Regardless of the application you undertake in your garage, it is imperative to have proper lighting. Working in an ebony garage can be tricky and upsetting, given that it is a possible hot spot for injuries.
That is why it’s requisite to invest in the best garage lights since they convert a sable space with potential vulnerabilities into a secure, illuminated surrounding that feels pleasing to work.
Since numerous lighting options are on sale, it’s challenging to determine what will fit your garage ceiling. First, your garage space can be an issue, meaning you will want to opt for garage lights that brighten up the whole space and disseminate the light evenly through your garage.
To revitalize your garage lighting, check out this article and determine why the listed options are worth your investment. You will also find a comprehensive guide that allows you to identify several tips to focus on before you choose best lights for garage ceiling that match your home or garage space.
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Why Choose LED Garage Lights?
LEDs are the perfect choice for garage lighting as they provide more illumination, consume less energy, and save many running costs. LEDs use less power wattage than other hitting luminaires like traditional incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes. As such, LEDs are more energy efficient than their counterparts.
Besides, the LEDs are more durable, saving you money and time involved in frequently replacing the lighting system in your garage. These benefits make LEDs ideal choices for the garage.
Types of LED Garage Lights
The LED for the garage comes in different types that you must understand when making a purchase decision. The variations arise from the method of installation (how to mount them from the ceiling), height from the ceiling, and shape. The different types of LED garage lights are described below.
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High Bay Lights
If you have a garage with high ceilings about 20 feet high, then the high bay lights will be perfect. The LED types are designed for homes or garages with high ceilings, normally above 15 feet.
Besides, their installation is pretty simple. You can hang them from the ceiling with a pendant, hook, or chain. Also, there would be no harm in mounting them directly to the ceiling. Based on the area you want to illuminate, you can choose the different wattages using the lumens-to-watt conversion chat.
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Flush-Mount
Unlike the high bay light, the flush-mount ceiling lights can be installed even in low-wall garages. You need not worry about the small spaces in your garage or home with flush-mount lights, as the installation can be done even in the smallest spaces.
Shape-wise, flush mount lights are circular; in most instances, they are used for aesthetics within homes or decoration. As a result, these types of LED lights are also perfect for other spaces within your home, such as offices, patios, living rooms, or hallways. This is a perfect go-to LED light if you have a garage with a low ceiling.
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LED Shop Lights
The shop lights assume a tube-like shape, and like the high bay lights, they can be suspended from the garage ceiling using a rope or chain. Also, you can mount them directly to the ceiling depending on the height of your garage ceiling from the floor and the area you want to illuminate.
If you go shopping for shop lights, examine whether a plugging cord into the wall outlet is included in the package. The cord prevents you from the hassle of hardwiring the lights in your garage’s electrical system. Instead, you will only need to plug the cord directly into a wall socket or outlet.
Best Lights for Garage Ceiling Reviews 2023
1.Garage Lights Ceiling LED for Garage Bain Shop 6000K daylight
To kick things off, we commence with this versatile option that draws lesser watts of power, making it best for homeowners to minimize energy consumption.
Borrowing from LED technology, this gadget produces beyond 1.5 times the brightness of other prevalent counterparts. And with the power of the 60w bulb, this light generates 6000K daylight, thus saving you on energy costs by a significant 85%.
The deformable design makes it easy for you to decide on the direction of light to offer precise light dissemination based on the job at hand. Three deformable panels fortify this feature.
Very little preparation is required to set up this unit; it is relatively simple, like a standard bulb. Besides, you will also notice an advanced cooling system courtesy of the die-cast aluminum design that fosters heat dissipation. The aluminum fins boast a unique design to enhance stability and high durability even under maximum use.
Best of all, be sure that this unit will serve you for an extended period, given that it can run for more than 50,000 hours, making the maintenance cost lowered to an essential percentage.
Pros
- It has an advanced cooling system.
- Excellent illumination.
- Constant runtime of over 50,000 hours.
