We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping The 10 Best Garage Lighting Options Take your garage out of the dark with these garage lighting options. By Jack Byram Jack Byram Jack is a writer with over five years of writing experience. He has written about everything from tech to sleep, covering everything in between. He has tested numerous products, including vacuum cleaners, blenders, pillows, jeans, blackout blinds, and espresso machines. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on August 19, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Photo: Better Homes & Gardens / Alli Waataja If you’re trying to turn your garage into a great hangout or workspace, you’ll want to invest in excellent garage lighting. While lighting installation may conjure up the idea of dangling wires and spending loads of money on an electrician, it’s actually quite affordable and easy to bring ample light into your space. “Bright white lights are good for safety and utility. If you’re working on something in the garage, you need your light as bright as possible,” says Rod Donnelly, the founder and CEO of Donnelly Construction. With both hardwired and plug-in options abounding on the market, we extensively researched the best garage lighting for a variety of needs. What We Researched Using Donnelly’s expertise and insight to guide us, we narrowed our choices down to the best options available, accounting for factors such as watts, brightness, and light temperature. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Seobiog Garage Light at Amazon $40 $32 Jump to Review Best Budget: Meiqils LED Garage Light at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Prime Lights T8 Stingray 4XL at Amazon $139 Jump to Review Best for Easy Installation: Hykolity Linkable LED Shop Light at Amazon $43 Jump to Review Best for Motion Detection: SALE Stkr Concept Tri-light Tri-light ShopLight at Amazon $70 $50 Jump to Review Best Overhead: Commercial Electric Utility LED Shop Light at Amazon $110 Jump to Review Best Hanging: Ensenior Linkable LED Shop Lights at Amazon $50 Jump to Review Best for Workspaces: Omarsou Garage Lamp at Amazon $40 Jump to Review Best Battery Powered: TooWell Motion Sensor LED Ceiling Light at Amazon $27 Jump to Review Best LED: SALE Barrina LED T5 Integrated Light Fixture at Amazon $60 $50 Jump to Review Best Overall Seobiog Garage Light PHOTO: Amazon $40 $32 at Amazon Why You Should Get It It’s adjustable and easy to assemble. Keep In Mind The prevalent cord that hangs this light may not be a design that suits all garages. The Seobiog Two Pack Plug In Garage Lights is our top pick for garage lighting. This option is particularly easy to assemble and has the option of linkability, which we appreciate. With 200 watts of power and 20,000 lumens, the LED shop lights provide excellent lighting without running up the electric bill. The lifespan of these bulbs is 50,000 hours, meaning you could leave them on 24 hours a day for about five years. Since you'll likely be using them for less time, they can last for quite awhile. It comes with a power cord that's just under 10 feet, and we like that it is a simple plug-in option with a switch on the cord, so you don’t need to do any wiring or even have a professional on hand. One light comes with six panels that can provide up to 90 degrees of adjustment for 360 total degrees of coverage, enabling you to situate it perfectly for your particular garage or workstation. You can connect up to four separate light fixtures to customize your lighting. Although it is convenient and simple to set up and use, be aware that the design of the light’s hanging apparatus may be too industrial-looking to accommodate certain style tastes. Product Details: Watts: 60 watts | Brightness: 6,000 lumens | Color Temperature: 6,500 Kelvin Best Budget Meiqils LED Garage Light PHOTO: Amazon $10 $9 at Amazon Why You Should Get It It can be installed by simply screwing it into an existing light fixture base. Keep in Mind The smaller size of this option may not accommodate larger garages. The Meiqils LED Garage Light proves that you don’t need to break the bank for good lighting. It comes with three LED panels that have up to 90 degrees of adjustability, which enables it to light up to 360 degrees of area. It also provides a substantial amount of light with 8,000 lumens. In addition to the adjustability, these LED lights stretch your dollar even further as they have a 60,000-hour lifespan and can be used for 10 years for eight hours a day. We also appreciate that this fixture provides three years of replacements and 30-day returns for free. This option is also a time saver, as it can simply be screwed into an E26/E27 socket like a standard lightbulb and it doesn’t require any tools. It also features an aluminum alloy housing that is resistant to high temperatures and corrosion. Do note that this garage lighting fixture is smaller than other options, measuring only 4.5 inches in width, so it may not be suited for larger garages. Product Details: Watts: 80 watts | Brightness: 8,000 lumens | Color Temperature: 6,500 Kelvin Best Splurge Prime Lights T8 Stingray 4XL PHOTO: Amazon $139 at Amazon Why You Should Get It The replaceable tubes and efficient LEDs make this worth the extra cost. Keep in Mind It doesn’t include the hardware for chain mounting. The Prime Lights T8 Stingray 4XL is more expensive than other