UFO or Linear LED High Bay? Differences, Applications and Prices Compared

Round UFO high bays and elongated linear high bays both light halls from 5 to 15 metres, often with the same wattage and efficacy. Yet they are not interchangeable. The shape of the housing determines how the light is spread: a UFO throws a round cone, a linear high bay a long, narrow field. In an open production hall that difference hardly matters; in a racking warehouse with narrow aisles it decides how many luminaires you need and how much light ends up on top of the racks instead of on the floor. This guide compares both types and shows which one fits which hall.

What is the difference?

A UFO high bay has a round, flat housing with the LEDs in the centre and cooling fins on top. It hangs from one hook or bracket and spreads light evenly in all directions under it. A linear high bay has a long, rectangular housing, usually suspended from two wire ropes. Its optics stretch the light along the length of the luminaire and keep it narrow across it.

When to choose a UFO high bay

In an open hall without high racking, a round beam is ideal. Each luminaire lights a circle on the floor, and a regular grid of luminaires gives an even light level across the whole surface. UFO high bays are compact, quick to install with a single hook and usually the lowest price per lumen. They suit:

• production and assembly halls,
• workshops, garages and agricultural buildings,
• sports halls (with a ball-proof guard),
• storage halls with low or no racking.

Which beam angle fits your mounting height is explained in LED Beam Angle Explained.

When to choose a linear high bay

In a racking warehouse, the floor that needs light is a series of long, narrow aisles. A round beam lights the aisle but also the tops of the racks on both sides, where nobody works. A linear high bay mounted along the aisle concentrates the light in the aisle and on the rack fronts, where labels and goods have to be read. That often allows wider spacing between luminaires along the aisle. Linear high bays also spread their light over a larger lens surface, which reduces glare when forklift drivers look up. They suit:

• high-bay racking warehouses with aisles of about 2.5–4 m,
• long walkways and loading areas,
• picking zones where rack labels must be readable,
• areas where glare from a point source is a problem.

For long, continuous rows at lower heights, a light line or trunking system can be an alternative; see LED Light Lines and Trunking Systems.

Prices compared

Per luminaire, a UFO is cheaper. In narrow aisles, a linear high bay with an aisle optic can still be the cheaper solution overall if fewer luminaires are needed. A light study answers that for your specific hall.

UFO and linear high bays

Quick decision guide

For a broader overview of high bay types and hall planning, see the LED High Bay Lighting guide. Which wattage and how many for your ceiling height: Which LED High Bay Do I Need? How UFO and other high bays compare with branded luminaires on price and specifications is covered in Clightstore vs. Branded LED High Bays.

Frequently asked questions

Is a UFO high bay brighter than a linear high bay?

Not necessarily. At the same wattage and efficacy, both produce the same amount of light. The difference is where the light goes: a UFO spreads it in a circle, a linear high bay along a line.

Can I use UFO high bays in a racking warehouse?

Yes, especially with a narrower beam such as 60° above the aisles. With high racks and narrow aisles, a linear high bay with an aisle optic usually puts more light on the rack fronts and less on the rack tops.

Which mounting height suits a linear high bay?

Typically 5 to 12 metres. Above that, narrow round optics or high-output luminaires are usually more effective.

Do linear high bays cause less glare?

Generally yes, because the light leaves a larger surface, so the luminance is lower. For strict glare limits, choose a high bay with a UGR value below 21.

How do I know how many luminaires I need?

That depends on the hall size, mounting height, required lux and the luminaire's light distribution. A quick estimate per square metre is in Which LED High Bay Do I Need?; for an exact plan, send us your floor plan and we will prepare a free light study.