What is the best lighting for a garage workshop?

2021-06-07

Whatever work you do in your garage, it helps to have sufficient lighting. Dismal, dimly-lit garages are not only difficult to work in, they can be hot spots for injuries. You could trip over a cord or a hose, accidentally cut yourself on an object you didn’t see—poor lighting in this space can be dangerous.

The best garage lighting will transform a dark space with potential hazards into a safer, brighter environment you can feel comfortable working in—and fortunately, there’s a ton of quality products to choose from. You can swap out fluorescent fixtures for energy efficient LED light fixtures, —easily and affordably—upgrade the illumination in your garage.

The emergence of LED continues to get the undivided attention of many people due to its numerous benefits. LED depicts a bright future in the lighting industry. An incursion of LED lighting is experienced today due to its high demand. It has brought about an invasion of LED shop lights resulting in a wider variety to the consumer for workshop-style lighting.

The notion that shop lights are only used for tabletops and workbenches is outworn. Shop lights are lighting fixtures used for both residential and commercial applications. They are hung from the ceiling via hooks and chains and are applicable in large garages, utility rooms, workshops, etc. The LED shop lights are uniquely designed to replace older fluorescent shop lights whose efficiency and lifespan have been overtaken by time.  So read on to get a sense of the features to look for and to find out why the following options reign supreme as some of the best garage lighting available.

Types of Garage Lighting 

Gone are the days of incandescent bulbs. While there was never an actual incandescent bulb ban, those old-school energy suckers are harder to find now. And if you do see them on the shelf, don’t be fooled by the low price: They could cost you more when the energy bill comes in. Instead, most people choose between LED and fluorescent lighting. Each has its pros and cons, so it’s important to pick what’s best for your space and work style.

LED

LED stands for “Light Emitting Diode,” which is a fancy way for saying there’s a tiny component inside of the light that illuminates when electricity passes through it. These bulbs are a popular choice due to their brightness, energy efficiency, and the fact that they’re long lasting.

The reason you often see LEDs in objects like flashlights and spotlights is that they generate directional light—casting a very bright beam straight out from the diode that concentrates on a small area. Garage lighting manufacturers compensate for this in two ways: They make LEDs with multi-positional wings and install reflectors to distribute the light evenly throughout a space. Both offer an excellent alternative to the wide-cast lighting of incandescent bulbs.

Fluorescent 

With fluorescent lighting, a mercury-vapor gas produces light instead of a solid filament like an incandescent bulb, or a diode like an LED. The gas in a fluorescent bulb emits ultraviolet light when electrified.

The benefit of fluorescent lighting—in general, and for garage-type work specifically—is that it distributes light very evenly. That gas is enclosed in long glass tubes, so the light shines out in a 360-degree pattern. The trouble with fluorescent lighting is that, though long-lasting, they must be taken to a hazardous material disposal center when they do burn out. Due to the toxicity of mercury gas, fluorescent bulbs aren’t convenient to throw away or recycle, as LEDs are.
What to Consider When Buying Garage Lighting
While shopping for the best garage lighting, keep these important factors in mind.

Brightness 

Garages receive little or no natural light, so when upgrading your lighting setup, choose fixtures that put out a lot of bright light. The lighting industry measures brightness by lumens—a measure of light produced during a specific period of time. Bottom line: The more lumens, the brighter the lighting will be.

Lumens are not the same as watts. Watts measure energy used, lumens measure brightness. However, for the sake of comparison, a 75-watt bulb produces about 1100 lumens. As a general rule, the ideal lumen range for workshop and garage lighting is around 3500 lumens.

Color Temperature 

Color temperature refers to the color the light produces and is measured on a Kelvin scale.  Temperatures range between 3500K and 6000K, with the lower end being warmer and more yellow and the higher-end cooler and bluer.

Most garages tend to be gray and industrial, so cooler lighting temperatures are usually the most flattering, while warmer temperatures can give the floor a dingy look. Aim for a temperature in the area of 5000K. The light produced by a 5000K bulb will be slightly blue but not glaring or harsh to your eyes.

Some fixtures come with adjustable color temperatures, allowing you to bounce through the range and choose the color temperature that works best for you.

