Best Overall
Sunco Lighting 2-Pack Industrial LED Shop Light
Runner-Up
Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture
Best Bang for the Buck
Commercial Electric LED Shop Light
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Good lighting does n’t have to be expensive or complicated — but it ’s essential for a safe , productive garage workspace . Bright , reliablegaragelighting make every project easy and helps forbid trips , slip , and inadvertent cut .
The good garage lighting transform dismal , underused spaces into functional workshops , and the additional illumination can kickstart a seriousgarage makeover . To find the good garage lighting , we tested seven top - blackleg fixture hands - on , install each one to see how they present , and identify theSunco Lighting 2 - Pack Industrial LED Shop Lightas our favorite , but others we tested might be a better primed to provide the best lighting for your needs . Read on for our results and full review .
Garage Lighting Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
opt the best garage lighting can be overwhelming , so we hands - on test these top - perform models to assist you resolve .
Our Ratings : Installation5/5 , Brightness4.5/5 , Value5/5
For industrial - quality garage lighting , check out out Sunco Lighting ’s two - plurality of light-emitting diode shop light . These 4 - base - recollective lights allow a 5000 K or 6000 K colouring temperature — ideal for garage preferences — and develop an ample 4,100 lm ( LM ) per light . They mount to the cap surface or become hanging garage sparkle when suspend with the include hardware . Each light has a durable pull chain designed to hold out industrial use and can be tie in with others for performance from a undivided wall switch over .
Sunco ’s industrial store lights perform exceptionally well in our tests . Despite being wired together , each light control independently without affecting others in the chain . The exercise of stock 110 - volt retail store plugs ensured simple installation , while retentive wires made it easy to daisy - chain multiple lights across the service department . We also appreciated the versatility of mounting option , though flush mounting may require practise holes through the backplate due to the absence of pre - drilled holes .
Get the Sunco service department lighting atAmazon .
Runner-up
Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture (Pack of 6)
Our Ratings : Installation4/5 , Brightness5/5 , Value5/5
This set of light-emitting diode T5 single repair from Barrina is a overbold selection for lighting an entire garage without blowing the budget . This pack of six , also available in an eight - pack , delivers 2,200LM per lighter , which all wire together with mere nag - in jumpers . Just punch them in and clip them in post , and the garage lighting organisation is staring .
We opted for the very cool 6500 K color temperature . Each Barrina ignitor is 4 feet long and uses very little power — only 20 watts per section . And since they ’re light-emitting diode , they ’ll work well in very cold environments , so there are no excuses for not tackle those jobs when chilly atmospheric condition go far !
Installing the Barrina LED T5 system of rules was a breeze , as it required simply screwing the time to the ceiling and bust each light in place . And with six brightness level in the pack , the tractableness to put a light where necessary is a welcome change from the norm . Also , we found the luminousness to be more than adequate for most garages . Our only ailment is that the jumper wires were far too inadequate ; the interchangeable system we have in our shop came with wire over double as long .
Get the Barrina garage lighting atAmazon .
Our Ratings : Installation5/5 , Brightness4/5,Value5/5
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Looking to light up the bench on the cheap ? Commercial Electric ’s shop light fixture is a outstanding option . Of the LED garage light fixtures we tested , it was one of the easiest to instal . It can flush climb to the roof by driving two screws into a ceiling joist and attach the visible light , or hang from the ceiling using the include twin wire hangers . And since the store light plugs into a standard outlet , there ’s no need to mess around with wiring . Just keep in mind that while the power cord does make it easier to install , the Commercial Electric shop sparkle wo n’t do work if hard - wiring is the only power option .
Once in place , its 3,000LM light-emitting diode cast a bright indifferent pool of light below . We had no problem spotting cutlines or oil production hole chump while working under its bright , sporty luminance . We also liked the tenacious pulling Ernst Boris Chain that makes it easy to sprain the light off and on .
While a unmarried Commercial Electric light only produces enough lighting for a small area , additional lights can daisy chain via the socket on the end of the lamp . It would be hard to find a good value in a garage luminance .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Get the Commercial Electric service department fall atThe Home Depot .
Best Flush-Mount
Lithonia Lighting CPANL LED Flat Panel Light
Our rating : Installation4/5,Brightness5/5 , Value4.3/5
For a flowing face with rich elucidation , Lithonia Lighting ’s conduct flat panel is an excellent choice . Its moneyed - mount ceiling innovation and fair white dialog box provide a sleeker alternative to typical utilitarian fluorescent fixture garage lights .
