The Govee Pixel Light is not here to compete with premium monitors or multi-functional smart frames. Instead, it serves a very specific purpose: bringing a bit of nostalgic joy to your room through the charm of pixelated art and 8-bit aesthetics. From the moment I saw it showcased at CES 2025, it immediately appealed to the part of me that still loves old-school video games. And now that I’ve had it on my desk for a while, it continues to brighten up my space—both literally and figuratively.
Setting it up is refreshingly simple. The unit doesn’t have a battery, so you’ll need to keep it plugged in, but once that’s done, all it takes is a few taps in the Govee Home app and you’re good to go. The app provides access to a wide range of built-in and community-created pixel art, from static characters to animated GIFs pulled straight from classic games. Watching Samus Aran in 32-pixel form stare out from my desktop has genuinely made hectic days feel a little lighter.
In terms of hardware, there are two versions available: one with a 32×32 pixel display, and another slightly larger 52×32 frame. While the displays are decently bright and responsive, the limited number of LEDs means detailed images don’t always translate well. For example, bold, simple characters like E.T. or Sonic work great, but a fan-made pixel portrait of Ariel from The Little Mermaid ended up looking like a blurry patchwork. The more distinct and vibrant the colors, the better the visuals tend to hold up.
Sound-wise, the device includes a small 3W rear speaker meant for playing retro chiptunes. It’s not powerful by any means, and there’s no physical volume control—only a single button and the app. The audio reminds me of the mono sound from an old Game Boy: thin, tinny, but passable for pixel-era nostalgia. That said, I found myself often muting it entirely and letting the visuals do the talking.
What’s fun is that you can also upload your own creations to the device. The app lets you sketch your own pixel art or import existing GIFs, though results can be hit or miss. Most of the photos I tried turned into unrecognizable blobs of color, and even my attempts at customizing Samus had me testing several versions before finding one that looked decent. The animation playback, however, is surprisingly smooth at 30 frames per second—better than some competitors, like Divoom’s Pixoo, which maxes out at 24 fps.
There are plenty of extra features, too—perhaps a few too many. The Pixel Light can display a clock, a stock ticker, even the price of Bitcoin in real time, though I can’t imagine why anyone would need to track cryptocurrency updates on a decorative pixel screen. Personally, I stuck with game art and gifs, which is clearly where the device shines.
Still, the Govee Pixel Light embraces a particular “gamer aesthetic” that won’t be for everyone. The frame design features decals like “loading” and “game,” which might feel a bit much for those who prefer minimalist setups. Honestly, I would’ve preferred a plain black frame, letting the art speak for itself. Yet despite all its quirks, I’ve grown fond of this device. Whether it’s showing off a looping gif of Sonic speeding across the screen or blasting a low-fidelity Metroid theme from the built-in speaker, it’s a playful reminder of why I love games in the first place.
For those seeking a bit of retro charm in their setup—something small, fun, and very specific in what it offers—the Govee Pixel Light fits the bill. It’s not without its flaws, but if you’re someone who lights up at the sight of pixel sprites and 8-bit music, this light might just become your new favorite desk companion.