"LED shop light" means a different fixture to everyone. For a contractor lighting a commercial garage, auto shop or warehouse, it usually means one of four fixtures. Here is how to pick the right one for the ceiling height and the space.
Match the fixture to the ceiling
| Ceiling height | Best fixture | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 12 ft | 4ft LED strip light or wraparound | Even light, low cost, easy to chain together |
| 10 to 16 ft | 8ft LED strip light | Long continuous runs over benches and bays |
| 15 to 25 ft | Linear LED high bay | Wide spread along aisles, replaces T5HO |
| 20 ft and up | UFO LED high bay | Compact, punches light down to the floor |
Wet, dusty or washed down?
Car washes, parking garages, cold storage and wash bays need a sealed fixture. A vapor tight LED fixture is gasketed and wet location rated, so water and dust stay out of the driver. See wet location and IP ratings explained for what the ratings mean.
How bright?
Most general shop and warehouse work wants about 30 to 50 foot candles at the floor. Detailed bench work, inspection and auto repair bays want more, often 50 to 100. Our foot candle guide lists targets by space, and the layout calculator turns that into a fixture count.
Features worth paying for
- Selectable wattage and color temperature. One fixture covers several jobs, and you can tune the output on site.
- Occupancy sensor. Storage aisles and garages sit empty most of the day. A sensor pays for itself fast.
- Linkable runs. Strip lights that connect end to end save wiring time.
- Emergency battery backup. Covers egress lighting without separate fixtures.
- DLC listing. Needed for most utility rebates.
Replacing old fluorescent shop lights? If the old fixtures are in good shape, LED tubes may be enough. See 4ft and 8ft conversion guides.
Shop commercial LED shop lights
Strip lights, vapor tights and high bays from trusted manufacturers, at contractor pricing with freight quoted at real cost.
Shop LED strip lights