When you are working in the garage, you must see what you are doing and where you are going. The garage can be a somewhat dangerous place; hence, you have to do everything possible to ensure that your time spent there is safe. Even if your garage is secure, you will still need lighting to see what’s going on. Furthermore, most garages do not have enough opening to lighten up space during the day, and it’s even worse at night. By installing the best garage lighting, you will brighten the place and make it easy to see what’s going on in the garage.
We recognize that choosing the best garage lighting can be a chore, even a challenge. Hence, we have come up with a solution: 10 of the best garage lighting you can install right now. By considering these ten garages lighting, it would be straightforward for you to make the right choice. In this post, we have compiled the features, pros, and cons of each lighting. We have also provided a buyer’s guide on the features to consider before selecting garage lighting. Read on to find out more about these lights.
- Features to Consider in Good Garage Lighting
- Top 10 Best Garage Lighting 2024
- 1. JMTGNSEP Deformable Garage Lights
- 2. Sunco Lighting 6 Pack LED Utility Shop Light
- 3. Brightech LightPRO LED Shop Light
- 4. Hyperikon 4 Foot LED Shop Light
- 5. OOOLED LED Shop Light
- 6. Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture
- 7. FrenchMay Linkable LED Utility Shop Light
- 8. LeonLite Linkable LED Utility Shop Light
- 9. Luceco Plug-In LED Shop Light
- 10. LLT LED Garage Light Vapor-Proof
- Guide to Buying the Best Garage Lighting
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Garage Lights
- Conclusion
Features to Consider in Good Garage Lighting
Before we consider the best garage lighting, this section contains some of the essential factors to consider before making a choice. An in-depth study of these features will be considered in the primary buyer’s guide later in this article. For now, let’s consider a few features that can help you choose correctly.
Fluorescent or LED lights
Fluorescent lights used to be the standard lighting for garages and homes. You might even still have a fluorescent light right in your home or garage right now. However, if you compare these lights with the more recent LED lights, you will tend to opt for LED lights.
Perhaps you aren’t sure whether to use fluorescent or LED lights for your garage lighting. Well, let’s see some of the advantages of LED lights over fluorescent lights or other ‘traditional’ lights.
Benefits of LED garage lights
- LED lights save energy. LED lights are highly energy efficient. They are designed to consume as little energy as possible. According to our research in the course of writing this article, we discovered that LED lights have an efficiency of up to 90% and no lesser than 80%. When you compare this with other lights, for example, fluorescent lights, it is rather clear that LED lights save energy. And by saving energy, these lights ensure that you reduce the financial strain on your electric bill.
- They are durable. LED lights are usually built to last longer than traditional lighting. Unlike another illumination, LED lights are often designed to be shatter and shock resistant.Additionally, LED lights are not primarily composed of glass. Glass is susceptible to breakage and damage, especially in low temperatures. Since LED lights contain little to zero glass parts, they are not affected by low temperatures. Therefore, you can safely use these lights outdoors and in freezing temperatures.
- They last for longer. LED lights come with runtimes that put other light forms to shame. They can last for up to 50,000 hours of non-stop use. Incandescent and fluorescent lights can only last for a fraction of this time. Switching lights ON and OFF affects the lifespan of the lights. However, this does not apply to LED garage lights.
- Zero warm-up time. Other light bulbs usually take a few seconds or even up to a minute before coming on. Not so with LED lights! These lights do not flicker or warm-up before coming on. You are instantly bathed in light the moment you turn that switch on.
From the above, it is clear that your garage light should be made of LED lights. These lights are better than other lights. As a result of the efficiency offered by these lights, this review of the ten best garage lighting will be composed of LED lights.
Now, let us consider ten of the best garage lights you can purchase and install right now.
Top 10 Best Garage Lighting 2024
1. JMTGNSEP Deformable Garage Lights
Editor’s Rating:
Features
If you seek a bright garage light that doesn’t use plenty of power, then you will enjoy this light. It is a ceiling-mounted garage light that comes with an adjustable design. It features LED technology. It comes with up to 144 separate pieces, with each bulb producing up to 100 lumens of light. Therefore, it delivers superior, brilliant performance.
With a 6000K temperature, the lights bathe your garage in a natural glow that is vision friendly and without glare or other undesirable qualities.
Design
The LED panel is unique in that the panel can be adjusted and maneuvered quickly to whatever angle you desire. Therefore, you can light up the usually dark corners of your garage without plenty of fuss. Additionally, as a ceiling LED fixture, it is easy to install.
