Adjustable LED Tree Uplights: WAC vs. Kichler Varia
The best adjustable LED tree uplight is the one that delivers the right coverage and intensity from a practical mounting position. WAC 5011, 5211 and 5033 fixtures and Kichler Varia 16311 and 16312 give installers control over output and beam spread. Their differences matter when choosing fixtures for a large canopy, a narrow trunk or a concealed in-ground installation.
This guide compares integrated LED fixtures for permanent low-voltage landscape lighting. It focuses on selecting and tuning the fixture; our tree uplighting placement guide covers the broader design principles.
WAC vs. Kichler Varia: compare the five fixtures
| Fixture | Output | Beam adjustment | Selection advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAC 5011 Accent | 50–1,160 lm | 10°–60° | Wide output range and a narrow-beam option in an accent fixture |
| WAC 5211 Grand Accent | 740–2,000 lm | 15°–60° | Additional output when the chosen coverage requires it |
| WAC 5033 Grand Inground | Up to 2,000 lm; integral dimmer | 20°–60°, plus adjustable tilt | Recessed housing where fixture concealment matters |
| Kichler Varia 16311 Medium | 150 / 300 / 450 / 600 lm | Continuous 15°–60° | Lower-output accents with selectable 2700K or 3000K |
| Kichler Varia 16312 Large | 600 / 800 / 1,000 / 1,200 lm | Continuous 15°–60° | More output within the same Varia adjustment system |
Output figures describe the manufacturers' ranges or settings, not identical intensity at every beam angle. Compare photometric data for the intended configuration. These are specification-based comparisons, not side-by-side field-test results.
Which integrated fixture should you shortlist?
WAC 5011: adjustable accents with room to reduce output
The 5011 is worth testing when you need a focused accent and substantial adjustment below maximum output. Its integral dimmer and beam control serve different purposes: one changes output, while the other changes distribution. Do not widen the beam merely to make an overbright trunk less intense if that sends light outside the target.
View the WAC 5011-27BK, or read our WAC 5011 adjustment guide. Confirm the complete model and matching instructions; older units can have different power markings.
WAC 5211: more output for a demanding target
The 5211 Grand Accent is a candidate when correct placement and beam coverage still leave the selected feature too dim. Its published upper output is higher than the other above-ground accents in this comparison. That does not mean every large tree needs it.
A close trunk accent may need much less light than a broad, distant canopy. Check both ends of the output range before choosing a high-output fixture for a subtle scene. Compare the WAC 5211-27BK Grand Accent.
WAC 5033: high output in a recessed installation
The 5033 combines adjustable optics and tilt in an in-ground housing. Consider it when an exposed accent fixture would interrupt the daytime view. Concealment introduces installation tradeoffs: drainage, roots, access and the required aiming position all need attention before excavation.
A powerful well light in the wrong location can still miss the canopy or create glare. Start with our well-light selection guide, including the WAC 5033 to assess whether a recessed fixture suits the site.
Kichler Varia 16311 and 16312: choose the useful output range
The 16311 and 16312 share continuous beam adjustment and selectable warm-white color temperature. Their four local output levels differ. The medium model is the lower-output member of this group, useful for restrained accents or supporting features alongside stronger canopy lighting.
Both models offer a 600-lumen setting. Choose based on whether you need local settings below or above that overlap, along with fixture size and photometric performance. Compare Varia 16311 Medium and Varia 16312 Large.
Beam control is not the same as brightness control
For a large tree, divide the job into a trunk accent and one or more canopy sections. A narrow beam may suit the trunk; a wider beam or another aiming position may suit the branching structure. The purpose of adjustment is to place useful light on each feature, not simply turn the fixture to its maximum setting.
As a geometric example, a 15° beam is about 5.3 feet wide at a distance of 20 feet. A 60° beam is about 23.1 feet wide at that distance. A fixture set to the same output cannot be assumed to deliver the same intensity across those different areas.
These widths use diameter = 2 × distance × tan(beam angle ÷ 2), with distance measured along the beam to a perpendicular target plane. Real foliage intercepts and redirects light, so use the calculation to shortlist a setting, then test after dark. Published candela and illuminance data help assess reach more reliably than maximum lumens alone.
