How to Choose the Right High Bay LED Light

Selecting the perfect high bay LED lights requires matching four critical factors to your space: ceiling height, lumen output, beam angle, and fixture type. Based on 17+ years of experience in LED lighting, we recommend the following considerations when selecting the right fixture for your space. Our lighting specialists can design custom lighting plans to help you determine the optimal beam angle configuration for your specific application.

Ceiling Height & Space Requirements

• 10-20 Foot Ceiling Heights: Fixtures between 10,000–15,000 lumens, 120° beam angle, spaced 12–15 ft on center deliver ideal coverage for compact indoor areas with lower ceilings.
• 20-30 Foot Ceiling Heights: Fixtures delivering 20,000–30,000 lumens with 90–120° beam angles, spaced 15–19 ft apart, work best for mid-height industrial and storage zones.
• 30+ Foot Ceiling Heights: For high-ceiling applications, select fixtures with 30,000+ lumens, 60–90° beam angles, spaced 19–35 ft apart to account for greater throw and focused illumination.

Voltage and Adjustable Technology

• Color Temperature Adjustable: 3000K/4000K/5000K selectable with onboard toggle switches
• Wattage Adjustable: Customize lumen output post-installation - allows you to set the desired lumen level for perfect lighting balance
• Beam Angle Adjustable: 60°/90°/120° field-adjustable with rotating lens technology
• Voltage: includes 120–277V (standard commercial) and 277–480V (industrial). Auto-adjusting voltage drivers automatically accommodate incoming voltage without any customer action required.

Pro Tip: Color-adjustable and wattage-adjustable high bays offer the utmost in flexibility for post-installation optimization.

Color Temperature

• 3000K for warm retail spaces and customer-facing environments
• 4000K for general commercial use and fluorescent light replacement projects
• 5000K for industrial applications and metal halide replacement installations

Pro Tip: By far the most popular color temperature we sell is 5000K for metal halide replacements. For fluorescent replacements, 4000K provides the closest match. However, our customers also love the flexibility of changing the color temperature post-installation with our color-adjustable high bays with onboard color-changing toggle switches.

Controls, Backup, and Mounting Options

• Motion-sensor ready with 0-10V or 1-10V dimming, ideal for task-based zones and additional energy savings
• Emergency battery backup (EMB): meets OSHA egress and safety requirements
• Mounting styles include eye hook, pendant, surface, chain/cable suspended - we carry all standard mounts
• Concerned about Installation? Our high bays are a direct replacement for your old lights with the same mounting options and reduced amp loads that won't require electrical panel upgrades.
• Add photocells for daylight harvesting and automatic on/off control

Certifications and Warranties

• Safety & Certifications: UL Listed / ETL Listed, DLC and DLC Premium eligibility for utility rebates.
• Warranties: 5-year standard warranties on all fixtures with US-based warranty support. We process all warranty claims quickly!

Pro Tip: Hopefully, you never have to call us for a warranty issue, but if you have one, call us! We will help resolve the problem with our dedicated US-based customer support team!

UFO vs Linear High Bay Lights: Choosing the Right Fixture Type for Your Project

UFO High Bay Lights

• Circular design, compact footprint for point-source lighting
• Ideal for open warehouses or replacing metal halides
• Power range: 60–600W, up to 96,000 lumens
• Built for durability: IP65-rated waterproof, IK08-IK10 impact-resistant
• Best when downward-focused lighting is needed with excellent throw distance
• Available with adjustable 60°/90°/120° beam angles

Linear High Bay Lights

• Rectangular shape for even light spread across wide areas
• Great for aisle or fluorescent-style installations
• Power range: 80–500W, up to 76,900 lumens
• Consistent, widespread illumination across long fixtures
• Ideal for production lines and detailed work areas

Pro Tip: Still having a hard time deciding? By far, the most popular fixture we sell is UFO fixtures due to their versatility and superior light distribution. If you have any questions, call our product specialists and they will help answer any question you have. Or reach out to us on chat.

Why LED Lighting Supply High Bay Lights Outperforms Metal Halide and Fluorescent Lighting

Performance Benefits & Certified Reliability

• Energy Savings: Retrofit projects commonly reduce power usage by 50–75%, with motion sensors enabling up to 90% savings.
• Longevity & Quality: LED lifespan of 50,000–100,000 hours compared to 15,000 hours for metal halide, flicker-free operation, high CRI, and instant-on performance.
• Environmental & Safety Build: Choose IK08–IK10 for impact resistance and IP65–IP69K for harsh or wash-down environments.
• Instant Performance: 100% light output immediately - no warm-up delays like metal halide fixtures.
• Consistent Quality: Flicker-free illumination with CRI ratings of 70+. No humming from bad ballasts.
• Reduced HVAC Load: Lower heat output reduces the risk of overheating and reduces HVAC operational costs by 10-15%.
• Maintenance Cost Reduction: Eliminate frequent bulb and ballast replacements, reducing maintenance costs by 80%.

