How to Choose the Best LED Floodlights for Your Home or Business
Choosing the best LED Floodlights for your Home and Business
LED floodlights are a cost-effective alternative to traditional halogen bulbs and can be used in domestic and industrial environments. Different floodlights are suitable for different spaces and uses—within this guide you can quickly determine which floodlight is best suited to your specific needs and make an instant purchase.
Why choose an LED Floodlight?
- They are up to 90% more energy efficient than a halogen equivalent.
- They operate reliably in cold temperatures (normally down to -20°C).
- They are resistant to shock or vibration.
- Their long lifespan reduces maintenance, making them a good choice for difficult-to‑reach areas.
The Difference Between Domestic and Industrial Floodlights
Understanding what makes them different is the first step to deciding which domestic or industrial floodlight is right for you.
In general, domestic floodlights need to illuminate a relatively small area and are often used for decorative as well as security purposes. Using a floodlight that is too bright in a built-up area is likely to cause a disturbance to neighbours.
Industrial spaces are usually much larger and need more powerful floodlights to fully illuminate them. Industrial floodlights are used for practical purposes—to provide reliable security and also to ensure that employees can work safely out of daylight hours.
- Domestic floodlights range between 400lm and 3,000lm.
- Industrial floodlights range between 4,000lm and 24,000lm.
- 4000lm–5,000lm floodlights may also be suitable for larger domestic grounds (see multi-use floodlights).
Domestic floodlights are suitable for: | Industrial floodlights are suitable for: | Multi-use floodlights are suitable for: |
---|---|---|
Gardens | Car parks | Larger domestic grounds |
Patios | Garages | Smaller industrial areas |
Driveways | Public areas | |
Side passages / Snickets | Construction sites | |
Warehouses |
What to Look for in LED Floodlights
Lumens:
Used to measure a light’s brightness—the higher the lumen, the brighter the light. When choosing a floodlight, the larger the space, the more lumens you require.
PIR:
This stands for passive infrared receiver. It means that the floodlight is activated when motion is detected. AKA. Floodlight with Motion Sensor capabilities.
Beam angle:
The angle at which the light is distributed—the wider the angle, the more area is covered by light.
Colour temperature:
Measured in Kelvin (k) from ‘warm’ to ‘cool’—the higher the number of Kelvin, the cooler the light. If you are choosing floodlights to illuminate garden features, you may want to choose a warmer, more welcoming colour temperature with a low Kelvin rating, such as a warm white. A cooler white with a higher Kelvin rating provides a crisper light, ideal for practical or security purposes.
IP Rating:
For example, IP65 means that the floodlight is protected against water sprays from all angles. This makes the product perfect for outdoor use.
Floodlight | Lumens | Colour Temperature | Beam Angle | PIR? | Image | Shop |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Osram LEDVANCE 20W LED Floodlight (4000K, IP65, Black) | 2,200lm | 4000K (Cool White) | 100° | ✓ | BUY NOW | |
Link2Home Smart LED Floodlight with 1080p Camera | 2,000lm | 4000K (Cool White) | 120° | ✓ | BUY NOW | |
Osram LEDVANCE 20W LED Floodlight (3000K, IP65, White) | 2,000lm | 3000K (Warm White) | 100° | ✕ | BUY NOW | |
Bright Source 10W 6500K LED Floodlight | 900lm | 6500K (Daylight) | 120° | ✓ | BUY NOW | |
Bright Source 20W LED Floodlight (Multipack) | 2,000lm | 4000K (Cool White) | 120° | ✕ | BUY NOW |
Floodlight | Lumens | Colour Temperature | Beam Angle | PIR? | Image | Shop |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bright Source 300W LED Floodlight (6000K, IP65, PIR) | 30,000lm | 6000K (Daylight) | 120° | ✓ | BUY NOW | |
Osram LEDVANCE 135W LED Floodlight (4000K, IP65, Photocell) | 15,000lm | 4000K (Cool White) | 100° | ✓ | BUY NOW | |
Red Arrow 150W LED Floodlight (6000K, IP65) | 12,000lm | 6000K (Daylight) | 120° | ✕ | BUY NOW | |
Osram LEDVANCE 165W LED Floodlight (3000K, IP65, Black) | 15,000lm | 3000K (Warm White) | 100° | ✕ | BUY NOW | |
Bright Source 200W LED Floodlight (6000K, IP65, Microwave Sensor) | 30,000lm | 6000K (Daylight) | 120° | ✓ | BUY NOW |
Brand | Length of warranty | Life expectancy |
---|---|---|
Bright Source | 3 Years | 25,000 Hours |
Energizer | 1 Year | 25,000 Hours |
Osram LEDVANCE | 5 Years | 50,000 Hours |
Phillips | 3 Years | 35,000 Hours |
Red Arrow | 2 Years | 30,000 Hours |
Comparing traditional Halogen Floodlights with LED Floodlights
In the past, we measured the brightness of a bulb in watts (w). Now, however, the energy-saving nature of LED lighting means that calculating wattage does not give us sufficient information. For example:
- 10w LED floodlights are equivalent to 100w halogen floodlights with an increased lumen output of 900.
- 20w LED floodlights are equivalent to 200w halogen floodlights with an increased lumen output of 1,800.
- 30w LED floodlights are equivalent to 300w halogen floodlights with an increased lumen output of 2,700.
FAQ's
A: A 10w floodlight is equivalent to a 100w halogen floodlight.
A: A 30w LED floodlight is usually equal to a 300w halogen floodlight. Top-spec 30w LED floodlights such as Osram are 100 lumens per watt, but not all lower-spec 30w LED floodlights are as bright. Lights are measured in lumens, and higher lumens generally means a better LED.
A: In most cases a 50w LED floodlight is equivalent to a 400w halogen floodlight.
A: A good-quality 20w LED floodlight is equivalent to a 200w halogen floodlight.
A: 100 lumens per watt is a good measure. But these are ideal replacements for 400w–500w halogen floodlights.
A: Osram are one of the best brands on the market for outright value and quality.
A: Not always, but they generally offer similar light for around 80% less consumption.
A: Not always, it depends on the lights and fittings.