Are you sick of squinting in the dim light of your garage workshop? Are you tired of high electric bills and excessive energy consumption? Are you finally keen to ditch the old dusty light bulbs in your workshop and replace them with the best alternative?
Then it sounds like you’re ready to explore the exciting world of LEDs. Today we’ll introduce you to the 10 best-LED lights for your garage workshop, explaining why they’re important and what to look out for before trying them out for yourself.
A Bit About Workshop Lights
Just like a surgical room requires specific lighting, so does a garage workshop. You need enough light to successfully go about your business, whether you’re looking for a single light above your workbench or need to illuminate your entire space.
All sorts of different things are needed in a workshop light worth the name, such as:
- Provides enough brightness
- Has long lifespan
- Easy to install
- Easy to switch on and off
- Low power consumption
- Low energy consumption
- Energy efficient
Why Get LED Lights?
LED lights are the best, most appropriate, garage workshop lighting solution for many reasons. If you’re on the fence about installing a bulb or two in your garage workshop, consider the following:
- They’re long-lasting: LED lights last much longer than traditional light bulbs and fluorescent lights. LED bulbs will last anything from 20,000 hours to 50,000 hours!
- They provide intense illumination: This type of lighting is the best for a reason. Because they work! LED lights provide intense levels of illumination and are more than capable of bringing much-needed light to every inch of your workspace.
- They’re cost-effective: Not only do LED lights come at a budget-friendly price, but they’re also inexpensive to operate and maintain too. On top of this, they can save you money on your electric bills—in some cases, the savings can be as much as 65% versus traditional incandescent lights!
- They’re environmentally friendly: There’s no denying that businesses need to be more environmentally friendly to retain their customers’ support. When LED lights are used, this is achieved. LED lights are free from mercury, use far less energy than incandescent bulbs, most of their components are recyclable AND they also generate more light but less heat.
- They’re easy: LED lighting systems are easy to install and easy to maintain. In most cases, you won’t even need to call an electrician.
Here are the best LED Lights for Garage Workshop you can buy in 2022:
1. Sunco Lighting 2 Pack LED Utility Shop Light
Best Overall
Sunco Lighting is a family-owned and operated company that has earned its reputation as the best of the best in its twenty-plus years on the block. This twin pack of LED garage lights will illuminate every inch of your workshop.
These contemporary LED lights’ lists of features is a long one. They produce 4,100 lumens, have a 50,000-hour lifetime and an auto-on feature, are flicker-free, have an 18.5” pull chain & can be mounted as a fixed mounted light or a suspended light. They’re also resistant to shatter, shock and vibration. On top of all this, these garage lights are ETL and Energy Star certified.
Sunco Lighting’s 2 Pack of LED Utility Shop Light comes in three colors: cool white, daylight and daylight deluxe. While most users of this product are generally thrilled with the results, a handful of reviews report that the lights seemingly gave up after just a few months of usage.
Specifications:
- Weight: 7.59 lbs
- Dimensions: 5.1” x 1.85” x 4’
- Material: Plastic and metal
- Lumens: 4,100 Lm
- Light specs: Downlight with a beam angle of 120 degrees
- Wattage: 40W
- Voltage: 120V
- Power source: Corded-electric
- Cord length: 4ft
- Pull chain length: 18.5”
Pros
Cons
2. LZHOME 2-Pack LED Garage Lights
Best Compact
If you’re looking for garage lighting that won’t take up too much ceiling space, look no further than the LZHOME 2-Pack LED Garage Lights. These LED garage lights aren’t just lightweight and compact but they also look great & will be an aesthetically pleasing addition to any modern workshop.
These garage lights have a 50,000-hour lifetime and the three adjustable LED heads produce a combined total of an impressive 6,500 lumens. If yanking on chains isn’t your idea of a good time, you’ll love that these lights feature traditional wall switch operation. Also, this LED light is totally adjustable so if you need to shine a light in a certain area you can easily do so.
The LZHOME 2-Pack LED Garage Lights come in a natural daylight color temperature which is loved by many a happy customer. Your fellow workshop owners love this product for its stylishness and durable build however a select few customers’ lights flicker on occasion. In addition to potential flickering, be aware that this LED light has a high power consumption.