Along with being one of the most attractive garage lights we quiz , this Lithonia is also one of the well - performing . With a large aerofoil area and 4,000LM output , it allow for even nook - to - corner lighting for our 20 - by-20 - foot garage . Adjustable color temperature is a helpful feature film , especially when trying to match an existing body of work light . It offered enough firing for tasks like using our mesa proverb , though we advocate adding a dedicated light for the workbench .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Installation required us to practise four holes in the ceiling and bind the lamp get on bracket using drywall backbone . Though more complicated than other light installment , Lithonia ’s installation video made it easy to complete in 30 minute .
While pricey than some options , we opine the Lithonia LED flat gore is well worth the investing for full - service department lighting .
What our tester said:“I bed this garage visible light ’s low-pitched visibility aerodynamic design and smart scant output — it amply illuminates my two - machine service department . Plus , it ’s surprisingly promiscuous to install . ” — Tony Carrick , Product Reviews tester and author
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Get the Lithonia Lighting service department illume atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orThe Home Depot .
Best for Workbench
Hykolity 5000K LED Shop Ligh
Our rating : Installation5/5 , Brightness4/5 , Value3.5/5
When looking for hanging shop luminance , three thing are authoritative : a substance abuser - friendly ability replacement , easy induction , and plenty of light . The Hykolity LED Shop Light hold all the box . This fixedness measures 4 feet long — enough to illuminate most work surfaces . The included hanging computer hardware permit installers to suspend it from the cap or under a shelf . The 42 - W LED bring about sight of light at 4,400LM with a cool - toned 5000 K temperature .
The Hykolity LED shop spark was an inviolable joy to make for with during testing . First , installation was a breeze , and installing it over a workbench wo n’t be an issue . Second , this light fixture was perceptibly brighter than other single units . It also easily daisy - range of mountains with additional reparation , as it uses a received outlet hack . It ’s a bit pricey , so we care it fare in a multipack to save money .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Get the Hykolity garage lighting atAmazon .
Best Motion-Activated
Tanbaby 2-Pack Motion Sensor Garage Light
Our Ratings : Installation5/5 , Brightness3.5/5 , Value4.3/5
Tanbaby ’s garage light are easy to install and offer unique feature article that other garage light ca n’t claim . Adjustable flaps have users direct lighter to specific areas , throw the Tanbaby ideal for bench or tools like a table adage , though they do n’t provide enough light on their own for a two - car service department . They ’re well suit for task inflammation than they are for manipulation as general garage ceiling lamp .
Each visible radiation also has a responsivemotion sensor , a convenient solution for windowless garages where fumbling for a pull strand can be frustrating .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Whether or not to choose a Tanbaby garage light really look on the electrical wiring in the garage . Tanbaby lights bed into standard Edison sockets , making them an easy selection if the service department is already equip and rendering the mounting hassle - free . In that case , facility is as simple as changing a electric-light bulb . Without an live socket , however , installation is more tortuous . We had to purchase , conducting wire , and mount a lamp socket to the roof ’s electric box before installing the Tanbaby shop light .
Get the Tanbaby garage lighting atAmazonorTanbaby .
ALSO TESTED
Since 2021 , we ’ve try 11 service department lighting pick . Some of our former ducky are no longer available , and others have been removed from our final list because we ’ve incur even better products . We still care theLithonia Lighting 4 - animal foot 120V Ballast Strip Light , but we think the options listed above offer just , brighter garage lighting .
We also tested theMetalux 40 - Watt Fluorescent Strip Lightwith dual fluorescent 4 - animal foot bulbs . Unfortunately , we were let down with its soma caliber . The slender sheet metal bent easy during facility , causing a light-headed mountain to detach until we deform the housing back into shape to reattach it . We also struggled to lock the alloy screen in home after jump on it to the ceiling . The edge of the sheet alloy were so sharp that we had to wear gloves during initiation to keep injuries , so we ca n’t advocate it .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Garage Lighting
Our garage double as work spaces for our many home improvement project , so service department kindling is indispensable . We considered several factor while quiz . First , the light needed to beeasy to put in . Any lightness with a unmanageable setup or hard - to - follow instructions lost point .
Naturally , brightness counts . We checked to see how well each fix or arrangement lit the garage and a workbench . All but one of these models passed draft , with some doing slightly better than others .
in the end , we noted commodious feature , such as the Sunco Lighting fixture ’s ability to turn each luminousness on and off without bear on the others and the Tanbaby ’s fast , sensitive motion sensors .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
These ingredient guided our excerption , result in a list of top - mountain pass garage lighting solutions to help DIYers deliver on their projects .
What to Consider When Buying Garage Lighting
While shopping for the best service department lighting foryour shop ’s needs , keep these of import factor in mind .
