A Complete Guide on Choosing the Best LED T8 Bulbs

LED stands for ‘light-emitting diode’. The “T” in a lamp nomenclature denotes tubular, or the shape of the lamp. “8” denotes the diameter of the tube. In the case of a T8 tube, it means eight-eighths of an inch (=1inch) or 2.54cm.

If you are finding out LED T8 bulbs for basement, garage, shops…, No worry any more! We explored the most detailed and complete guide to help you out!

t8 daylight tubes

Why T8 LED Bulb Is So Popular Now?

Energy saving: LED T8 lights consume less power and can save up to 80% in recurring annual energy costs.

Low maintenance: LED T8 tubes require less maintenance and less frequent replacements due to longer life and higher efficiency.  They operate for an average of 25,000-50,000 hours.

Color Rendering Index: They have better CRI, which is the ability of light to reveal the actual color of an object, as compared to natural light.

Safety: LEDs consume less power and work effectively on low-voltage electrical systems. The heat emitted from the LEDs is absorbed in a heat sink and dissipated into the surroundings. This is much safer in the event of a mishap.

Smart control: Most LED T8 lights today are smart-controlled by remotes, apps, and voice control and are easily accessible from anywhere.

To Give Bright and Flicker-Free Light, What Features Should T8 LED Tubes Have?

Dimmable: An LED light should be dimmable to control the amount of brightness and light. There is no relation between brightness and energy consumption in LED lights and therefore these can offer maximum brightness at the same cost.

Dimmable LED lights can be compatible with traditional dimmers or one can buy an LED-compatible dimmer switch. These tubes can also be operated through smart systems like apps and remote controls.

White Light: LEDs offer numerous color temperatures from cold to warm but do not have flickering issues. This provides brighter and more stagnant lighting which is comfortable to the eye.

When a fluorescent tube flickers, it reduces the brightness considerably. White LED tubes exhibit no such issues. LED tubes are visibly brighter than fluorescent tubes.

How To Choose The Best LED T8 Bulbs?

LED tube lights are getting more and more popular and taking the electrical market by storm. These lights are being used indoors, outdoors, as road lights, spotlighting, in commercial complexes, etc as they have a longer operating life at a lesser cost.

Other than size and installation, below are some factors to consider while buying T8 LED tubes.

Brightness

The brightness of T8 LED lights is determined by lumens, unlike incandescent lights which are determined by watts.

Depending on the desired output to determine the brightness in lumens.

Generally, the lumens of T8 led tube lights are ranging from 2000 to 10,000.

If you have a small space to light up, 2000-3000 Lumen is enough while if you have a large room to illuminate, 9000-10,000 lumen is suggested.

Attention, the elderly should get much more brightness to avoid eye strains.

  • With 2200 lumens, 5000K daylight, Sunco Lighting is most suitable for small workshops.
  • With a high output of 9000 lumens and clear daylight, Barrina ensures you get a brighter light even in a large warehouse.

Expense

Though a T8 LED tube is marginally more expensive than regular fluorescent or candescent lights, it is a long-term investment.

The overall lifetime cost of an LED is lower since a good-quality LED bulb produces more than 25,000 hours of light and can, therefore last 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs.

They also consume less power and effectively work on low-voltage electrical systems thereby reducing annual electricity cost by 80%.

Color temperatures

LEDs are available in a plethora of correlated color temperature (CCT) values. They have options like ‘warm’ as in a yellowish glow, or a ‘cool’ for white lights, and a variety of other options.

Lower the color temperature, warmer and more relaxing the light. A higher color temperature provides a cooler, more refreshing light.

Colors are available in denominations of 2700k, 4000k, 5000k, and 6000k.

  • For example, Amber is an extra relaxing, warm and soft light at 2200K and is similar to soft white 2700 white light. Hotels, restaurants, and homes do well with warm friendly lighting of 2700–3000K.
  • Cool White is 4000K and is brighter and more energizing, perfect for offices, showrooms, and supermarkets.
  • Daylight is 5000K and above, bright and refreshing, suitable for art studios, hospitals, and offices creating a blue light and vibrant mood.

Dimmable LEDs

LEDs have no correlation between brightness and power. It is wiser to pick an LED tube that is dimmable.

Look for lights that are compatible with traditional dimmers or else you will have to change to an LED-compatible dimmer switch.

Also, make sure the lights are compatible with smart switches.

  • If you are looking for one with a dimmable function, Philips is for you!

Best Brands to Choose from

1. Philips

The Philips LED T8 tube lights are specially featured with InstantFit. Unlike their counterparts, most are dimmable for you to choose the brightness intensity.

Also, they are also beneficial in:

  • Installation is a simple plug-and-play technique and needs no rewiring.
  • The Philips tubes have no slow starts, flickering, or waiting.
  • The planet-friendly tubes are low maintenance and require lesser replacements.
  • Has a wide beam angle to cover a wider area.

2. Osram

Most Osram LED T8 LED tubes are U-shaped which is able to meet the standards of most homeowners. Outstanding features also include,

  • They are safe and easy to replace and do not require rewiring.
  • The Osram tubes can be used in combination with sensor technology as they offer instant light-on.
  • The tubes are highly resistant to switching loads.

3. Hyperikon

The Hyperikon tubes come in a variety of choices. The manufacturers provide a choice of single or dual-ended, clear or frosted, Magnetic mounted to plug-an-play. Among those, plug-and-play is their hot selling point.

The brand is also famous for,

  • Affordable price for short-budget buyers.
  • Most of their products have relatively lower lumens, perfect for offices, homes and basements.
  • Have a high CRI rating to reflect the original colors.

FAQs

Q1. Are T8 LED Bulbs Worth It?

Yes.

T8 LED bulbs are definitely worth it. They are 30% more energy efficient. They burn brighter and utilize only 28 to 32 watts. These tubes provide 50,000+ hours of operating time.

Q2. Can I Put LED Bulbs in a T8 Fixture?

Most LED tubes are “plug and play”. This means that they can be installed like any other fluorescent bulb. The tubes need to be “ballast-compatible” for this, meaning they can be fit into the existing ballast.

Q3. How Many Lumens Does a T8 Tube Put out?

T8 tubes are available with light output values of 2800 lumens to 3200 lumens.

Q4. Do T8 LED Tube Lights Need a Ballast?

Most T8 LED tubes do not need a ballast.

LED tubes contain drivers that regulate the power supply to the bulb. Only the plug-and-play tubes need a ballast for installation.

If being directly replaced for a fluorescent tube in an existing fixture, the plug-and-play LED tube lights can be installed in the fluorescent ballast without any rewiring.

Q5. Is T8 and T12 LED Tubes Replaceable?

Yes. The T8 and T12 LED tubes are replaceable.

These tubes work on any type of existing technology or fixture. T8 needs an electronic ballast and T12 needs a magnetic ballast. The installation is as simple as replacing a fluorescent tube for an LED tube.