options, but we think its features make it worth the investment. To start, we appreciate that this four-lamp option boasts over 180 lumens per watt with an equivalent of 40,100 lumens. This means it emits brighter light while requiring only 80 watts of input. We like that the 5,000K temperature of this light means it’s quite bright, so it will illuminate darker spaces like a garage with ease. The design of the LEDs also means that this light fixture is efficient and built to last, with over 70,000 hours of life. This light’s body is made of 20-gauge full-body steel with thermal paint designed specifically for corrosion and mold resistance, making it ideal for garages. Despite the longer life of the tubes, it’s important to note that they are replaceable when the time comes. This means that you won’t have to pay for a whole new fixture, making this more cost effective over time. We also appreciate that this option can be either chain mounted or surface mounted, depending on your preferences. Unfortunately, despite the higher price, it doesn’t feature the hardware for chain mounting, so keep in mind that’ll make for an additional cost. Product Details: Watts: 80 watts | Brightness: 180 lumens | Color Temperature: 5,000 Kelvin Best for Easy Installation Hykolity Linkable LED Shop Light PHOTO: Amazon $43 $37 at Amazon Why You Should Get It Included mounting gear and hanging chains make the installation process easy and straightforward. Keep in Mind These lights don’t have any cover to protect them. Frustration with setting up garage lighting doesn’t need to be a part of your reality, and products like Hykolity’s Linkable LED Shop Light for Garage demonstrate that. In addition to the quality of lighting, these lights are a breeze to set up. These linkable LEDs come with mounting gear that’s easy to use, but you can also use hanging chains. All of the necessary hardware comes with the lights, so all you need to do is follow the simple assembly instructions. It features a 59-inch power cord that has an on/off switch. Beyond the easy installation, these lights provide 4,400 lumens by using only 42 watts, which is an efficiency of 105 lumens per watt. The lights also last 50,000 hours before you need to do any sort of maintenance, and while this package comes with four pieces, you can link up to six lights using the simple plug connection. And to top all of that off, Hykolity offers a five-year warranty to keep you and your purchase protected. It is worth being aware that these lights have no shield or cover to protect them, they are fully exposed LED tubes which can lead them to be more easily damaged. Product Details: Watts: 42 watts | Brightness: 4,400 lumens | Color Temperature: 5,000 Kelvin Best for Motion Detection Stkr Concept Tri-light Tri-light ShopLight PHOTO: Amazon $70 $50 at Amazon $127 at Home Depot Why You Should Get It It features a 360-degree motion sensor but it can also be turned on and off manually. Keep in Mind Because it screws into a standard light socket, you have less control over where you can place it. The STKR Trilight is designed to be able to detect even the most subtle of motions, even when placed in the darkest spaces of your home. The 360-degree motion sensor will stay illuminated as long as you’re in the garage, so you won’t have to worry about activating it every few minutes. This light only uses 24 watts to create 4,000 lumens, so it’s quite energy-efficient. Plus, this pick simply screws into a standard light socket, so you likely won’t need the help of an electrician to install it. Just keep in mind that because it needs to be installed into a light socket, you have less flexibility on where you want to place it in your garage. We like that the light will turn off automatically after 90 seconds of no motion detection. If you want more control, however, the motion-detection feature can be turned off and this can instead be controlled like a standard light. Product Details: Watts: 24 watts | Brightness: 4,000 lumens | Color Temperature: 5,400 Kelvin Best Overhead Commercial Electric Utility LED Shop Light PHOTO: Amazon $110 at Amazon $60 at Walmart $60 at Home Depot Why You Should Get It 7,000 lumens at only 80 watts helps to keep your energy bill down without sacrificing brightness. Keep in Mind It is not dimmable. With high luminance, linkability, and easy installation, Commercial Electric’s Integrated Heavy Duty Utility LED Shop Light is our pick for the best overhead garage lighting. The shop light comes fully assembled and provides 7,000 lumens in a cool white light. The 4-foot-long lamp can also easily be plugged into and linked with up to four of the same item, and it has an average lifespan of 50,000 hours. It also comes with mounting screws, 12-inch hanging screws, and a 3-foot pull chain to provide you the choice of either mounting it directly or allowing it to hang. A 5-foot cord is all you need to plug in to illuminate your garage with this option, assuming you have an outlet nearby. The light provides 7,000 lumens, which is quite excellent lighting. However, it uses only 80 watts while providing a watt equivalent of 160 watts when compared to a fluorescent bulb. This results in ample lighting while also keeping your energy bill lower. Keep in mind this option is not dimmable and may be too bright for some people’s needs. Product Details: Watts: 80 watts | Brightness: 7,000 lumens | Color