Lidl is launching a new LED light panel for £17.99 that costs less than 1p per hour to run, undercutting similar products at Screwfix and Tesco. The LIVARNO LED Light Panel With Adjustable Colour arrives in all Lidl stores on Thursday, October 15.
The battery-powered panel measures L42 x W42 x H2.9cm and consumes just 22W of power, costing around 0.58p per hour to run continuously based on the latest energy price cap rate.
Energy bills context
Ofgem's latest energy price cap increase came into effect on October 1, raising bills by 4 per cent for a typical household using gas and electricity and paying by Direct Debit. The rise adds around £60 a year, taking the typical annual bill from £1,663 to £1,723, with the regulator citing higher wholesale gas prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Lidl panel offers gentle, glare-free lighting with a decorative glow through its transparent back panel. Settings can be adjusted via the included remote control, with adjustable white tones for relaxing, neutral or bright atmospheres, a choice of cool, neutral or warm white, one memory slot for an individual colour program, a night light option, a 30-minute timer function, and dimming capability. It can be used as an indoor ceiling light and is suitable for combining with standard, non-electronic, non-dimmer light switches. It offers 2700-6500K colour temperature, max 22W, max 3000 lm, and comes with a 3-year warranty.
Comparison with rivals
The Lidl panel could be considered a budget alternative to the LAP Remote-Controlled Panel Light at Screwfix, which is selling for £49.49. The Screwfix product is a 600mm x 600mm LED remote-controlled panel light providing flexible light from warm white for relaxation to neutral white for focused work, with intensity and colour temperature adjusted via a remote control. It delivers 5000 lumens with 36W power consumption, has a durable aluminium body and frame offering up to 50,000 hours of life, and installation is straightforward with push-in terminals for a quick, tool-free setup.
For a higher-end option, Tesco is currently stocking the Bastia Flush Ceiling Light for £105.95 with free delivery. It is a similar size to the Lidl light at 45 x 45 x 2.5cm but is not dimmable. It features a 45cm flush ceiling light with integrated LED, a choice of 2800K, 4000K or 6000K colour temperature, and 45W integrated LED with bulbs included.
Tesco offers grocery home delivery, with fees and slots varying by location and order size; orders under £50 may incur a £5 minimum-basket charge. Screwfix offers next-day delivery, free on orders of £50 or more and £5 for smaller orders, while its app-based Sprint service costs £4.99 for eligible items delivered in as little as 20 minutes.