Specifications:
- Weight: 3.45 lbs
- Dimensions: 15.2” x 7” x 5.8”
- Material: Aluminum
- Lumens: 6,500 Lm
- Light specs: Ceiling light with adjustable 360° wide angles
- Wattage: 60W
- Voltage: 100 – 265V
- Power source: Wall switch
Pros
Cons
3. Zitrades LED Garage Ceiling Lights
Best Cheap
If you like the sound of the lights listed above but don’t have space in your budget to go for them, all is not lost. This is where Zitrades LED Garage Ceiling Lights come in. These LED garage lights are cheap yet effective.
The four LED heads of the Zitrades LED Garage Ceiling Lights produce 6,000 lumens. To effectively illuminate a wider area each of the four heads is adjustable. They’re resistant to both corrosion and high temperatures. These lights are easy to install and installation consists of much of the same process as screwing in a regular light bulb. These lights are also FCC certified.
The Zitrades LED Garage Ceiling Lights come in a daylight white color. While most clients are satisfied with the bright light and how easy they are to install, a few users have reported frequent flickering after prolonged usage while others claim the product stopped working after just a few months.
Specifications:
- Weight: 1.85 lbs.
- Dimensions: 9.2” x 7.1” x 4.7”
- Material: Aluminum and plastic
- Lumens: 6,000 Lm
- Light specs: Ceiling light with adjustable 90° angles
- Wattage: 60W
- Voltage: 85 – 265V
- Power source: AC plug
Pros
Cons
4. Hykolity 5000K LED Shop Light
Best Cheap Alternative
Hykolity Lighting has been around for just under a decade, so it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about lighting and are amongst the best-LED lighting manufacturers. For many people who have budget constraints, these 5000K LED Shop Lights are the ideal solution.
These LED garage lights produce 4,200 lumens and include a 12” pull chain. They’re also shatter-resistant. Do you need a pendant mount, a flushed mount or a surface mount? With Hykolity’s 5000K LED Shop Lights you can install your lights the way you’d like. Finally, these garage lights are ETL certified.
This garage lighting system is only available in a natural daylight color temperature however this is ideal for most workshop owners. Most users adore these lights and praise them for their brightness & budget-friendliness however others have found that their lights either don’t switch on or fail to switch off properly.
Specifications:
- Weight: 3.25 lbs
- Dimensions: 47.4” x 6.3” x 2.9”
- Material: Aluminum, steel and plastic
- Lumens: 4,200 Lm
- Light specs: Downlight with beam angle of 120°
- Wattage: 42W
- Voltage: 120V
- Power source: Corded-electric
- Cord length: 4.92 ft
- Pull chain length: 12”
Pros
Cons
5. Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture
Best T5 LED Workshop Light
Do you need a lot of lighting? Then the Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture may be just what you need as each purchase comes with six LED lights.
The Barrinna LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture lights produce 2,200 lumens and have a lifespan of 50,000 hours each. These LED garage lights feature an extendable design and come with 20” connector cords to allow up to eight T5 lights to be connected. What makes these garage lights even better is that they can be installed corded-electric style or hardwired to a wall switch.
These lights are available in a super bright white color temperature which the majority of its users love. In fact, the only complaint around this lighting is that some users find that it emits a slight buzzing noise when operating.
Specifications:
- Weight: 4.89 lbs
- Dimensions: 46.1” x 0.9” x 1.45”
- Material: Aluminum and plastic
- Lumens: 2,200 Lm
- Light specs: Up and down light
- Wattage: 20W
- Voltage: 277V
- Power source: Corded-electric
- Cord length: 4 ft
- Pull chain length: 20”
Pros
Cons
6. SHOPLED 8FT LED Shop Light Fixture
Best Extra Bright LED Garage Light
If super bright LED lights are what you’re after, turn to the folks who have been in the business for the past decade: the SHOPLED team. This 8FT LED Shop Light Fixture is perfect for those who need plenty of bright light in their workshop.
