UFO vs Linear High Bay Lights: How to Choose the Right Fixture for Your Facility
Written by Dwayne KulaLast Updated Feb 5, 2026
Published on Dec 20, 2025
Electricians and facility managers typically choose between UFO high bays and linear high bays for one reason: they solve different problems. UFO fixtures are built for height, durability, and controlled beam performance. Linear fixtures are built for uniformity, visual comfort, and aisle/rectangular layouts.
This guide is organized into three sections: Commercial, Industrial, and Sports & Recreation. We have included a comprehensive, application-based selection table for each.
How to Use These Tables
- The Recommended Fixture indicates what typically works best in real-world installations.
- Both mean that the best results often come from mixing fixtures by zone (open areas, aisles, and task areas).
- If you have competing needs (height + aisles + harsh environment), start with a photometric lighting plan to eliminate guesswork.
Rule of thumb: If the space is tall, harsh, or impact-prone, UFO wins. If the space is rectangular, aisle-based, or task-precision, linear wins. Many facilities use both.
Commercial Applications
Commercial high bay environments often prioritize uniformity, comfort, and clean aesthetics, while still needing industrial-grade performance in back-of-house areas. Here is where you would use LED UFO high bay lights or LED linear high bay lights, based on the application.
| Commercial Application | Typical Mounting Height | Recommended Fixture | Why This Works Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Box Retail / Warehouse Clubs | 18-35 ft | Both | Linear provides a cleaner appearance and broad uniformity; UFOs can be used in high ceilings or open zones where punch is needed |
| Cash-and-Carry / Wholesale Stores | 18-30 ft | Linear | Linear high bays provide even lighting and improve customer visibility, while reducing glare across wide aisles |
| Convention Centers / Exhibit Halls | 30-60 ft | Both | UFO High Bays provide high lumen output from tall mounting heights. Linear High Bays help improve uniformity across wide floor layouts when ceiling heights are under 40 ft |
| Public Areas) | 25-60 ft | Both | UFO for height/throw; linear for wide uniform wash in concourses and large rectangular spans |
| Back-of-House Retail Storage | 18-30 ft | UFO | Durability and strong downward output for pallet movement areas and impacts |
| Healthcare Central Supply / Logistics Areas | 18-30 ft | Linear | Uniformity and visual comfort for high-frequency picking/packing tasks |
| Higher Education Field Houses (Non-Competition) | 25-50 ft | UFO | Higher impact tolerance, better performance at height, tighter beams where needed |
| Parking Garages (Covered / Indoors) | 10-18 ft | LED canopy lights | Most garages use canopy/parking fixtures; use high bays only in unusually tall indoor structures |
| Indoor Fulfillment Pick Modules (E-commerce) | 20-40 ft | Both | Linears over pick lanes and conveyors; UFOs for open bulk storage and high mounting zones |
Industrial Applications
Industrial facilities often demand durability, sealing, vibration tolerance, and beam control. This is where UFO high bays frequently dominate, especially above 25 to 30 feet or in harsh conditions.
| Industrial Application | Typical Mounting Height | Recommended Fixture | Why This Works Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouses (Open Bulk Storage) | 25-45 ft | UFO | High mounting heights need strong delivered light; rugged construction handles impacts and vibration |
| Warehouse Aisles / High-Rack Racking | 20-40 ft | Both | Linear improves distribution down aisles; UFOs can support end-caps and open zones |
| Distribution Centers / Cross-Dock Facilities | 25-45 ft | Both | UFO in open staging; linear above conveyors, pick lanes, and long rectangular work runs |
| Manufacturing Floors (General) | 20-35 ft | Both | Durability + beam control; use linear in task lanes where uniformity matters most |
| Precision Assembly Lines | 15-25 ft | Linear | Uniform light improves visibility, reduces glare, and supports higher foot-candle targets evenly |
| Quality Control / Inspection Stations | 15-25 ft | Linear | Better uniformity and visual comfort; supports higher CRI options when needed |
| Machine Shops / Metalworking | 18-30 ft | UFO | Sealed optics and rugged housings handle oil mist, vibration, and debris better |
| Fabrication / Welding Areas | 20-35 ft | UFO | Harsh environment needs durability; UFO housing and sealing typically outperform linear in heavy-duty zones |
| Aerospace / Aircraft Hangars (General Service) | 40-100 ft | UFO | Long throw distance and high lumen packages are required to reach working surfaces from extreme heights |
