7 Best Lighting Ideas for Your Garage or Shop (w/ Lighting Calculator)

One of the most common homeowner issues is a garage that doesn’t have enough light. Whether you use your garage for storage, doing basic car maintenance, or running a woodworking or auto detailing business, having adequate lighting makes a HUGE difference.

No matter if you’re building a home or shop or just want to improve your current lighting situation, it’s worth it to put some thought into it, else you’ll end up regretting your purchase.

Let’s look at the best lighting options currently available for your garage or shop.

TIP: Not sure how many lumens (the measure of total light output) you’ll need? Use our Lighting Calculator.

Our Favorite Shop and Garage Lighting Options

	Product	Size	Qty	Lumens	Color Temp
	Hykolity ‎HB-Q10-50	4 ft	4	4,400	5000K
	Hykolity ‎HBSP-ZC120W-50K	4 ft	4	13,000	5000K
	Barrina BAX72	8 ft	10	10,000	5000K
	Aortic GR-6	2 ft	2	18,000	6500K
	Commercial Electric	4 ft	1	7,000	4000K
	Barrina INWT504020650Bc	4 ft	6	2,200	6500K
	Metalux	4 ft	1	10,000	4000K

Garage Lighting Reviews

#1 – Hykolity HB-Q10-50 4FT LED Shop Light 4 Pack

This four-pack of LED lights is perfect for most single car garages or workspaces. Each 4-foot LED light is capable of illuminating a 7×7 foot space when mounted to an 8-10 foot ceiling. It’s efficient enough to put out 4400 lumens of light using only 42 Watts, and up to six can be daisy-chained together (and that’s probably being conservative).

Depending on your ceiling, these lights may be mounted either flush or suspended and have the option to be wired using either a 59-inch power cord with inline switch or the included input cable. If you have some DIY ability, these lights can easily be hardwired to an existing light switch.

An end-to-end connector allows units to be linked together. Best of all, these ETL-certified fixtures have heat dissipation holes at both ends, allowing for up to 50,000 hours of use.

Craftsmanship is a curious thing with these lights. Straight out of the box, they’re flimsy with no internal supports (like most LED shop lights). Then you get them installed and find they’re able to take a couple knocks and hold their shape well once the LEDs are in.

This curious dilemma becomes a quick afterthought once installed and you turn the lights on for the first time. If linked together, you only need to flip the switch on the first unit to turn off the entire chain. Alternatively, you can use the switches on each subsequent unit to raise or lower the room’s overall brightness.

Just be warned, the outlets on each fixture are designed solely for connecting lights and plugging anything else in will damage the fixture.

>> Check current price <<

#2 – Hykolity HBSP-ZC120W-50K (4-pack)

Need something brighter? Another top-selling product from Hykolity, this 4-piece set of shop lights will make a huge difference in light output, especially when you do a bit more than just store stuff in your garage.

The 13,000 lumen output in each 4-foot light is equivalent to 400w of fluorescent bulb output and it also has a color temperature of 5,000 Kelvin (commonly known as “daylight white light”). Unlike fluorescents, these lights come on immediately (even in winter) and are less prone to flickering.

Each of the four lamps has a built-in outlet, allowing you to chain the lights together and run all off of a single pull string (or light switch if hardwired). Though it is a bit strange that the manufacturer states that 3 units may be linked together yet sell this product as a 4-pack. However, many users have connected all 4 together on a standard electrical circuit without issue.

This is one of the most popular lights out there for home and even commercial use. Its ability to be mounted directly to your garage ceiling or suspended give more options to match ceiling height concerns. Many users have strategically placed them over specific areas such as their workbench, lathe, or where a vehicle is being worked on.

Last (but certainly not least), the housings are made of lightweight but durable composite aluminum for a long-lasting lighting solution and are backed by a 5-year warranty.

Despite being one of the most popular shop lights on the market, there seems to have been a few issues with bulbs burning out after only a few months. These complaints are pretty rare, and there’s some suggestion that it could be a wiring defect but the manufacturer is usually quick to resolve.

>> Check current price <<

#3 – Barrina BAX72 8-Foot LED Shop Light

Have a large garage or shop to illuminate? This is your answer. Each 8-foot long fixture (there are ten of them) produces 10,000 lumens of super bright light. As with all linkable LED light fixtures and even LED Christmas lights, the manufacturer is very conservative about how many you can “link” together (four in this case).

