Why You Should Choose an LED UFO Light

By far, we recommend UFO High Bay Lights for many commercial, industrial, and sports indoor applications. Here are some of the reasons why we recommend UFOs and why they are extremely popular for indoor applications:

• Design: Compact circular profile with concentrated downward light distribution
• Best Applications: Metal halide replacements, open warehouses, manufacturing floors, gymnasiums, aircraft hangars
• Power Range: 60 to 600 Watts producing up to 96,000 lumens
• Light Pattern: Optic options are ideal for low and high-ceiling applications, allowing for the optimal lighting distribution.
• Durability: IP65-IP69K waterproof ratings with IK08-IK10 impact resistance

How to Choose the Right UFO High Bay LED Light

Selecting the perfect UFO high bay LED light requires understanding three critical performance factors: your space dimensions, lighting requirements, and environmental conditions.
Based on 17+ years of commercial and industrial lighting experience, here are our thoughts about what you need to know before you select a UFO fixture

UFO High Bay Specifications by Ceiling Height

• 10-15 Foot Ceiling Heights: These are considered low bay heights, and the best approach is to use a light up to 100 Watts, producing no more than 15,000 lumens. A very wide beam angle works best as you want to distribute the light over a very large area. Consider 120° beam angles or more. We also recommend surface-mount canopy lights for this area. They provide a very large and wide light distribution which makes them perfect for these applications.
• 15-25 Foot Ceiling Heights: Our commercial projects consistently achieve best results with 100-200W UFO fixtures producing 15,000-25,000 lumens, spaced 15-20 feet apart with 120° beam angles.
• 25-35 Foot Ceiling Heights: For medium-height industrial spaces, we recommend 200-300W UFO lights delivering 25,000-48,000 lumens with 90-120° beam angles and 20-25 foot spacing.
• 35+ Foot Ceiling Heights: High-ceiling warehouses and hangars require our most powerful 300-600W UFO fixtures producing 48,000-96,000 lumens with focused 60-90° beam angles, spaced 25-35 feet apart.

Power Requirements & Voltage Compatibility

Our UFO high bay LEDs feature automatic voltage detection across two ranges:

• Standard Commercial: 100-277V with automatic driver adjustment
• Industrial High Voltage: 277-480V for single-phase and three-phase applications

Advanced UFO Adjustments

• Wattage Adjustable Models: Wattage toggle switches provide field-adjustable power settings, optimize energy usage, and light output for specific applications.
• Color Temperature Adjustable: Color temperature toggle switch (3000K/4000K/5000K) for flexibility during and after installation
• Beam Angle Adjustable: Rotating lens systems provide 60°/90°/120° field adjustment

Here is what we recommend when trying to select the best color temperature for your needs:

• 3000K Warm White: Retail environments, customer-facing areas.
• 4000K Neutral White: General commercial applications and mixed-use facilities. A great replacement for fluorescent lighting.
• 5000K Bright White: Industrial facilities, warehouses, and high-precision work environments. A great replacement for metal halide lighting.

Sensor Integration Options

• PIR Motion Sensors: Reliable detection for general applications with standard environmental conditions.
• Microwave Motion Sensors: Advanced technology unaffected by dust, temperature variations, or air movement - ideal for industrial environments

Mounting & Installation Flexibility

• Mounting Options: Eye hook, pendant, surface mount, and chain/cable suspension systems.
• Installation Advantage: Direct replacement for existing metal halide fixtures using identical mounting hardware.

Certifications & Warranty Protection

• Safety Certified: UL/ETL listing for electrical safety compliance
• Energy Qualified: DLC certification enables utility rebate eligibility
• Environmental Protection: IP65-IP69K ratings for moisture resistance, IK impact ratings for durability
• Comprehensive Warranty Coverage: All UFO high bay fixtures include a minimum 5-year manufacturer warranty with direct warranty claim processing through LED Lighting Supply.

Why UFO LED Outperforms Metal Halide, HPS, and Fluorescent Lighting

• Proven Energy Performance: Our UFO LED conversions deliver 50-80% energy reduction compared to metal halide fixtures. When UFOs are equipped with motion sensors, total energy savings reach up to 90%.
• Lifespan: 50,000-100,000+ hours (12+ years of continuous operation)
• Instant Performance: 100% light output immediately with zero warm-up time. That is why they work well with motion sensors
• Consistent Light Quality: Flicker-free operation, 70+ CRI, and no ballast hum.
• Thermal Management: Reduced heat output lowers HVAC loads.
• Environmental Durability: Available with IP65-IP69K for wet locations and IK08-IK10 impact ratings.

Advanced Control Integration

• Motion Sensor Ready: PIR and microwave sensor compatibility for automatic lighting control
• Dimming Capability: 0-10V and 1-10V dimming for task-specific lighting levels
• Emergency Backup: External EMB systems provide up to 90 minutes of emergency illumination

How Much Will You Save? UFO LED ROI Analysis & Energy Savings

Upgrading to UFO LED High Bay Lights offers significant long-term cost savings and performance improvements. Here's a breakdown comparing UFO LEDs to traditional metal halide fixtures in real-world conditions.

