Corn Lights for Outdoor Lighting
Give your outdoor lighting a sustainable upgrade. These LED retrofits transform traditional fixtures into energy-efficient LED powerhouses.
Buyer's Guide:
Corn Lights for Outdoor Lighting
What Is a Corn Cob Light Bulb?
If you've ever seen a light bulb covered in rows of small LEDs arranged like kernels on an ear of corn, you've seen a corn cob LED light bulb—also known as an LED corn bulb or corn light. These are high-output LED retrofit lamps designed to replace metal halide, high-pressure sodium (HPS), mercury vapor, or compact fluorescent lamps in existing fixtures.
A typical corn cob LED light bulb uses dozens—or even hundreds—of light-emitting diodes mounted on a cylindrical core to deliver 360° illumination. This design makes them perfect for outdoor area lighting applications such as post tops, bollards, wall packs, and shoebox fixtures.
Unlike traditional HID or CFL lamps, corn cob LED bulbs operate without an external ballast. When you retrofit, you simply bypass the ballast and connect the socket directly to power.
Why Upgrade to an LED Corn Light Retrofit?
An LED corn light retrofit lets you keep your existing fixture housing while upgrading the bulb to high-efficiency LED technology. This means:
- Up to 70% Energy Savings: From a significant reduction in electricity use.
- Long Lifespan: Many outdoor LED corn bulbs are rated for 50,000 hours or more—six times longer than metal halide lamps.
- Lower Maintenance Costs: Fewer replacements mean less downtime and fewer labor hours.
- Better Light Quality: High CRI ratings (80+) improve visibility, safety, and aesthetics.
- Fast Installation: Bypass the ballast, screw in the new bulb, and you're ready to go (see further down for more detailed info).
LED Corn Bulbs vs. COB LED Bulbs
Although both use LED technology, COB LED bulbs (chip-on-board LEDs) differ from corn cob LED light bulbs in design and light distribution:
- Corn cob LED light bulbs have many small LEDs spread across the entire surface for all-around light output.
- COB LEDs use a single large LED chip or a tightly packed array for more concentrated light.
For outdoor area lighting, LED corn bulbs generally offer better coverage, making them ideal for retrofits in post tops, shoebox fixtures, and wall packs.
Where to Use Outdoor LED Corn Bulbs
You'll find corn light retrofits in a wide range of outdoor applications, including:
- LED Post Top Retrofits – Ideal for decorative pole lighting in parks, campuses, and pathways.
- LED Bollard Retrofits – Perfect for upgrading pedestrian pathways and perimeter lighting.
- Shoebox & Wall Pack Retrofits – Great for parking lots, building exteriors, and security lighting.
- Canopy Fixtures – Gas stations, loading docks, and covered walkways.
How to Choose the Right LED Corn Cob Light Bulb
When selecting an LED corn cob retrofit bulb, consider:
- Base Type – Most outdoor fixtures use E26 (medium) or E39 (mogul) screw bases.
- Wattage & Lumens – Match the lumen output to your application:
- 2,000–3,000 lumens for bollards and small pathways
- 7,000–10,000 lumens for small parking areas and walkways
- 15,000–20,000 lumens for large lots and street lighting
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Beam Style –
- 360° corn bulbs for broad coverage
- Flat corn bulbs for fixtures with clearance limitations
- Post top models designed to fit decorative housings
- Color Temperature – Choose 4000K for a neutral glow or 5000K for cooler daylight brightness.
- Voltage – Ensure your bulb matches the fixture's voltage (most are 100–277V).
Customer Spotlight: Robert's Lighting Upgrade
Robert Wagner of New Jersey's Congregation AABJ&D replaced his CFL recessed fixtures with 54W LED corn cob light bulbs. He wanted a lighting solution that was brighter, longer lasting, and more efficient.
The results:
- 6× longer life than his old CFLs
- Better CRI and color temperature for a welcoming environment
- Significant savings in energy and labor costs
"Your lamps met our pricing requirements, in addition to giving us the color rendition and temperature we were looking for," Robert told us. "The labor savings alone will have a big impact on our budget."
Corn Light Savings in Action
At a Florida Goodwill store, outdated metal halide lamps were replaced with 125W high lumen LED corn bulbs.
The upgrade improved visibility for staff and shoppers while saving over $9,600 annually in energy costs.
With a payback period of just two years and a rated lifespan of 50,000 hours, the store's savings will continue well beyond the warranty period.
Installing an LED Corn Light Retrofit
Safety First: Always cut power before working on fixtures.
- Disconnect power.
- Remove the fixture head or housing.
- Bypass and remove the ballast.
- Connect line and neutral wires directly to the socket.
- Reassemble the fixture.
- Screw in the LED corn bulb.
- Restore power and test.
This process applies to most LED post top retrofit, bollard, or shoebox conversions.
People Also Ask: Corn Cob LED Bulbs
Q: What is a corn cob light bulb?
A: It's a high-output LED bulb with multiple diodes mounted like kernels on an ear of corn, used as a retrofit for HID, CFL, or HPS lamps.
Q: What are COB LED bulbs, and how are they different from corn bulbs?
A: COB LEDs use a single or clustered chip for focused light, while corn bulbs use many LEDs for 360° area lighting.
Q: Can you use a corn cob LED light bulb outdoors?
A: Yes—look for outdoor-rated models with appropriate IP ratings for weather resistance.
Q: How long do LED corn bulbs last?
A: Quality corn bulbs last 50,000 hours or more, reducing replacement frequency by up to six times compared to HID lamps.
Q: Do I need to remove the ballast when installing an LED corn cob Retrofit?
A: Yes—LED corn bulbs operate on direct line voltage, so the ballast must be bypassed.
Q: What bulb sizes are available for corn cob LED retrofits?
A: ELEDLights offers E26 medium base and E39 mogul base options, in wattages ranging from 14W for bollards to 110W for large-area lighting.
Why Buy from ELEDLights
When you shop with ELEDLights, you're not just buying lighting — you're getting a dedicated team that works to make your project a success. Whether you need help selecting the right retrofit, figuring out energy savings, or designing a complete lighting layout, we have real people (never bots) ready to help. Our services and perks are built for businesses, contractors, and property managers who value quality, efficiency, and support that goes beyond the sale.
What you get with ELEDLights:
- Real people, real help – Knowledgeable lighting specialists on call, no chatbots or automated scripts.
- Free lighting layouts – Professional designs to ensure the best performance for your space.
- Free energy audits – Find out exactly how much you can save by switching to LED.
- Contractor loyalty program – Exclusive pricing and rewards for repeat business.
- Rebate assistance – We help you secure utility rebates to cut upfront costs.
- Top-quality products – Long-life, high-efficiency lighting you can count on.