Wattage vs Lumens in Landscape Lighting: What Actually Matters?
A common misconception in outdoor lighting is that higher wattage means a brighter light. That used to be true with old incandescent bulbs — but with LED systems, wattage and lumens mean very different things.
In this guide, we’ll break down what each term really means, which one matters when designing a landscape lighting system, and how Ecotek chooses the right brightness for every project.
What’s the Difference Between Wattage and Lumens?
Wattage measures power consumption — how much electricity the fixture uses.
Lumens measure light output — how much visible light the fixture produces.
In the LED world, a 3-watt fixture can easily outperform a 20-watt halogen in brightness. So if you're choosing based on wattage alone, you're using the wrong metric.
Why Lumens Matter More Than Watts
When designing a landscape lighting system, what really matters is how much light hits the target — not how much power is consumed.
That’s why we base all design decisions on lumens, not watts.
Examples:
Lighting a small palm might only require 150–200 lumens.
Lighting a second-story architectural element might call for 400–600 lumens with a tight beam.
Wall washing a broad stucco wall may use two 300-lumen fixtures spaced evenly.
Meanwhile, wattage simply tells us how efficient the fixture is and how many we can run per transformer.
Why Wattage Still Matters (But Only Behind the Scenes)
While lumens are what matters visually, wattage still plays a key role in:
Transformer sizing
Voltage drop calculations
System load balancing
Heat management inside the fixture
At Ecotek, we track total wattage to ensure your system is safe, scalable, and future-proof — but you’ll never need to worry about that as a homeowner. What you care about is whether your tree, wall, or walkway looks amazing. That’s where lumens come in.
What We Recommend
Don’t worry about wattage numbers when picking fixtures. Focus on:
The height and width of what you’re lighting
The beam angle being used (tight beams can look brighter even at lower lumens)
The style of lighting — accent, wash, flood, or path
At Ecotek, we spec every fixture based on its target — not just a preset package. Whether we’re using 3-watt path lights or 7-watt uplights, we design with purpose so your system doesn’t just “look lit” — it feels dialed in.
Confused About Brightness Levels?
You’re not alone. Most homeowners think in watts — but modern lighting systems run on lumens. At Ecotek Outdoor Lighting, we’ll design a system that looks beautiful, runs efficiently, and lasts for years. Fill out the form below to get started with a custom consultation.