Temperature: 4,000 Kelvin Best Hanging Ensenior Linkable LED Shop Lights PHOTO: Amazon $50 $48 at Amazon Why You Should Get It With the option to mount to the ceiling or to suspend, these linkable lights provide 4,400 lumens of light. Keep in Mind The cord length is only 4 feet. Our pick for the best hanging garage lighting is Ensenior’s Four Pack Linkable LED Shop Light. The lights can be mounted directly to the ceiling or suspended from the ceiling for optimal lighting coverage. This lighting is also highly efficient, providing 4,400 lumens at only 36 watts. All of the lights can easily be linked together, and the equipment necessary to do so comes with the purchase which dramatically lowers the time required compared to an option that needs wiring. Other features that make these lights stand out for us include the quality. They are made from polycarbonate which is particularly strong and it comes in a thick tube for added durability. Additionally, these lights are specifically designed with heat dissipation in mind, and we appreciate that there is a five-year warranty for added protection. Keep in mind that these lights only have 4 feet of cords, so you may need an extension cord. Product Details: Watts: 36 Watts | Brightness: 4,400 lumens | Color Temperature: 5,000 Kelvin Best for Workspaces Omarsou Garage Lamp PHOTO: Amazon $40 $38 at Amazon Why You Should Get It The lengthy, 19.7-foot cord enables this option to be put wherever you need it in your workspace. Keep in Mind Because it isn’t overhead lighting, it will need to take up storage space when not in use. The Omarsou Garage Lamp is a highly versatile choice that is great for garages designated for working in. It’s the best option to place on your workstation or hang from a garage storage system for extra lighting. Using only 80 watts to provide 8,000 lumens, this lamp can provide an exceptional amount of light without using too much power. It can also be rotated 360 degrees left and right and 180 degrees up and down. With an IP65 waterproof level, it’s safe to use indoors and outdoors no matter the elements. We also love that it’s portable at just 5.66 pounds, and it has a long 19.7-foot power cord with a copper core cable that is highly durable. In addition to being able to put this on the ground, it also features a handle that you can use to hold or hang it. The aluminum case helps dissipate heat quickly for a longer lifespan of 60,000 hours. Unlike some other picks on this list, this option can’t be hung overhead. Since it will need to be stored between uses, you’ll need to make sure you have enough space. Product Details: Watts: 80 watts | Brightness: 8,000 lumens | Color Temperature: 6,500 Kelvin Best Battery Powered TooWell Motion Sensor LED Ceiling Light PHOTO: Amazon $27 at Amazon Why You Should Get It In addition to coming with mounting hardware, this option also has a motion sensor built in. Keep in Mind It’s not as bright as other options on our list, and the lifetime is shorter as well. If your garage doesn’t have any sort of electrical outfitting, your best bet is to purchase a battery-operated garage light. At only 7.5 inches wide, the Toowell Motion Sensor Light comes with mounting hardware that enables you to put it anywhere in your garage. This option also features a motion sensor that turns on when it senses movement up to 22 feet away, and it will automatically turn off when it doesn’t sense movement for 20 seconds. It operates using four D-cell batteries, which provide six months of lighting, and it can also use rechargeable D-cell batteries. Despite its small size, it covers up to 300 square feet with light. With this option, it only provides 400 lumens and it is a soft white color. As a result, it won’t provide as much lighting. If you’re looking to illuminate your entire garage, this may not be the best choice, but it’s an ideal choice to mount above a workstation. And since it is battery-operated, it’ll still work if your power goes out. Product Details: Watts: 3 watts | Brightness: 400 lumens | Color Temperature: 3,000 Kelvin Best LED Barrina LED T5 Integrated Light Fixture PHOTO: Amazon $60 $50 at Amazon $51 at Walmart View on Barrina-led.com Why You Should Get It It can be purchased in six or twelve packs, and up to eight of the lights can be linked together. Keep in Mind Some minimal assembly is required to affix these to your garage’s ceiling. Like other LED lighting, the Barrina LED Integrated Single Fixture is energy efficient. The light offers 2,200 lumens of output and just 20 watts of power consumption. These lights feature seamless connectors at their ends, so up to eight of them can be connected if you have a particularly large garage. If you want more space between each light, they can also be connected through the five included 20 inch connector cords. The lighting includes six 59-inch power cords, so it’s easy to plug them into a power source. The four individual lights each give off 6,500 Kelvin brightness, which is higher than some other option on this list. Just note that these lights will require a bit of installation. Fortunately, all of the hardware required for install is included. Product Details: Watts: 20 watts | Brightness: 2,200 lumens | Color Temperature: 6,500 Kelvin The Bottom Line Our pick for the best overall garage lighting is the Seobiog Two Pack Plug In Garage Lights for its ease of assembly. It can also be linked to other