Best LED Floodlights: A Comprehensive Guide

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

We generally associate LED floodlights with large stadiums and sporting events. However, any average Joe can integrate them into their home. They are a great security measure.

While the most common types of floodlights are halogen, metal halide, and sodium vapor, LED types have recently risen in prominence and use. This is cause they are more efficient, reliable, and better for the environment. LED lights are so easy to work with that you can make your own LED tube lights at home

However, they tend to be more expensive. They are well worth it. Especially if you consider how long they last. The following guide will explore some of the key benefits of using LED floodlights. Additionally, we will examine the types of LED floodlights available to you. Without further delay…

1. What are LED Floodlights?

Initially, most light-emitting diode floodlights were surface mount device/technology (SMD/SMT) LEDs. This meant that manufacturers would use many little LED chips in the design. The invention of chip-on-board (COB) LEDs recently told that manufacturers could build floodlights with a single large LED chip.

While using COB LEDs for floodlights may seem more efficient, SMD LED-based floodlights are not obsolete. This is because they emit less heat. Consequently, this decreases the chance of burnout. Light-emitting diode floodlights work as well as halogen and metal-halide-based lamps.

Some may argue that they are superior. For instance, they last longer. On average, an LED-based floodlight will last up to 30 000 hours. Additionally, they also consume less power. They also tend to have wide beam angles, which makes them suitable for home security.

LED Floodlights

1. List of Flood LED Lights

First, let us start with outdoor LED floodlights. There are many different LED lights, and each type has a subtype. In this section, we tried to categorize them as best as possible.

Outdoor Floodlights

Generally, we use most floodlights for exterior landscapes. However, there are indoor floodlights available on the market. We will explain this further in the guide. Nevertheless, here is a list of exterior light-emitting diode floodlights:

  • Landscape floodlights
  • Parking lot floodlights
  • Off-road floodlights
  • Marine LED floodlights

These are some of the most common outdoor LED floodlights. However, these are not all subtypes or main types.

Outdoor Floodlights

Solar LED Floodlights

The most significant advantage of light-emitting diode floodlights is that they require substantially less power to run than any other floodlight type. This makes them suitable for use with solar energy. Typically, solar light-emitting diode floodlights feature a solar panel that feeds the lights. Additionally, most solar floodlights have an inbuilt battery. This allows them to work at night.

Furthermore, some solar power light-emitting diode floodlights feature a remote that lets you dim and program the lights. Manufacturers design solar floodlights so you can use them outside. It should be obvious since they use solar power. Nevertheless, most solar light-emitting diode floodlights are waterproof and dustproof. The good ones have an IP rating of IP65, while the best ones have an IP rating of IP66. These are just a few things you must look for when purchasing a solar light-emitting diode floodlight.

Dimmable LED Floodlights

Most LED-based floodlights are dimmable. This is thanks to integrated LED drivers and LED controllers. Most dimmable types are SMD-based. However, you can still find dimmable COB-based LED floodlight bulbs. Nevertheless, not all LED floodlights are dimmable. Therefore, you will need to pay special attention to your floodlight’s specifications when purchasing them.

Color Changing LED Floodlights

One of the advantages of using LED-based floodlights is that manufacturers can now easily create color-changing floodlights. Bluetooth and intelligent RGB LED lights allow you to synchronize them with music. Thus, they will enable you to add special effects to the lighting that you cannot count on with standard white light floodlights.

Generally, we use color-changing LED floodlights for special events such as outdoor parties and concerts. Additionally, most multi-color floodlights are dimmable. They also come in many sizes. You can find color-changing mini-LED floodlights that you can use indoors.

Commercial LED Floodlights

While outdoor lighting is for private and domestic use, there is still a sizeable commercial lighting market. You can find 1000 watts of LED floodlights that rival halogen floodlights’ performance. Nevertheless, the most common application for commercial LED flood lighting includes:

LED floodlights for work: For long construction and filming projects, supervisors may decide to install floodlights so work can continue at night. Portable floodlights can plug into an outlet or work via a rechargeable battery.

