The best garage lighting options come in a variety of types and styles. LED lights are the most common for garages due to their efficiency. However, we have other styles like fluorescent lights for the garage. When it comes to buying lighting for your garage, consider durability, style, and also efficiency.
In this article, I review the top 10 garage options to brighten a dark garage. I also give you a guide on how to choose the best garage lighting and also insights on the different types of garage lights.
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10 Best Garage Lighting Options
1. LZHOME adjustable ceiling lights 2-Pack LED Trilights – Best adjustable ceiling lights for garage
Installing these lights is quite easy, and you do not have to high an electrician. The panels are made using aluminum, making them durable. You will definitely love the sleek design, standard base fixtures, and non-slip design.
Features of LZ HOME adjustable ceiling lights
- Can last up to 50,000 hours
- 5000K color temperature for a daylight effect
- The standard base of E26/E27 that is easy to screw-in
- Rollers for easy adjusting
- For maximum brightness, you get 6500 lumens and CRI >80
- Aluminum panels for proper heat distribution
- Energy-efficient and can save up to 60% of energy
2. Barrina LED T5 Utility Shop Light – Pack of 6 – Best LED garage lighting
Features of Barrina LED T5 Utility Shop Light
- Colour temperature bright white 6500K
- Consumes 20W saving your up to 65% of power
- 20 inches connecting cords
- Hardware – snaps, screws and other tools for connecting accessories
- 4ft bulb length
- 120 voltage bulb
3. TORCHSTAR 12-Pack Recessed Ceiling Light – Best recessed ceiling light for garage
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Features TORCHSTAR 12-Pack Recessed Ceiling Light
- 2 inches – slim enough to fit in even narrow ceilings
- No housing, unlike the traditional recessed lights making them easy to install.
- Snap spring easy to stay in place after mounting into the ceiling
- Sealing to secure the light into the ceiling
- Daylight 4000K color temperature
- Long lifespan of up to 36,000 hours
4. HYPERLITE High Bay Lights Dimmable 5000K – Best for high ceiling garages
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Features of Hyperlite high bay lights
- Installation accessories – cable plug, hook, and safety waist
- Dimmable features to adjust the brightness accordingly
- 5000K color temperature
- 50,000 hours for durability
- LED 270 volts bulb with 100 watts
5. Michalegougou Motion Activated Garage Ceiling Lighting – Best Motion Activated Garage Lighting
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Features of Michalegougou Motion Activated Garage Ceiling Lighting
- Motion sensing technology to make your garage smart
- Durable bulbs that can go up to 50,000 hours
- 6000K – one of the brightest garage lights available in the market
- Three deformable panels that you can adjust up to 90 degrees
- LED high power bulbs for maximum brightness
- Energy-efficient and can save up to 85% energy
6. TORCHSTAR Garage Door Opener 15W LED Bulbs – Best Garage Door Lights
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Features of TORCHSTAR Garage Door Opener Bulbs
- E26/E27 standard base that is compatible with most garages
- 100 Watts enough to light the entire garage
- Shutter resistant material strong enough for the garage
- 5000k and 1600 lumens for maximum brightness in the garage
- A19 shape with a combination of plastic metal
7. LEPOWER Motion Security Light – 3 Head garage flood light – Best garage flood light
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Features of LEPOWER Motion Security Light
- 50,000 hours of durability
- Weatherproof design for outdoor lighting
- Metal casing for strength
- Wide sensing range of up to 72 ft
- Adjustable rollers to point the lights in different directions
8. Airand Flushmount Garage Light Fixture 5000k LED Tube Light – Best flush mount garage
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Features of Airand Flushmount Garage Light Fixture
- 5000k color temperature for maximum brightness
- Screw style for easy installation.
- Long lifespan with up to 60,000 hours
- LED bulbs saving up to 82% of energy
- Aluminum heat sink for faster cooling of the bulb
- Sleek bulb design
9. FadimiKo Industrial Hanging Pendant Lights – Best Vintage Pendant Garage Lights
as industrial garages. The best thing with these garage lights is the style that they will add to your garage space. They have that vintage look that you will love from a residential garage that is used as a living space. The lights are ideal for a high ceiling, and they are also essential for adding a unique touch to your space.
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Features FadimiKo Industrial Hanging Pendant Lights
- Metal lampshade with plastic casing
- The bulb is not available
- Fits the E26 E27 Edison bulb
- Black lampshade
- 2 lampshades in a pack
10. MACGO Square LED Garage Light E26 E27 Base – The best garage light for the money
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Features of MACGO Square LED Garage Light E26 E27 Base
- Square style bulb
- Long lifespan of up to 35000 hours
- The standard base of E26/27 to fit any space
- 40 watts and 6500K for maximum brightness
- Anti-fog features ideal for all spaces
Guide on buying garage lighting
Most garages are dark for obvious reasons. Garages are located in the basement, and the lack of natural lighting can make the space very dark. However, you can improve your garage lighting by using the right lighting options. The first thing is to understand how you use your garage. You will also need to understand the different lighting options so that you can make the right choice.
