Outdoor lighting can make a dramatic difference in how your home looks after dark. With the right landscape lighting, you can highlight architectural features, illuminate pathways, and create an inviting ambiance in your outdoor living spaces.
When it comes to landscape lighting, two big brand names you’re likely to encounter are Kichler and Volt. But which offers the best fixtures and features for your needs?
In this guide, we’ll compare Kichler and Volt landscape lighting, including key factors like quality, warranty, smart controls, and cost. By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of the pros and cons of each brand and which is the better option for your home.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Kichler | Volt |
| Quality | High quality fixtures made of durable materials | Good quality with positive reviews |
| Selection | Extensive variety of styles and lighting types | More limited selection focused on minimalist aesthetic |
| Smart Controls | Some options for smart integration and control | Designed for intuitive smart home integration |
| Ease of Install | Generally straightforward for DIYers | Extremely beginner-friendly for install |
| Warranty | Up to 5 years, covers defects | 5 years, covers components |
| Price | $20 to $300+ per fixture, higher overall | $20 to $100 per fixture, budget-friendly |
| Tech Support | Through dealers, less hands-on | DIYer-focused support site and team |
| Brand History | 85+ years in lighting since 1938 | Founded 2017, fast growing |
Key Takeaways
Kichler fixtures are high quality and expansive selection, but come at a premium price point. Great for finding beautiful, durable statement pieces.
- Volt focuses on tech integration and simplicity for beginners. Budget-friendly too. Ideal for whole home automation.
- For loads of decorative variety, Kichler brings more unique style options to the table.
- Volt simplifies smart controls and installation for DIY novices.
- Kichler stands out for proven longevity and weather resistance over decades of use.
- On a budget? Volt gives you more lighting for the money.
Kichler Landscape Lighting
Founded in 1938, Kichler has been a leader in decorative and landscape lighting for over 80 years. They offer a wide variety of fixture styles, finishes, and lighting types for both residential and commercial settings.
Some key things to know about Kichler landscape lighting:
- Quality & Durability – Kichler fixtures are well-made and built to last. Their aluminum housings resist corrosion and finishes stand up well to weather. Fixtures feature quality components like silicone gaskets and stainless steel hardware. Many fixtures have a 5 year warranty.
- Lighting Options – Kichler has an extensive catalog of landscape lighting. They offer subtle path lights, sleek spotlights, elegant post lights, and decorative lanterns. Bulb options include LED, incandescent, and halogen. Some fixtures offer color-changing LEDs.
- Smart Home Integration – Many Kichler fixtures work with smart home systems for automated, schedulable lighting. Their Kichler Connect system also allows for app-based remote control of lights.
- Price – Kichler is generally regarded as a premium brand. Fixture prices range from budget-friendly to high-end. Expect to pay $20-$300+ per fixture depending on features.
- Ease of Installation – Kichler makes it easy to install landscape lighting yourself. Their fixtures feature quick connect wiring and stake mounts that simplify placing and adjusting lights. Helpful videos on their site guide DIYers through the process.
Pros of Kichler Landscape Lighting
- Wide variety of high quality, attractive lighting fixtures
- Reliable brand with long product lifetime
- Smart controls available for automated, customizable lighting
- Generally easy to install DIY
Potential Cons to Consider
- On the expensive end for landscape lighting
- Connectivity features require compatible control systems
- Limited tech support offered compared to some brands
Volt Landscape Lighting
Volt is a newer player in the outdoor lighting space, founded in 2017. But they’ve quickly become a go-to choice for easy-to-use low voltage landscape lighting.
What stands out about Volt?
- Simple, Unified Design – Volt fixtures have a consistent modern, minimalist look. The whole system uses the same wires, connectors, stakes, and accessories for a streamlined installation.
- Smart Home Integration – Volt has an app to control lighting schedules, themes, and colors. Their fixtures also integrate with top smart home platforms.
- LED Quality – Volt fixtures use high quality LEDs that produce accurate colors and inviting warmth. The LEDs are also energy efficient and long-lasting.