Energy Efficiency 

Regardless of what lighting system you choose for your garage, a modern fixture will use far less energy than older incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs can cut energy consumption by around 70 percent over an incandescent bulb producing the same amount of light. LED bulbs are even better, cutting as much as 90 percent of the energy consumption of a comparable incandescent bulb. Factor in that they last much longer (over 10,000 hours compared to an incandescent bulb’s 1,000 hours), and the savings are tremendous.

Installation and Connectivity  

Installation and connectivity may play a large role in deciding on the best garage lighting fixtures. If you don’t have a lot of electrical experience, there are easy-to-install options that produce great results. The Easiest way to upgrade your garage lighting is with screw-in bulb replacements. These aren’t just bulbs, but multi-positional LED fixtures that screw into your basic light base. They don’t require any extra wiring or much effort on your part.

There are other plug-in systems that you can string throughout your garage to produce a tremendous amount of light. These systems work through standard outlets: Simply plug them in and turn on their light switch. They often include “jumper” wires that will connect a set of lights together, illuminating your entire garage, and most times, they install with simple clips.

Fluorescent lighting, on the other hand, requires a bit more during installation. These lights have ballasts that regulate the voltage to the light bulb. You must hardwire these lights into your garage circuit. While not overly complicated, it is a more involved process.

Longevity

An LED bulb can last 25 to 30 times longer than an incandescent, all the while reducing the amount of energy consumed. A fluorescent bulb can last as long as up to 9,000 hours compared to an incandescent bulb’s 1,000 hours. The reason LEDs and fluorescents last so much longer than incandescent varieties is that they don’t have a sensitive, fragile filament that can break or burn up.

Climate

If you live in an area that experiences bitter cold winters and you have an unheated garage, LED bulbs are the most suitable choice. In fact, LEDs become more efficient in colder temperatures. Since they don’t need to heat up, they become bright immediately and produce consistent, energy-efficient light in very cold temperatures. By contrast, many fluorescent lights cannot operate if the air temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area where the temperature drops well below freezing, the best garage lighting system is an LED setup.

Other Features

While upgrading the overhead lighting system, if you work on projects in the garage, remember to make sure your workstation is adequately illuminated as well. You could hang a chain from the ceiling to lower a fixture, attach an LED light below a cabinet—however you prefer to establish direct task lighting. There are plenty of great options, and you can even use a combination of systems. While a general overhead fixture is great, adding an illuminated, positionable arm (like those used by fly-tying fishermen) can make it easier to see small parts.

LED Shop Lights Types

LED shop lights are gaining popularity remarkably due to their increased lifespan and efficiency compared to their fluorescent counterparts. They are pocket-friendly, simple to install, readily adjustable, and clearly a no-brainer. The following are the well-known types of LED shop lights used in a variety of applications.

1. High Bay LED Shop Lights

LED shop lights have illustrated excellence compared to traditional models. They are not only lights to reckon with, but they provide consumers with a quality design that outperforms the competition.

LED Shop Lights Types

LED shop lights are gaining popularity remarkably due to their increased lifespan and efficiency compared to their fluorescent counterparts. They are pocket-friendly, simple to install, readily adjustable, and clearly a no-brainer. The following are the well-known types of LED shop lights used in a variety of applications.

1. High Bay LED Shop Lights

LED shop lights have illustrated excellence compared to traditional models. They are not only lights to reckon with, but they provide consumers with a quality design that outperforms the competition.

Buy from Amazon: Antlux led high bay shop lights 
Buy from Website: Antlux led high bay shop lights 

When it comes to high bay LED shop lights, you have to consider your ceiling's height and the area the light should cover. This is critical so that you can focus light directly and enjoy a powerful illumination.
For commercial and industrial applications like warehouses and retail stores, you need to settle for high bay LED shop lights designed for taller ceilings and larger areas. You need a high bay LED shop light that is a heat sink and can run for a long time before replacing.

2. LED Shop Lights for Garage

Buy from Amazon: AntLux 4FT LED Wraparound Light 40W LED Garage Shop Lights
Buy from Website: AntLux 4FT LED Wraparound Light 40W LED Garage Shop Lights

The garage is one of the places that take a lot of an individual’s time. It is a multi-purpose room that requires sufficient attention when it comes to lighting options. This is why one has to consider the different lighting options by looking at their perks and selecting the best option to meet their lighting needs. Go for luminaries that offer brightness between 5,000-7,000 lumens, depending on your work in the garage.