But due to how energy efficient LED lighting, the actual number you can connect is typically far greater. Consult with an electrician to see what you can and can’t safely do.

This Barrina design is second-generation with improvements to the connectors to prevent incidents of plugging the wrong things into the unit. And being a 10-pack, you’ll likely have more than you need for your garage or workshop. The actual price per fixture is far lower than most others, so for lighting up large areas, these are hard to beat.

For better spread, the 280-degree V-shaped design features two rows of LED chips. The housing itself is made of heat dissipating aluminum to keep the fixture cool and extend its lifetime. 

Quick and easy to install, you’re sure to get plenty of light from each fixture. However, the clear cover leaves the LED chips highly visible, which you might consider a bit of an eyesore and the light itself is “harder” when compared to fixtures with a semi opaque cover that diffuses the light.

Also, be warned that the pack only contains five power cords with an on/off switch, so if you’re not hardwiring or interlinking some, you will need to contact the manufacturer for more or go the DIY route.

>> Check current price <<

#4 – Aortic (GR-6) 6-in-One LED Shop Light (2-Pack)

These lights may look odd, but their unusual shape is also their advantage. Six adjustable light panels around the central light may be positioned up to 90 degrees to spread or focus light where needed. Installation is easy, as the unit is designed to simply screw into a standard E26/E27 socket.

Since LED lights are so efficient, a mere 45-50 watts is used for this fixture to produce an incredible 18,000 lumens in a 6500K color temp (very bright white).

A high quality aluminum heatsink and hollow-out design in each panel allow for superior heat dissipation. This results in an 85 percent savings over traditional lamps and a lifespan of over 50,000 hours for even more cost savings.

There’s a lot of controversy regarding just how bright these lights are, but this may come down to the mere fact that the same light is being placed in rooms of all different shapes and sizes, from basements to garages to barns.

This two-pack should be perfect for a 20x15x10 garage or small workshop, but anything larger (or with a taller ceiling) may require one or more additional units to provide adequate lighting.

>> Check current price <<

#5 – Commercial Electric SHOP/4X4/840/HD 4-Foot LED Shop Light

This heavy-duty shop light provides 7,000 lumens using 80 Watts of power. It comes with everything needed for installation including a 5-foot plug-in cord and 36-inch pull chain extension. The unit has a linking outlet on one end to allow up to four units to be connected together.

The polycarbonate housing is resistant to both rust and denting. Its LED is integrated, giving the fixture up to 50,000 hours of usage with no humming and the ability to function in temperatures as low as -10 degrees.

When you want a bright, lightweight, no fuss light, this is a great choice. The price is a little high, especially when there’s no way to change the bulb when it dies (as is the case with most LEDs).

However, the easy installation, long lifespan, and high efficiency more than make up for this cost during its lifetime if you don’t mind having to throw the whole fixture out once that LED goes.

>> Check current price <<

#6 – Barrina INWT504020650Bc (6-pack)

If you’ve been a long-time reader, then you’ll know how much we love this four-foot light. It puts out a wonderfully bright 2,200 lumens with a color temperature rating of 6500K (AKA “super bright white) while requiring up to 65 percent less energy than an equivalent fluorescent light.

Unlike most lighting fixtures, these are amazingly easy to install on your garage ceiling, above your workbench, basement, storage area, under desk hoods, and in a variety of other spaces, thanks to a plug-and-play design.

These lights also have the ability to be connected seamlessly or via connector cords to allow for a range of chain lighting options, and the lights include built-in power switches. But perhaps the best feature isn’t the light weight or brightness, it’s the price.

For the cost of a family dinner at a good restaurant, you can bring home a six-pack of these wonders. We’re willing to bet you’ll be using every one of them throughout your home, too! Because of their low profile, you can even install on your basement ceiling where recessed lights are not an option.

The plug-and-play feature is a real time-saver, as the lights weigh very little and use simple mounting brackets (so no stud hunting!). Barrina is very good about the quality of their products and will immediately replace a bracket if you damage it during installation.

There’s no flicker or excess heat output as is common in many other lights (including some LEDs), making them epilepsy-safe and great for photographing your projects.

Some consumers have had RFI (radio frequency interference) issues, although this is not a widely reported issue and may be restricted to affecting specific devices. While plenty bright, if your garage or shop ceiling is higher than the norm, you may want to go with a different light with a higher lumen output.