- Easy to set up.
- Saves energy up to 85%.
- It integrates three deformable panels that allow you to determine the direction of light.
- Lights up better compared to other lighting options.
Cons
- It is expensive.
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2.Light dot 2 pack LED Garage Lights, 60w LED Shop Light 5000K 6000LM(Eqv 200w)
If you opt to improve your garage lighting and you want to achieve it precisely, it means you need your lighting system to be more durable, worth the price, and indeed bright enough. Surprisingly, these are the exact features you get from this bargain.
This set evenly illuminates your garage with soft brightness. It incorporates three unique LED panels that can be folded up to 90 degrees. Again, each LED panel integrates a full-coverage PC lens that ensures the working area is illuminated correctly, leaving behind no dark spaces and no dazzling.
With this light, you will enjoy quick installation with no special tools and wiring required. All that is needed is just inserting it into a lamp receptacle, and you are done.
The solid construction means this light is highly durable, plus you will enjoy unlimited service of about 50,000 hours. You will note that the life expectancy period is more compared to the traditional lighting options.
Essentially, this deal boasts an outstanding design with powerful LED modules that offer an output of 6000lm to keep your garage constantly illuminated while saving you more than 80% on your energy bill.
Pros
- Great product.
- It is worth the price.
- Solid structure.
- The maximum coverage area is 360 degrees.
- You can fold the LED panels to direct light in all corners of the garage.
- No specials tools and wiring is required while installing.
- It has an outstanding design.
- The influential LED modules offer an output of 6000lm to keep your garage brighter.
Cons
- You can’t engage this unit to a dimmer switch.
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3.LED Garage Lights, 140W 18500 Lumens Garage Lighting, 6000K Daylight
When aloft clearance is restricted in your garage, try this bargain. This unit sits perfectly on your garage ceiling, and it can produce at least 18500 lumens and 6000K daylight source, which serves as the preferable color temperature for daytime usage.
A unique characteristic of this light is that it has three panels covered with a milky cover in preference over the transparent one. This feature softens the lights. However, you still can’t look at the lights directly due to the intense illumination. You can fold the adjustable panels to come up with various light angles.
The maximum coverage angle that this light can cover is 360 degrees, which is enough to suit your needs, depending on the job you are working on.
This unit boasts a solid structure, and it’s made of aluminium, improving its heat dissemination. Also, the aluminium body facilitates improved durability and longevity.
Installation is straightforward, and you will not need additional tools or wiring to complete the job. For your convenience, the manufacturer included an E26 lamp socket.
Besides garages, this unit can work best in several other spaces, such as barns, storage rooms, warehouses, workshops, and other large areas
Pros
- Easy to install, and it does not need special tools.
- Great heat dissemination.
- It can operate for more than 50,000 hours constantly, thus minimizing maintenance costs.
- This light saves more energy compared to the traditional options.
- Produces bright light to cover all corners of the garage.
Cons
- Sometimes it overheats.
- This light is expensive.
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4. 2 Pack LED Garage Lights, 12000LM 6500K Garage Light Ceiling LED
Get yourself this fantastic deal if you are looking for a versatile unit that serves a practical purpose. This unit comes in two packs, and it works well for those with standard light sockets in their garage.
When this gadget is turned on, it generates too much heat, and that’s when the aluminium structure comes into play by offering excellent heat dissipation. In addition, you will get LED panels that can be directed in numerous directions, meaning you can position the light where you want it to be. In essence, the maximum coverage area of this light is 360 degrees.
Installation may consume more time, but it’s relatively easy when all the mounting parts are provided. This unit offers 6500K and CRI> 80 for improved vision, adding comfort and decreasing visual exhaustion.
Moreover, this unit draws only 120W of energy output, thus qualifying it for an extended lifespan. All parts are made with improved aluminium alloy material highly resistant to extreme temperatures and corrosion.
