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Solar lights run on a panel and a battery with no cable back to the house, while wired landscape lights run on a low-voltage transformer and cable, so the solar lights vs wired landscape lights choice comes down to wiring, brightness and upkeep. No solar light is included in the gear below: all 4 lights listed are wired low-voltage lights, so the comparison rests on the wired listings. Choose wired lights when the yard needs steady bright light every night; choose solar lights when a cable trench is not an option.
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The quick answer: solar lights vs wired landscape lights
Wired landscape lights give steady light every night from a transformer, with stated outputs of 450 lumens and 150 lumens in this group, while solar lights need no cable and charge from a panel. No solar light is listed in the gear below, so the solar side is described from the trade-off alone: a solar light suits a spot with no cable run, and a wired light suits a yard that needs steady bright light. If the yard already has a transformer, wired lights are the straightforward pick; if a cable trench is not an option, solar lights are the way to light the spot.
Step 1: Check the power source
Solar lights carry a panel and a battery, so they need no cable back to the house. Wired landscape lights run on low voltage from a transformer: all 4 listings here state 12V, and the aluminum Gardencoin and the SUNVIE state 12 to 24V. The PARTPHONER, the aluminum Gardencoin and the SUNVIE state that the transformer is not included, so the transformer and the low-voltage cable are part of the wired cost. A solar light avoids that cost and the digging, while a wired light avoids the panel and the battery entirely.
Step 2: Compare brightness and color
Brightness is stated as lumens on the aluminum Gardencoin and the SUNVIE: the aluminum Gardencoin states 450 lumens at 2700K from a 5W bulb, and the SUNVIE states 150 lumens at 3000K from 3W chips. The PARTPHONER states 3W G4 bulbs at 3000K with no lumen total, and the brass Gardencoin states a maximum of 50W with the bulb not included, so its output depends on the bulb chosen. Color runs warm across the group: 2700K on the Gardencoin pair and 3000K on the PARTPHONER and the SUNVIE, with the SUNVIE stating a CRI of 90+.
Step 3: Check the transformer and cable
Every wired light here needs a transformer, and the listings are clear about what is in the box. The PARTPHONER states that the transformer and main cable are not included. The aluminum Gardencoin states that the transformer and low-voltage wires are not included. The SUNVIE states that the transformer and low-voltage wire are not included, and gives a 1.9-foot ETL-listed wire on each light. The brass Gardencoin gives a 3-foot pure copper cable and states that it works with most outdoor transformers, with no transformer included in the listing. Match the transformer to the 12V rating on the listings, and to 12 to 24V where the listing states that range.
Step 4: Check weather protection and warranty
Outdoor lights live in rain and sun, so the rating and the warranty matter. The PARTPHONER, the aluminum Gardencoin and the SUNVIE state IP65, and the SUNVIE also states an ETL-listed cord. The brass Gardencoin states an ETL listing with a solid brass housing and no IP rating stated. Warranties run from 1 year on the SUNVIE to a lifetime term on the brass Gardencoin, with 10 years on the aluminum Gardencoin fixtures and 36 months on the PARTPHONER. The aluminum Gardencoin also states a 2-year warranty on its bulbs.
The gear: 4 wired landscape lights
The gear below is listed in ranking order. All 4 lights are wired low-voltage lights; no solar light is listed.
| Light | Power | Lumens | Color | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardencoin Aluminum Spotlight | 5W | 450 lumens | 2700K | 10 years |
| Gardencoin Brass Spotlight | 50W max | Not stated | Not stated | Lifetime |
| SUNVIE Pathway Lights | 3W | 150 lumens | 3000K | 1 year |
| PARTPHONER Pathway Lights | 3W | Not stated | 3000K | 36 months |
The aluminum Gardencoin spotlight comes as a 6-pack with a 5W MR16 replaceable bulb in each fixture, stating 450 lumens at 2700K. The housing is cast aluminum with an IP65 rating and a tempered glass lens, and the knuckle adjusts 120 degrees with a 360-degree rotating lampshade. The warranty is 10 years on the aluminum fixtures and 2 years on the bulbs.
The brass Gardencoin spotlight is a 6-pack of solid brass fixtures with an ETL listing, a 360-degree horizontal rotation and a 180-degree vertical rotation, and a 3-foot pure copper cable. The listing states a maximum of 50W for MR16 bulbs with a GU5.3 base, and the bulb is not included. The warranty description is lifetime.
The SUNVIE pathway lights come as a 12-pack of 3W LED bollard lights at 3000K with a CRI of 90+, stating 150 lumens and a service life of up to 50,000 hours. The housing is die-cast aluminum with an IP65 rating, and the cord is ETL listed at 1.9 feet. The warranty is 1 year.
The PARTPHONER pathway lights come as a 12-pack of aluminum lights with 14 G4 bulbs at 3W and 3000K. The housing states an IP65 rating and a temperature range of -4°F to 104°F. The warranty is a 36-month replacement warranty, and the transformer and main cable are not included.
Ways to keep the lights working
- Pick a fixture with a replaceable bulb: the PARTPHONER comes with G4 bulbs, the aluminum Gardencoin comes with a 5W MR16 bulb, and the brass Gardencoin takes MR16 bulbs with a GU5.3 base.
- Buy the transformer with the lights: the PARTPHONER, the aluminum Gardencoin and the SUNVIE state that it is not included.
- Match the voltage: all 4 listings state 12V, and the aluminum Gardencoin and the SUNVIE state 12 to 24V.
- Check the warranty before ordering: the brass Gardencoin states a lifetime warranty, the aluminum Gardencoin states 10 years on the fixture and 2 years on the bulbs, the PARTPHONER states 36 months and the SUNVIE states 1 year.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Do solar lights or wired landscape lights shine brighter?
The wired listings here state 450 lumens for the aluminum Gardencoin and 150 lumens for the SUNVIE, while the PARTPHONER states no lumen total and the brass Gardencoin states no lumen figure. No solar light is listed, so no solar lumen figure is stated in this guide.
Do wired landscape lights need a transformer?
Yes. All 4 listings state 12V low voltage, and the PARTPHONER, the aluminum Gardencoin and the SUNVIE state that the transformer is not included.
Can wired landscape lights be used in rain?
The PARTPHONER, the aluminum Gardencoin and the SUNVIE state IP65. The brass Gardencoin states an ETL listing and a brass housing with no IP rating stated.
Which wired light here has the longest warranty?
The brass Gardencoin, with a lifetime warranty stated. The aluminum Gardencoin states 10 years on the fixture, the PARTPHONER states 36 months and the SUNVIE states 1 year.
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