High Bays vs Low Bays: How to Choose the Best Option

Before we discuss the differences between LED high bays and low bays, it is essential to understand bay lighting. Bay lights are light fixtures used to illuminate relatively large areas. They are most often mounted on ceilings 12+ feet high and produce over 8,000 lumens. Bay lighting is available in two distinct styles, each with a drastically different application. You’ll most often hear these commercial lights and industrial lights referred to by two different styles, otherwise known as high bay lighting and low bay lighting. These two have many differences, which we’ll go over in detail later.

But for now, just know that high bays are typically found on ceilings over 20 feet, and low bays are most commonly used for ceilings between 12 to 20 feet. Within these two categories, you’ll find several different variations of both styles, each suited to a different purpose. These high-powered lights are widely used in commercial and industrial facilities across the country. But choosing which one is right for your facility can be tricky, especially when they appear so similar on the surface. Here, we’ll break down the key differences between the two, their numerous variations, and provide suggestions for various applications.

Bay lights come in many shapes and sizes, but the most popular versions are circular UFO lights and rectangular (or square) shaped linear high bays. Both low bays and high bay light fixtures are energy-efficient. Their energy consumption, compared to traditional lighting solutions like fluorescent lights and metal halide lights, is significantly lower. Their energy efficiency will dramatically lower your energy bills by 50% or more.

High Bay Lights Basics

Because these lights are so similar, in this case, it’s more helpful to discuss them in terms of where they can commonly be found. A High Bay is a tall vertical ceiling space with a vast open area beneath it. Any light designed to be installed and illuminate this area is a “High Bay Fixture”. These are powerful lights, and wide beam angles make them perfect for illuminating high bay areas and providing uniform light distribution.

As far as the actual installation goes, the spacing of high bays must be equal to their mounting height. What this means is that at a 25-foot height, the light fixtures should be spaced 25 feet apart. Even so, a photometric study is an ideal way to determine the best layout for your space.

Low Bay Lights Basics

Now that you’re familiar with what high bays are, it’s time to look at their counterparts, low bay lighting. A low bay is a space where the ceiling is between 12 and 20 feet high. Typically, LED low bay lights used for short ceiling areas are between 10,000 and 20,000 lumens. Since they are mounted so much closer to the ground than high bays, they do not require a powerful LED light to properly illuminate the space. A low bay light fixture is designed to provide proper lighting in these spaces.

• If you were to use a light with higher lumens, you’d likely find that the light would be much too bright in that space.
• High bay and low bay lights look virtually identical when you look at them side by side. However, their applications are quite different. Height of installation, mounting, and beam angle are some of the key differences between high bay and low bay lighting.