Energy saving
These lights provide an enjoyable indoor lighting experience at a minimal cost. The lights consume only 60W, which makes it one of the most energy-saving lights on this list.
Durability
These lights are some of the most durable lights you will use. The garage light housing is fashioned from aluminum alloy housing. Thus, you can rest assured that it will last for a long time.
Additionally, it features a hollow design that significantly helps with heat dissipation. The lights have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours.
Pros
- Super-bright performance
- Impressive energy conservation
- Adjustable design
- Durable build and construction
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Installation requires drilling holes in the ceiling
- Lacks accessories
2. Sunco Lighting 6 Pack LED Utility Shop Light
Editor’s Rating:
Installation
Aside from the impressive illumination, one of the main reasons why these lights are highly recommended is the ease of installation and maintenance. The lights come with all the necessary accessories and components required for installation.
The lights can be installed in two ways. First, you can install them flush to the ceiling. If you don’t want that, and you have enough head-room, you can choose to hang them by a chain.
Installing in either method is pretty straightforward.
Illumination
As pointed out earlier, this company is known for its high-quality products, and we are pleased that these lights are no exception. It delivers very bright performance that effortlessly illuminates all parts of the garage. As an LED light, it doesn’t require warm-up before coming on. It turns on the instant the switch is flicked.
It has a light output of 4000 lumens and a temperature of 5000 K. Therefore, it delivers a neutral, bright ambiance.
Energy efficiency
LED lights are generally energy-efficient, but this SUNCO is more efficient than most. According to our research and testing, we observed that the SUNCO delivers some of the best value per light. The lights come with an LED chip to control power usage and reduce your electric bills.
Cost-efficiency
While the energy conservation ensures that the lights use less energy than others, it also delivers excellent value even at the point of purchase. It comes with six different LED garage lights. Therefore, you have quite several options depending on the space you plan on using it in.
Pros
- Energy efficient
- LED Chip ensure energy usage is strictly monitored
- Can last for up to 50,000 hrs
- UV and Mercury-free lights
- Easy to install
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Lacks durability
3. Brightech LightPRO LED Shop Light
Editor’s Rating:
Illumination
This LED garage light from Brightech comes with a brightness of up to 3,800 lumens. While this isn’t as bright as the earlier reviewed lights (at least on paper), we found the intensity sufficiently for our lighting needs. As a matter of fact, these bad boys shine so bright that it is recommended that you install them about six feet over the intended space.
It comes with a temperature of 4000 K. Thus, it delivers a cool, white color. From our testing, we observed that the LED has a frosted tubing. This feature means that it isn’t as clear as some of the other options that are found in this post.
Durability
In addition to the illumination, this LED light is quite durable. It comes with a reported lifespan of 50,000 hours. Since the bulbs are irreplaceable, we fully expect the bulbs installed to last for a very long time.
Performance
Overall, the performance is highly satisfactory. It doesn’t flicker or produce glare.
Installation
Installation is straightforward. We discovered that all you need to install the lights are already in the package. Stuff like screws, mounting brackets, and more are all provided for. Additionally, you will find a helpful and well-detailed installation manual in the box.
Pros
- Bright and efficient performance
- 3-year warranty
- Easy to install and maintain
- Multiple mounting options
Cons
- Lack of flush mounting capability
- Bulbs cannot be replaced
- Doesn't come with an extension cord
4. Hyperikon 4 Foot LED Shop Light
Editor’s Rating:
Illumination
With a 4800 lumen output, the FrenchMay linkable LED utility shop light is one of the brightest shop lights you can buy. It is not just brilliant, but it also healthier than your old fluorescent lights. It is mercury free, and there is no UV.
Efficient and cost-effective, this light will brighten your space while being minimally costly. Its 40-watt energy consumption means that you will save money on your electricity bills.
Durability
It has a commercial-grade casing that protects it from damage and ensures durability. This body consists of lightweight aluminum, thermoplastic construction.
Installation
The installation of this LED light is very easy. The required components and hardware come with the lights. It has a daisy chain that helps you control the lighting. It comes with its bulbs, a 44-inch power cord, and other necessary components. With an instant-on design. This LED light does not flicker once switched on.
Additionally, you can mount these shop lights either as a flush mount or hung from the ceiling. There is also all the necessary information contained in the instruction manual.
Other Features
This light is a reliable option that will last for a long time. If you have any issues with your product, the 5-year warranty offers adequate protection. If you want a solid LED light that delivers superior performance to the others on the market, then look no further than this product.