Where do you need garage lighting?
The first thing is to determine where you need the garage lighting. A quick inspection in your garage will help you to identify the dark areas. You will need ceiling lights to illuminate the entire garage. If you do some work in the garage, you will need to get a workbench lighting when doing some work.
It is also advisable to get some lights to light up your storage cabinets and garage shelving. You can also get some wall and floor lighting on days when you want some dim lighting in the space. If you are working on a tight budget, the most important thing is to at least have ceiling lighting in the garage space.
Size of your garage
It is advisable to determine the size of your garage when buying lighting. When buying lighting, you need to make sure that your garage is well-lit by using the right brightness. The best way to buy bulbs depending on your garage size is to check lumens as opposed to checking the watts.
An easy way to determine lighting requirements for your garage is to buy 50 lumens for every square foot if you want ambient lighting. For workspaces, you need more lighting, and the average is 300 lumens per square foot. The accent lights will be 75 lumens for every square foot. Getting the right bulb lumens for the size of your garage is very important.
Color rendering index
If you are going to use your garage for woodworking, painting, and even as an extra room, bulb CRI is very important. Color rendering index is the ability of a bulb to show you the real color of items in the room.
When buying lighting for your garage, makes sure that you get bulbs with a high CRI rating. A CRI rating of above 85 is always a good idea if you want to bring out the full effect of the space.
Color temperature
Apart from checking the color rendering index, remember to check the color temperature. When it comes to color temperature, it is important to check how yellow or blue the lighting looks. Colour temperature has nothing to do with heat. It has everything to do with the overall effect of the room. Here is a guide that will help you to determine the right color temperature for your garage:
- Natural daylight is 6500K, and it is the type of color that you would expect from the outdoor daylight environment. If you want to use the garage as a living space, this is good lighting.
- Cool white is the kind of light that you expect in the kitchen or bathroom. This is 4000K, and it is ideal for workspaces to give you proper vision.
- Warm white is about 3000K, and it is ideal for a relaxing atmosphere in the garage. It is not as bright as cool white lighting.
Energy efficiency
Think about energy efficiency when buying garage lighting. It is advisable to buy garage lighting that will provide you proper efficiency to save on lighting costs. The cost of lighting the garage can go very high. When it comes to maintaining efficiency, LED bulbs are the best for the garage space. With LED lighting, you can save up to 60% of the lighting cost. If you are not sure about energy saving, make sure that you check the energy star rating just to be sure. LED bulbs are more energy-efficient when compared to standard fluorescent bulbs.
Size and shape of the lighting
It is important to consider the size and shape of the garage lighting that you buy. Instead of buying pear-shaped lighting, consider buying the straight tube lighting for your garage. In a garage, tube lighting is the best because it covers a big space compared to pear-shaped lighting. The best sizes for garage lighting include T5 and T8. These sizes are the best because they do not flicker. They are also energy efficient for the garage. It is not advisable to get T12 for the garage because of the flickering.
Durability
Durability is all about the number of hours that you get from the lighting. If you do not want to replace your lighting all the time, it is a good idea to get bulbs that have more hours. Generally, LED bulbs are the best when it comes to the number of hours. Most of the LED bulbs can go up to 50,000 hours before the need to replace them. However, most of the normal fluorescent bulbs can go up to 15,000 hours. It is important to make a smart choice so that you can save time and money.
Other features
Other features can be beneficial when looking for garage lights. It is advisable to consider other features such as motion sensors and also smart features. For outdoor lighting, you will need to get waterproof lights in case of rain. All these are features that will make it easy to identify the best lighting for your garage.
FAQ about garage lighting
What type of lighting is best for a garage?
Before you decide on the best garage lighting, it is important to understand the different options available. We have different types of garage lighting depending on the use of your garage, preference, and even interior design. Here are some different types of lighting used for the garage:
These bulbs are effective for the garage. They can also be used in other parts of the home, apart from the garage. The bulbs are made using light-emitting diodes, making them durable. Apart from having a long lifespan, these bulbs are also energy efficient for use in the garage.
Pros of LED garage lighting
- Energy-saving – LED garage lights are the most energy-efficient garage bulbs available.
- Safe – these bulbs are quite safe. Unlike other bulbs, they do not get hot, and they are safe to touch without burning your hand. They also do not have mercury, and at the same time, they do not produce infrared rays.
