Although you can use regular bulbs for several uses, some applications require unique light fixtures that spread the light or focus it. Floodlight vs. spotlight is the best fixture for such applications. The primary difference between the two is their light beam, but it doesn’t stop there. This article gives a detailed floodlight vs. spotlight comparison and shows which is better for different uses. Read on to learn more!
What is a Beam Angle?
A beam angle is a metric that shows how light spreads from a source. For instance, a wide-beam-angle light bulb placed at a high spot will spread light widely on the ground.
The beam diameter on the ground is known as the beam width, and wide beam angles create larger beam widths. You can use this diameter to determine the number of lights required for adequate illumination in any indoor or outdoor space.
Three intersecting beam angles
But first, you need to calculate the beam width using the following formula.
Beam Width = Light Distance x Beam Angle x 0.0175
However, a wide beam spread creates less intense lighting than a narrow beam producing the same lumen output. Keep that in mind when determining which lights to use.
What are Floodlights?
Floodlights are high-intensity, wide beam lights that cover broad areas with maximum illumination, hence the name flood. Their beam angle usually ranges from 45°-120°. Since the flooding creates a lower light intensity, most manufacturers increase the wattage to make the bulb produce brighter light.
An LED floodlight
The floodlight structure consists of a diode, yoke, reflector, and housing. A collar suspends, supports, and rotates the floodlight. The reflector maximizes light output from the diode while the housing surrounds the diode to keep light from escaping in all directions.
Floodlight Characteristics and Applications
A wider light spread creates a non-directional, high diffusion beam pattern with softer shadows. These characteristics define the applications of floodlights, which include the following.
- Illuminating sports stadiums
- Lighting driveways and parking areas
- Downlights on trees
- Illuminating outdoor living spaces
- Lighting large warehouses
Floodlights in a soccer stadium
What are Spotlights?
Spotlights are the direct opposites of floodlights. They are concentrated-beam light sources that produce a narrow cone of light, typically 25°-45° wide.
A spotlight
The light fixtures contain a fixing bracket or mounting plate that attaches to the ceiling or wall. These parts hold the movable spotlights, which can be quadruple, triple, single, or double.
Spotlight Characteristics and Applications
A spotlight produces a directional beam of light that creates sharper shadows. This characteristic makes the fixture ideal for landscape lighting because the light and shadow aspects increase aesthetics and create visual interest.
These fixtures are also best for situations where you want to contain the light in a specific area, such as a seat or statue. Other applications include the following:
- Concert stages
- Rescue vehicles
- Billboards
- Stage acting
Different spotlight designs
Manufacturers usually make spotlights more energy efficient than floodlights because they produce focused light with a higher intensity.
Floodlight vs. Spotlight: The Difference Between Flood and Spotlight
Floodlights and spotlights are direct opposites, and here is a detailed comparison of the two.
Floodlight vs. Spotlight: Beam Angle Comparison
Two bulb types (floodlights and spotlights) with the same light output placed on a ceiling have one primary difference; their beam angle. The floodlight will have a larger beam angle, while the spotlight will have a narrow one.
There is another crucial difference, though, relating to the beam angle. If you place the same two bulbs horizontally with no structure to block their paths, you will get a secondary attribute known as the throw distance.
Consider the headlights of a car moving along a straight road. Spotlights will throw the light further because the spot beam pattern focuses on a small area. However, floodlights will project the light several degrees wider, causing it to have a shorter throw distance.
A combination light bar has both spotlight and floodlight bulbs to give the benefits of the two light patterns.
A light bar mounted on a car
Floodlight vs. Spotlight: Types
Floodlights are available in three types of light, while spotlights come in four. These include the following.
Floodlight Types
Fluorescent
Fluorescent flood lights have the advantage of being durable and energy efficient. Also, they are cheaper than LEDs.
A set of four floodlights
HID (High-Intensity Discharge)
As the name suggests, HID lights have a high brightness intensity. They have a long lifespan, as well, and are quite energy efficient. Replacing them is also quite simple.
Halogen
Halogen floodlights deliver fantastic outdoor performance and last for quite a long time. These two benefits have made them some of the best-selling and top-rated floodlights in the market.
Spotlight Types
Beam Projector
A beam projector is a lensless light fixture with two reflectors. It functions without a direct intense light beam.
Parabolic Aluminized Reflector
As a form of outdoor LED floodlight, this fixture requires a low voltage PAR spotlight and offers a narrow beam.
Fresnel Spotlight
Fresnel spotlights or lanterns are typical in theaters and use a fresnel lens to project light on specific areas on the stage.
A fresnel spotlight
Follow Spotlight
This spotlight is also typical in theaters and is perfect for conditions where you need the light to follow a moving object on the stage.
LED Floodlight vs. Spotlight: Benefits
Since LEDs have several advantages, their use in floodlights and spotlights is increasing. LED floodlights have the following benefits.
- Durability
- Energy efficiency
- Safe (produce less heat and don’t have fragile filaments)
- Easy to maintain
- Produce a white daylight color temperature
- Unaffected by environmental conditions or weather (they remain stable in cold conditions)
LED spotlights also have several advantages, which include the following.
- Energy efficiency
- Durability
- Safe to use
- Long lifespan
A set of spotlights for an outdoor stage
Floodlight vs. Spotlight: Applications
Floodlights target large areas, and high-wattage floodlights can create a daylight effect. There are also portable battery-powered models used as emergency lights in disaster areas.
On the other hand, spotlights are ideal for areas that require more focus. These include stages in theaters and concert halls, statues, museums, and the like.
Floodlight vs. Spotlight, Which One is Better for Your Application?
You need to consider the following four factors to determine which types of lighting are better for your application.
Coverage Area
How broad is your space? Floodlights are the best for broad areas because they spread light widely. Keep in mind that a floodlight’s beam differs in degrees. For instance, a 120-degree flood light will disperse light over a larger space than an 80-degree floodlight. However, spotlights are better if you want to cover a small area.
Location
Indoor spaces are usually small, so it is better to use spotlights. Floodlight use in indoor areas is not ideal unless it is wide, like a warehouse.
Power Consumption
Floodlights usually consume more power than spotlights because manufacturers increase their wattage to compensate for the high light dispersion. Therefore, you might want to consider spotlights if your budget for power bills is low.
Besides that, the electrical wiring in your house might not have the required wires to support the powerful light fixtures. Therefore, it might be safer and cheaper to use multiple spotlights than a single floodlight.
Niche Applications
Some applications like search operations on highways or police helicopter searchlights require spotlights due to their long throw distance. Since they are smaller, they are also easier to mount on cars and choppers.
An anti-aircraft searchlight
Summary
That’s it for this article. As you can see, spotlights and floodlights have several differences in lighting that make them suitable for specific applications. If you have any questions or comments, leave a message, and we’ll get back to you asap.
