LED Wall Packs vs Flood Lights: Which One Do You Need?

Use a wall pack to light the ground and walkways right next to a building. Use a flood light to throw light onto something farther away, like a sign, a facade, a yard or a parking area. Both mount on walls, but they are built for different jobs: a wall pack spreads light down and out close to the wall, and a flood aims a controlled beam at a target.

Side by side

Question	Wall pack	Flood light
Main job	Light the area next to the building: doors, walkways, loading areas	Light a target at a distance: signs, facades, yards, lots
Light pattern	Wide, mostly downward and forward	Aimed beam, from narrow to wide (NEMA 1 to 7)
Mounting	Flat to a wall over a junction box	Yoke, knuckle or slip fitter, on walls or poles
Aiming	Fixed (full cutoff models point straight down)	Adjustable
Typical height	About 8 to 20 feet on the wall	Wall or pole, often higher
Glare control	Full cutoff models keep light out of the sky and neighbors' eyes	Depends on aim, visors and optic

When a wall pack is the right pick

• Doorways and egress paths where people walk right next to the building.
• Loading docks and back of house where you want even light along the wall.
• Security lighting around the perimeter, often with a photocell for dusk to dawn.
• Dark sky or light trespass rules, where a full cutoff wall pack keeps light pointed down.

See our wall pack buying guide for wattage and cutoff options.

When a flood light is the right pick

• Signs and building faces lit from a distance.
• Yards, lots and storage areas that sit away from the wall.
• Pole mounted area coverage where you need to aim light where it is needed.

Beam angle decides how far and how wide a flood throws. See our flood light beam angle guide.

Common mistakes

• Using a flood where a wall pack belongs. An unshielded flood aimed outward puts glare in drivers' eyes and light into the neighbors' windows.
• Using a wall pack to light a far target. Wall packs spread light close to the building, so the far end of a lot stays dark.
• Skipping the photocell. Both types can run dusk to dawn with a photocell. See dusk to dawn lighting.

Common questions

What is the difference between a wall pack and a flood light?

A wall pack mounts flat on a wall and spreads light down and out to light the area next to the building. A flood light is adjustable and aims a beam at a target farther away, such as a sign, facade or yard.

Can I use a flood light instead of a wall pack?

You can, but an unshielded flood aimed outward often causes glare and light trespass. For lighting the ground next to a building, a full cutoff wall pack is usually the better choice.

Do wall packs and flood lights need a photocell?

Only if you want them to switch on at dusk and off at dawn automatically. Many models include a photocell or offer one as an option.

Shop LED wall packs, LED flood lights and all outdoor fixtures. Questions? Contact us or call 845-681-2684.