Battery Operated Wall Sconces

A battery operated wall sconce runs on its own battery, with no cable or electrical point on the wall. BACKHOME battery LED sconces take a 9V battery, switch on and off with a button on the body and hang on two screws; one battery is included. If you rent, have no sconce wiring, or have a wood, lacquered or stone-clad wall you would rather not cut, a battery model adds decorative light without touching the wiring. Here you will find battery Bubblelight, Bubbleflux and Aura models and the Nova pairs for beside the TV. Below: where they work, installation, daily use and battery care.

In short: A battery sconce runs on a 9V battery, needs no cable and hangs on two screws. It suits occasional decorative light, rented homes and walls without wiring; if the light will be on for hours every day, a hardwired model is more practical. Battery models have no remote and come in warm light or white light.

How does a battery sconce work?

A battery sconce draws power from a 9V battery in its slot and lights with the on/off button on the body. There is no cable, socket or adaptor; the LEDs sit inside the body and need no bulb.

• Power: 9V battery, one included with each sconce. The Nova pair comes with two 9V batteries.
• On/off: By the button on the body. Battery models have no remote.
• LED count: Battery Bubblelight and Bubbleflux have 12 LEDs (6×2); the hardwired model has 18 (9×2).
• Light colour: Warm or white. RGB and remote options exist only on hardwired Bubbleflux.
• Four battery slots: Battery Bubbleflux has four slots; one battery is included, and filling the others lets you go longer between changes.

Where does a battery sconce work well?

A battery sconce suits walls with no electrical point and light you use now and then. The table shows common spots and what to watch.

How do you install a battery sconce?

You need a drill, two wall plugs and two screws; there is no electrical connection. Work in this order:

1. Choose the spot: First try the sconce on a photo of your wall with See it in your room; the photo stays in your browser and is never sent to a server. Then mark the spot with masking tape and look from across the room.
2. Check the wall: Before drilling, check for cables and pipes; keep clear of the vertical line of sockets and switches.
3. Mark and drill: Level it, mark the two holes, drill and fit the plugs.
4. Insert the battery: Fit the 9V battery the right way round. In Bubbleflux, add batteries to the other slots if you like.
5. Hang and test: Seat the sconce on the screws, switch it on and check it is level.

The Nova pair includes four screws and four plugs. To hang both rods at the same height, mount one first and carry the level across with a spirit level. For height and spacing, use the table in our sconce height and placement guide.

The wall type decides the fixings: standard plugs for concrete and brick, plasterboard fixings for drywall, screws into the timber or its frame on wood panelling, and slow drilling with the right bit, hammer mode off, on stone or tiles.

How should you use a battery sconce day to day?

Used as decorative light for evenings and special moments, a battery sconce goes longer between changes. Battery life depends on use and battery brand; noting your own rhythm helps.

• Switch off when you leave: Turning it off at the button saves the battery.
• Set light times: Lighting it for dinner, a film or guests keeps tracking simple.
• Keep a spare: A spare 9V battery at home means a quick swap when the light goes out.
• Change pairs together: Renewing both sconces on one wall at the same time keeps them on the same schedule.
• Remove it for long breaks: Unused for weeks? Take the battery out to reduce the risk of leaks.

How do you change the battery and care for the sconce?

Changing the battery takes a few minutes: switch off, lift the sconce off its screws if needed, swap the battery the right way round and put it back. Since you may need to lift it, leave room above and beside it for your hand.

Take used batteries to recycling points in shops or council sites, not household waste. To clean, switch off and wipe the body with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and rough sponges on the acrylic and metal, and keep moisture away from the battery slot.

Which series have a battery model?

Bubblelight, Bubbleflux, Aura and the Nova pairs have battery models; Matrix is hardwired only.

• Bubblelight: Slim 4.5 cm body, 31, 40 and 51 cm heights, four body colours. Bubblelight Small 31 cm is a simple bedside choice.
• Bubbleflux: 12 cm body; single, Dubble and Trio models; four battery slots. Bubbleflux Medium 40 cm is a balanced middle size for a living-room wall.
• Aura: Five vertical columns of bubbled acrylic; 39 and 56 cm; silver, anthracite and black. Aura Medium 39 cm also comes as a battery model.
• Nova: A 73 cm crystal-rod pair for either side of the TV unit, with two sconces and two 9V batteries. Nova 815 has 15 mm rods, Nova 830 30 mm. All TV options are under TV unit sconces.

When is a battery model not enough?

If the light will be on for hours every day, the sconce sits high up, or you want to change colours, a battery model falls short. A stairwell sconce needs a ladder for every change, and in hotels and cafés the light is on all day.

In these cases hardwired sconces run with no batteries to track; for colour and remote control, see remote control and RGB sconces. Our battery or hardwired guide compares installation, renting and frequency of use.

Related categories

• Wall sconces: To compare every series by width, height and light in one table.
• Hardwired sconces: The same series, hardwired, if your wall has wiring and the light stays on every evening.
• TV unit sconces: Pairs for either side of the TV that can be fitted without cables.
• Remote control and RGB sconces: For colour changes and remote dimming; these models are hardwired.
• Accessories: A gift box if the sconce is a housewarming present.

Frequently asked questions

Does a battery come with the battery sconce?

Yes. BACKHOME battery sconces run on a 9V battery and one is included with each sconce. The Nova set holds two sconces, so the pack includes two 9V batteries. Battery Bubbleflux has four slots; one battery is supplied and you can fill the others yourself.

What decides how often you change the battery?

How many hours a day you use the sconce and the battery brand, so we do not give a fixed time. A sconce lit briefly in the evenings needs changes less often. Filling all four slots in battery Bubbleflux stretches the interval. If the light will be on for hours daily, we recommend hardwired.

Does a battery sconce work with a remote?

No. Battery models have no remote; they light with the on/off button on the body. Remote switching, dimming and RGB colours are available only on hardwired Bubbleflux models, which also offer warm and white light with a remote. A remote means connecting the sconce to the wall's electrical point.

Do battery and hardwired models have the same number of LEDs?

No. Battery Bubblelight and Bubbleflux have 12 LEDs (6×2) and the hardwired models 18 (9×2). The body, height and body colour are the same. The battery model is meant as decorative evening light; if you will use the light for long periods, choose hardwired.

Can I take a battery sconce with me when I move?

Yes. As it is not wired in, you can remove the two screws and take it to your new home. Fill the old holes and repeat the steps on the new wall. In a rented home, tell your landlord before drilling.

Which light colours do battery sconces come in?

Battery models come in warm light and white light. Warm light is soft and close to yellow; white light is crisper and brighter. There is no RGB option on battery models. If you buy two for one wall, choose both in the same light colour.

Battery sconces add decorative light without touching the wiring. Once you have chosen the series and height, select "Battery" on the product page and set the body and light colour on the same screen.