Tess and Tessa share the same smart features: 20 light colours (2700K to 6000K), dimming, remote control, an adjustable motion sensor, a timer, magnetic wire-free mounting, a metal IP54 body and USB-C charging. The differences are size, battery and choice of colours. Tess is the compact square model (10 x 10 x 8 cm) with a 5200 mAh battery, up to 120 hours, in eleven colours, for 65 euro. Tessa is the wider rectangular model (20 x 8 x 10 cm) with an 8000 mAh battery, up to 130 hours, in six colours, for 69 euro. Choose Tess for small spots and Tessa for wider walls.
"Which one should I get?" is the question we hear most about our wall lights. The honest answer: you cannot really choose wrong, because the technology inside is the same.
Both are square-cornered metal lights that throw a warm wash of light up and down the wall. Tessa is simply the wider one. The choice comes down to your wall, your room and how you use the light. This comparison makes it quick.
Side by side
| Tess | Tessa | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Compact square | Wider rectangle |
| Size | 10 x 10 x 8 cm | 20 x 8 x 10 cm |
| Battery | 5200 mAh | 8000 mAh |
| Light time per charge | ~10 hours full, up to 120 hours dimmed | ~10 hours full, up to 130 hours dimmed |
| Light colours | 20 (2700K to 6000K) | 20 (2700K to 6000K) |
| Dimmable | Yes, by remote | Yes, by remote |
| Motion sensor and timer | Yes, adjustable | Yes, adjustable |
| Remote control | Yes, one remote for several lamps | Yes, one remote for several lamps |
| Mounting | Magnetic plate, adhesive or screws | Magnetic plate, adhesive or screws |
| Protection | IP54, metal body | IP54, metal body |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Colours | 11 | 6 |
| Regular price | 65 euro | 69 euro |
What is exactly the same
Everything that makes these lamps smart is shared. Both give you 20 light colours from candle-warm to daylight-cool, both dim smoothly by remote, and both have a motion sensor with a timer, so the light switches on when you walk past and off again when you have gone.
Both also mount the same way. You fix a magnetic plate to the wall with adhesive or screws, click the lamp on, and lift it off to charge over USB-C. No wiring, no electrician. And both have a metal body rated IP54, protected against dust and splashing water.
For a full walk-through of every feature, read our complete guide to Tess.
What is different
1. Size and presence. Tess is a compact square, 10 cm across. It is subtle and fits almost anywhere. Tessa is the same design stretched to 20 cm wide. It has more presence on the wall and reads more like a classic wall light.
2. Battery. Tessa holds an 8000 mAh battery against 5200 mAh in Tess. In daily use, that means Tessa can go longer between charges, especially at medium brightness. If you plan to use the light for hours every evening, rather than just on the sensor, that difference adds up.
3. Colours. Tess comes in eleven finishes, including statement colours like Olive Green and Ocher Yellow, plus White and Stone Grey. Tessa comes in six: Vanilla, Gold, Bronze, Koala Brown, Mocha Brown and Black.
4. Price. Tess is 65 euro and Tessa 69 euro at regular price. A small difference for a wider body and a bigger battery.
Choose Tess if
- You have a small or narrow wall, such as beside a door frame, in a niche or next to a mirror.
- You want the light to be seen more than the lamp.
- You use it mostly on the motion sensor, in a hallway, on the stairs or in a wardrobe, where it is only on for minutes at a time. More ideas in 7 places for a wireless motion-sensor wall lamp.
- You want a specific colour: Tess has the widest range, from White and Stone Grey to Olive Green and Ocher Yellow.
- You want to place several in a row, for example along a staircase.
Choose Tessa if
- You have a wider wall to fill, such as above a console, beside a bed or in a long hallway.
- You want the lamp to be a visible design piece, like a classic wall sconce.
- You use the light for long evenings, reading in bed or lighting a living room, and want to charge less often. See our bedroom lighting guide for the right light colour at night.
- You prefer a warm, classic finish such as Gold, Bronze or Mocha Brown.
Room by room: our quick recommendation
| Room or spot | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hallway (short) | Tess | Compact, works well on the sensor |
| Hallway (long) | Tessa, or several Tess | More wall to fill, or a rhythm of small lights |
| Stairs | Tess | Small enough to place one per few steps |
| Beside the bed | Tessa | Visible, longer reading sessions per charge |
| Above a console | Tessa | Wider body balances the furniture |
| Wardrobe or cupboard | Tess | Fits tight spaces, on only when opened |
| Bathroom (away from spray) | Either | Both IP54, pick by wall size |
Can you use both in one home?
Of course. Many homes combine them: compact Tess lights on the stairs and in the wardrobe, and a pair of Tessa lights beside the bed or in the living room.
Because both share the same light colours, a warm 2700K Tess and a warm 2700K Tessa give exactly the same tone, so the light feels consistent from room to room. Browse both in our rechargeable wall lights collection, or compare them with other types in our buyer's guide to the best rechargeable wall lights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Tess and Tessa?
The smart features are identical. The differences are size (Tess is a compact square of 10 cm, Tessa a wider rectangle of 20 cm), battery (5200 mAh against 8000 mAh), number of colours (11 against 6) and price (65 against 69 euro).
Which lasts longer on one charge, Tess or Tessa?
Tessa, thanks to its larger 8000 mAh battery: up to 130 hours dimmed, against up to 120 hours for Tess. At full brightness both give around 10 hours.
Do Tess and Tessa give the same light?
Yes. Both offer the same 20 light colours from 2700K to 6000K and dim the same way, so they give an identical tone of light.
Which is better for a hallway?
For a short hallway or a spot next to a door, Tess. For a long hallway, choose Tessa or place several Tess lights in a row. Both have a motion sensor and timer.
Which is better beside the bed?
Tessa. It has more presence as a bedside wall light and its bigger battery suits longer evening use such as reading.