3. Linkable LED shop lights

Linkable LED shop lights have made an outstanding revelation in replacing the traditional fluorescent fixtures. A huge number of individuals benefit from its applications in basements and workshops. Using only 35-Watts of energy, it can emit up to 4,000K that gives you the best bright white light for your eyes.

Buy from Amazon: AntLux Linkable 4 Foot LED Shop Lights
Buy from Website: AntLux Linkable 4 Foot LED Shop Lights

The Linkable LED shop lights give you room to save substantially on your electricity bill. With only 5000K natural light, you can enjoy an awesome lighting experience for specific or general lighting.

With the hassle-free installation, you get to enjoy a selection of either hanging mounting or flush mounting depending on your needs and preferences. You can seek guidance from professionals on the best option to settle for.

4. 4 Foot LED Light Fixture

The 4 foot LED light fixture is a clear depiction that LED is dominating the lighting industry. Not only do they last longer, but they also offer instant lighting with the perfect brightness. The combination of sufficient lighting and saving energy bills makes the 4 foot LED light fixture unique and preferable.

Buy from Amazon: AntLux 72W LED Wraparound Light 4FT
Buy from Website: AntLux 72W LED Wraparound Light 4FT

Depending on the application's purpose, you can adjust it to extreme illumination and still save up to 60% of your power consumption. You can link more than one lighting fixture for an enhanced lighting set up and impressive lighting levels.

LED Shop Lights Options

1. Dimmable LED UFO Lights

With advancements in technology, LED shop lights are dimmable, but they do not dim in the same manner. This is because LED consumes low wattage, and therefore, many types of dimmers do not perform well with them compared to the high wattage options.

Buy from Amazon: AntLux UFO LED High Bay Shop Lights
Buy from Website: AntLux UFO LED High Bay Shop Lights

The individuals who prefer dimmable lights still get to enjoy the dimmable LED shop lights to their liking. 

2. 5000K LED Shop Light

For your ultimate bright daylight color, enjoy the 5000K LED shop light in your bathroom, study room, and basement. The good thing with the LED shop lights is the various options it provides to its consumers. With 4200 lumens at 5000K daylight white, you can enjoy super bright and durable LED options for various applications. 

Buy from Amazon: AntLux 8 Foot LED Shop Lights
Buy from Website: AntLux 8 Foot LED Shop Lights

The 5000K LED shop lights can be used in garages, workshops, workbench areas, warehouses, basements, and equipment rooms. 

3. Commercial LED Shop Lights

Choose commercial LED Light Fixtures for better quality lighting that can guarantee increased productivity and efficiency in your work. Use professionals for installation services to get the right spacing that provides you with ultimate illumination.

Buy from Amazon: AntLux LED Commercial Shop Lights
Buy from Website: AntLux LED Commercial Shop Lights

Commercial LED shop lights have become the best lighting alternative to many industrial and commercial applications. Businesses save enormously and can enjoy their 24/7 shifts with increased productivity.

AntLux's commercial led shop lights provide stable performance, energy savings, and a long lifespan for general purpose use. Our led lights provide you brighter, valuable, and healthier lighting than old fluorescent lights. A step up from led wraparound light is not only in light output but in look and design. It is the perfect energy-saving and high-efficiency replacement for both remodel and new construction applications in residential and commercial needs.

Buying LED Shop Lights

As much as LED shop lights may be a quick fix to your lighting solutions, ensure that you consult a professional that can provide you with the right advice on the most suitable choice. Take advantage of online reviews and testimonials before making any rash decisions. Do in-depth research to ensure that you understand all is needed during your purchase.

The wide market of LED shop lights has made competition effective, which has resulted in better brands and thorough manufacturing processes. Despite the wide variety, it is vital to watch out for counterfeit products offered by two-faced suppliers. Take time to do in-depth background check of the supplier or manufacturer, to avoid becoming a casualty. Every penny saved in lighting activities, whether residential or commercial, come in handy for a better tomorrow. Therefore, individuals need to illuminate their way to the LED shop light world and enjoy the different types and options available. Keep up with technology and ensure that you keep abreast with the LED world's lighting changes.