- DIY-Friendly – From packaging to instructions to components, Volt products are designed to make DIY installation truly simple. Their website has helpful support resources too.
- Affordability – Volt focuses on accessibility. Their fixtures come in at budget-friendly prices, typically ranging from $20-$100.
- Warranty – Volt offers a 5 year warranty that covers fixtures, LEDs, drivers, and connectors.
Benefits of Choosing Volt
- Very easy to design, install, and control yourself
- Intuitive smart features and app integration
- Consistent look and feel across the product line
- Quality LEDs optimized for the fixtures
- More affordable pricing overall
Potential Downsides
- Fewer decorative options compared to Kichler
- Not as many lighting types like post lights
- Shorter track record than a legacy brand like Kichler
Now that we’ve compared the key factors on both brands, let’s look at how Kichler and Volt stack up for some common landscape lighting priorities:
Kichler And Volt: Key Comparison
- For Smart Home Integration
While both Kichler and Volt offer some smart connectivity, Volt wins for easiest smart integration.
Their entire system is designed with smart controls at the core, so you get consistent integration and an intuitive app for all fixtures.
Kichler offers more piecemeal integration that varies by fixture.
- For Fixture Variety and Decorative Styles
Kichler offers far more variety and decorative options. With a huge range of lighting types and styles, you’re very likely to find options that match your home’s architecture and aesthetic.
Volt has a narrower selection focused on their signature modern look.
- For Easy Do-It-Yourself Installation
Volt gets the edge for DIY-friendly installation. Their fixtures use a unified connection system and are designed for easy placement. Clear instructions and support resources help guide install novices. Kichler isn’t overly complex to install, but Volt sets the standard for approachable landscape lighting projects.
- For Durability and Product Lifespan
Kichler fixtures stand up very well over time, which is important for permanently installed landscape lighting. Their housings resist weathering and finishes hold up better than typical budget lights. Volt hasn’t been around long enough to assess long term durability, but early reviews are positive.
- For Budget-Friendly Pricing
Volt offers better pricing for budget-conscious shoppers. In general, their fixtures cost $20-$60 less than comparable Kichler models. So you can typically get more lighting bang for your buck. Kichler does have greater range, so they offer some lower cost options too.
- For Tech Support and Customer Service
Volt stands out for helpful customer service targeted to DIYers. Their support team offers guidance for getting the most out of their smart features and overcoming installation challenges. Kichler assistance tends to be more through traditional channels like dealers rather than directly assisting end users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Volt landscape lighting is very well-regarded for its quality and ease of use, especially for a newer brand. Their LED fixtures provide attractive, energy efficient illumination that holds up well. For home DIYers, Volt can be a great choice.
Kichler is generally considered among the premium landscape lighting brands. Their fixtures skew higher in price but deliver excellent construction, attractive styles, and long-lasting performance. Their catalog includes high end designer fixtures.
Both Kichler and Volt rank among the top low voltage landscape lighting brands. Beyond those two, brands like Unique Lighting, Deck Lighting Supply, and Access Lighting also offer quality low voltage systems at reasonable prices. Focus on their fixture variety, warranty, and support offerings.
There’s no universally “best” option, as both Kichler and Volt make excellent landscape lighting. Look at the key factors for your needs: Kichler for expansive selection and proven durability, Volt for beginner-friendly use and prices. Determine what’s most important for your home and budget.
In general, yes – Kichler fixtures are well-made and last a long time, so the higher prices are justified. But also look for sales on Kichler lighting when possible. Their prices are worth it more for key accent fixtures than illuminating a whole yard. Mixing some Kichler statement pieces with more affordable lights can give you great results on a budget.
Closing Remarks
When installing landscape lighting, you can’t go wrong with top brands like Kichler and Volt. Both offer design flexibility, smart controls, and attractive illumination to enhance your home’s curb appeal.
As you plan your lighting, think through the visual statement you want to create, as well as practical factors like your budget and skill level. This will steer you towards the right brand and fixtures for your needs.
Taking the time to strategically place and highlight landscape elements can completely transform the look and feel of your property once the sun goes down.