>> Check current price <<

#7 – Metalux 4SHP10040R 10K SHP 46-Inch White Shop Light

When you want bright, no-nonsense lighting, it’s hard to beat Metalux, available at Home Depot. It comes fully assembled with a 5-foot power cord and pull cord. Using only 85 Watts to produce 10,000 lumens of light, the fixture is meant to replace traditional 128-Watt fluorescent lamps.

Its frosted polycarbonate lens ensures even light distribution while the metal frame and high-impact plastic endcaps protect the unit from damage. A built-in outlet allows linking up to four fixtures together. Suitable for ceilings as high as 15-feet, the 10K SHP will last up to 50,000 hours and comes with a standard 5-year warranty.

The only thing to be wary of is that this fixture produces directional light, focusing downward. The diffusive surface helps to spread this light a little, but you won’t get a lot of horizontal light that isn’t reflected off of illuminated surfaces.

>> Check current price <<

FAQs

There are quite a few factors that go into picking an ideal set of lights for your garage or workshop. You’ll encounter all sorts of stats (such as lumens and color temperature ratings), as well as a wide range of types and sizes.

Here are a few common sticking points that will help you pick the best garage lighting for your needs.

How Many Lumens Per Square Foot Do I Need?

The amount of lumens needed per square foot in a garage varies significantly based on how you plan to use the space.

• For basic storage and parking, 50 lumens per square foot is typically sufficient.
• A basic workshop space requires around 75 lumens per square foot for comfortable working conditions.
• Professional workshop use calls for 100 lumens per square foot to ensure adequate lighting for detailed work.
• For specialized tasks like professional automotive work or paint finishing, up to 125 lumens per square foot may be needed.

As an example, a 20 x 30 basic workshop (600 square feet) with standard 8-foot ceilings would require about 45,000 lumens. However, ceiling height significantly affects lighting needs – higher ceilings require more lumens to maintain the same light level at floor level.

Use our calculator below to determine the specific lighting requirements for your garage based on its dimensions and intended use.

Related: Standard Garage Sizes (1, 2, and 3+ car garages)

Garage Lighting Calculator

LED vs Fluorescent – There’s a Clear Winner

While fluorescent lighting was once common in garages and workshops, LED technology has become the standard choice. Many states have begun phasing out fluorescent bulbs due to environmental concerns and energy efficiency requirements. In fact, as of 2024, the sale of most fluorescent bulbs has been banned in several states.

LEDs offer numerous advantages that make them ideal for garage lighting:

• Energy efficiency: Using up to 75% less energy than traditional lighting
• Long lifespan: Typically lasting 25,000 to 50,000 hours
• Durability: Resistant to vibration and temperature changes
• Instant-on capability: No warm-up time needed
• Safety: Running cool to the touch, even after extended use
• Environmental benefits: Mercury-free and recyclable
• Cost savings: Lower energy bills and less frequent replacement needs

Modern LED shop lights also offer features like adjustable color temperatures and dimming capabilities, allowing you to customize your lighting for different tasks. When choosing LED lights for your garage, look for ones with a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) rating for the most accurate color representation of your work.

Related: Light Bulb Socket Sizes

What Color Temperature (Kelvin) is Best for a Garage or Shop?

Color temperature is an important consideration when choosing lighting. This measurement doesn’t reflect the bulb’s own temperature but instead affects the tint and types of light waves the bulb puts out.

As a general rule, you’ll want a range of 4000K to 7000K. Personally, I prefer a 5000K (or even 6000K) color temp in the garage even though the rest of my house uses 4000K bulbs.

Warmer light is preferred by most in living areas but you want to go to more of a cooler white where visibility is prioritized over comfort (like your garage).

Life Hack: How to Easily Convert a Pull Cord to a Wall Switch

We would be amiss if we didn’t address a common complaint regarding the use of pull cords in a crowded workshop. Sometimes it’s more a matter of accessibility than cord length (which is easy to add on to). Luckily, it only takes a minute and a few dollars to remedy this problem.

There are quite a few light socket adapters out there on the market (here’s a good one), with prices rarely exceeding $10. These can convert your existing garage light socket into one or more power outlets (with or without grounding).

Simply screw the adapter into your old light socket, plug in your new shop light, and pull the cord to turn it on. That’s it! Now your light can be turned on and off from the wall switch.