Wall Pack Lighting Buyer's Guide
A comprehensive guide to understanding and selecting wall pack lighting fixtures.
What Are Wall Pack Lights?
Wall pack lights are outdoor lighting fixtures commonly mounted on exterior walls of buildings. They provide security and illumination for walkways, entrances, parking areas, and perimeters. These fixtures are built to be durable and weather-resistant (usually UL listed for wet locations) and often use efficient LED technology to save energy. Modern LED wall packs come in various styles and 'cutoff' designs that affect how the light is distributed:
- Full Cutoff Wall Packs: Light is directed downward only. Great for minimizing light pollution.
- Semi-Cutoff (Traditional) Wall Packs: Wide distribution with some uplight. Ideal for perimeter areas.
- Up/Down and Architectural Wall Packs: Decorative fixtures for accent lighting, often used at entryways or facades.
Highlight: Full-cutoff wall packs are ideal for dark-sky compliance zones and neighborhoods with light-pollution restrictions.
Key Considerations When Buying Wall Packs
Choosing the right wall pack involves several technical and practical factors:
- Lumens: Higher lumen output means brighter light. Match lumens to application size.
- Wattage and Efficacy: LEDs with high lm/W ratios deliver more light per watt.
- Color Temperature (CCT): Selectable models allow choosing between warm (3000K) and cool (5000K) tones.
- Photocells: Provide dusk-to-dawn automation.
- Motion Sensors: Improve security and energy efficiency.
- Mounting Style: Ensure compatibility with existing wall junction boxes.
- Material and Durability: Die-cast aluminum housings and IP65 ratings for outdoor conditions.
Comparison of 14 Wall Pack Models
Below is a comparison table of 14 different wall pack products (based on the provided spec sheets). These include a mix of small mini wall packs, field-selectable wall packs with adjustable output, architectural up/down lights, and high-output full-cutoff fixtures. Major specifications are summarized:
| Model | Title | Wattage (W) | Lumens | Efficacy (lm/W) | CCT Options | Photocell | Motion Sensor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MWQ | Mini LED Wall Pack – Die-Cast Outdoor Fixture with CCT Selectable Output | 20 | ~2,800 | ~140 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Yes | No |
| WPE | Economy LED Wall Pack – Selectable Wattage & Color Temp | Up to 3,325 Lumens | 14/19/24 (selectable) | 1,900–3,300 | Up to ~145 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Yes | No |
| CYL-UPDN | LED Up/Down Cylinder Wall Light – Selectable Lumen & Color Temp | IP65 Rated | Various up to 35 | 600–3,000 | ~80–104 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Yes | No |
| E110S | Architectural LED Wall Pack Light – Selectable Wattage & Color Temp DLC Premium | 26–100 (selectable) | 3,800–14,500 | Up to 176 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Optional | Optional |
| WPA | Adjustable LED Wall Pack – Selectable Wattage & Color Temp | Up to 10,700 Lumens | 35–74 (selectable) | 3,000–10,700 | ~132–154 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Optional | No |
| RWE | LED Glass Wall Pack with Photocontrol – Up to 120W, Selectable Lumens & CCT | 29–120 (selectable) | 3,900–16,218 | Up to ~148 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Yes | Optional |
| BCY | LED Cylinder Wall Pack – Architectural Up Down Outdoor Light | 30W Bronze | 30 | ~2,500 | ~83 | Fixed | No | No |
| WPT | Traditional LED Wall Pack – Selectable Wattage & Color Temp | Up to 15,500 Lumens | 51/59/76 (selectable) | 6,600–15,500 | ~129–159 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Optional | No |
| WLZ1 | Zero Uplight LED Wall Pack – Type III & IV Distributions, Up to 1,745 Lumens | 15 | 1,745 | 115 | 3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K | Optional | Optional |
| WLZ2 | Zero Uplight LED Wall Pack – Type III & IV Distributions, Up to 3,198 Lumens | 25 | 3,198 | 118 | 3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K | Optional | Optional |
| WLZ4 | 40 | 5,021 | 123 | 3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K | Optional | Optional | |
| WLZ7 | 70 | 8,729 | 120 | 3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K | Optional | Optional | |
| WLZ10 | 100 | 12,393 | 116 | 3000K/3500K/4000K/5000K | Optional | Optional | |
| WPFC | Full Cutoff LED Wall Pack – Selectable Lumen & Color Temp | Up to 16,800 Lumens | 35–113 (selectable) | 5,200–16,000+ | Up to ~160 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Optional | No |
| UDC | Architectural LED Up Down Cylinder Wallpack – Selectable Wattage, CCT & Beam Angle | 12/16/20 (selectable) | Up to ~2,100 | ~105 | 3000K/4000K/5000K | Yes | No |
| SLW | Slim LED Wall Pack with Motion Sensor and Emergency Battery – 1,750 Lumens | 15 | ~1,750 | ~115 | 4000K | Yes | Yes |
Feature Checklist by Model
To further clarify the features, here is a checklist of which models have certain key features. A Yes indicates the feature is present or available, and a No means it is not:
| Product | Selectable CCT | Selectable Wattage | Photocell | Motion Sensor | Battery Backup | DLC Listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MWQ | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| WPE | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| CYL-UPDN | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| E110S | Yes | Yes | No* | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
| WPA | Yes | Yes | No* | No | No | Yes |
| RWE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes* | Yes | Yes |
| BCY | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| WPT | Yes | Yes | No* | No | No | Yes |
| WLZ1 | Yes | No | Optional | Optional | No | Yes |
| WLZ2 | Yes | No | Optional | Optional | No | Yes |
| WLZ4 | Yes | No | Optional | Optional | No | Yes |
| WLZ7 | Yes | No | Optional | Optional | No | Yes |
| WLZ10 | Yes | No | Optional | Optional | No | Yes |
| WPFC | Yes | Yes | No* | No | No | Yes |
| UDC | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| SLW | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No |
*Feature may be optional or model-dependent (e.g., sensor-ready or emergency model).
Recommendations by Use-Case
Every project is different - here are some use-case based recommendations for each of the above models, highlighting what they are best suited for:
- MWQ Series: Best for small-scale installations with built-in photocell.
- WPE Series: Best for budget projects needing selectable wattage and CCT.
- CYL-UPDN: Best for architectural up/down accent lighting.
- E110S: Best for high-lumen full-cutoff commercial lighting.
- WPA Series: Best for tilt-adjustable applications.
- RWE Series: Best traditional retrofit with selectable glass refractor.
- BCY Series: Best for compact up/down accent usage.
- WPT Series: Best for general-purpose wall lighting.
- CHIM: Best for Chicago emergency egress compliance.
- WLZ: Best for dark sky and architectural aesthetics.
- WPFC: Best for dark-sky full-cutoff, high-output requirements.
- UDC: Best for versatile accent lighting with beam options.
- SLW: Best for slim, code-compliant motion lighting.
Understanding Certifications and Standards
- UL Listed: Certified for safety and wet-location use.
- DLC (DesignLights Consortium): Energy-efficient, rebate-eligible fixtures.
- Title 24 (California): Energy code requiring sensors and controls.
- IP Ratings: Water and dust resistance (IP65 = strong outdoor durability).
- IK/Impact Ratings: Important for vandal-resistant needs.
We hope this comprehensive guide has demystified wall pack lighting and helped you understand the differences between various products. By considering the type of wall pack (cutoff vs. traditional vs. architectural), key specs like lumens and sensors, and the particular needs of your application, you can confidently choose the right wall pack for your project.
LED Cylinder Wall Pack – Architectural Up Down Outdoor Light | 30W – Emergency Lights Co.
