LED Area Light

At LUMINEX, we’ve got a bunch of guys who’ve been in the lighting business forever, and we’re building area lights that are better than anything you’ve ever seen. We’ve got a factory in Cambodia that’s making these lights for us, and they’re doing a great job. We’ve also got a warehouse in the United States where we keep a bunch of these lights, so we can ship them to you fast.

LED Area Shoebox Light

Field Install Sensor

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Photocell

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Holes for U bracket

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DIP Switch for CCT and Power Selectable

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Different brackets available

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Different Brackets Available

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Braket-1

CCT Tunable & Power Selectable

With CCT and power selectable LED area lights, you get maximum flexibility, cost savings, and the ability to meet a wide range of project requirements with a single product. It’s a win-win for both installers and end users.

If you have a specific project or application in mind, we can help you select the right settings for optimal performance!

DIP Switch
field install sensor

Field Installed Motion Sensor

Field-installable motion sensors make your LED area lights smarter, more efficient, and more responsive to your real-world needs. They’re a cost-effective upgrade that pays dividends in energy savings, safety, and convenience.

If you’d like, we can recommend specific sensor models or help you plan the best sensor placement for your site!

Photocell

A photocell-equipped LED area light is a smart, efficient, and reliable choice for any outdoor space. It maximizes energy savings, enhances safety, and provides true peace of mind.

Photocell
Shield

Light Shield

A light shield on your LED area light is a smart investment for better lighting quality, regulatory compliance, energy efficiency, and community relations. If you have a specific application or site, we can recommend the best shield type and configuration for your needs!

Multiple Light Distribution

One of the things I love about our area lights is that you can get them with a Type II, III, IV, or V distribution. This means you can get the right light pattern for your project and make sure you’re not wasting any light.

Light Distribution
Specification

Why Choose LUMINEX LED Shoebox Light?

Factory-Direct Savings

Manufactured in our state-of-the-art Cambodia facility, our LED area lights deliver exceptional quality—without the markup. Enjoy lower costs and zero import duty.

Stocked in the USA

Get the lights you need, when you need them. With inventory in the USA, we guarantee fast delivery, no warehouse headaches, and no financing delays.

Contractor-Ready

Designed for easy installation, robust durability, and maximum energy efficiency—LUMINEX is the partner you can trust for every outdoor project.

What is a shoebox light?

A shoebox light is a type of outdoor lighting fixture that gets its name from its rectangular, box-like shape—resembling a shoebox. These lights are widely used across the United States for area lighting, especially in commercial and municipal outdoor spaces. It is also called area light, parking lot light, and site light.

Key Features

  • Shape: Rectangular, flat, and compact, making them easy to mount on poles or walls.
  • Mounting: Typically installed on poles at various heights (15–40 feet), but can also be wall-mounted.
  • Light Source: Modern shoebox lights use energy-efficient LEDs, though older versions may use metal halide or high-pressure sodium lamps.
  • Distribution: Designed to provide broad, uniform illumination over large areas.

Common Applications

  • Parking lots
  • Roadways and streets
  • Outdoor sports courts
  • School campuses
  • Business complexes
  • Parks and public spaces

Why Choose LED Shoebox Lights?

  • Energy Efficiency: LEDs consume significantly less electricity than traditional lamps.
  • Long Lifespan: LEDs last much longer, reducing maintenance costs.
  • Better Light Quality: Improved color rendering and uniformity.
  • Dark Sky Compliance: Many models are designed to minimize upward light spill, reducing light pollution.

Summary Table

FeatureDescription
ShapeRectangular (“shoebox”)
Typical Wattage (LED)50W – 400W
Mounting Height15–40 feet
Main UsesParking lots, streets, campuses, etc.
BenefitsEnergy savings, long life, uniform coverage

How many lumens should a parking lot light be?

General Guidelines for Parking Lot LED Lighting

1. Typical Lumen Ranges
  • Small Parking Lots (Mounting Height: 12–15 ft):
    6,000 – 10,000 lumens per fixture
  • Medium Parking Lots (Mounting Height: 15–20 ft):
    10,000 – 20,000 lumens per fixture
  • Large Parking Lots (Mounting Height: 20–30 ft):
    20,000 – 40,000 lumens per fixture
2. Illuminance Recommendations

The IESNA recommends:

  • General parking areas:
    1.0–2.0 footcandles (fc) average
  • High-activity areas (entrances, walkways):
    2.0–5.0 footcandles
3. Other Considerations
  • Uniformity: Even light distribution is critical for safety and security.
  • Pole Spacing: Affects how many fixtures and what lumen output you need.
  • Dark-Sky Compliance: Use full cutoff fixtures to minimize glare and light pollution.