Tree uplight coverage: a planning comparison
Use this geometric chart to compare beam widths at the same target distance. Distance is measured along the beam to a plane perpendicular to it, not simply the height of the tree.
| Beam angle | 10 ft away | 20 ft away | 30 ft away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° | 2.6 ft | 5.3 ft | 7.9 ft |
| 30° | 5.4 ft | 10.7 ft | 16.1 ft |
| 45° | 8.3 ft | 16.6 ft | 24.9 ft |
| 60° | 11.5 ft | 23.1 ft | 34.6 ft |
These values use the formula above; they are not a manufacturer's photometric measurements or a promise of useful canopy coverage. Real beam profiles, branches and uneven surfaces change the result. Compare the selected fixture's candela and illuminance tables, then confirm with a nighttime mockup.
Shortlist by the job each fixture must do
- Small or nearby supporting accent: compare the lower output settings of the 5011 and Varia 16311 before choosing a larger fixture.
- Broader or more distant canopy section: compare the 5211 and Varia 16312 using the intended beam and target distance.
- Concealed source: evaluate the 5033 only after confirming the site can accommodate its housing, drainage and aiming needs.
For each trial, record model, mounting location, target distance, beam, output setting and the view from which it was judged. If branches block the beam, change position before adding output. Recheck the result after pruning or seasonal leaf changes.
Understand the controls before buying
WAC's listed white-light fixtures have integral dimmers. Their documentation also identifies compatible MLV dimming arrangements. Confirm the exact transformer and dimmer combination rather than assuming any household dimmer is suitable. The Kelvin suffix selects the white-light version; these standard models should not be confused with WAC's separate color-changing products.
Varia's four local lumen settings are separate from PLC dimming. The compatible Kichler 15DM20SS PLC dimmer adds dimming control. It is not required merely to select the fixture's built-in lumen level. See our Varia adjustment and PLC guide for the model-specific process.
Varia also lets you select 2700K or 3000K at the fixture. That can help match nearby lighting during a nighttime test. Brightness, beam width and color temperature remain separate decisions.
A practical after-dark adjustment sequence
- Choose the target. Identify the trunk, limb or canopy section and the main viewing position.
- Set placement and aim. Find a position that reaches the feature without lower branches blocking the beam.
- Set coverage. Adjust the beam to the intended area. Avoid widening it into windows or beyond the canopy.
- Set output. Begin conservatively and increase only until the feature has the intended emphasis.
- Check color and glare. Compare nearby lights, then inspect from the path, driveway and seated eye level.
- Record the result. Save the model, position, beam, output and color setting for future maintenance.
Follow the manufacturer's power-off and adjustment instructions each time; this is a design sequence, not a direction to manipulate energized equipment. If one position cannot reveal the desired structure, test another position before increasing power.
Plan electrical capacity for the output you may use
High-output integrated fixtures can place a meaningful load on a landscape circuit. Use the manufacturer's VA requirements, transformer loading instructions and voltage-drop guidance. Allow for the highest settings the installation is intended to support, not just the initial dimmed scene.
For example, WAC's 5211 sheet lists up to 44VA. Four fixtures at that listed maximum total 176VA before other fixtures are added. That arithmetic is a load subtotal, not a transformer-size recommendation.
Read our transformer sizing guide and wire gauge and voltage-drop guide. Output regulation does not eliminate the need to keep supply voltage within the fixture's operating range.
Integrated fixtures or replaceable MR16 and PAR36 lamps?
Integrated adjustable fixtures make it convenient to refine beam and output without selecting another lamp. Replaceable-lamp fixtures offer a different service approach: the lamp can be changed independently when the housing and socket remain suitable.
Neither design is automatically maintenance-free or the right choice for every property. Check service provisions, compatible replacement parts and warranty terms for the exact product. Our integrated versus replaceable-lamp guide explains that decision.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best lights for uplighting large trees?
Shortlist by target distance, coverage, intensity and mounting conditions. The WAC 5211 and 5033 offer higher published maximum output here; Varia and the 5011 offer useful adjustment for other roles. Maximum lumens alone do not identify the best fixture.
Can I use Varia 16311 on a large tree?
Yes, when its performance suits a defined accent or supporting feature. Its 600-lumen maximum should not be presented as equivalent to the larger fixtures simply because all have adjustable beams.
Does adjustable beam spread remove the need for multiple lights?
No. One source can still be blocked by branches or illuminate only one side. Multiple viewing angles or separate canopy sections may justify additional fixtures.
Will turning up the output fix a dark canopy?
Only if insufficient output is the problem. Check aim, beam width, obstructions and the electrical supply first. Revisit settings after pruning and seasonal leaf changes.
Browse adjustable landscape accent lights and in-ground lighting fixtures with the target, mounting position and controls in mind.
Manufacturer references
- Jenny Branch