Pros
- Super-bright illumination
- 45,000 hours lifespan
- Multiple mounting options
- Easy to install
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Feels cheap
- Poor packaging means some lights arrive broken
5. OOOLED LED Shop Light
Editor’s Rating:
Design
This LED shop light is designed for ceiling mounting alone. It does not come with any hanging chains; hence, you have to install it flush to the ceiling. Despite the lack of hanging chains in the packaging, it comes with hooks that allow you to hang them on the chain. All these make it a cool LED fixture. It comes with a durable steel base and a white powder coating that ensures that your space looks naturally illuminated.
Illumination
These lights are some of the brightest on this list. They might even be too bright for you! With a lumens output of 4,800, you can rest assured that the entire garage will be illuminated.
To enjoy even more brightness, the light comes with a plug connection. Hence, you can link up multiple lamps easily.
Energy consumption
The OOOLED LED fixture is a near-perfect light fixture and comes with effective energy use and management. It draws 39W at 120V.
Durability
Overall, the lights are rather durable. Nevertheless, we found the metal housing around the bulb to be somewhat inadequate. Thus, it is no surprise that numerous buyers report damaged bulbs on delivery.
Other Features
When compared with other fixtures, for example, fluorescent bulbs, the OOOLED LED lights are a better option. The only gripe we had with this LED light is that for the amount of brightness it delivers, other lights use less energy.
Pros
- Super-bright illumination
- Can be linked with other lamps
- Decent heat dissipation
- Easy to install
- Different installation modes
Cons
- Cannot be dimmed
- The metal housing is thin
- The screws are rather fragile
6. Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture
Editor’s Rating:
Illumination
The Barrina LED T5 is a relatively new but brilliant fixture that provides excellent lighting and is recommended by many people. This product from Barrina is one of the best lights available.
It features lights that provide over 2200 lumens in output, which translates into a super-bright effect. It provides not just a brilliant display, but it is also energy saving. The Barrina T5 has a 20W power consumption, which is low and saves 65% on your light bills.
To get even more light, you can connect up to six tubes together.
Durability
It has a wide range of applications. It can be used in the garage, workshop, basement, or other spaces that require lighting. The aluminum body is quite lightweight, makes the Barrina T5 long-lasting, and assures long-time usage, which saves money on maintenance and other incurred expenses. It promises a lifespan of over 45,000 hours.
Installation
The design of the Barrina means that installation is swift and easy. It comes with easy to fix snap joints. The flush connectors and extensions offer several installation options. After the installation, all that is needed is inserting the plug to begin using the light. These lights are so bright that you will notice details you have previously never seen with your older lights.
The only significant issue we had while testing this LED light fixture is the amount of heat it produces. At a temperature of 6500 K, we expected the manufacturer to make provision for excellent heat dissipation, alas; we are stuck with a disappointing design.
Pros
- The lights are very bright and illuminating
- Long lifespan (50000 hours of life)
- Energy-saving and efficient with 20w power consumption which saves money on bills
- Installation is straightforward and quick.
- Links up to six lights
- It can be hardwired
Cons
- Poor heat dissipation
- Light is harsh on the eyes
- Noisy
7. FrenchMay Linkable LED Utility Shop Light
Editor’s Rating:
Illumination
The FrenchMay LED light is an impressively bright fixture. It rocks an impressive 4,800 lumens of light. Therefore, there’s no problem with low visibility. Additionally, its 5000 K temperature bathes the garage in warm, bright light. If you have detailed projects to do in the garage, you will find it more than sufficient.
It is not just bright, but it also healthier than your old fluorescent lights. It is mercury free, and there is no UV.
Design and build
It has a commercial-grade casing that protects it from damage and ensures durability. This body consists of lightweight aluminum, thermoplastic construction. We wish the cord was longer, as those that come with the lights are rather short. You can choose to swap the cable with a third-party product.
Installation
The installation of this LED light is straightforward. The required components and hardware come with the lights. It has a daisy chain that helps you control the lighting. It comes with its bulbs, a 44-inch power cord, and other necessary components. With an instant-on design. This LED light does not flicker once switched on.
Pros
- A highly versatile LED light that can be used around the home, workshop or for general lighting
- Durable construction and build
- Easy to install
- Super-bright with 4800 lumens output and 5000 K temperature
- Energy conserving
- Quiet performance
Cons
- Installation chain and hooks feel flimsy
8. LeonLite Linkable LED Utility Shop Light
Editor’s Rating:
Illumination
The LeonLite LED Light doesn’t use plenty of power, but it has an impressive output. The 4,100 lumens output is brighter than some of the best lights on the market. The LeonLite shop light radiates a bright light that helps users stay focused and energized. This bright light illuminates all corners and reveals details you might have missed. It illuminates your environment with its 4100 lumens output with an energy consumption of just 38 watts.