lighting and is adjustable. If you’re looking to save some money, the Meiqils LED Garage Light is an affordable pick that is designed to last and has an easy screw-in installation. What to Know About Garage Lighting Before Shopping Type Garage lighting comes in a variety of different styles of lighting sources. Fluorescent and incandescent lights are available, but LED lights are generally the most common for a few reasons. They last longer than the other two options and are far more energy efficient, which brings down costs. They are also available in a wide range of styles, which makes them versatile in being able to accommodate your specific space. For example, if you are looking for something that mimics office lighting, you can purchase strip LEDs like the Ensenior Four Pack Linkable LED Shop Light. Brightness and Temperature Accounting for your particular space and what you intend to do with it will be important for deciding on factors like lumens and temperature. Lumens describes the brightness of a light, while the Kelvin temperature describes the color of the lighting, with temperatures ranging from 2,000K to 3,000K being referred to as warm white, and anything from 3,100K to 4,500K being referred to as bright white. All of the products on our list fall within the bright white range, excluding the Toowell Motion Sensor Light, which falls under the warm white range. As mentioned above by Donnelly, bright white lights (lights with higher lumens and higher temperatures) are good for safety and utility. If your garage is not being used for work purposes, and you’re looking to light it for more recreational reasons, you may want to opt for something that is lower in temperature. However, keep in mind that more lumens will be required to light up larger spaces. Watts A watt is the SI unit of power. More simply put, it refers to the energy rate of transfer in an electricity-powered product. It is relevant because the wattage of an electrical product refers directly to how much energy it uses over time, with higher wattages using more energy than lower-wattage products. In the context of lighting, many fixtures have a limit to the wattage that they can handle safely. If you exceed this wattage, the outlet could be damaged and there is also a potential risk of fire. Fortunately, the wattage will usually be indicated on the electrical fixture so you can stay safely within the range. While a watt refers to the energy that is used, a lumen refers to how bright a light is, based on how much illumination it provides. Installation All garage lighting will require some element of assembly, but there is a bit of a spectrum in terms of just how much assembly will be required. A hardwired light is a more skill-oriented task that will potentially require an electrician to get involved. However, with this option, you can simply flip a switch to turn on the light rather than plugging and unplugging a cord. However, plug-in lighting does have its benefits. “They are portable. You can use the same lighting component for different areas. You can move it from room to room,” says Donnelly. Many, like the Hykolity Linkable LED Shop Light For Garage, come with easy installation instructions and the hardware necessary to get it done. Other options, like the Omarsou Garage Lamp, can be hung or held by the handle. Your Questions, Answered How much does garage lighting cost? Garage lighting can vary in cost depending on what exactly you need and the quality of the materials. On the lower end of the spectrum, you can expect to pay as low as $8, as seen with our best budget pick, the Meiqils LED Garage Light. On the other hand, you can pay as much as $139 for just a single light, as seen with our best splurge pick, the Prime Lights T8 Stingray 4XL. Most options will fall between these price points. Can I install garage lighting myself? Most garage lighting is designed to be simple to install, though you can use an expert if you prefer. If you have a drill, you will more than likely have all you need to hang your lights. However, for some options, like the STKR Trilight, you will simply need to turn it into a socket like a traditional lightbulb. What color temperature is best for a garage? When it comes to deciding on the best color temperature for your garage, consider what you’re using it for. Donnelly recommends bright white lighting for garages specifically for a few reasons. He tells us that these lights are ideal for safety and utility, as you’ll want as much brightness as possible when working on a DIY project. An option like the Seobiog Two Pack Plug In Garage Lights, our best overall pick, offers 6,000 lumens. What makes LEDs a good choice for garage lighting? When it comes to using LEDs, Donnelly says that they are a great choice for garage lighting for a few reasons. “They’re white-light bright, and are long-lasting and are inexpensive,” he says. Incandescent bulbs will last around 1,000 hours, while fluorescent bulbs will run up to 20,000 hours. Who We Are Jack Byram is a writer who covers all things home-related. For this article, he spoke with the CEO and president of Donnelly Construction, Rod Donnelly, to better understand garage lighting, the different kinds, and what to seek out. From there, he researched extensively to find the best options for a range of brightness and temperature needs. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit