I’d pay especially close attention to the WiZ light strip’s output and realise how arbitrary its choices were. I navigated the WiZ app (which as mentioned in my WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp review, is a breeze) and tried to force a firmware update, hoping this would resolve these quirks. Unfortunately, it seems like the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit has a tiny rebellious streak that can’t be quashed.
WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight: specifications
Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only), Bluetooth |
Smart home compatibility | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Matter |
Supported resolution | 4K at 60hz |
Supported HDR formats | HDR10+, Dolby Vision |
Supported screen sizes | 55-65 inch or 75-80 inch |
Brightness | Not specified |
Color temperature | 2,700-6,500k |
Total LED strip length | 8.5ft / 2.6m |
WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight: price and availability
- 55-65 inch kit price: $89 / £79.99
- 75-85” inch price: $109 / £99.99
- Where to buy: Amazon, WiZ (US only)
The 55-65” WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit costs $89, while the larger 85” model comes with a bit of a premium at $109. Both can be purchased on the WiZ site or on Amazon.
If you’re in the UK, you can browse WiZ products on the website but when it comes to actually popping them in your basket, you’ll have to head to Amazon. Here, you can pick up the 65” kit for £79.99 and the 85” kit for £99.99.
Should you buy the WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight
Buy it if
You like your TV experience more theatrical
Screen mirroring smart lights transform your living space to match the vibe of the show, film, or game you’re enjoying; it’s fun, it’s flashy, and it’s a little silly. If that sounds like your jam, you know what to add to your shopping list.
You’re on a budget
Whereas some HDMI sync boxes can cost you close to $250, the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit is just $90 (or $109 if you’re opting for the larger size). This is an especially attractive option if you’ve recently splashed the cash on a new TV.
You don’t want a camera
While Nanoleaf offers a screen-mirroring smart light kit that’s similarly-priced, it relies on information from a camera feed instead of a HDMI input. Depending on the layout of your TV, you can have the camera below or above your screen but either way, it’s a little distracting.
Don't buy it if
You rely on smart TV streaming apps
Given the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit bases its screen mirroring on data from a HDMI source, you can’t use it in tandem with smart TV apps. If you watch the majority of your media directly on your TV instead of a console or cable box, you might want to explore other smart light options.
You want a sync box that natively supports multiple HDMI inputs
While you have the option to hook up a switch splitter, the WiZ HDMI Sync Box only supports one HDMI input as standard. If you have multiple gaming consoles, keep in mind you’ll have to drop an extra $30 to allow you quickly change between them.
You’d like illumination from all angles
The light strip included with the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit provides coverage across the top and sides of your TV or monitor. The lack of light on the bottom is barely noticeable on standing TVs but is a good deal more obvious if your TV is wall-mounted.
WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight: also consider
If you’re not totally sold on the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit, it might be worth checking out alternatives like the Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit and the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box.
Specification | WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight | Nanoleaf 4D Screen Mirror + Lightstrip Kit | Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
Price | $89 / £79.99 (up to 65 inches) $109 / £99.99 (up to 85 inches) | $99.99 / £81.94 (up to 65 inches) $119.99 / £105.52 (up to 85 inches) | $249.99 / £229.99 (light strips sold separately) |
Screen mirroring input | HDMI 2.0 Sync Box (single input) | Camera | HDMI 2.1 Sync Box (four inputs) |
Supported resolution | 4k at 60hz | N/A | 4K at 60hz |
Supported HDR formats | HDR10+, Dolby Vision | N/A | HDR10+, Dolby Vision |
Supported screen size | 55-65 inch or 75-85 inch | Up to 65 inch or up to 85 inch | Lights sold separately, Hue Bridge required to link |
Smart home compatibility | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Matter | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Matter | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit (Matter compatible if used with Hue Bridge, sold separately) |
Light strip length | 8.5ft / 2.6m 11.2ft / 3.4m | 13.1ft / 4m 17ft / 5.2m | N/A |
Brightness | Not specified | 1,075 lumens (65 inch variant) 1,122 lumens (85 inch variant) | N/A |
Color temperature | 2,700-6,500K | 2,700-6,500K | N/A |
How I tested the WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV Backlight
- I connected the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit to my TV
- I tested the Sync Box using input from my PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
- I experimented with in-app features and controls
During the two weeks I used the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit, I enjoyed a variety of films, tv shows, and video games while observing how the LCD light strip emulated what was onscreen. After assessing the functionality of the light strip alone, I also connected the Sync Box to the WiZ Gradient Light Bars and the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp. For more details, see how we test, rate, and review at TechRadar.
First reviewed July 2025