- Quiet – these are quiet bulbs, and they are the best for garage living space.
- Immediate full brightness – after putting the bulbs on, you get full brightness immediately.
Cons of LED garage light
- Poor distribution of light – you might need multiple bulbs in the garage since they only reflect light in one direction.
2. Fluorescent garage bulbs
Fluorescent garage bulbs have been around for a long time. You will probably recognize the tube bulbs that are common in commercial spaces. These bulbs can be used for both residential and commercial use. The bulbs contain mercury vapor inside the bulb.
Pros of Fluorescent garage bulbs
- Efficient – fluorescent garage bulbs are quite efficient for use on the garage
- Versatile – can be used for residential and commercial garages
- Affordable – these bulbs are quite affordable compared to LED bulbs.
- Good quality wavelength – the wavelength of these bulbs is good and ideal for human beings.
Cons of Fluorescent garage bulbs
- Contain mercury vapors that can be dangerous
- Temperature interference – can be affected by temperature changes.
3. Shop lights
Shop lights have grown in popularity over time. These lights are best for the garage, parking areas, and also garage workshops. The lights are meant to meet the demand for good lighting in compact spaces. For maximum efficiency, these lights combine the appearance of tube fluorescent bulbs and also LED technology aspects.
Pros of shop lights
- Affordable – shop lights are affordable to buy. You can use multiple bulbs in your shop without incurring a lot of money.
- Simple – Simplicity is everything, and shop lights do not disappoint. You will need a shop light fixture, and you will fix your fluorescent bulbs in the light fixture.
- Energy-efficient – since they are made with LED technology, the bulbs are energy efficient.
- Daylight effect – these lights are quietly balanced, and they give you the daylight effect.
- Long-lasting – just like other LED lights, they are long-lasting, and they will help you to save cost.
Cons of shop lights
- Not ideal for large spaces – they might not be ideal for large spaces or very high garage ceilings.
4. Flush mount garage lighting
Flush mount garage lighting is common for residential garages. The dome-shaped lights are ideal for lighting up residential garages, but they are also great for adding some personality to interiors. Flush mount lighting is the best for decorative purposes, and the best thing is that they can be used in different areas of the home. Apart from using them in the garage, they are also great for kitchens and bathrooms.
We have different types of flush mount lights like the semi flush mount lights that have three sources of lights. With these lights, it is possible to install three sources of light from the base. These lights are adjustable, and you can point them in different directions of the room.
Pros of flush mount lighting
- Beautiful look – these decorative lights are everything that you need to add some personality to your garage.
- Versatile – apart from the garage, they can be used in other areas of the home like the kitchen.
- Adjustable – you can adjust to point light in different parts of the room.
- Good quality lighting – warm and diffused lighting for garage
Cons of flush mount lighting
- Not ideal for big spaces – might not be ideal for big spaces or commercial garages.
5. High bay garage lighting
High bay garage lights are ideal for high ceilings. If you want to light a big garage, consider getting these lights. The lights are ideal for lighting big spaces, and they are suspended using pendants to hang in the garage. If you want to light a big garage, it is advisable to get powerful lighting, and high bay lights are the best option.
The best thing with high bay lights is the fact that they come in a variety of types. You can get these lights in the form of fluorescent, led, and also induction lights. Since these lights are used to light large garage areas, it is advisable to get LED lights. With LED high bay lights, you will be guaranteed bright lighting and also a long life span.
Pros of high bay garage lights
- Powerful – these are powerful lights that can be used to large light spaces.
- Long-lasting – high bay light can last more than 40 times the standard lighting.
- Decorative – for decorative purposes, you can add some pendants to high bay garage lighting and suspend them.
- Ideal for high ceiling – these high bay garage lights are the best for high ceilings.
Cons of high bay garage lights
- Seriously, I could not find any!!
6. Recessed garage lights
Recessed garage lights are attached to the ceiling. These lights are attached to hollow parts of the ceiling, and that is why they are called pot lights. Recessed lights can be used in a residential garage or garage warehouse. When you buy these lights, you get three parts.
You will get the light bulb, the trim, and also the housing. Installing recessed lights in your garage might require some expertise, but it is easy as long as you follow the instructions. These lights are very beautiful in the garage because of the multiple lights on the garage, looking like stars.
Pros of recessed garage lights
- Perfect illumination – recessed lights cover the entire ceiling. They are great for perfect illumination.
- No pedants – the lights fit perfectly into the ceiling without hanging or buying pendants.
- Aesthetic purposes – recessed lights look beautiful in the garage due to their large number.
Cons of recessed garage lights
- Many lights – you will need many lights so that you can cover the entire garage.
