FlowGlow Technology: How an E27 Lamp Generates 42 Light Effects in Real Time
Flames rise, auroras flow across the surface, and points of light leave glowing trails. FlowGlow displays 42 effects like these directly on the lamp.
The effect lamp has an E27 base and contains many LEDs that can be controlled individually. Their values are updated 125 times per second, making movement and transitions appear especially soft and fluid.
What FlowGlow is
A conventional smart LED bulb usually changes the color and brightness of its entire surface at once. Different areas of FlowGlow can light up independently, creating patterns that move across the lamp.
FlowGlow works with any compatible E27 light fixture. The fixture must have enough space, allow suitable ventilation, and leave the lamp's surface visible. If you do not have one, the FlowGlow Base is a matching lamp holder.
What FlowGlow is not
- Not a projector: The effects appear directly on the lamp's surface. They are not projected onto a wall or ceiling.
- Not a replacement for task or general lighting: A brightness of 800 lm at full white does not automatically make FlowGlow a suitable replacement for a ceiling, reading, or desk light.
- Not a medical device: FlowGlow is not light therapy and makes no promises about sleep, stress, or health.
- Not a night-light designed specifically for babies: The E27-base LED lamp is neither portable nor designed as a safety or orientation light for young children.
- Not a Zigbee or Matter system: FlowGlow is controlled with the IR remote, Bluetooth, and optional WiFi.
How the light effects are created
FlowGlow's effects are calculated continuously inside the lamp—by a dual-core processor that also handles Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. They are not short stored videos that simply repeat.
This allows a flame to flicker a little differently each time and means a wave does not have to follow a short, easily recognized loop. The animation keeps evolving, creating movement that feels more natural and varied.
125 updates per second
The refresh rate describes how often the LEDs' values are recalculated in one second. FlowGlow does this 125 times per second, allowing fast movement and fine transitions to appear fluid.
The effect refresh rate is not the same as the PWM frequency. PWM determines how the LEDs regulate their brightness. The two values serve different purposes and are therefore listed separately in the technical specifications.
65,536 brightness levels
FlowGlow uses 16-bit brightness resolution, which provides 65,536 levels.
This fine resolution is especially useful for slow color transitions, glowing embers, and heavily dimmed light. It allows transitions to remain very even. How they appear to the eye or on camera will also depend on the surroundings, brightness, and camera settings.
Adjustable speed
You can change the speed of every effect. Slow movement feels quieter and more restrained, while higher speeds make the same effect appear livelier and more noticeable.
The setting changes only the timing of the effect. It does not affect the number of effects available.
Colors, palettes, and gradients
Effect and color can be selected independently. Fire can appear in classic orange and red or be deliberately styled in blue, violet, or other colors.
Several colors can be combined into a palette or gradient. FlowGlow can also change the selected colors gradually over a set period.
Effects become Flows
A Flow combines an effect with selected colors or a palette, speed, and an optional response to music. The result is a complete lighting mood that you can name, save, and return to whenever you want.
You can share your own Flows with the FlowGlow community. The public Flow Library also lets you discover creations from other people, download them, and bring them directly to your lamp.
Gradual brightness changes
A schedule can make FlowGlow gradually brighter or dimmer. Brightness and color can change independently.
For example, a gradual transition from dim, warm light can begin in the morning. FlowGlow has no alarm sound and cannot guarantee that the light will wake you.
Optimized for camera recordings
The PWM frequency is above 27 kHz, reducing the risk of visible bands or flicker artifacts in camera recordings.
The result will also depend on shutter speed, frame rate, brightness, and the camera model used.
42 FlowGlow effects
| Category | Count | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Fire | 7 | Calm Fire, Wild Fire, Candlelight, Emberfall |
| Nature | 9 | Aurora, Ocean, Rainfall, Snowfall, Fireflies |
| Cosmos | 7 | Starlight, Supernova, Eclipse, Orbit |
| Light | 8 | Steady, Breathing, Heartbeat, Core Pulse |
| Motion | 6 | Tracer, Chase, Bounce, Collider |
| Play | 5 | Lava Lamp, Equalizer, Fireworks, Invaders |
Find the complete list with descriptions and individual previews on the All Effects page.