Types of Garage Lighting
The heyday of the incandescent bulb is over . Even those who liked those older - schooling DOE suckers have to recognise that they ’re a raft voiceless to regain now . Even if they ’re available for cut-rate sale , do n’t be fooled by the low price ; they ’re certain to prove how ineffective they are when the electric bill comes . or else , most hoi polloi choose between light-emitting diode and fluorescent service department Inner Light , each of which has pros and cons .
LED stands for “ light - emitting junction rectifier , ” which intend there ’s a lilliputian component inside the bulb that illuminate when electricity pass off through it . LED medulla are popular due to their light , energy efficiency , and telling length of service .
LEDsare popular in devices like flashlights and spotlights because they generate directional light — a very bright beam straight out from the diode that concentrates on a pocket-size area . That ’s not idealistic for garages and other workstations , but get off manufacturers compensate for it in two way : they make LEDs with multipositional wings , and they install reflector to distribute the light equally throughout a outer space . Both tweak put up an splendid alternative to the astray - cast ignition of incandescent bulbs .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
With fluorescent light , a hydrargyrum - vapour natural gas develop Light Within instead of a solid filum ( as in an incandescent bulb ) or a diode ( like an light-emitting diode ) . The gas in a fluorescent bulb emits ultraviolet light when electrify .
The benefit of fluorescent lighting — in general , and for service department workplace in special — is that it dispense light very evenly . The natural gas is enclosed in long glass tubes , so the lighter skin out in a 360 - degree radiation diagram . Although they ’re long - lasting , the bother with fluorescents is that when they do cut out , they must be taken to a hazardous waste disposal nerve center . Due to the perniciousness of hydrargyrum gas , fluorescent fixture are n’t as convenient to cast off away or recycle as LEDs are .
Brightness
service department receive little or no innate igniter , so when upgrading a lighting setup , choose reparation that put out a lot of burnished light . The lighting diligence metre brightness by lm ( LM)—a measure of light produced during a specific period . Bottom stemma : the more lumens , the bright the light .
Lumens measurement luminosity , while watts assess energy use . A 75 - watt bulb produces about 1,100LM . As a oecumenical rule , the idealistic range for workbench lighting is around 3,500LM .
Color Temperature
Color temperature refers to the color the light bring about and is appraise in William Thompson ( K ) . temperature range between 3500 K and 6000 K , with the low end being warmer and more sensationalistic and the gamy end cooler and bluer .
nerveless light enhances a service department ’s industrial look , while lovesome tone can appear dismal . purport for a temperature around 5000K. A 5000 K bulb produces light that is slightly profane but not glare or harsh on the optic .
Some fixedness have adjustable color temperatures , allowing DIYers to experiment with dissimilar colors and choose the one that works well for them .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Energy Efficiency
Regardless of the lighting scheme choose for a service department , a modernistic fixture will apply far less energy than older incandescent bulbs . fluorescent fixture bulbs can thin out energy uptake by about 70 percent over an incandescent electric-light bulb producing the same amount of luminance . LED bulbs are even proficient , cutting as much as 90 percent of energy phthisis compared to an incandescent bulb . And sinceLED lights lastmore than 10,000 hours versus 1,000 for incandescents , the savings certainly add up .
Installation and Connectivity
facility and connectivity may fiddle a large role in deciding on the best service department firing fixtures . There are easy - to - instal options that produce great results for DIYers without a peck of electrical experience . The easy way to upgrade to adept garage lighting is with screw - in electric light replacements . These multipositional light-emitting diode fixtures screw into a canonic abstemious foot and do n’t require any extra wiring ( or much effort ) on the part of the installer . ascertain out our templet to thebest visible radiation bulbsfor assistance choosing the right replacement incandescent lamp for the situation .
There are also plug - in workshop lights that DIYers can string throughout a garage to produce a enormous amount of light . These system exploit through standard electric outlet : Simply plug them in andflip the luminance flip . They often include “ jumper ” wire that associate a solidification of lights together to illuminate an intact garage with only one plug , and installation is ordinarily as simple as fastening a few clipping .
Most fluorescent ignition , on the other hand , requires a bit more during installation . These lights have ballast resistor that shape the voltage to the lightsome bulb and require hardwiring into an electrical circuit within the service department . While not overly complicated , this process is more involved .
Photo: Amazon
Longevity
An light-emitting diode bulb can last 25 to 30 time long than an incandescent light bulb , all the while reducing the amount of vitality consumed . A fluorescent bulb can last as long as 9,000 hours equate to an incandescent medulla ’s 1,000 hours . The reason LEDs and fluorescent last so much longer than incandescent variety is that they do n’t have a sensitive , slight filament that can break or burn up .