You may find industrial LED floodlights for large factories, stadiums, and laboratories, such as anti-glare high-bay lights. Furthermore, high-bay floodlighting may also be multidirectional. This means it may consist of multiple conjoined rigs to increase the total area the lights cover.

Stadiums or arenas may also use asymmetric floodlighting where the floodlights are stacked on top. Opera houses may use halo high-power LED projection lights as spotlights. These are just a few examples.

LED floodlights for work

Par 38 LED Flood Bulbs

If you have an outdoor lamp or light fixture, you can add a PAR38 LED bulb, producing nearly the same effects as a floodlight. Par38 light bulbs are essentially LED floodlight bulbs. These bulbs have intense beams with wide angles. You can get them in packs of six or more. Purchasing an entire floodlight with a rig may be unnecessary.

Par 38 LED Flood Bulbs

LED Motion Floodlights

As we previously highlighted in this guide, you can use floodlights for security. Motion sensor floodlights turn on when they detect motion in a configured area. They accomplish this with infrared (IR) technology.

Furthermore, LED motion lights help you save electricity on outdoor lighting. Instead of turning on continuously, they turn on when they sense motion. You can get various combinations of motion sensor floodlights. For instance, you can find motion sensors on bright or solar floodlights.

LED Motion Floodlights

LED vs. Halogen Floodlights

Now that we have gone through the various types of LEDs floodlights you are bound to encounter, let us look at the difference between LED and halogen lights.

We have decided to compare the two using a list of pros and cons.

LED Floodlights Pros

  • LEDs floodlights are more efficient than any other option. Generally, LED lighting uses 80% less electricity than incandescent lighting. It is possible to find energy-saving 20 and 30 Watt LED floodlights.
  • They last longer than other types of floodlights.
  • LED-based floodlights emit less heat than halogen floodlights.
  • They are a more eco-friendly option than halogen floodlights.
  • LED-powered floodlights tend to have wider beam angles. This makes them appropriate for security applications.
  • They are versatile. You can find 12-volt LEDs floodlights that are battery-powered.

LED Floodlights Cons

  • They are more expensive than halogen floodlights. However, because they last longer and use less electricity, they may save you money.
  • Large and complex floodlights that use LEDs are hard and expensive to make. They require large heatsinks to soak up the heat emission. Thus, it is easier to make asymmetric or stacked halogen floodlights.
LED Floodlights Cons

Halogen Floodlights Pros

  • You can switch halogen floodlights on instantly. This makes them suitable for use with motion sensors.
  • They tend to deliver bright lighting with excellent color rendering. They can provide intense light that parallels sunlight on a clear summer’s day.
  • Halogen floodlights are more affordable than LED-powered floodlights.
  • They are generally more compact. This makes them easier to embed into multi-lamp fixtures.

Halogen Floodlights Cons

  • Halogen Floodlights emit a lot of heat. Often, it is impossible to touch a halogen floodlight that has been running for a considerable amount of time.
  • They have a lower life span than light-emitting diode floodlights.
  • Halogen floodlights are less power efficient and eco-friendly than LED-based floodlights.
Halogen Floodlights Cons

4. LEDs Floodlights Manufacturers

Cheaply made light-emitting diode floodlights will not last you very long. You may encounter driver or controller failures. The circuitry or chips in an SMD LED lamp may malfunction. This is why purchasing your floodlights from a reputable manufacturer or producer is imperative. In this guide section, we have listed nine of the best-LED Flood light manufacturers.

  • Lowes
  • Home Depot
  • Amazon
  • Costco
  • Cree
  • Menards
  • Walmart
  • Rab Lighting
  • General Electric

These are just a few manufacturers you should check out for your LEDs floodlight needs.

Conclusion

Whether looking for portable or industrial floodlights, you no longer have to settle for old technology. However, should you exchange your old halogen, metal halide, or sodium vapor for LED lighting? The answer seems to be a resounding yes. LEDs have come a long way and are a more-than-worthy alternative to older lighting technology. Nevertheless, we hope that you have enjoyed reading this guide. For all your PCB fabrication needs, please visit our website. As always, thank you for reading.

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