Not to forget, this comfy lighting option produces 100 lumens per watt, and you can’t relate its brightness with other options because it is way too far.
Pros
- Long life expectancy.
- It offers 360 degrees of illumination.
- Easy to set up with no unique tools.
- Great product.
- Very bright and comfy lighting option.
- Reduces your costs on energy and maintenance.
Cons
- The lights are so bright to view directly.
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5.KERNOW 2 Pack LED Garage Light, 140W 18500 Lumens Garage Lighting
This brilliant garage light has it all as far as functionality is concerned. First, this light affords you the ability to quickly arrive at 360 degrees lighting angle and suit various projects in your garage. You can attain that courtesy of its deformable design.
This fantastic gadget is designed with sound-quality aluminium, offering high temperature and corrosion resistance. The panels have a unique construction that greatly enhances the cooling power while promising longevity.
Installation is straightforward, but you will need an intellectual to do it for you. If you have prior experience, screw it into an E26 or E27 base. Other applicable areas that these light suits include warehouses, basements, workshops, and the rest.
Pros
- It has improved heat dissipation.
- It is highly durable, plus it saves you energy bills.
- Very easy to set up.
- This light covers a large area.
- Low maintenance is needed, and this unit can work continuously for more than 50,000 hours.
Cons
- It causes eye strain due to the excessive lights.
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Regarding the current revolution in electrical parameters, this garage light is the perfect upgrade in matters of brightness, longevity, and not forgetting energy efficiency.
It comes with three aluminum LED panels that you can adjust from 0 degrees to 120 degrees based on your plans to ensure that all regions receive sufficient light. That means light coverage can reach 360 degrees to illuminate your space accurately, leaving no dead ends and dark spaces behind.
The rigid aluminium construction fosters heat dissemination exactly when determining longevity. This design eliminates the heat from LEF diodes, linking with the ones from ballast for utmost performance and surpassing 50,000 hrs runtime.
Since this unit is an LED light, the start-up time should be less than 0.5 seconds, unlike its correlatives which require several minutes to catch warmth.
Note that this light is super bright; therefore, you are not sanctioned to stare at it from a close range.
Pros
- Excellent illumination.
- Extended lifespan.
- Great price.
- Easy setup.
- High resistance to corrosion and extreme temperatures.
- It can cover a wide range of about 469 degrees.
Cons.
- Sometimes this item overheats.
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This unique garage light can make an incredible difference in viewability and energy bills. It integrates 288pcs quality chips, totaling merely 10000 lumens offering 6500K bright light. That means your darkroom will no longer be an issue as you can employ the three panels to focus on particular areas of the garage or soften the brightness.
However, people complain that the light produced is extremely bright, so you may consider not looking at it directly.
To curb excess heat, AYSEMO Garage Light Led employs a rigid aluminium structure and an advanced cooling system to enhance heat dissipation. The aluminium body can withstand corrosive elements, which tells you that this unit’s longevity is completely guaranteed.
Furthermore, AYSEMO Garage Light Led can resist heavy abuse and has a runtime of roughly 50000 hours. You can use it for other applications, such as in basements, toll stations, gyms, bays, etc. People love its lightweight, making its installation easier with an E26 E27 screw base. You will not have to hassle looking for hard wires or hiring an intellectual to do it for you; all you need is to follow the user manual and screw it in.
Pros
- It has an improved cooling system.
- It’s worth the price.
- You can use it for various other projects.
- Lightweight and easy to set up.
- It can 360 degrees of lighting coverage.
Cons
- It’s not dimmable.
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This unit from bulb eats motion sensors determined to complement the benefits of convenience. With this improved sensing mechanism, you will be able to brighten up your garage minus struggling to locate a light switch, and you can also prevent unwanted persons from accessing your valuables.
Essentially, you will find three adjustable light panels aimed for 50000 hours runtime and can rotate 90 degrees to provide 360 degrees bright light up to 20 feet in length. This is the most suitable option for those who worry about leaving their lights on overtime.