Climate
go bulb do n’t want to heat up up , so they become smart immediately and bring on consistent , energy - effective light in very cold temperature . In fact , light-emitting diode become more efficient in colder temperature . That intend head bulbs are the most suitable choice for unwarmed garage in orbit with bitterly frigid wintertime . By dividing line , some fluorescent Light can not work if the air temperature is below 50 stage Fahrenheit . Those who inhabit in region where temperatures often dip below freezing will do best with an LED setup for the good garage lighting .
Other Features
While advance overhead service department visible light , it ’s heady to upgrade the workstation as well . Consider hanging a range from the ceiling to take down a fixture or attaching anLED light stripbelow a console — essentially , establish direct task lighting . There are plenty of great options , and scheme can flux to make ideal conditions . While a worldwide overhead reparation is fine , adding an illuminated , positionable arm ( like those used by fly - tying fishermen ) can make it easier to see little parts .
Motion sensors can make service department light safer and more convenient . Some LED system have sensors that will change state the Inner Light on when they find someone walk or moving in the garage . Not only will these luminance illuminate a garage without the drug user involve to fumble for a low-cal switch , but move sensors can also discourage unwanted guests from helping themselves to the contents of the service department .
For those who favor to exchange incandescent bulbs with screw - in LED units , choose some with multipositional wings . These fixtures can make a immense difference in the effectiveness of garage lighting . When an surface area is n’t receiving enough illumination , but position a fender in that direction to meliorate clarification . Since LEDs do n’t get nearly as hot as incandescent or fluorescent fixture bulbs , they ’re often cool enough to touch bare - handed . This also keeps LEDs running as efficiently as possible .
Photo: Amazon
The Advantages of Owning the Best Garage Lighting
Being able to see well make a world of divergence both while working on a project and with the last result . Poor light can be very frustrative , especially when small piece like nuts or bolts are involved — if it ’s sink , full luck regain that petite fastener against a dark floor !
contend to see in dim lighting can conduct to some undesirable physical effects , such as eyestrain and headaches . Factor in the increase fortune of a tripping accident , and proper service department lighting will keep everyone far safer and hefty .
The unspoiled service department lighting will also save money . Not only are the best lighting products much more muscularity efficient than older models , but they also incinerate out less often , so far fewerlight bulbswill need to be replaced . Even with the higher price of light-emitting diode and fluorescent bulbs liken to incandescent ones , the less - frequent surrogate will relieve money in the long footrace .
Photo: The Home Depot
FAQs
If you ’re still in the shadow about the serious service department lighting , check out our answers to some of the most commonly involve questions .
These are by no way interchangeable term . Lumens describe the brightness level of a bulb . Kelvin describe the temperature coloring . Watts represent muscularity using up .
No . A higher temperature bulb produce a tank , bluer timbre but not more light .
Photo: Amazon
A light bulb ’s light is pendent on lm output , not bulb case . When comparing bulb of similar wattage , LED will be more efficient and , therefore , bright .
Yes , light-emitting diode do mislay their smartness over time . They do n’t sting out like standard incandescent lamp , but they will slowly become dimmer .
A few thousand lumens may serve if you only want enough light to get in and out of your motorcar . If you use your service department as a workshop , then you ’ll need around 10,000LM of overhead light plus a 3,500LM illumination for your bench .
Photo: Amazon
coolheaded ashen light that register between 4,000 K and 5,000 K , the idealistic temperature on the Kelvin scale for task lighting , is the right lighting for garages .
Whensetting up your dwelling workshop , you should place your garage lighting on the roof in a cardinal location for get an even swath of light that illuminates the entire service department . big garages may have multiple electric boxes spaced around the ceiling that provide you to install multiple garage lights for better coverage . Along with overhead firing , you ’ll also want a light positioned directly above the workbench if you have one .
Meet the Tester
Tom Scalisi is a freelance writer specializing in the home conception , construction , peter , and automotive industries . He has been involved in the trades for over 15 years as both a declarer and a commercial building mechanic . As a lover of all things cock , construction , and DIY , he ’s always looking for new tool and proficiency while also sharing his knowledge with the DIY world .
Tony Carrick is a freelance author specialise in place betterment , landscaping , technology , house security , and blueprint . His article have been have on such sites as Popular Mechanics , Futurism , SFGate , Pro Tools Review , and more . Tony has conducted rigorous product testing on everything from king tools to home surety systems to backyard grills . With each review , his goal is to help oneself reviewer determine whether a product meets their needs and if it is or is n’t deserving its price tag .
Everything You Need for a Lush and Healthy Lawn
Photo: Amazon
Keeping your grass green and your plants prosper does n’t just take a fleeceable thumb — it starts with the right tool and provision .
