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TruLight vs Trimlight: What Boise Homeowners Should Compare
TruLight and Trimlight are both professionally installed permanent lighting systems sold through dealers, and both are capable choices. The biggest published difference is how they make white light. Trimlight lists its Classic and 3L roofline bulbs as 12V RGB, so white is mixed from color. TruLight is a 48V RGBW system with three dedicated warm-white LEDs in every light. The two also differ in warranty structure and how landscape lighting fits in. Which matters more depends on how you plan to use your lights.
At a glance
About this comparison: Pure Light Systems is an authorized TruLight dealer. Specifications were checked against each manufacturer's published information on October 4, 2026. Product lines, specifications and software change; confirm current equipment with each provider.
Trimlight sells several bulbs. This table compares the two residential roofline bulbs it publishes, Classic and 3L. Trimlight also sells a 12V RGB Commercial bulb for storefronts and signage.
| TruLight roofline system | Trimlight Classic | Trimlight 3L | |
|---|---|---|---|
| System voltage | 48VSource | 12VSource | 12VSource |
| Color system | RGBW: 3 RGB + 3 dedicated warm-white LEDs per lightSource | RGBSource | RGBSource |
| LEDs per light | 6Source | 1Source | 3Source |
| Published brightness | 90–120 lumens per light at full brightnessSource | 20–40 lumens (Trimlight notes this depends on measurement method)Source | 30–60 lumens (Trimlight notes this depends on measurement method)Source |
| Rated LED life | 100,000 hoursSource | 50,000+ hoursSource | 50,000+ hoursSource |
| Light spacing | About 8–9 in, per TruLight’s comparison documentationSource | 6, 9 or 12 inSource | 6, 9 or 12 inSource |
| App and controls | TruLight app: zones, 144+ motion patterns, timers with sunset schedulingSource | Trimlight Edge app: cloud-based control, scheduling, custom animationsSource | Trimlight Edge app: cloud-based control, scheduling, custom animationsSource |
| Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SiriSource | Google Home, AlexaSource | Google Home, AlexaSource |
| Music | Music sync supported in the appSource | Auxiliary port to a speakerSource | Auxiliary port to a speakerSource |
| Landscape lighting | TruLight landscape lighting, controlled in the same app in the systems we install | Separate Pathway Light and UpLight line: 24V RGB, 10-year product warranty, works with an existing Trimlight setupSource | Separate Pathway Light and UpLight line: 24V RGB, 10-year product warranty, works with an existing Trimlight setupSource |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty: lighting modules and control box, fixed 11.4 years, prorated, product only, dealer-installed systemsSource | “Lifetime Product Warranty” on residential parts, tied to estimated component life; at least 1 year of labor on defective parts; daytime use may void coverageSource | “Lifetime Product Warranty” on residential parts, tied to estimated component life; at least 1 year of labor on defective parts; daytime use may void coverageSource |
| Installation | Professionally installed by authorized dealers | Authorized dealers; Trimlight lists 300+ dealershipsSource | Authorized dealers; Trimlight lists 300+ dealershipsSource |
Color system
Published brightness
Rated LED life
Light spacing
App and controls
Voice control
Music
Landscape lighting
- TruLight roofline system
- TruLight landscape lighting, controlled in the same app in the systems we install
- Trimlight Classic
- Separate Pathway Light and UpLight line: 24V RGB, 10-year product warranty, works with an existing Trimlight setupSource
- Trimlight 3L
- Separate Pathway Light and UpLight line: 24V RGB, 10-year product warranty, works with an existing Trimlight setupSource
Warranty
- TruLight roofline system
- Limited lifetime warranty: lighting modules and control box, fixed 11.4 years, prorated, product only, dealer-installed systemsSource
- Trimlight Classic
- “Lifetime Product Warranty” on residential parts, tied to estimated component life; at least 1 year of labor on defective parts; daytime use may void coverageSource
- Trimlight 3L
- “Lifetime Product Warranty” on residential parts, tied to estimated component life; at least 1 year of labor on defective parts; daytime use may void coverageSource
The major differences
How white light is produced
Trimlight publishes its Classic, 3L and Commercial bulbs as RGB. Warm white on an RGB light is made by blending red, green and blue. TruLight adds three dedicated warm-white LEDs to each light, so white can come from white emitters. If you plan to run warm white most evenings, this is the difference to look at closely. Our RGB vs RGBW guide explains why.