What’s even better, the bulbs rarely burn out, meaning you won’t go through the hassle of replacing the bulbs regularly. They also tend to consume little portions of energy, so your electric bills shouldn’t bother you anymore.
Even though installation is easy, be cautious enough to avoid damaging the bulb. You will enjoy that after installation, your garage becomes well-lit with no dark areas left out.
Pros
- Decent lighting.
- Saves your electricity bills due to low energy consumption.
- Great value.
Cons
- It’s not dimmable
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Try this innovative solution that offers unmatched fixtures of both performance and visual comfort. It features 288 pcs of high quality chips that sum to 10000 lumens output. It can provide 6500K white light to transform dark rooms to bright.
Employ the four adjustable panels that can adjust to 90 degrees to attain 360 degrees broad light coverage. Perhaps, you have the latitude to direct the light to all dark areas based on your intentions.
The robust aluminum housing makes the light less susceptible to corrosion and excess heat. That is made possible by the aluminum fins that aids in dissipating the heat produced by the bright LED bulbs and enable the bulbs to last for more than 50000 hrs.
This gadget is a lightweight model that adds to its comfort due to the quick installation with no added tools.
Pros
- It’s worth the price.
- Great value.
- Saves energy bills.
- It’s brighter than its counterparts.
Cons
- It’s not dimmable
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Fumbling to see what you are undertaking in your garage can bring about headaches and eye strain. But with such an elegant unit as thus light, bid goodbye to your discomforts. This bargain integrates unique panels that are adjustable to 90 degrees, allowing you to direct light towards focal areas of the garage for better illumination.
Indeed it’s a versatile option that restricts energy consumption, therefore, thwarting inconvenience and costs linked with maintenance. Also, factor in that the bulbs can last for 500 hrs courtesy of the rigid aluminum housing that disseminates heat precisely.
You also don’t have to hire electricians to install this light for you; instead, follow the user manual carefully and do the trick. This gadget is not restricted to execute its obligations as you can employ it in various other spaces like warehouses and basements.
Pros
- It covers a wide area.
- The illumination is unmatchable.
- You can dim the lights based on your liking.
- It saves you on electricity bills and energy consumption.
Cons
- It’s very expensive.
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Best Lights for Garage Ceiling Buyers’ Guide 2023
Lighting is a crucial addition in any workplace, and a garage is no exemption. However, the lighting system installation requires the garage owners or the mechanics to consider certain vital elements, both during the purchase and installation.
Several factors influence your purchase unit, including the design and garage use. This will make the DIYs consider the measurements both of the lighting system and the garage. Also, the energy efficiency dispensed by the unit you intend to buy is a primary element of consideration.
These factors can be a challenge to deliberate on, especially when you are a first-time buyer. However, this should not be a worry anymore as I have delved into some of the primary elements of consideration when buying the best lights for the garage ceiling. The best aspect of this lighting system is that it can be put to many uses, including home gyms.
Read on!
Measurements
The total size, design, and uses of your garage and parking vehicles should influence your choice of ceiling lighting. For perfect ceiling lighting, you should determine the diameter by measuring the width of the garage room in feet, double it and finally stick “inches” at the end of the number.” For instance, a garage room measuring 20 feet in width should have ceiling lighting of 40 inches. Usually, a garage or a storage room lighting is below 50 inches.
Tubes are preferred over traditional pear-shaped bulbs. This is because standard bulbs cast light in a smaller garage area, while fluorescent or LED tubes cast light over a larger area.
The three different diameters available are T5 (5/8 inch), T8 (8/8 inch), and T12 (12/8 inch). T5 and T8 bulbs consume less energy than T12 bulbs, just in case you didn’t know. They also have electronic ballasts or transformers. This effectively reduces any flickering significantly if the garage temperature drops below 50 degrees.