UFO LED ROI Analysis & Energy Savings

150W LED vs 400W Metal Halide Replacement (with ballast)

Based on 12 hours/day, 365 days/year at $0.13/kWh

Metal Halide (460W)

Annual: $261.92 | 5-Year Cost: $1309.62 | 5-Year Savings: –

LED UFO Fixture (150W)

Annual: $85.41 | 5-Year Cost: $427.05 | 5-Year Savings: $17651.40

Single Fixture Annual Savings: $176.51 | 20 Fixture Annual Savings: $3530 | ROI Timeline: Under 8 months

Energy Reduction: 67% | 5-Year ROI: 16094% | Lamp Life: 50,000+ (LED) vs 15,000 (MH)

300W LED vs 1000W Metal Halide Replacement (with ballast)

Based on 12 hours/day, 365 days/year at $0.13/kWh

Metal Halide (1150W)

Annual: $654.81 | 5-Year Cost: $3274.05 | 5-Year Savings: –

LED UFO Fixture (300W)

Annual: $170.82 | 5-Year Cost: $854.10 | 5-Year Savings: $48399.00

Single Fixture Annual Savings: $483.99 | 20 Fixture Annual Savings: $9680 | ROI Timeline: Under 10 months

Energy Reduction: 74% | 5-Year ROI: 12471% | Lamp Life: 50,000+ (LED) vs 15,000 (MH)

Want to run your savings numbers? Click here to run our LED Savings Calculator

Common UFO High Bay Applications & Performance Data

Warehouses & Distribution Centers

Challenge: Consistent illumination across variable ceiling heights and storage configurations

Solution: 150-400W UFO fixtures with adjustable beam angles and motion sensors ensure optimal visibility

Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities

Challenge: Durable lighting for harsh environments with dust, moisture, and vibration

Solution: IP65+ rated UFO lights with IK10 impact resistance maintain performance in demanding conditions

Aircraft Hangars

Challenge: High-ceiling spaces requiring concentrated, powerful illumination for aircraft maintenance

Solution: 300W to 600W UFO fixtures with focused beam patterns deliver superior light brightness and coverage

Gymnasiums & Sports Facilities

Challenge: Even light distribution without glare for athletic activities and spectators

Solution: UFO fixtures with appropriate beam angles help eliminate shadows and hot spots

Indoor Horse Arenas

Challenge: Even light distribution without glare and shadows for horses and riders.

Solution: Lighting plans ensure bright lighting and balanced distribution across the arena floor.

Need Help? Talk to our LED UFO High Bay Product Specialists!

With so many options and fixtures available, it's hard to decide which option will meet your needs and requirements. The product specialists of LED Lighting Supply are experts in UFO High Bay Lighting. Use our experience and tell us your needs, and we will provide you with the best LED UFO High Bay lighting options for your project or application. We can provide you with a free lighting plan to make sure the area is well-lit and the lighting is balanced.

LED UFO High Bays FAQ

What Are UFO LED Lights?

UFO LED lights are round, disc-shaped high bay fixtures named after their UFO-like appearance. These fixtures feature IP65 rated housings with impact-resistant aluminum construction, making them ideal one-for-one replacements for metal halide high bays. Available in wattages from 100W to 600W with UL and DLC Premium certifications, they deliver superior performance in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and industrial spaces.

How Many UFO High Bay Light Fixtures Do You Need?

Fixture count depends on your required foot-candle levels and ceiling height. A 40,000 square foot warehouse typically needs 80-120 fixtures at 25-foot mounting heights for 30 foot-candles. Our lighting software models your exact space dimensions, accounting for 60 to 120 degree optics to determine optimal fixture placement.

A Product Specialist at LED Lighting Supply can engineer a free custom lighting plan ahead of purchase to meet the needs of your project.

What Benefits Should I Expect if I Convert to Using a UFO High Bay Light?

Expect 60-70% energy savings compared to metal halide fixtures with significantly reduced HVAC loads due to lower heat output. These fixtures provide 50,000+ hour lifespans with zero maintenance—no bulb or ballast replacements for 15+ years of operation. The instant-on capability and flicker-free performance improve workplace safety and productivity. LED Lights offer enhanced energy efficiency benefits when paired with commercial ceiling fans.

How Do I Select Which UFO High Bay Lights To Use?

Start by determining your target foot-candles and mounting height requirements. Specify 100-277V or 277-480V input voltage, mounting type (hook, pendant, or surface), and whether you need integrated motion sensors or photocells. Choose your color temperature (4000K or 5000K) and determine if 0-10V dimming capability is required for your application.

How Many LED UFO Lumens to Replace Metal Halide and HID High Bays?

• 250W Metal Halide: 60-100W UFO (12,000-18,000 lumens)
• 400W Metal Halide: 150-200W UFO (18,000-24,000 lumens)
• 1000W Metal Halide: 300-400W UFO (40,000-60,000 lumens)

Actual requirements vary based on mounting height and desired foot-candle levels in your specific application.

How High Should You Hang UFO Lights?

UFO high bays are designed for mounting heights of 20-60 feet. Lower wattage units (100-150W) work well at 15-25 foot heights, while high-output fixtures up to 600W and 96,000 lumens handle ceiling heights up to 60 feet. Wattage-selectable models allow field adjustment from 100W to full power for installation flexibility.

What Types of Controls are Commonly Used on UFO High Bays?

Integrated motion sensors with adjustable time delays and sensitivity levels are the most popular control option. These sensors maintain 10-20% output during vacancy and ramp to full brightness upon motion detection. Photocell integration and 0-10V dimming compatibility allow for comprehensive lighting control in daylight harvesting applications.

What are Wattage Adjustable and Color Adjustable UFO LED Lights?

These fixtures feature onboard DIP switches that allow field selection of multiple wattage levels and color temperatures without rewiring. Typical wattage options include 100W, 150W, 200W settings, while color selection offers 3000K, 4000K, and 5000K options. This eliminates ordering errors and provides installation flexibility across different applications.

Are there Emergency Backup UFO LED Lights?

Emergency backup is available through external battery packs that integrate with standard UFO fixtures. These UL924 Listed units provide 90 minutes of emergency illumination at reduced output levels during power outages. The battery packs mount separately and connect via quick-disconnect wiring for easy maintenance access.