Response to music and other sounds
The built-in sensor can be enabled for any of the 42 effects. It detects music and other sounds in the room and makes the animation respond immediately.
You can adjust the sensitivity and strength of the response. Processing happens directly on the lamp; audio is neither recorded nor stored.
Because the sensor responds to sound in the room, it may detect clapping, voices, or other clearly audible noises as well as music.
Orientation and touch
A motion sensor detects how the lamp is mounted and aligns the effects accordingly. A flame, for example, always points upward—even when the lamp sits upside down in a ceiling fixture.
The same sensor detects touches of the lamp. A brief touch can, for example, send a light greeting to friends’ lamps.
How to control FlowGlow
IR remote
The remote is included in the box. It requires a clear line of sight to the lamp and works without a smartphone, account, WiFi, or internet connection.
FlowGlow Studio app
The iOS and Android app connects directly to FlowGlow over Bluetooth. Use it to adjust effects, colors, palettes, brightness, speed, and the response to music.
You can create, save, and share your own Flows with the community. The public Flow Library also lets you discover and download more Flows.
Amazon Alexa and Google Home
Alexa and Google Home are optional online features. Voice control requires WiFi and an account.
Available commands depend on the currently released integration. The app and remote remain the direct ways to make detailed changes to effects and Flows.
Timers and schedules
Schedules that should run while the app is closed require WiFi and a free account.
They can switch FlowGlow on and off automatically and change effect, color, and speed at set times. Brightness and color can also be adjusted gradually over a selected period.
For schedules to run reliably, the time zone and days of the week must be set correctly. FlowGlow must also remain connected to power.
Typical uses
Flickering fire
Calm Fire or Candlelight in warm colors creates the appearance of flames or candlelight. FlowGlow shows only the visible movement; the lamp produces neither heat nor fire sounds.
Flowing auroras
Aurora in green, turquoise, and violet sends colors slowly across the lamp's surface. The effect remains on FlowGlow and is not projected into the room.
Light that responds to music
Equalizer or any other effect can react to music and other sounds. The sensor listens to the room and does not receive audio directly from a music service or smartphone.
A gradual morning transition
FlowGlow can become gradually brighter while changing color, for example from amber to warm white. The lamp has no alarm sound or clock display.
Technical specifications
Light & Effects
| Intended use | Ambient and accent lighting; not designed as a room’s primary light source |
| Brightness | 800 lm at full white |
| Light distribution | 360° around the lamp |
| Color temperature | 2,000–6,500 K, adjustable |
| Colors | Full RGB spectrum |
| Color depth | 16-bit (65,536 levels) |
| Effect refresh rate | 125 Hz |
| PWM Frequency | 27+ kHz (camera flicker-free) |
| Effects | Generated in real time |
Power & Lifespan
| Power consumption | 9 W |
| Input voltage | 220–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz |
| Rated lifespan | 25,000 hours |
| Energy class | TBD (EPREL registration pending) |
Connectivity & Control
| Bluetooth | BLE for local app control; no account or hub required |
| Wi-Fi | 2.4 GHz (5 GHz not supported) |
| Voice control | Amazon Alexa and Google Home |
| App | FlowGlow Studio for iOS and Android |
| Remote | Infrared remote included; requires line of sight |
| Account | Not required; optional for schedules and remote access |
| Firmware updates | Wirelessly over Wi-Fi (OTA) |
Dimensions & Materials
| Base | E27 |
| Dimensions | 200 mm high × 50 mm diameter |
| Weight | 300 g |
| Diffuser | Polycarbonate (PC) |
| Operating temperature | −10 to 40 °C |
Compliance & Origin
| Compliance | CE · RoHS · WEEE · UKCA |
| Developed in | Germany |
| Warranty | 2 years |
In the Box
| Lamp | 1× FlowGlow Effect Lamp |
| Remote | 1× infrared remote with CR2025 battery |
| Quick-start guide | 1× multilingual guide |
Model: 333-42 · Product name: FlowGlow Effect Lamp · Price: €99.90 · Optional accessory: FlowGlow Base
Try FlowGlow
In the 3D configurator, you can explore all 42 FlowGlow effects for free without an account. Change the effect, color, and speed directly in the preview.
The preview shows the animation on the lamp. It cannot fully reproduce the actual brightness, reflections, or colors of your surroundings.