| Aircraft Maintenance & Inspection Bays | 30-70 ft | Both | UFO provides base illumination at height; linear can support uniform task lighting over defined work zones |
| Water Treatment Plants (Indoor Processing Areas) | 18-40 ft | UFO | Humidity and corrosion risk favor sealed fixtures; UFO designs commonly offer stronger IP protection |
| Wastewater Treatment (Indoor Wet Zones) | 18-35 ft | UFO | Moisture + chemical exposure demands sealing; UFO tends to be more robust for wet industrial spaces |
| Power Plants (Turbine / Generator Buildings) | 25-80 ft | Both | High mounting heights and vibration: UFO is the default; linear can supplement specific task areas. Consider High Temperature fixtures in this area. |
| Nuclear Facilities (Indoor Industrial Areas) | 20-60 ft | Both (project-specific) | Selection is driven by facility standards, maintenance access, and lighting plan requirements; often mixed by zone. If the area has high ambient temperatures, consider using high temperature lighting |
| Cold Storage Warehouses | 20-45 ft | UFO | Cold-rated drivers and sealed designs perform better; UFO commonly offers better protection against moisture and temperature swings |
| Food Processing (Non-Washdown Areas) | 18-35 ft | Both | Linear for uniform work zones; UFO where sealing and durability matter – washdown zones often need specialized fixtures |
| Loading Docks (Indoor Bays) | 18-30 ft | UFO | High activity and impacts; UFO provides strong vertical punch and durability at dock doors |
| Maintenance Shops | 18-30 ft | Linear | Uniformity reduces shadows around equipment; improves comfort for detailed work |
| Data Centers / Large Electrical Rooms | 18-35 ft | Both | Uniform lighting improves visibility in aisles and rows; UFO can support higher mounting in open utility spaces |
| High Temperature Industrial Areas | 20-60 ft | Neither (use high-temp fixtures) | If ambient temperature exceeds standard ratings, use LED high temperature lights designed for the environment |
| Hazardous (Classified) Indoor Areas | 20-60 ft | Neither (use hazardous-rated fixtures) | Use LED explosion proof lighting when classified hazards exist; standard high bays are not appropriate |
Sports & Recreation Applications
Sports facilities prioritize impact resistance, glare control, and safe uniformity. Many gyms and arenas favor UFO fixtures due to durability and higher IK ratings, while linear fixtures can work well in controlled, low-impact recreation environments.
| Sports & Recreation Application | Typical Mounting Height | Recommended Fixture | Why This Works Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Gymnasiums (K-12) | 25-40 ft | UFO | Ball-strike risk favors higher impact ratings; UFO is typically more rugged and easier to aim with optics |
| College / Field House Courts | 30-60 ft | Both | Higher ceilings require throw; use linear only where uniform task zones exist and impact risk is controlled |
| Indoor Sports Domes / Inflatable Structures | 30-80 ft | UFO | High mounting and wide open spans require strong lumen packages and beam control; UFO performs better at height |
| Indoor Riding Arenas | 20-45 ft | UFO | Dust, vibration, and occasional impacts favor sealed, rugged UFO designs with strong downward light |
| Recreation Centers / Multi-Purpose Courts | 18-30 ft | Both | UFO where impact risk is highest; linear where uniformity and comfort are the primary goals |
| Fitness Centers (High Ceiling Areas) | 16-28 ft | Linear | Comfort and uniformity matter most; linear minimizes harsh hot spots in lower mounting heights |
| Indoor Training Facilities (Turf Fields) | 30-70 ft | UFO | Higher ceilings demand throw distance; UFO supports optics and higher lumen packages |
| Ice Rinks (Indoor) | 25-60 ft | Both | UFO for height and cold; linear can help uniformity over seating or perimeter zones, depending on layout |
| Climbing Gyms / High Wall Zones | 18-35 ft | Both | UFO for open vertical throw; linear for broad uniform coverage in workout areas |
Need Help Choosing UFO vs Linear?
If you want a guaranteed answer for your exact facility (and not a guess), request a free photometric lighting plan. We’ll confirm fixture type, beam angle, lumen package, spacing, and target foot-candles before you buy.
About The Author
Dwayne Kula is President / Founder of LED Lighting Supply. On any given day, Dwayne is writing content for the site and helps manage the on-going inbound marketing initiatives. He has a software engineering degree and still writes and maintains the software used in the company. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, working out, playing golf and traveling.
