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A garage that houses tools and equipment has a natural tendency to evolve into a garage workshop eventually. However, turning your garage into a proper workspace involves more than just setting up a workbench. Setting up electric outlets, installing some ventilation, and building adequate tool storage – these are just some of the steps you can make to turn your garage into a productive workshop.
Another element that can make or break a garage workshop is lighting. People who spend a lot of time working on projects in their home garage know the value of a good lighting system. A well-lit shop garage can result in better overall productivity and avoid unnecessary eye strain. A garage light with just the right intensity and color can also help keep you alert by warding off feelings of lethargy.
LED lights have become the lighting technology of choice for many applications, including households and offices. Compared to incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs can produce more lumens per watt, meaning they are the more energy-efficient alternative. They are also much smaller, making them easy to integrate into circuit boards and other electronics. While fluorescent bulbs only have a lifetime of 10,000 to 15,000 hours, LED lights can last much longer in the range of 35,000 to 50,000 hours.
With these benefits, it is no wonder that the most popular garage lighting options use LED technology. In this guide, we discuss in detail the factors you need to consider when shopping for LED garage lights. We also take a look at the best-selling and most popular LED lights, and which model suits particular applications best.
 |  |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hykolity LED Vapor Tight Light | Hyperikon HyperSelect LED Shop Lights | Sunco Lighting 2 Pack | OOOLED LED Shop Light | FrenchMay Linkable LED Utility Shop Light |
| Brightness | 5200 Lumens | 3800 Lumens | 4800 Lumens | 4800 Lumens | 4800 Lumens |
| Provision for daisy chaining? | Yes (Up to 5 units) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color temperature | 5000K | 4000K | 5000K | 5000K | 5000K |
| Energy efficiency | 130 Lumens/Watt | 108 Lumens/Watt | 102.5 Lumens/Watt | 114.2 Lumens/Watt | 120 Lumens/Watt |
| Lifespan | 50,000 hours | 45,000 hours | 50,000 hours | 50,000 hours | 50,000 hours |
| Our review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
| Where to buy |
Buying guide for LED Garage Lights
Intensity
There was a time when the brightness of light bulbs was communicated in watts, which is actually a unit that measures power output. This made sense in an era when light bulbs were basically identical, but the improvements in energy-efficiency of modern light bulbs have rendered this unit of measure obsolete. Nowadays, a more straightforward way of conveying a light bulb’s brightness is through the lumens unit.
Lumens is the measure of the intensity of light regardless of its source’s energy consumption. Basically, a bulb with higher lumens is brighter. A bulb with 35000 lumens should suffice for most garages unless you have a considerable space. If you have an existing incandescent or fluorescent lighting setup, then converting to lumens is as simple as following the values in the table below.
| Incandescent light (watts) | Fluorescent light (watts) | Equivalent lumens |
| 100 | 25 | 1500 |
| 150 | 37.5 | 2250 |
| 200 | 50 | 3000 |
| 250 | 60 | 3800 |
| 350 | 75 | 4500 |
Daisy-chaining
For very large workshops, one set of LED garage lights may not be enough to keep your workspace sufficiently illuminated. In this case, you might need to install multiple LED lights. Running individual wires from each LED light to a single out or power source can be a lot of work. Some models of LED garage lights provide a simple and elegant solution to this dilemma by providing the capability to form daisy chains.
Daisy-chaining allows multiple fixtures to be connected one after another, making the installation a much simpler process. Adding more LED lights to an existing daisy chain can also be done very easily. Overall, LED lights that have a provision for daisy-chaining makes the installation of multiple LED lights easier and makes your LED lighting setup more flexible for the addition of more lighting fixtures.
Color Temperature
Many models of LED lights often describe their color with a color temperature number using the Kelvin units. This color temperature refers to how “yellow” or “blue” the light is, and values range from 2700K to 6500K.
A color temperature of 2700K to 3500K produces a warm and relaxing light, similar to what an incandescent bulb emits. It’s not the best choice for garage workshops and is more appropriate for bedrooms or living rooms. If you are looking for a neutral white light that is neither blue nor yellow, then you are better off picking an LED light with a color temperature between 3500K to 4500K. Neutral white light is a good, safe choice for almost any location, especially in places that receive no light at all such as basements and garages.
If your work relies on accurately identifying colors, then you will need to get lighting with a color temperature of 5000K to 6000K. This color range, best described as daylight white light, is an excellent choice for offices or retail locations. Finally, the highest color temperature range of 6000K to 6500K is commonly referred to as cool white light. This color temperature is perfect for situations when you want to encourage alertness, or when you want to simulate outdoor daylight conditions.
Energy efficiency
By design, LED garage lights are already more efficient than their fluorescent and incandescent alternatives. Compared to other traditional lighting technologies, LED consumes up to 60% less power to produce the same level of brightness. Considering the number of hours you could end up using your LED garage light, choosing the more energy-efficient model can generate a lot of savings for you. It might also make you feel good knowing that you are using more environment-friendly technology.