Producing an incredible 7,200 lumens, these lights are exceptionally bright. Its modern double-sided V shape is both stylish and scientific & has been designed to illuminate even the darkest (and dustiest!) corners of your workshop. These lights make use of a convenient wall switch so you can switch them on and off at your leisure.
These lights only come in one color temperature: cool white. The SHOPLED 8FT LED Shop Light Fixture is loved for its intense luminous flux however many customers aren’t happy with the power consumption needed to achieve such brightness.
Specifications:
- Weight: 8.75 lbs.
- Dimensions: 97” x 4.5” x 3”
- Material: Aluminum alloy and plastic
- Lumens: 7,200 Lm
- Light specs: V-shape with 270° angle design
- Wattage: 72W
- Voltage: 120V
- Power source: Wall switch
Pros
Cons
7. Barrina LED Shop Light
Another Barrinna product that would fit right in at any workshop is the aptly named LED Shop Light. This pack of 10 lights is best for workshop owners who need to light up a considerable amount of space.
These lights produce 5,000 lumens so they’re bound to illuminate your entire workshop. These Barrinna lights operate by a simple plug-and-play method but the option to hardwire them to a wall switch is also present. You can expect each light to last for 50,000 hours.
The Barrina LED Shop Light is available in a daylight white shade. Users of this product are particularly fond of how easy to install it is as well as its linkable design that allows for six lights to be linked as one. On the downside, a small pool of users has reported that their FM radios cannot work when the lights are switched on.
Specifications:
- Weight: 11.15 lbs.
- Dimensions: 48.5” x 6.3” x 4.7”
- Material: Aluminum and plastic
- Lumens: 5,000 Lm
- Light specs: V-shape with 270° angle design
- Wattage: 40W
- Voltage: 120V
- Power source: Corded-electric
Pros
Cons
8. Sunco Lighting 11” Wide LED Shop Light
Best Extra Large Workshop Lights
Another fruit of Sunco Lighting’s labor has worked its way onto our list. If you have extra-large lighting needs then you’ll need an extra-large solution which is exactly what the 11” Wide LED Shop Light is.
This Wide LED Shop Light features an extra-wide innovative wraparound design. A prismatic-patterned lens evenly distributes light over a large surface area. These linkable lights are also shatter-resistant as well as resistant to shocks and vibration. Just like all other Sunco products, these Wide LED Shop Lights are ETL and Energy Star certified.
The Sunco Lighting 11” Wide LED Shop Light is available in a daylight shade and also a daylight deluxe shade. Customers love how effectively every corner of their workshop is lit up and how pleasing these lights are to look at. A couple of token customers have stated that their lights produce a slight humming noise when switched on, although in a workshop environment this is hardly the end of the world.
Specifications:
- Weight: 36.3 lbs.
- Dimensions: 49” x 12.8” x 12.2”
- Material: Steel and plastic
- Lumens: 8,500 Lm
- Light specs: Ceiling downlight with beam angle of 90°
- Wattage: 72W
- Voltage: 120 – 277V
- Power source: Corded-electric
Pros
Cons
9. Dansny Deformable LED Garage Ceiling Lights
Another deformable LED garage lighting system that earned its spot on our list is the Dansny Deformable ED Garage Ceiling Lights. If you need a whole lot of light in concentrated areas, this is the product for you.
In addition to providing a whopping 12,000 lumens to a specific area, these lights can be adjusted to reach any corner of your garage workshop. It also features a heat dissipation system so you never have to worry about these lights overheating. Designed to last for up to 50,000 hours, these lights are a wise investment for any savvy workshop owner. It’s easy to install, just like a regular light bulb for your convenience and is especially compatible with standard E26 or E27 light sockets.
If super bright white light is the color temperature you’re after, the Dansny Deformable LED Garage Ceiling Lights will tick that specific box. Customers are quick to point out that these lights are extremely bright, with many stating that they’re the best and brightest of the bunch. While each and every customer is satisfied with the bright light cast by these lights, there have been numerous reports of them not fitting standard sockets.
Specifications:
- Weight: 2 lbs.
