Jellyfish, EverLights, Trimlight, or AE LEDs?
Every permanent trim light brand markets itself like it invented the category. In practice they all use very similar LED pixel modules inside an aluminum channel — and what determines how the system looks in year 5 has more to do with installer craft than the logo on the controller.
What's actually the same across all brands
- Small RGB (or RGB+W) LED pixel modules with 50,000+ hour ratings
- Aluminum channel that mounts under the shingle line or to the fascia
- Low-voltage transformer + WiFi controller
- Smartphone app with presets, scheduling, and color picker
- Same physics in Arizona heat — all rely on heatsinking, sealed connectors, and proper power sizing
What actually differs
- Channel profile + color options (matte black, satin white, bronze, custom anodized)
- Pixel spacing (closer = smoother color blending; common options are 4"–16")
- Lens style (frosted = no hot spots; clear = brighter point source)
- Controller zone count and whether the app supports multiple devices simultaneously
- Manufacturer warranty length and what's actually covered
- Dealer-only vs. open-install models (some brands restrict who can buy)
Jellyfish Lighting (Lindon, UT)
Pixel modules at roughly 3/4" × 1 1/4" with frosted lenses (no shadowing/hot spots), full-spectrum RGB, 3 diodes per pixel, available at 6", 9", or 16" spacing. 16-gauge 4-wire run (power, communication, redundant data, ground). Polished app, strong dealer network, premium pricing. A common pick on large custom homes where the customer wants brand recognition.
EverLights (Lindon, UT)
Markets itself on output (advertised ~120 lumens per pixel) and a slim, discreet profile. RGB pixels with 4 billion colors and 14 built-in effects. App-controlled with scheduling. Marketed lifespan of 20–30 years. Pricing generally competitive with Jellyfish.
Trimlight (Orem, UT)
The original company in this category — founded in 2010 by Ryan Whittaker, who got tired of hanging Christmas lights in Utah winters. The current Trimlight EDGE system runs on WiFi with a smartphone app (note: connects to one device at a time). Backed by a lifetime guarantee on parts (manufacturer estimated lifespan; ~30–40 years for holiday-only usage, less for year-round operation). Wide dealer network nationwide.
Oelo (Fort Collins, CO)
Hybrid channel-and-pixel system positioned on finish quality, where the housing is designed to disappear visually on architectural and custom homes. Rated for 100,000 hours and backed by a 7-year warranty — one of the longer factory warranties in the category. Premium pricing.
Why we don't lock in to one brand
Different homes need different systems. A simple single-story production home is well-served by a mid-tier RGB system; a custom hillside home in Paradise Valley with multiple elevations and a complex roofline often justifies a premium system with denser pixel spacing and more controller zones. We spec what fits the house — not what we have a quota on.
What we always do, regardless of brand
- Mount channel tight under fascia/shingle line — no daylight gaps
- Seal every connector against UV and monsoon water intrusion
- Size the transformer with headroom (most failures come from undersized power)
- Route cable cleanly — nothing exposed to direct sun
- Program the system with you before we leave
- 10-year manufacturer material warranty (varies by tier) + 2-year AE labor/workmanship
Common questions.
Want a brand-honest recommendation?
Send photos of your front elevation. We'll quote what makes sense for your house, tell you which brand we'd install and why, and walk you through the app so you know what you're getting before signing anything.
Get a Brand-Honest QuoteWhy this is an investment, not a cost.
An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."