The first thing to look for in an LED garage light is the Energy Star certification. This indicates that the LED light fixture has met the standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on energy efficiency. However, even amongst EPA-certified LED light bulbs, some light bulbs are still more efficient than others. The most efficient LED light bulbs produce up to 200 lumens per watt, but a modest 100 lumens per watt is generally considered a minimum for linear LED tube lights.
Lifespan
A distinct advantage of LED garage lights over other traditional lighting alternatives is their very long lifespan. Where incandescent or fluorescent bulbs typically only last less than 20,000 hours, LED light bulbs can have lifespans of up to 50,000 hours. Naturally, you would prefer the superior economics and convenience of an LED light garage with a longer lifespan.
High-quality LED garage lights from reliable manufacturers should have a minimum lifespan of 45,000 hours. Higher-end models can last even longer, with some claiming to have a lifespan longer than 50,000 hours. These LED lights can easily last several years before you need to replace them, making them very worthwhile investments.
Our Picks for the Top 5 Best LED Garage Lights
1. Hykolity LED Vapor Tight Light
- Brightness: 5200 Lumens
- Provision for daisy-chaining?: Yes (Up to 5 units)
- Color temperature: 5000K
- Energy efficiency: 130 Lumens/Watt
- Lifespan: 50,000 hours
The LED shops lights from Hykolity are among the brightest LED lights we have come across, with an impressive 5200 lumens. Surprisingly, these LED lights only consume 40W of power. The result is an LED light with one of the best energy efficiency figures – an exceptional 130 lumens per watt. A near-daylight color temperature of 5000K keeps even the darkest space illuminated for maximum alertness and productivity.
The real highlight of the Hykolity LED lights is their waterproof and moisture-proof construction. With an IP166 rating, the Hykolity LED lights are well-protected against the ingress of dust and high-pressure water jets. This makes the Hykolity LED lights the perfect LED lights for damp working environments, such as an open-air garage. The dust-proof characteristic of the Hykolity LED lights protects it from the intrusion of sawdust when you are working with wood.
Beyond its element-proof construction, the Hykolity LED lights also have excellent overall specs. A lifespan of 50,000 hours puts it near the top of the list of longevity, which also means that you should expect years of service from the Hykolity LED lights. Everything you need to install the Hykolity LED lights comes with the package when you buy it. Many people who have used these LED lights have remarked how easy and straightforward the installation process is. With a provision for daisy-chaining up to 5 units, even large garage workspaces can be illuminated with the Hykolilty LED lights.
The biggest drawback of the Hykolity LED lights is its price. In fact, they are the most expensive LED lights on this list. Still, we believe the quality and element-proof construction of the Hykolity LED lights justifies the high price tag. If you work in a challenging environment where you may be concerned with moisture vapor, dust, or critters damaging your LED lights, then the Hykolity LED lights are likely your best choice.
- Waterproof and dust-proof construction
- Excellent energy efficiency
- High brightness and near-daylight color temperature
- Daisy chaining is limited to only 5 units
- Expensive
2. Hyperikon HyperSelect LED Shop Lights
- Brightness: 3800 Lumens
- Provision for daisy-chaining?: No
- Color temperature: 4000K
- Energy efficiency: 108 Lumens/Watt
- Lifespan: 45,000 hours
The HyperSelect LED lights from Hyperikon are a very popular option for budget-conscious buyers. In addition to an affordable purchase price, the HyperSelect LED lights also only consume 35W of power. This means that you can even get a lot of savings on your power bill when you switch over to a lighting system that uses the Hyperikon HyperSelect LED lights.
Being an affordable option is not all HyperSelect LED lights as to offer. These lights have a maximum brightness of 3800 lumens, which might be lower than the other entries in this list but should be bright enough for most garage workshops. The 4000K color temperature produces a neutral white light which is excellent for accurate color perception. The HyperSelect LED lights are Energy Star-certified and have an energy efficiency of 108 lumens/watt – a very good mark that puts it right in the middle of the pack. With a lifespan of 45,000 hours, you can get several years of service out of these LED lights.
Unfortunately, the HyperSelect LED lights do not have a provision for daisy-chaining. The difficulty of installing multiple units of these LED lights and connecting them to a single power source is further exacerbated by the fact that mounting the LED lights can be a frustrating experience. Many buyers have indicated that the mounting screws that come with the HyperSelect LED lights are low-quality and easily break during installation.
Overall, the HyperSelect LED lights are still an excellent budget option. Not only do you end up saving on the initial purchase price, but the low power consumption of these LED lights means that you will not have to fork over a considerable amount every time you receive your power bill.