Example Calculation

Suppose you have a medium-sized parking lot with poles at 20 ft height:

  • Typical fixture: 15,000–20,000 lumens
  • Spacing: About 60–80 ft between poles
  • Number of fixtures: Depends on total area and layout, but usually 1 fixture per 2,500–5,000 sq ft.

Summary Table

Mounting HeightTypical Lumens per Fixture
12–15 ft6,000–10,000
15–20 ft10,000–20,000
20–30 ft20,000–40,000

What is the best lighting for a parking lot?

1. LED Area Lights: The Gold Standard

LED (Light Emitting Diode) area lights are the best choice for parking lots today. Here’s why:

  • Energy Efficiency: LEDs use up to 75% less energy than traditional metal halide or high-pressure sodium lights.
  • Long Lifespan: Quality LEDs can last 50,000–100,000 hours, reducing maintenance costs.
  • Instant On/Off: No warm-up time, unlike older technologies.
  • Better Light Quality: High CRI (Color Rendering Index) improves visibility and safety.
  • Dark Sky Friendly: Options available to minimize light pollution.

2. Key Features to Look For

  • Wattage & Lumens: Choose fixtures that provide 20–30 footcandles (fc) for high-traffic lots, 10–20 fc for low-traffic.
  • Distribution Pattern: Type III or Type IV optics are ideal for parking lots, ensuring even coverage.
  • Color Temperature: 4000K–5000K (neutral to cool white) is recommended for clarity without being too harsh.
  • Dimming & Controls: Consider fixtures with motion sensors, photocells, or smart controls for further energy savings.

3. Mounting Options

  • Pole-Mounted Fixtures: Most common, typically 15–25 feet high, spaced 2–4 times the mounting height apart.
  • Wall Packs: For perimeter lighting or small lots.
  • Canopy Lights: For covered parking areas.

4. Compliance and Safety

  • UL or ETL Listed: Ensures safety and code compliance.
  • DLC Listed: Qualifies for many utility rebates.
  • ADA & Local Codes: Always check for local regulations and dark-sky requirements.

5. Recommended Products (2025)

  • Lithonia Lighting D-Series
  • Cree OSQ Series
  • Philips Gardco
  • GE Evolve
  • Cooper Lighting (Eaton) Galleon Series
  • LUMINEX AL21A and AL22A Series

All of these brands offer high-quality, reliable, and efficient LED fixtures suitable for parking lots.


Summary Table

FeatureRecommendation
Fixture TypeLED Area Light
Mounting Height15–25 ft (pole-mounted)
Color Temperature4000K–5000K
OpticsType III/IV (asymmetric distribution)
ControlsMotion/Photocell/Smart Controls
CertificationUL/ETL, DLC
BrandsLithonia, Cree, Philips, GE, Eaton, LUMINEX

Final Advice

  • Design matters: A photometric layout is recommended to ensure even, safe illumination and avoid dark spots.
  • Invest in quality: Choose reputable brands and fixtures with at least a 5-year warranty.
  • Consider future needs: Smart controls and dimming can further reduce costs and improve safety.

How long do LED parking lot lights last?

Typical Lifespan

  • LED parking lot lights generally last 50,000 to 100,000 hours.
  • In practical terms, that’s about 11 to 22 years if the lights are on for 12 hours each night.

What Does “Lifespan” Mean?

  • The “lifespan” of an LED means the time until the light output drops to about 70% of its original brightness (called “L70”).
  • LEDs don’t “burn out” suddenly like old bulbs—they gradually dim over time.

Why Do LEDs Last So Long?

  • No filaments or glass parts that can break.
  • Low heat output compared to traditional lights (like metal halide or HPS).
  • High-quality drivers and heat sinks in outdoor fixtures extend life.

What Can Affect Lifespan?

  • Quality of the fixture: Cheaper LEDs and poor drivers may fail sooner.
  • Heat: Excessive heat shortens life. Look for fixtures with good heat dissipation.
  • Environment: Extreme temperatures, moisture, or poor installation can reduce lifespan.
  • Operating hours: Longer daily use means faster depreciation, but still far superior to other lighting types.

Comparison with Other Technologies

  • Metal Halide: 10,000–20,000 hours
  • High Pressure Sodium: 24,000 hours
  • LED: 50,000–100,000 hours

Summary Table

Light TypeTypical Lifespan (Hours)Years @ 12 hr/night
Metal Halide10,000–20,0002–4.5
High Pressure Sodium24,0005.5
LED50,000–100,00011–22

Key Takeaway

LED parking lot lights are a long-term investment, offering excellent longevity and reliability—often outlasting traditional lighting by 3–5 times.