With its AI Gaming Sync Box Kit, Govee makes its goal clear: to provide a flagship reactive RGB experience for gaming setups with support for high resolutions and refresh rates, as well as accurate color matching with low latency. Mix in the impressive “AI Gaming Light Effects” and it’s obvious that this is some serious RGB business.
After a month of testing, I’m happy to say that this is the best RGB lighting implementation I’ve experienced so far, but the high cost of entry could be a barrier to many.
Let’s get this party started
Setting up the AI Gaming Sync Box Kit is relatively straightforward. There are two light bars that stand up on either side of your monitor, an LED strip light is attached to the monitor’s rear, and the HDMI AI Sync Box that ties it all together. This magic box features USB-C ports for the light bars and strip, HDMI In and Out for pass-through, and a power port.
Users connect their gaming PC using an HDMI to the Sync Box, then run a second HDMI to their monitor. With support for HDMI 2.0, the following resolutions and frame rates are supported: 4K at 60 Hz, 1440p at 144 Hz, and 1080p at 240 Hz. While that’s fine for me and my primary 1440p 144 Hz display, those pushing more pixels at higher frame rates may find the lack of HDMI 2.1 support disappointing. Though it’s worth noting that competitors are also still stuck with HDMI 2.0.
Not just for PC gamers
Govee has PC gamers in mind for this product, but I can confirm the HDMI devices also work. I used my PS5 and Amazon Fire TV Stick with zero issues.
Govee might not advertise it, but the Sync Box is compatible with more than just computers. (Just keep that HDMI 2.0 limit in mind.)
Go wild
When it comes to customizing the light bars and strip, the Govee Home App is the tool you need. Available for both iOS and Android devices, this app is the place to go. I’m a big fan of this as it means you don’t need to install any additional software to your gaming PC. The app connects to the Sync Box via Bluetooth and I had zero issues getting changes to sync across. It was all very quick and seamless.
Though the app is required for full customization, the Sync Box itself does have buttons that allow for quick adjustments.
As good as it gets
When it comes to actually gaming or watching content, the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box Kit performs flawlessly. It might be expensive, but it’s the most responsive RGB solution I’ve used, reacting quickly to onscreen actions and with accurate color representation.
It also works without a camera sticking off the top of the monitor, an eyesore that I’ve been longing to see disappear. The Sync Box removes the need for the camera entirely.
The age of A.I.
Where Govee is really pushing the envelope is with its “CogniGLow” algorithm. This takes triggers from supported games like kills, deaths, and item use to dynamically change the lighting based on what’s happening in-game.
I liked what I saw from it when testing it out in Apex Legends. It’s immersive enough without becoming distracting. At the time of writing, Valorant, Overwatch, and League of Legends are the only other games that support it. Though Govee says that more titles are “coming soon.”
AI Gaming Sync Box Kit review sample provided by Govee.
Final Verdict
At $299.99, the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box Kit is clearly a premium-priced product. It’s enthusiast/professional grade, with its ease-of-use, well-configured app, and excellent execution, making it top tier and Govee knows it.
If you’re fine with the price, then the only other potential dealbreaker is the lack of support for HDMI 2.1. However, this is a common limitation. If you’re still on board, you’re in for a treat, as the Govee AI Gaming Sync Box Kit is the pinnacle of gaming lighting right now.
Positives and Negatives
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Easy to set up and customize.
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No software to install on your PC.
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Works with consoles and other HDMI devices.
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Simply brilliant reactive lighting.
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A.I. features are cool.
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HDMI 2.0
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The price puts this out of reach for many.