System voltage
Trimlight lists 12V for its roofline bulbs and describes low voltage as energy efficient. TruLight runs at 48V. Higher voltage lowers current for the same power, which helps on long runs, but voltage alone does not decide brightness, quality or lifespan. See 12V vs 24V vs 48V for the tradeoffs.
Landscape lighting
Both companies offer landscape lighting. Trimlight's Pathway Light and UpLight are a separate 24V RGB line with a 10-year product warranty, and Trimlight says they work with an existing Trimlight setup. In the TruLight systems we install, landscape lighting is controlled in the same app as the roofline.
What “lifetime” means in each warranty
Trimlight's “Lifetime Product Warranty” covers residential parts for their estimated component life, includes at least one year of labor on defective parts, and notes that daytime use may void coverage. TruLight's limited lifetime warranty is fixed at 11.4 years, prorated, product-only, and covers the lighting modules and control box on dealer-installed systems. Ask any installer to show you the written terms.
Where Trimlight can be a good fit
- You mainly want color for holidays, game days and events, and RGB-mixed white is fine for occasional use.
- You want a long-established brand. Trimlight says it entered LED lighting in 2010 and lists more than 300 dealerships.
- You want bulb spacing options of 6, 9 or 12 inches.
- You already have Trimlight and want to add its landscape products to the same setup.
Our recommendation
Why we recommend TruLight
- Dedicated warm-white LEDs in every light (3 of 6), where Trimlight publishes its Classic, 3L and Commercial bulbs as RGB.
- Higher published output: 90–120 lumens per light vs 20–40 (Classic) and 30–60 (3L).
- Double the published LED rating: 100,000 hours vs 50,000+.
- 48V with 16-gauge tinned copper, redundant-data wiring, up to 300 feet without power injection.
- Roofline and landscape lighting controlled together in the systems we install.
For homeowners who want everyday warm-white architectural lighting as well as holiday color, we think TruLight is the stronger system. We keep Trimlight samples so you can compare the two in person. See the full TruLight specifications.
This is our view as an authorized TruLight dealer, based on the published specifications compared above.
What to compare in a real quote
- Warm white side by side. Ask to see each system's warm white at night on a material like your own siding or stone.
- The hardware in your hand. We keep Trimlight samples, so during an on-site consultation you can hold both and compare build and wiring.
- Warranty terms in writing. What is covered, for how long, whether labor is included, and who handles claims.
- Layout and footage. Make sure both quotes cover the same sections of roofline.
- Price per linear foot. See how we price roofline lighting.
TruLight vs Trimlight FAQ
Is Trimlight a good permanent lighting system?
Trimlight is an established, professionally installed permanent lighting system sold through a large dealer network, and it has been in the LED lighting industry since 2010 according to its website. Whether it is the better fit depends mostly on how you plan to use white light.
Is Trimlight RGB or RGBW?
Trimlight publishes its Classic, 3L and Commercial roofline bulbs as RGB, so white on those products is mixed from red, green and blue. TruLight lights pair three RGB LEDs with three dedicated warm-white LEDs.
What voltage does Trimlight use?
Trimlight lists 12V for its Classic, 3L and Commercial roofline bulbs and 24V for its Pathway Light and UpLight landscape products. TruLight roofline lighting runs on 48V. Voltage is one design choice and does not by itself decide quality or brightness.
How do the Trimlight and TruLight warranties compare?
Trimlight offers a “Lifetime Product Warranty” on residential parts tied to estimated component life, with at least one year of labor on defective parts. TruLight’s limited lifetime warranty covers the lighting modules and control box on dealer-installed systems for a fixed 11.4 years, prorated and product only. “Lifetime” means something different in each, so read both sets of terms.
Can I see Trimlight and TruLight side by side?
Yes. We keep Trimlight samples, so during an on-site consultation you can compare them with TruLight lights in person.
Keep comparing
- TruLight technologySpecifications, controls and warranty.
- PricingHow roofline lighting is priced.
- RGB vs RGBWWhat a dedicated white channel changes.
- 12V vs 24V vs 48VWhy system voltage matters, and what else does.
- TruLight vs JellyFishTwo professional 48V systems.
- Request a quoteCompare in person during a free consultation.
Compare Them in Person
Request a free on-site consultation and see TruLight and Trimlight side by side.