Energy savings
This shop light is one of the most energy-efficient lights on the market and saves you money on electricity bills. It can help you save up to 60% of your light bills.
It has an instant-on feature that means once switched on, there’s no flicker but guarantees instant brightness.
Installation
Easy to install, the LeonLite shop light comes with two mounting options. The shop light comes with an installation manual that helps you know which parts go where.
With a lifespan of 45,000 hours, this LED light assures continued use. It features an integrated and durable link chain that makes it much easier to switch the light off and on. Made in the United States, the high-grade steel housing of LeonLite ensures durability.
Other Features
This LED light fixture is relatively cheap, but it comes with some features not found except in expensive models. It offers some of the best linking we have seen in an LED garage fixture. You can link it with up to five units, and importantly, it can connect two units flush! Thus, the five connected units can act as an LED garage light, instead of acting separately.
Pros
- Installation is prompt and easy
- All necessary accessories come in the package
- Bright output
- Linkable design
- Low-temperature functionality
- Quiet
- Cheap
Cons
- Not great with hardwiring
- The cord needs to be longer than five feet
- Housing is not durable
9. Luceco Plug-In LED Shop Light
Editor’s Rating:
Features
Made by Lyceco, this LED fixture is an impressive piece of technology that delivers brilliant performance. It has a wattage of just 36 watts on 120V. Therefore, you can rest assured that it will use as little energy as possible during use.
It offers an excellent alternative to fluorescent bulbs and other traditional light fixtures. The construction of these lights is strong and sturdy as it is shock and shatter-proof, offering you years of excellent performance.
Illumination
The LED light comes with the least output on this list. At 1800 lumens of light each, it is lower than the others. However, when combined with the 4000 K temperature, it offers a genuinely bright light that is glare-free and uniform in appearance.
Therefore, you can use it, not only in the garage, but in other places like your basement, shed, or factory. It is a great light for indoor use as well. The lights come on instantly without delay from flickering or warming up.
Energy savings
This LED fixture offers savings of up to 60% on your light bills.
Installation
Installation of the Luceco LED shop light is effortless and straightforward; all necessary tools, equipment, and hardware are included with the lights.
Other Features
DLC and UL certification mean that these lights guarantee safety, efficiency, longevity, and excellent performance. They are mercury free, and they do not radiate UV.
Pros
- A great alternative to fluorescent lights
- Robust and sturdy construction to ensure durability
- Instant On feature means that there no flickering or any warm-up period
- UL and DLC certification
- It is quite easy to install with all the necessary instructions in the box
Cons
- Some users complain about how hard it is to reach the switch when the lights are hung
10. LLT LED Garage Light Vapor-Proof
Editor’s Rating:
Design
Protect your lights from excess water or vapor by using these LED lights from LLT. It comes with an IP66 rating, which is rather rare in LED fixtures. The IP66 score indicates that this light will work in wet or dusty conditions efficiently. The bulbs come with 30,000 hour lifetime.
Illumination
Aside from the resistance to water and dust, the lights also offer excellent lighting. It is relatively bright at 2,700 lumens output, although you will find more brilliant options on the market.
Additionally, you can enjoy illumination in different hues. The light is available in warm white (3500 K), Bright White (4000 K), and daylight (5000 K).
Installation and maintenance
Installing is rather easy as all you require come in the package. As you install the light, ensure that you do not damage the foam seal as this is what keeps moisture out of the light fixture. As for maintenance, it is vital to note that this unit is hardwired and comes in a single option. Hence, the bulbs are irreplaceable. Once the bulb expires, you will have to change the entire unit.
Pros
- Cheapest on the list
- Comes with a power cord and other accessories
- Resistant to high and low temperatures
- Vapour proof
- An IP66 rating makes it dust-resistant
Cons
- The vapor-proof design and thickness blocks out some of the light
- Isn't as bright as others on this list
Guide to Buying the Best Garage Lighting
After considering ten of the best garage lighting on the market, you might find yourself wondering the factors that we discussed before choosing our picks. You might also, for some reason, not fancy any of the products above and want to make a different choice.
Well, in this section, we will review some of the crucial factors that should guide every buyer as they choose the garage lighting for their home.
Features to consider
In this section, we will see what to consider before making a choice.