- Affordable
- Higher than usual energy efficiency
- Low power consumption
- No provision for daisy-chaining
- Low brightness
- Difficulty with mounting and installation
3. Sunco Lighting 2 Pack
- Brightness: 4800 Lumens
- Provision for daisy-chaining?: Yes
- Color temperature: 5000K
- Energy efficiency: 102.5 Lumens/Watt
- Lifespan: 50,000 hours
The LED shop lights from Sunco boasts of a straightforward installation mechanism that should help you provide lighting for your garage workshop in a snap. Everything you need to install an array of Sunco LED lights comes with the pack. Mounting the LED lights is a matter of attaching the hooks to the ceiling and hanging the LED lights on the hooks using the lightweight but durable mounting chains. Moreover, each Sunco LED light comes with a 5-inch plug-and-play power cord that can be used to daisy chain multiple LED lights.
The Sunco LED lights are among the brightest LED lights that we found for garage workshops with a brightness of 4800 lumens. A color temperature of 5000K simulates natural daylight even in the darkest areas, driving away lethargy and helping to keep you awake no matter what time of day it is. The Sunco LED lights are also equipped with a high efficiency LED chip that eliminates flickering and allows the LED lights to turn on instantly at maximum brightness.
A drawback of the hassle-free installation method that Sunco has formulated is the fact that there is no option for buyers to flush mount the LED lights. Flush mounting is commonly preferred for a more permanent and stable installation, and there are certainly buyers who would prefer this mounting alternative. Moreover, the Sunco LED lights only have an energy efficiency of 102.5 lumens/watt. This is not a bad number and is above the 100 lumens/watt threshold we have set, but it is in the lower spectrum compared to other LED lights even in the same price range.
- Quick and simple installation and daisy-chaining
- No flickering
- High brightness and color temperature
- Low energy efficiency
- Cannot be flush mounted
4. OOOLED LED Shop Light
- Brightness: 4800 Lumens
- Provision for daisy-chaining?: Yes
- Color temperature: 5000K
- Energy efficiency: 114.2 Lumens/Watt
- Lifespan: 50,000 hours
The OOOLED LED shop lights are an excellent, all-around LED lighting choice for a variety of applications. They feature a straightforward installation system that allows them to be either flush mounted or pendant mounted. This flexible mounting system should make the OOOLED LED lights suitable for installation in your workshop.
Regarding brightness, the OOOLED Led shop lights are near the top of the pack with 4800 lumens. A 5000K near-daylight color temperature makes your workspace very conducive to hours of focused work. If you have a large workspace, daisy-chaining the OOOLED LED shop lights is as simple as connecting the power cables from one LED light to the next. Energy-efficiency of 114.2 lumens per watt is not exactly best in class but is still a much higher figure compared to many other lighting options.
The biggest issue buyers have encountered with the OOOLED LED lights seems to be its inconsistent product quality. Users report that, for the most part, OOOLED LED lights arrive in good condition and work perfectly. However, there are also certain times when the LED lights do not function at all right out of the box. The metal housing of these LED lights also appears to be on the flimsy side, as there has been some feedback that they get bent or dented easily during delivery.
- Flexible mounting options
- Above-average energy efficiency
- High brightness and color temperature
- Users report inconsistent product quality
- Users say the mental housing is flimsy
5. FrenchMay Linkable LED Utility Shop Light
- Brightness: 4800 Lumens
- Provision for daisy-chaining?: Yes
- Color temperature: 5000K
- Energy efficiency: 120 Lumens/Watt
- Lifespan: 50,000 hours
Despite the higher than average price of the FrenchMay LED shop lights, they have historically been one of the most popular and best-selling LED lights. With a very bright 4800 lumens running at only 40 watts, the FrenchMay LED lights are one of the most efficient LED lights with an energy efficiency of 120 lumens per watt. While this is not the highest energy efficiency figure in this list, it comes at a much more affordable price.
The lightweight design of the FrenchMay LED lights makes the installation process very easy. The included hardware kit gives the option of either flush mounting or suspension mounting the LED lights, making it versatile across different workspaces. The 5000K color temperature produces near-daylight illumination, making your workspace more productive even when the nights start to get longer. With a lifespan of 50,000 hours, the FrenchMay LED lights can serve you well for several years.
Each of the FrenchMay LED lights comes with a 44-inch power cord that can be used for daisy-chaining. These extra-long power cords allow you to disperse the LED lights all around your garage.
The most glaring flaw of the FrenchMay LED lights is that they appear to generate a significant amount of radio interference. If you listen to AM radio while working in your garage, you will likely hear a constant buzz when you use the FrenchMay LED lights. The LED lights also generate an audible and constant hum while they are turned on. While this may not be an issue for everyone, the fact that these LED lights cause radio interference indicates a problem with the quality of its electronics.
- High energy efficiency
- Versatile and easy installation
- Very long power cords for daisy-chaining
- Generates radio interference
- Constantly emits an audible hum
Conclusion
Garage workshops have been the birthplace of millions of DIY projects. Whether you’re working on electronics, carpentry, or automobiles, a high-quality garage lighting system is one of your most valuable tools. An LED garage light provides a reliable and energy-efficient lighting system that will last for several years. While there are a ton of options for LED garage lights available today, picking the best one is a matter of balancing cost, energy efficiency, versatility, and ease of installation. We hope that this buying guide has helped you choose the perfect LED lights for your garage workshop.
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