Lumen
Determining the lumen your garage needs is essential when choosing the LED for your garage. Lumen (ln) refers to light output. It represents the total amount of visible light (to the human eye) from a light source or lamp. The light sources with higher lumen ratings are brighter.
As such, the number of lumens that you will need in your garage will depend on the size of the area you intend to illuminate. Also, the kind of lighting fixture you want to adopt and the natural light conditions in your garage will determine the lumen for your garage space.
Often, for ambient lighting, 50 lumens will be sufficient for every square foot in a garage, while task lighting will need about 300 lumens per square foot. In addition, 75 lumens will do for you for every square foot of your garage space if you want to adopt accent lighting.
For example, if you want to illuminate a garage space with, say, 250- square feet, you will need 12500 lumens for ambient lighting and 18750 for accent lighting. If you wish to illuminate the same garage space with task lighting, you may need up to 75,000 lumens.
Once you have determined the lumens you need for your garage space, you may use the lumen-to-watt conversion chart to decide the LED light that will provide the necessary illumination to your garage space. The LEDs always have indicated wattage that you will compare against the resultant lumens.
For instance, based on the lumen-to-watt conversion chart, 3000 lumens require a 32-watt LED. To produce the same illumination with the 3000 lumens, you will need 200 incandescent watts and 175 Halogen Watts.
Check the lumens-to-watts conversion chart.
Temperature of color
Garage lights with a Kelvin temperature between 4000 and 7000K are the brightest. You’ll get maximum visibility. If you purchase lights with a lower temperature, your garage can appear dim and strain your eyes.
Keep in mind that lower temperatures produce a bluer light, while higher temperatures produce a more orange light.
Energy Efficiency
An energy-efficient bulb is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective in terms of energy bills. Regardless of your time at your garage, consider installing an energy-saving LED bulb because it consumes about 60% less energy than conventional lighting systems. For example, a LED bulb rated 10 watts can produce as much light as a 60-watt-incandescent bulb.
Moreover, LED light bulbs neither produce harmful UV rays nor contain mercury. Since they have less heat, they are safer and more convenient in small spaces. Furthermore, LED lights, including LED garage ceiling lights, surface mount LED lights, and LED wraparound lights, can be easily installed in single-car or multiple-car home garages.
The best energy-efficient ceiling lighting has Energy Star Certification.
Color Rendering Index (CRI)
The type of bulb you use in your garage could significantly impact the room’s appearance. Compared to a natural light source like the Sun, CRI tests a light source’s ability to reveal the true colors of objects. Ensure that your light bulb has a CRI of 85 or higher.
This is particularly important if your garage has a work area. It will ensure that the lighting in your garage matches the rest of the room.
Brightness
The best garage lighting is assessed by its ability to illuminate everywhere in the garage space. Initially, the number of watts consumed was used to measure the brightness of a light bulb. However, the brightness of a light bulb is currently measured scientifically by the output of true light, referred to as lumens.
The number of lumens is directly proportional to the brightness of a bulb. A light source with the most significant number of lumens shines the brightest. Ideally, a light bulb with 3500 lumens and above is recommended for your garage.
Ambient lighting should be 50 lumens per square foot, accent lighting 75 lumens per square foot, and task lighting 300 lumens per square foot.
Types of lighting
Artificial lighting is divided into three categories: Ambient, task, and accent lighting. All three forms of lighting should be present in every decent garage.
Consider using the fixtures mentioned below for each named light function.
Ambient lighting: The aim is to light up the floors and walls so you can easily navigate the garage or get to your parked car. Garage door openers with built-in lights, round or linear flush-mount ceiling lights, and soft overhead lighting are all popular lighting options.
Task lighting is intended to provide bright illumination during detail-oriented projects and routine operational activities, allowing for improved visibility. Trouble lights (caged bulbs with an attached wire and a hook that can be moved and hung as needed) and shop lights are two common types of lights (4-8 foot-long adjustable strips that hang from the ceiling by a chain.
