High Bay and Low Bay LED Lights

High Bay & Low Bay LED Lighting Buyer's Guide

If you're upgrading the lighting in a commercial or industrial space with ceilings 15 feet or higher, you're likely in the market for high bay LED lights. Whether you're retrofitting an older facility or outfitting a new build, this guide covers everything you need to choose the right high bay or low bay lights for your application.

From warehouses and gymnasiums to retail stores and workshops, LED high bay lights offer unmatched efficiency, brightness, and reliability. Let's break down the options and help you make the best choice.

Why Choose LED High Bay Lights?

If your facility still uses metal halide, high-pressure sodium, or fluorescent high bays, it's time to upgrade. Here's why:

• Higher Light Output per Watt

  LED high bay lights offer much higher luminous efficacy than traditional sources—often producing 150 lumens per watt or more.

• Long Lifespan

  While legacy HID bulbs may last 10,000 hours or less, LED high bays are typically rated for 50,000+ hours, drastically reducing relamping costs and labor.

• Instant-On & Flicker-Free

  Unlike HID fixtures, LEDs turn on instantly and provide smooth, flicker-free light with no warm-up delay.

• Operation

  LED fixtures emit far less heat, improving safety and reducing HVAC loads in temperature-sensitive environments.

• Energy & Maintenance Savings

  Most businesses see a 40–70% reduction in energy costs and virtually eliminate maintenance headaches when switching to LED high bay fixtures.

What Are High Bay and Low Bay Lights?

High bay lights are designed for ceilings 15 feet and higher, typically found in:

• Warehouses
• Factories and machine shops
• Hangars
• Sports arenas
• Distribution centers
• Gymnasiums
• Big-box retail stores

Low bay lights, on the other hand, are used for ceilings between 12 and 20 feet. These are ideal for:

• Small manufacturing facilities
• Auto repair shops
• Workshops
• Retail showrooms

The key difference is light distribution and output. High bay LED lights concentrate light more directly, often using specialized optics or reflectors to push lumens to the floor efficiently, while low bay lights have a wider beam angle and slightly lower lumen output.

UFO vs Linear High Bay Lights: What's the Difference?

There are two primary styles of LED high bay lights:

UFO High Bay Lights

• Round, compact shape (like a flying saucer)
• Excellent for open-floor environments
• Often rated IP65 or higher for damp or dusty conditions
• Best for high ceilings (20–40+ ft)
• Ideal for warehouses, gymnasiums, and large retail floors

💡 Looking for the very best UFO LED high bay lights? Prioritize models with high efficacy (150+ lm/W), 0–10V dimming, and selectable wattages or color temps.

Linear High Bay Lights

• Rectangular shape (like a fluorescent troffer)
• Better for aisle lighting or racked spaces
• More even light spread side-to-side
• Common in big-box stores and manufacturing floors

💡 ELEDLights offers models with options for dimming, motion sensing, field adjustability, and DLC Premium certification for rebate eligibility.

How Bright Should Your High Bay Lights Be?

The brightness of a high bay fixture is measured in lumens, not watts. As a rule, the higher the ceiling, the more lumens you'll need to light the floor effectively.

Need a solution for varying ceiling heights?

Go with field-selectable LED high bays. These let you adjust brightness at installation, giving you flexibility across your facility.

How Many High Bay LED Lights Do I Need?

This is one of the most common questions we get. To determine how many high bay lights you need, you'll need to know:

• Ceiling height
• Square footage
• Desired lighting level (measured in foot-candles)
• Layout (open vs aisle-based)
• Mounting height and spacing

For more info, you can Download Our Footcandle Recommendation Handout.

Quick Reference:

• General lighting (warehouses): 20–30 foot-candles
• Precision work areas (factories, labs): 50–75 foot-candles
• Retail or gymnasiums: 30–50 foot-candles

Need help with a layout?

We offer free photometric layouts with purchase—just send us your building specs.

Should I Retrofit or Replace My High Bay Lights?

If you're upgrading from HID high bay lighting, you have two main paths:

Retrofitting Existing Fixtures

• Lower upfront cost
• Uses existing fixture housing
• Requires rewiring and ballast bypass
• May be ineligible for higher rebates

Replacing with New LED Fixtures

• Simpler, faster install
• Cleaner look with better optics
• Full warranty on all components
• Eligible for full utility rebates
• Often provides better long-term ROI

Bottom Line:
If your current fixtures are in poor shape or outdated, replacing them with new LED high bay lights is usually the smarter move.

Can I Dim LED High Bay Lights?

Yes—most commercial-grade high bays from ELEDLights support 0–10V dimming, the industry standard for LED controls.

Benefits of Dimming:

• Tune light levels to your needs
• Save energy when full brightness isn't needed
• Integrate with daylight sensors or motion controls

How to Dim LED High Bays

Dimming requires a compatible 0–10V controller or dimmer switch and proper connection of low-voltage dimming wires. ELEDLights high bay fixtures include wiring diagrams and our team can guide you if you're unsure about compatibility.

Color Temperature Options for High Bay Lighting

Choosing the right CCT (correlated color temperature) is about matching the light to your space and tasks.

Many of our high bay lights are CCT selectable, so you can choose the tone during installation.

High Bay Customer Case Study: Mountune® USA

Mountune's motor-building facility in Southern California switched from 150 fluorescent tube light fixtures to just 21 linear LED high bays.

Results:

• 75% energy reduction
• Over $150/month in savings
• Payback in just 14 months
• Improved visibility and safety

Read More

Certifications That Matter

Look for high bay fixtures with the following certifications:

UL or ETL Listed: Safety and performance assurance

DLC Standard or Premium: Required for utility rebates

IP65 or IP66 Rating: Dust, bug, and water resistance for harsh environments

IK10 or Better: Ensures impact resistance

Why Buy from ELEDLights?

• Commercial-grade quality: Built for demanding facilities
• Expert support: Talk to lighting pros before you buy
• Fast shipping: Most orders ship same or next business day
• Quantity discounts: Great pricing for large projects
• Free photometric layouts: Get the right number and placement
• Direct customer service: Quick solutions from real people
• Rebate assistance: We'll help you capture savings

Ready to Get Started?

Let's find your perfect lighting solution. Whether you need help calculating lumens, spacing fixtures, or selecting the best high bay LED lights for your facility, we're here to make it easy.

Or request a quantity pricing quote or lighting layout directly from any high bay product page.