If you are replacing metal halide or fluorescent fixtures in a warehouse, gym or shop, you will end up choosing between two styles of LED high bay: the round UFO high bay and the rectangular linear high bay. Both can light the same space well. The right choice depends on your ceiling height, the layout of the room and what people are doing underneath the lights.
This guide walks through the differences in plain terms so you can pick the right fixture before you order.
The short answer
- Choose a UFO high bay for high, open ceilings (roughly 20 ft and up), warehouses with racking, and anywhere you want fewer fixtures with more light per fixture.
- Choose a linear high bay for lower ceilings (roughly 15–30 ft), gyms, retail floors, workshops and long aisles where you want wide, even light with less glare.
What is a UFO high bay?
A UFO high bay is a round, compact fixture that hangs from a hook or mounts with a bracket. Because all of its LEDs sit in one round head, it puts a lot of light into a concentrated area below the fixture. That makes it a strong choice when the ceiling is high and light has a long way to travel to the floor.
UFO fixtures are also light and quick to install, which matters when you are swapping out dozens of fixtures on a lift. Our 100W–150W selectable UFO high bay lets you set the wattage and color temperature on the fixture itself, so one part number covers several ceiling heights. For taller buildings, step up to the 200W–240W or 200W–300W versions.
What is a linear high bay?
A linear high bay is a long, rectangular fixture, usually about 2 ft or 4 ft, that hangs from cables. Spreading the LEDs over a longer body gives a wider, softer pattern of light. That reduces the bright "hot spots" directly under each fixture and the dimmer areas between them.
Linear fixtures are a natural replacement for old T5 and T8 fluorescent high bays, since they fit the same footprint. Our 110W/165W/220W selectable linear high bay comes with mounting cables. For very high ceilings, the 4 ft 320W and 420W linear high bays put out up to 58,800 lumens.
UFO vs. linear: side by side
| UFO high bay | Linear high bay | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Round, compact | Long and rectangular |
| Light pattern | Concentrated below the fixture | Wide and even |
| Best ceiling height | Higher ceilings, roughly 20 ft and up | Roughly 15–30 ft; high-wattage models go higher |
| Typical uses | Warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing | Gyms, retail, workshops, aisles, schools |
| Replaces | Metal halide high bays | T5/T8 fluorescent high bays, metal halide |
| Glare | Brighter point source | Softer, spread over a larger area |
How to match wattage to ceiling height
Every building is different, but these ranges are a practical starting point for open warehouse and shop floors:
- 15–20 ft ceilings: about 100W–150W per fixture
- 20–30 ft ceilings: about 150W–240W per fixture
- 30 ft and higher: about 240W–300W UFO, or 320W–420W linear
Fixture spacing, the color of the floor and walls, and the task being done all change the answer. A loading dock needs less light than a detailed assembly area. Wattage-selectable fixtures help here, because you can turn a fixture down if a space ends up brighter than it needs to be. If you want a second opinion on a layout, call us at (678) 231-4970 and we will help you size it.
Situations where each one wins
Warehouses with tall racking
UFO high bays are usually the better fit. Their concentrated output reaches the floor between tall racks. For narrow aisles, add the 90° acrylic reflector to focus more light down the aisle on 100W and 150W UFOs.
School and fitness gyms
Linear high bays are often the better fit because players look up at the ceiling. A wider, softer light source is more comfortable than a bright round point. Browse our gym LED lights for options.
Workshops and auto bays
Either works. Linear fixtures spread light evenly across a workbench or vehicle, while UFOs make sense where the ceiling is higher. If the shop has a lower ceiling, our garage and shop lights may be a better fit than a high bay.
Clean or bright spaces
If the fixture will be visible in a showroom, gym or clean manufacturing space, the white-housing UFO high bay blends in with light-colored ceilings.
Don't forget the add-ons
- Motion sensors dim or switch off lights in empty aisles. Our high bay motion sensor works with both UFO and linear fixtures, and the sensor remote lets you change settings from the floor.
- Emergency backup keeps exits lit during a power outage. See the 30W UFO emergency battery backup.
- 480V power is common in industrial buildings. Choose a 480V UFO high bay so you don't need step-down transformers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix UFO and linear high bays in the same building?
Yes. Many facilities use UFOs over open storage and racking, and linear fixtures over workstations, offices or packing areas where even light matters more.
Which is more energy efficient?
Both are far more efficient than metal halide or fluorescent. Our UFO high bays produce over 140 lumens per watt. The bigger savings usually come from choosing the right wattage and adding motion sensors, not from the fixture shape.
What color temperature should I choose for a warehouse?
Most warehouses and shops use 5000K, a clean daylight white. 4000K is a little warmer and is popular in gyms, retail and schools. Our selectable fixtures let you choose on site.
Ready to compare fixtures?
See every option in our LED high bay collection, from 100W UFOs to 420W linear fixtures. Orders over $149 ship free, and we quote bulk orders. Call (678) 231-4970 or reply to any of our emails with your fixture count and ceiling height.
