The Complete Guide to Choosing LED High Bay Lights
Kevin HernandezLighting large interiors—warehouses, factories, gymnasiums, and fulfillment centers—requires more than raw lumens. The right LED high bay balances light quality, energy savings, controllability, and durability so teams can work safely and efficiently. This guide walks you through the key decisions (height, optics, output, controls, and form factor), then points you to proven options in our CoreBay Linear High Bay and Halo X UFO High Bay families.
Planning a broader upgrade? See our Commercial Indoor Lighting overview, explore real-world applications, and check our nationwide coverage for fast ship and support.
At a Glance: What You’ll Decide
- Mounting height & foot-candles: How bright the task plane needs to be (e.g., 20–30 fc for warehouse aisles vs. 50+ fc for detailed work).
- Form factor: Linear for aisles and racking; UFO for open areas and gyms.
- Optics & distribution: Narrow for tall racking, wide for open floors.
- Output & efficacy: Right lumen package and lm/W to hit targets at the lowest operating cost.
- Controls: 0–10V dimming, occupancy/daylight sensors, zones by aisle or bay.
- Environment: Ambient temps, dust/moisture exposure, impact risks.
Right-Sizing Output & Foot-Candles
Start from the task: how much light (foot-candles at the work plane) do people need to do the job safely and accurately? Typical ranges:
- Bulk storage / general warehouse: ~20–30 fc
- Aisles with picking: ~30–40 fc
- Assembly / inspection: ~40–60+ fc
- Gym / recreation: ~30–50 fc (higher for competitive play)
Mounting height drives lumen selection: higher ceilings require more lumens and/or tighter optics to concentrate light where it’s needed. When in doubt, choose a Power-Select (wattage-selectable) fixture so you can fine-tune after installation rather than over- or under-lighting spaces.
UFO vs. Linear: Which Form Fits?
Linear High Bays (like CoreBay) align with racking. They throw light evenly down aisles, minimizing shadows between tall shelves. They also excel over long production lines and in gym courts where consistent, stripe-free coverage matters.
UFO High Bays (like Halo X) are compact, rugged, and versatile for open areas and variable layouts—receiving, staging, or multi-use spaces. Round optics can be tuned with lenses/reflectors to hit the floor evenly from higher mounting heights.
Optics & Light Distribution
Distribution shapes what people see. Narrow beams concentrate light into aisles; wide beams blanket open floor space. Look for clearly labeled optic options and photometrics (IES files) to validate uniformity before you buy. Both CoreBay and Halo X offer distribution choices so you can dial in coverage without oversizing wattage.
Color Quality & Visual Comfort
- CCT (color temperature): 4000K is a flexible “neutral” for most interiors; 5000K can feel crisper in tall industrial spaces. Selectable CCT lets you tune after install.
- CRI: A higher CRI improves visual clarity for reading labels, color coding, and inspection tasks.
- Glare control: Lenses, diffusers, and thoughtful optic design reduce eye strain and improve comfort.
Controls that Cut Costs
High bays should dim. Period. Pair 0–10V dimming with occupancy and daylight sensors so empty aisles and sun-lit zones roll back output automatically. Most facilities see double-digit energy reductions with sensible zoning—aisles, courts, and workcells controlled separately.
Environment, Durability & Ratings
Consider ambient temps, airborne dust, moisture, and impacts. Rugged housings, sealed optics, and quality drivers extend life in demanding spaces. If lifts or ball impact are common (gyms, shipping), choose housings and lenses that can take a hit.
High Bay Selection Cheat-Sheet (Mounting Height → Typical Lumens)
| Mounting Height | Target (fc) | Application | Typical Lumens* | Optics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15–20 ft | 20–30 | Light warehousing, gyms | 10,000–15,000 | Wide |
| 20–30 ft | 30–40 | Aisles, staging | 18,000–25,000 | Aisle/Narrow or Wide |
| 30–40 ft | 40–60+ | Inspection, competitive courts | 25,000–36,000+ | Narrow / High-bay |
*Approximate range; request IES-based layout for accuracy.
NCLTG High Bay Families — Technical Snapshot
| Series | Form Factor | Wattage / Power-Select | Lumen Packages | CCT Select | Optics / Use-Case | Controls | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoreBay | Linear (2 ft & 4 ft) | Selectable models | 2 ft: 15,393–21,097 lm 4 ft: 26,235–30,431 lm |
Selectable (4000K–5000K) | Aisle/Narrow or Wide beam | 0–10V; sensor ready | Warehouses, lines, courts |
| Halo X | UFO (round) | Selectable models | 100–240W: 15,000–36,000 lm | Selectable (4000K–5000K) | 90°/120° lenses | 0–10V; plug-in sensor option | Open bays, staging, gyms |
FAQs About High Bay Lighting
What are LED high bay lights used for?
LED high bay lights are designed for large, high-ceiling environments such as warehouses, factories, gymnasiums, and retail centers. They provide bright, efficient illumination that improves safety and visibility.
How do I determine how many high bay lights I need?
The number of fixtures depends on ceiling height, space dimensions, and desired brightness (foot-candles). Use NCLTG’s quick sizing chart or request an IES layout to calculate spacing and lumen output precisely.
Are UFO or linear high bays better?
Linear high bays are ideal for aisle and racking applications, while UFO high bays work best in open layouts or areas with variable use. Both types offer selectable wattage and color temperature for flexible performance.
Do LED high bays save energy?
Yes. Compared to traditional HID or fluorescent fixtures, LED high bays use up to 60% less energy and last significantly longer, lowering both electricity and maintenance costs.
Can high bay lights be dimmed or controlled automatically?
Most NCLTG high bays support 0–10V dimming and plug-in occupancy/daylight sensors, enabling smart energy management without additional control wiring.
From Spec Sheet to Savings: Your Next Three Steps
- Share basics: Tell us mounting height, total area, racking layout (aisle count/width/height), target foot-candles, and any controls preferences (occupancy/daylight).
- Request a layout: We’ll run an IES-based photometric to confirm lumen packages, optics, spacing, and sensor zones—before you buy—so you hit your lighting targets without overspending.
- Deploy with controls: Use 0–10V dimming plus occupancy/daylight sensors by aisle or zone to lock in measurable energy savings and extend fixture life from day one.
Ready to compare fixtures? Start with CoreBay Linear High Bay and Halo X UFO High Bay, then explore Commercial Indoor Lighting, our Applications library, and nationwide coverage for fast ship and project support.
