Trimlight vs Govee

Trimlight vs Govee: Which Permanent Outdoor Lighting System is Best?

The permanent holiday lighting industry has exploded in popularity. Homeowners are realizing that climbing a massive ladder in freezing weather every November is dangerous and tedious. Two of the biggest names in the permanent lighting space are Trimlight (the pioneer of professional installations) and Govee (the undisputed king of DIY smart lighting).

If you are trying to decide between Trimlight vs Govee, you are essentially choosing between a premium, invisible architectural integration and a highly affordable, weekend DIY project.

Trimlight: The Professional Standard

Trimlight invented the concept of permanent holiday lighting. Their system is designed to look like a natural architectural feature of your home, not an aftermarket light string.

The Pros of Trimlight:

• Completely Hidden During the Day: Trimlight uses a custom aluminum channel that is color-matched to your exact fascia or soffit. The diodes sit flush inside the channel. When the lights are off during the day, you physically cannot see them from the street.
• Professional Installation: You don't have to lift a finger. Authorized dealers handle the wiring, the custom cutting of the metal tracks, and tying the system into your home's electrical panel.
• Incredible Durability: The system is hardwired, heavily weather-sealed, and comes with a lifetime product warranty from most dealers.

The Cons of Trimlight:

• The Cost: Trimlight is incredibly expensive. You should expect to pay between $20 and $30 per linear foot. For a medium-sized home, a front-facing installation can easily cost $3,000 to $5,000.

Govee: The DIY Disruptor

Govee took the permanent lighting concept and made it accessible to the masses. Their Permanent Outdoor Lights are sold in kits and designed for the average homeowner to install using adhesive strips and screw clips.

The Pros of Govee:

• Unbeatable Price: You can often light the entire front of your home for under $300 to $500 if you buy their kits on sale.
• The App Experience: Govee's smartphone app is arguably the best in the industry. The RGBIC technology allows for millions of colors, incredibly complex chasing animations, and integration with Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Wall Washing Power: Govee lights are exceptionally bright. Because they mount under the eaves pointing straight down, they "wash" the exterior walls of your house with beautiful, scalloped cones of light.

The Cons of Govee:

• Visible Hardware: Govee lights are pucks attached to a wire. While you can hide the wire with aftermarket plastic tracks (which adds to the cost and labor), the pucks themselves will always be slightly visible under your eaves during the day.
• Installation Labor: You have to climb the ladder, clean your soffits perfectly so the 3M tape sticks, and route the wiring yourself.

The Verdict

If you have a high-end luxury home, strict HOA guidelines, and the budget to support it, Trimlight is the superior architectural choice. However, if you are willing to put in a weekend of labor and want the absolute best app experience and color animations for a fraction of the price, Govee is impossible to beat.

Before investing thousands in either system, use our free Exterior Visualizer to see how different siding colors and trim will look on your home first! Lighting looks best when it is washing over a beautiful, modern exterior.