- Dimensions: 9.1” x 8.7” x 5.1”
- Material: Aluminum
- Lumens: 12,000 lumens
- Light specs: Ceiling light with adjustable angles from 0° to 120°
- Wattage: 80W
- Voltage: 85 – 277V
- Power source: Wall switch
Pros
Cons
10. Bbounder 4 Pack Linkable LED Utility Shop Light
Best Linkable Shop Lights
The last LED garage lights to feature on our list is the Bbounder 4 Pack Linkable LED Utility Shop Light. These lights are perfect for linking, so if that’s your desire then you should keep reading to find out what these can offer your workshop.
The Bbounder 4 Pack Linkable LED Utility Shop Lights produce 4,000 lumens and offer users a seamless linking of up to six LED lights. These lights are flicker-free, contain no UV and are safe & easy to use in several environments. They’re easy to install and you can either mount them to the ceiling directly or opt to suspend them.
These lights are available in a daylight white color. Users of the Bbounder Linkable LED Utility Shop Lights are pleasantly surprised by how much light these seemingly small lights produce. On the negative side, the included hardware is said to be of dismal quality so make sure your toolbox is prepped with the tools for the job.
Specifications:
- Weight: 4.2 lbs.
- Dimensions: 47.1” x 6.5” x 3.6”
- Material: Plastic
- Lumens: 4,000 Lm
- Light specs: Downlight with beam angle of 240°
- Wattage: 36W
- Voltage: 120V
- Power source: Corded-electric
- Cord length: 4 ft
Pros
Cons
LED Lights for Garage Workshops: What You Need to Know
While you should always bear the basic buying information in mind, such as the warranty period, color and brand reputation, there are a few more things to consider before buying LED lights. These aspects are:
- The type
- The light output
- The watts
- The temperature
- And the mounting options
Type
There are many different types of LED lights available, but not just any will work in a garage workshop environment. From flashing LEDs to RGB LEDs—your options are seemingly endless. However, for your needs, you’re going to want to opt for LED lights that are high-output and in the form of either a fluorescent-like tube design or a design akin to that of a ceiling fan.
Light Output
The light output is perhaps the most important aspect to consider when purchasing LED lights for your garage workshop. Light output is measured in lumens. More lumens equal more light, so make sure that the light you have your eye on is capable of emitting the amount of light you need.
Watts
We mentioned lumens above, but the wattage of the bulb is equally important. This gives you a clearer idea of how much volume of light the LEDs you have your eye on will provide. Generally speaking, lighting that requires higher wattage typically produces more light.
Temperature
Temperature is an important aspect of LED lights for three reasons. The first being that LED lights rarely overheat and, on the off chance that the risk is present, most have built-in overheating protection systems.
The second point is that LED lights can work in any kind of temperature—even temperatures even very cold ones below zero!
And the third, and arguably the most important temperature factor, is the color temperature. The color temperature of LED lights, as defined by the Kelvin system, determines what type of illumination you’ll get. Generally speaking, color temperature can be broken down like this:
- Soft white glow: 2,700K to 3,000K
- Bright or cool white: 3,500K to 4,100K
- Daylight or natural daylight: 5,000K to 6,500K
Mounting
Consider which mounting option your garage lighting needs call for and purchase your LED lights accordingly. Do you want lights that are suspended and hang from the ceiling? Or do you want lights that can be mounted flush against your workshop’s wall or ceiling?
FAQ
How many lumens do you need to light a garage?
How many lumens your garage will need depends on what you’ll mainly be doing in it. The general guideline is between 130 to 150 lumens per square foot of space. But in garage workshops, you’ll need 300 lumens per square foot.
Final Words
And there you have it: the lowdown on the best-LED garage lights the market has to offer as well as what to keep in mind when it’s time to choose the right one for your needs.
Gone are the days of having to put up with energy-eating fluorescent lights or working in dim, dark and dingy spaces. As a modern-day garage workshop owner, you’ve got a range of lighting options available to you that will help you save on energy and electric bills.
Which one of these LED lighting solutions was your light bulb moment?