1. Power Usage
As you buy the garage lights, you must find the amount of power it will consume. It is vital to check out the essential parameters so as not to receive an energy bill that is higher than what you bargained for. One of the critical parameters to consider is wattage.
For newbies, a watt (W) stands for the measure of electrical power. It is the rate at which electrical devices, in this case, the lights, uses energy.
As you buy your garage lights, check out the wattage as provided by the manufacturer. The higher the wattage is, the more the amount of power the lights will consume.
In the past, higher wattage also signified a higher light output. However, with the advent of LED lights, this is no longer the rule. There are now LED lights with low wattage but brilliant light outputs.
2. Light Output
As the goal of buying lights for the garage is to see better, you must consider the amount of light you will get from the bulbs of a fixture. This output is measured in lumens. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light would be.
Lumen is defined as a measure of the total amount of light from a light source that is visible to the naked eye.
While the wattage used to indicate the amount of light produced, lumens are the new reliable benchmarks.
To find a garage lighting that offers a healthy balance of output and consumption, use the equation Lumens per Watt.
3. Temperature
The temperature of the bulb tells you how it will appear. The temperature affects the ambiance of the space, and it is measured in Kelvins.
Whereas in lumens, where the more significant the number of lumens, the larger the output, the temperature acts differently. In this case, the larger the number, the colder the temperature.
If you plan on using the garage for casual stuff or entertainment purposes, warm light is suitable.
If space is for serious work, work where you have to concentrate on the details, then cooler light is better.
4. Ease of Installation
Whatever LED lighting you choose should be easy to install. This is for your convenience.
LED shop lights can be installed in different ways. Some have a chain that allows you to hang the lights from the ceiling. Others might offer this option and also will enable you to mount them on the ceiling.
5. CRI rating
The CRI rating indicates how clearly or accurately objects appear in the LED light. Just like with lumens, the higher the CRI rating, the higher the accuracy of the object.
There are other factors to consider before choosing the LED shop light to purchase, and the factors above give you a general overview of what is essential.
Types of garage lights
There are four main types of garage lights. These are fluorescent garage lights, incandescent garage lights, LED garage lights, and task lighting.
Fluorescent garage lights
These are the most popular types on the market. They are also usually the cheapest. However, if you seek the best garage lighting, fluorescent garage lights are not ideal. They are susceptible to flickering and hum while working. If you are determined to use fluorescent lights; however, the best option is to go for T8 fluorescent tubes. They are quiet, rarely flicker, and are energy-efficient.
Incandescent lighting
Just as regular incandescent bulbs, these feature a wire filament that heats up and glows to produce light. They are cheap and easy to replace. However, they do not offer as much illumination as other light sources.
LED garage lights
They are cheap, simple to install, energy-efficient, and bright. For folks on the lookout for the best garage lighting, LED lights offer the best option. They are highly durable and do not burn out, unlike incandescent or fluorescent lights.
With this in mind, it is no surprise that our best garage lighting list is composed of only LED lights.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Garage Lights
Q1. Do LED garage lights lose their brightness?
Yes.
However, LED bulbs live longer than other forms of illumination. Some have a lifespan of 50,000 hours or around that range.
Before an LED light goes out, it starts to fade over time.
This is different from other light sources, for example, fluorescents. Fluorescents and other sources of illumination might stop abruptly. LED lights, on the other hand, lose brightness.
When your LED garage lights’ brightness falls below 65%-70%, then it would be a good time to replace it. To know the level of your LED output, a light meter comes in handy.
Q2. Are LED garage lights dangerous to human health?
LED lights are mercury-free and do not emit UV.
Unlike incandescent lights and fluorescents that emit UV rays, LED shop lights do not. UV radiation is dangerous to human health and can cause cancer.
LED lights are reported to be good for the skin. This is evident from the rise in the use of LED Light Therapy.
Q3. Can LED lights damage the eyes?
When appropriately used, LED lights are not harmful to the eyes. However, damage can occur if LED lights are stared directly at for long.
Other light sources like fluorescents can cause damage to the eyes. However, using LED shop lights can reduce the risk of damage to the eyes.
Q4. What factors can affect the brightness of garage lights?
The voltage flowing through an LED light fixture will affect the brightness of the LED light. To increase the intensity, you have to buy a light with higher lumens rating. Another thing you can do is to connect several linkable lights.
Conclusion
So there you have it: the best garage lighting. Although there are several options on the market, the models listed and reviewed above offer some of the best lights. Use the reviews and the buyer’s guide to select the right one for your garage.
