Open Thread: Auto XS LED Light Strips

Last Updated on July 9, 2023

For some car owners, buying the car is just the first step in the journey. I’m not talking about maintenance and repairs, although those come with car ownership, too. I’m talking about aftermarket upgrades. Some of those upgrades can make a car operate better or safer, like adding a lift kit to a vehicle that goes offroad or putting keyless entry in an old vehicle that doesn’t have it. Many upgrades, though, are simply about making the car look or sound better: custom detailing, aftermarket speakers, or lift kits simply for the look.

Some of those upgrades are more expensive, and more intrusive, than others. Some involve wiring into the car’s electrical system, for example, while others are a simple plug-and-play job. The plug-and-play stuff, while maybe not as flashy, can be nice because it’s usually less expensive, and because it’s also usually easier to reverse if something goes wrong or isn’t to your liking.

Many cosmetic upgrades are exterior, giving a car better curb appeal, but some are interior. Interior upgrades are cool because you can actually see them while you drive, something you don’t always get with the upgrades the rest of the world sees. One small example is LED light strips, which can be mounted in a way to make your floorboards glow. They give a car a nice atmosphere, especially paired with the right soundtrack.

Most people would look for lights like that online, or maybe at a local shop that specializes in aftermarket upgrades. I’m guessing that most wouldn’t go looking at their local small inventory German grocery store. Yet here we are.

What We Know:

Auto XS LED Light Strips (Product Code: 702753) are an Aldi Find, which means they’re only in stores for a short time. Aldi does not offer online ordering for its specials, so once these sell out at your local store, they’re gone. At post time, these cost $12.99. That’s cheaper than most of the light strips I see online. They’re backed by a 3-year warranty, serviced by Protel, a common Aldi warranty company.

Aldi indicates that the lights come with:

two 12″ flexible ultra-slim light strips, each with 18 LEDs
a remote control to change colors and speed
a cigarette lighter adapter

According to Aldi, the lights’ features include:

the ability to use them on the interior floor or dashboard
the ability to sync the lights with 4 different music or sound mode options
A 5.9 foot cord length on each strip for use in the front or back of car
double-sided adhesive tape on the back for easy installation
the ability to plug into cigarette lighter socket

Aldi claims the lights fit all cars.

What We Don’t Know:

We haven’t tested these ourselves, which is why we have an open thread here instead of a traditional review. Our goal with posts like this is to offer a place for people to share about their experiences with a product. We do not know who the manufacturer is, and we don’t know how well they work or how long they last.

Do you have any experience with these strips? Let us know in the comments.