Lighting Without Wiring
Real lighting upgrades — task, ambient, and accent — that need nothing more than an outlet or a battery. No electrician, no wall switch required.
Cost per 1,000 lumens — a fair comparison across fixture types
Sticker price alone is misleading since fixtures put out very different amounts of light. This normalizes cost against actual output so you can compare fairly.
| Fixture type | Typical price range | Typical output | Approx. cost per 1,000 lumens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in LED strip | $18–$55 | 150–300 lm/ft (per 3ft run: ~600 lm) | ~$30–$90 |
| Battery LED strip | $15–$40 | 80–150 lm/ft (per 3ft run: ~350 lm) | ~$45–$115 |
| Plug-in sconce | $35–$90 | 400–800 lm | ~$45–$115 |
| Plug-in pendant kit | $25–$70 (kit only, fixture separate) | varies by fixture, often 600–1,200 lm | ~$20–$60 |
See our full lighting layering plan for how to combine these by zone instead of picking one for the whole space.
All Lighting Without Wiring projects
Lighting Without Wiring
Under-Cabinet Lighting With No Wiring
Lighting Without Wiring
Plug-In Wall Sconces vs. Hardwired: What You Lose
Lighting Without Wiring
Battery LED Strip Lighting: Runtime by Use Case
Lighting Without Wiring
Swap a Pendant for a Plug-In Kit (No Electrician)
Lighting Without Wiring
A Renter Lighting Layering Plan for a Studio