Used in our display
Govee H6172, H6173 & H6175: our outdoor strip-light review
Straightforward installation, strong adhesive, and a clean roofline finish. After over a year outdoors, these Govee strips are holding up well to sun exposure.
A welcome upgrade for our roofline
I've used Govee light strips since the early generations, including models that weren't fully intended for outdoor use. Over the years, those older strips faded with sun exposure, and keeping them protected from water was an ongoing concern. I've since replaced all of our outdoor roofline strips with H6172, H6173, and H6175 models.
Holding up after more than a year
These strips have now been installed on our roofline for over a year, and they're holding up very well to sun and UV exposure. Compared with the previous Govee models I used, they've held up noticeably better.
Well packaged and easy to install
Govee makes a strong first impression. The packaging is organized and professionally presented, with the components neatly arranged. In my experience, these strips are extremely easy to install.
The protective covering is one detail worth handling carefully. I avoid forcing the strips around sharp corners or bending them too tightly, because damaging that covering could compromise its protection. Follow the mounting and bend guidance supplied with your particular kit.
Strong adhesion, with a caveat for stone
The 3M adhesive backing has held firmly on the metal and wood surfaces in our installation. Stone is more dependent on texture: smooth surfaces are easier to work with, while rough stone makes adhesion more difficult. Surface choice matters, and I wouldn't assume the same result on every material. Govee's manuals call for mounting clips as well as adhesive; strong initial adhesion is not a reason to skip them.
A tidy installation under the eaves
The screw-together connectors and their sealing gaskets are details I appreciate in these kits. I still mount the controllers and power supplies well underneath the outdoor eaves, sheltered from direct rain.
In our setup, standard 120 V household power feeds the supplied DC adapters. I route the power beneath the eaves and, where there isn't a nearby exterior outlet, use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord. Keeping the cabling tucked out of sight gives the roofline a cleaner finish.
Water resistance varies by component and kit. Govee's current H6173 and H6175 manuals list IP65 for the strip and control box, with an IP44 adapter. The H6172 manual states that its adapter is not waterproof and should be kept away from water. Check the manual and adapter label for your exact version rather than assuming the whole system has the same protection.
My verdict
Overall, these have been fantastic products for our roofline. The organized packaging, straightforward installation, strong adhesion on suitable surfaces, and how well they've held up outdoors make them easy to recommend from my experience. Plan around rough surfaces, handle the protective covering carefully, and give the power components a sheltered home.