Accent lighting highlights showpieces on different platforms, such as an old trophy set or a football table. Pendant lights and wall-mounted sconces are two commonly used accent lighting options.
It would be best if you chose lights with electronic ballasts over electromagnetic ones. Even though most homes still consider fluorescent bulbs to provide the best lighting in the garage, It should be noted that fluorescent lights are rendered useless at temperatures below 500C. Therefore, people living in cold climates are advised to buy fluorescent bulbs as they will subsequently provide heat.
Ease of installation
Installing a home garage ceiling lighting should not warrant damaging new fixtures. Ensure the type of lighting you choose has clear instructions and is easy to install. Easy-to-install lights have hanging chains and pull cords and can easily be mounted on the surface.
Before concluding your shopping, consider reducing extra costs by ensuring the light you have chosen has all the accessories needed for its installation.
How to Install Lighting in a Garage Ceiling
- Open the garage door and switch off the overhead garage light for ambient lighting.
- Underneath the garage door lamp, position a stepladder. Unscrew the light bulb by climbing the ladder. Into the light socket with all outlets on all sides, screw a light socket adapter, and then at the bottom of the light socket adapter, screw the light bulb.
- Using a stud finder, find the nearby ceiling joist over your working area. Using a pencil, mark the position of the ceiling joist.
- Measure the distance between the two chain mounts above a 4-foot hanging fluorescent light fixture with a power cord.
- Install one of the two hanging light hooks on the ceiling directly beneath the ceiling joist, and screw a 4-inch screw hook through the drywall and into the ceiling joist. Using your hand, twist the hook until it bends about 1/4 inch below the drywall.
- Measure the distance between the two mounts above the fixture from the screwed hook along the ceiling joist. At this point, screw a second 4-inch hook into the ceiling joist. The fixture is hung using the two mounting chains on the ceiling hooks.
- Adjust the height of the fixture until it achieves the desired level by hooking a higher or lower loop on the chain. All chains should be attached to the hooks with the same chain loop to keep the fixture level.
- Fill the fixture with two 4-foot fluorescent light bulbs. Next, wrap the light fixture’s power cord around the nearest hook. After that, feed the power cord through the light fixture adapter and into one of the outlets on the side of the light socket adapter. Finally, to test the fixture’s ability to turn off and on, turn on the garage light switch.
- Switch off the light in the garage. Use a hammer and wire staples to nail the electrical power cord into the ceiling. Ensure the electrical power cord is nailed between the light socket adapter and the hook around which the power cord is wrapped
Frequently Asked Questions-FAQs
Q1. Are LED lights good for a garage?
LEDs are perfect for unheated garages, especially if you live in areas that experience long, cold seasons. Winter is an ideal time to consider purchasing an LED light when you own a garage and spend much of your time working in it. The LEDs can create a warm environment in the garage, saving you the need to heat your garage throughout.’
Q2. How bright should garage lights be?
The general rule is that a garage space should have a minimum of 50 lumens of lighting per square foot. However, you can go up to 100 lumens per square foot, depending on your ceiling height or natural ventilation.
Q3. How many LED lights are needed for a garage?
For a residential garage, 1-3 LED lights will be sufficient to offer the needed clarity of your garage space and visual appearance. You might need up to 6 LEDs if you are operating a commercial garage, depending on your garage floor space. This will depend on the number of lumens required to illuminate the area. Often, 50 lumens are required for every square foot. Ensure you have acquired high-lumens bulbs or fixtures, which are also energy efficient to save you from the extra energy costs.
Conclusion
The lighting systems’ role in commercial and home garages cannot be disputed. Proper lighting is imperative in a garage to ensure safety and escape unnecessary injuries due to inadequate lighting systems.
However, due to numerous models in the market, the units discussed above will present you with the best choice and save you the hassle of perusing every internet page in search of the unit that will serve you right. Also, I have given an elaborate installation process that will be easier to follow if you fail to accompany yourself with the user manual or find it hard to follow.