Common Applications & Customer Success

Warehouses & Distribution Centers - Customer installed our 300 Watt UFO Warehouse Light | 45000 Lumens to achieve foot candle requirements and balanced lighting across the floor

Industrial Applications - We installed explosion proof hazardous location lighting fixtures in this water treatment plant facility with Class I Division 2 ratings.

Gymnasiums & Sports Facilities - Even distribution for athletic activities. This customer used our wattage adjustable 100 / 120 / 150 / 200 Watt Adjustable UFO Fixture | 14000 to 28000 Lumens with high impact IK10 ratings

Aircraft Hangars - Provide superior lighting to work on planes. This customer used our powerful 240 Watt UFO High Bay | 45600 Lumens to achieve the brightness requirements for detailed aircraft maintenance work.

Workshops and Garages - Bright workspaces for production shops and hobbyists. Our adjustable wattage UFO fixtures were the right light for this application with 5000K color temperature.

Indoor Horse Arenas - Creating bright and balanced lighting. This customer chose our wattage adjustable / color adjustable / optic adjustable high bay to gain the most in post installation optimization

LED vs Metal Halide: Energy Savings & ROI

200W LED vs 400W Metal Halide Replacement (with ballast)

Based on 12 hours/day, 365 days/year at $0.13/kWh

Metal Halide (460W)

Annual: $261.92 | 5-Year Cost: $1309.62 | 5-Year Savings: –

LED UFO Fixture (200W)

Annual: $113.88 | 5-Year Cost: $569.40 | 5-Year Savings: $14804.40

Single Fixture Annual Savings: $148.04 | 20 Fixture Annual Savings: $2961 | ROI Timeline: Under 9 months

Energy Reduction: 57% | 5-Year ROI: 13482% | Lamp Life: 50,000+ (LED) vs 15,000 (MH)

300W LED vs 1000W Metal Halide Replacement (with ballast)

Based on 12 hours/day, 365 days/year at $0.13/kWh

Metal Halide (1150W)

Annual: $654.81 | 5-Year Cost: $3274.05 | 5-Year Savings: –

LED UFO Fixture (300W)

Annual: $170.82 | 5-Year Cost: $854.10 | 5-Year Savings: $48399.00

Single Fixture Annual Savings: $483.99 | 20 Fixture Annual Savings: $9680 | ROI Timeline: Under 10 months

Energy Reduction: 74% | 5-Year ROI: 12471% | Lamp Life: 50,000+ (LED) vs 15,000 (MH)

Want to run your savings numbers? Click here to run our LED Savings Calculator

Why Choose Us? Let Us Create Your Custom Lighting Plan

With over 17 years of experience in commercial and industrial lighting, we know how to create optimized lighting solutions for any application. If you're unsure about the best choice for your space, we're here to help. Our team can help calculate the number of high bay LED fixtures you need for optimal illumination.

What Our Custom Lighting Plan Offers

• Analyzing your space, mounting heights, and lighting requirements.
• Recommending the best high bay lights for your needs.
• Designing a detailed lighting layout to ensure even, effective coverage while reducing shadows.
• Providing expert advice to fit your budget and maximize energy efficiency.

By choosing our expertise, you'll eliminate all the guesswork and get a lighting solution that works perfectly for your application. Contact us today to get started!

High Bay LED Lights FAQ

What Are High Bay LED Lights?

LED High Bay lights are powerful ceiling-mounted fixtures specifically engineered for large interior spaces with high ceilings-think warehouses, manufacturing facilities, gymnasiums, and aircraft hangers. These fixtures are designed to perform optimally when mounted at 20 feet or higher, where they can effectively illuminate vast areas while maintaining proper light distribution.

What are the Different Types of LED High Bay Lights?

The two primary styles in the market: UFO and Linear fixtures. UFO high bays feature a compact, round design that makes them excellent direct replacements for traditional metal halide fixtures. Linear high bays, on the other hand, have a rectangular form factor that perfectly matches the aesthetic of fluorescent high bay systems. We've found that customers often choose based on their existing infrastructure and aesthetic preferences.

How Do High Bay LEDs Compare to Metal Halide?

LED high bays consume significantly less energy while delivering superior performance. Unlike metal halide fixtures that require warm-up time, LEDs provide instant full brightness. They also last substantially longer, which dramatically reduces maintenance costs-a factor that becomes increasingly important in high-ceiling applications where accessing fixtures can be challenging and expensive.

