How We Review

This page explains how WikiHomeLED researches and rates products. Our ratings come from research, not from physically installing or measuring products.

Step 1: Define the need

We start from what a shopper is trying to solve, such as lighting a dark driveway, adding bias lighting behind a 65 inch TV, or giving houseplants enough light through the winter, and set the criteria that matter for that need before looking at products.

Step 2: Gather information

We use manufacturer specifications, product listings, ENERGY STAR, UL, and other public listing data where available, and recurring themes in buyer feedback. We attribute buyer feedback as feedback and do not present it as our own measurement.

Step 3: Compare against the criteria

Criteria depend on the category. Common ones are:

• Outdoor lights: stated brightness for the area, weather and wet location rating, power source (hardwired, plug in, low voltage, or solar), controls such as dusk to dawn sensors, motion detection, and timers, installation effort, and value.
• TV, gaming, and desk lighting: fit with the screen or desk size, color options and sync features, app and smart home support, mounting method, and value.
• Grow lights: stated coverage area and light output figures where the manufacturer publishes them, spectrum, power draw, timers and dimming, mounting options, and value.
• Garage, shop, and work lights: stated lumens, coverage, color temperature, mounting and linking options, battery or cord setup, durability ratings, and value.
• Strips, lamps, fixtures, and bulbs: brightness and color temperature, color rendering index where stated, dimmer compatibility, fit (base type, size, ceiling or cabinet clearance), rated lifespan, efficiency, and value.

The WikiHomeLED Score

The WikiHomeLED Score is a summary rating based on the criteria above. The same criteria are applied to every product in a category. It is a research based rating, not a laboratory result.

Limits of our method

Specifications and listings can be wrong or change. Brightness, lifespan, and coverage figures are stated by manufacturers under their own conditions, which may differ from your home. Always check the manufacturer details for the exact model you plan to buy, especially voltage, dimmer compatibility, wet location rating, and installation instructions.

How products are chosen

We select products that fit the need, have enough reliable information to compare, and reflect a range of brands. We do not pad a list with weak products to reach a round number.