What Beam Angle is Best for High Bays?

Beam angle selection depends on your specific ceiling height and coverage requirements. For lower ceilings (20-25 feet), wider beam angles distribute light more evenly across the space. However, for taller installations (30+ feet), narrower beam angles help focus the light downward more effectively, preventing light loss and ensuring adequate illumination at floor level. It's been our experience that purchasing high bays with the wrong beam angle is one of the biggest mistakes made in replacing metal halide and fluorescent fixtures with LED.

How Much Energy Can You Save with Energy-Saving High Bay Lighting?

The energy savings are substantial. Most facilities see approximately 50% reduction in energy consumption when upgrading from metal halide or fluorescent systems. When you incorporate motion sensors, which we highly recommend for areas with intermittent activity, energy savings can reach up to 90% in less frequently used zones.

What Is the Coverage Area for High Bay Lights?

Coverage area varies based on several factors: fixture wattage, lumen output, beam angle, and mounting height. Rather than providing generic coverage estimates, we've learned that the most effective approach is to provide a custom lighting plan for each space. Our Product Specialists provide complimentary lighting plans before purchase to ensure your specific requirements are met and you achieve optimal coverage.

Are LED High Bay Lights Waterproof?

This depends on the specific fixture design. Our UFO LED fixtures feature IP65 or higher ratings, making them suitable for environments with moisture exposure. However, our linear fixtures aren't IP-rated and should be used only in dry locations. Always verify the IP rating matches your environmental requirements before installation.

What Is the Typical Lifespan of High Bay LED Lights?

Our high bay fixtures are rated for 50,000+ hours of operation. To put this in perspective: if you operate your lighting 12 hours daily, 365 days per year, you're looking at over 11 years of reliable service. This longevity is particularly valuable in high-ceiling applications where fixture access for maintenance can be costly and disruptive.

What's the Recommended Mounting Height for a High Bay fixture?

These fixtures perform optimally at 20 feet or higher. For exceptionally high ceilings (over 30 feet), you may need higher-wattage fixtures or tighter beam angles (60-90 degrees) to ensure adequate light reaches the working level. We often help customers determine the ideal configuration based on their specific ceiling height and application requirements.

What Type of LED Is the Best Replacement for a Metal Halide High Bay?

UFO LED fixtures provide the most seamless one-for-one replacement for metal halide systems. They can effectively replace any metal halide wattage from 250W to 2000W while delivering energy savings of 50% or greater. The compact design also makes installation straightforward using existing mounting hardware.

What Type of LED Is the Best Replacement for a Fluorescent T5 / T8 High Bay?

Linear LED high bays are the natural choice for fluorescent T5/T8 replacements. Their rectangular profile matches the aesthetic of fluorescent systems while eliminating common fluorescent issues like flickering, humming, and frequent bulb replacements. The upgrade is typically straightforward and doesn't require ballast modifications.

What Types of Controls are Commonly Used on LED High Bays?

Motion sensors are the most popular control option we see customers implementing. These sensors automatically bring fixtures to full power when activity is detected and dim them during periods of inactivity. This approach maximizes energy savings while ensuring lights are always available when needed. Also, dimming and brightening the lights through repeated cycles does not shorten the lifespan of our LED fixtures.

What are Wattage Adjustable and Color Adjustable LED High Bay Lights?

These fixtures feature onboard toggle switches that allow you to select both light output levels and color temperature after installation. This flexibility eliminates the guesswork in specification and provides adaptability if your needs change over time. It's particularly valuable when you're uncertain about optimal settings for your specific application.

What are Commercial Grade and Industrial Grade LED High Bays?

Our high bay fixtures are built for longevity and reliability. Available in wattages from 100W to 600W, they feature oversized heat sinks, premium drivers, and LED chips operated well below maximum capacity. While this approach results in higher upfront costs due to superior materials and construction, it delivers the reliability and dependability that commercial and industrial customers require. We stand behind our products with comprehensive support and warranty coverage if any issues arise.

How Do You Wire LED High Bay Fixtures?

Most of our LED high bays come equipped with a whip/cord for flexible installation options. Customers typically either hardwire the fixtures to junction boxes or install plugs to utilize existing sockets. Either approach is straightforward for qualified electricians. We recommend consulting with a licensed electrician to determine the best installation method for your specific situation.

How Long Are the Warranties on LED Lighting Supply High Bay Lights?

All our high bay lights come with a 5-year warranty. If there is an issue, just call us, and we will get the warranty process going for you.