LED panels are everywhere, from the lighting in a photography studio to the ceilings of hospitals. Due to its versatility, choosing the right fixture can sometimes be confusing.
Furthermore, the presence of many manufacturers in the market and their boastful claims aren’t making the situation easier for new buyers. Our guide will help you navigate through the confusion and make informed decisions.
Discover the key features, understand the different options, and gain the knowledge to choose the perfect LED panel lights for your needs.
LED panel lights come in square, rectangular, and round shape fixtures in which Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are arranged linearly, creating a uniform and soft light output. What’s unique about these fixtures is their extremely thin profile.
However, don’t confuse it with downlight fixtures which are usually recessed in false ceilings or walls; instead, LED panels are mostly surface mounted or supported on a tripod for camera work.
LED panel lights have diverse applications making them one of the most versatile LED luminaries.
LED panels are available in some incredible lighting designs.
LED panels are an excellent replacement for traditional lighting fixtures if you want soft light distribution and minimalistic design. Whether it’s residential use or commercial use like supermarkets, offices, or halls, LED panels are the best choice. You can also order a customized aluminum or brass frame for extra style.
Typically, LED panels are ratted between 12 W and 50 W, giving off 1600 to 5500 lumens of light. But you can go higher depending on your project requirement.
LED panels are available in different color temperatures from warm light 2500 K all the way to 10000 K daylight hue.
Whether you want to adjust the lighting for a vlog or just want relaxing vibes in your room, the dimmable LED panel lights are the way to go.
The light intensity is controllable from 0% to 100% output, which is convenient. The dimming feature is more readily available in LED lights than in traditional light sources.
Daylight LED panels have a white color temperature and the ability to emit high-intensity light. Lightweight and compact, they come in multiple sizes and are alternatives to traditional studio lights.
Bi-color LEDs are a popular choice for creating aesthetic lighting for videography. The panel can emit two different color temperatures; tungsten-balanced (warm hue) and daylight-balanced (cool hue).
With the flexibility to control the color temperature from warm to cool, it’s an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor shooting. You can color-correct the lighting based on the natural lighting of the area or create greater contrast for the mesmerizing artistic flare.
However, having two different color temperature lights means half of the LEDs can be used at a time, making them less bright than daylight LED panels.
RGB LED panel lights can combine red, blue, and green colors to create 16 million shades of light.
It’s an excellent option to create fantastic decor or make a theme-based lighting setup. However, RGB panel lights are better suited for fill light, meaning they can’t act as the main source of illumination. Rather, it adds flavor to the existing lighting setup.
LED mats are like the regular LED panel light, but the bulbs are integrated into a thin sheet of a flexible circuit board. You can even fold or roll the LED mats making them extremely portable. You can easily stick it on the walls or support it on a tripod.
LED panels inherently give off a soft light, but you can increase their diffusion by attaching a softbox, diffuser, or gridline to the LED panel. This eliminates shadows and uneven contrasts.
When we say LED panel lights are versatile, we mean it. These lighting panels can do anything from lighting up hospitals to creating aesthetic lighting for cinematography. For ease, we have divided them into two major categories.
LED panel lights have made the camera work much easier than it used to. Traditional point source lights are bulkier and have limited options. Even though traditional lights still have significance, LED panel technology is becoming more relevant every day. They’re much smaller yet give the same output as high-intensity studio light.
Bi-color and RGB panel lights are excellent choices for key and fill lights, respectively. In photography, key light refers to the main source light, and fill light is subtle illumination to eliminate shadows. LED panel lights also work great for shooting in a car or other tight spaces.
In today’s world, youtubing and vlogging have become a million-dollar industry, and people are always looking for inexpensive light panels for great visuals. Even as a wholesale business, LED panels have great potential.
Next up are LED panels for general illumination for residential and commercial use. These slightly differ from the one discussed above but have the same sleek and minimalistic designs.
Compared to downlights, spotlights, and tube light fixtures, the LED panels give off a much softer light. The cool daylight panels are excellent for hospitals and offices where you want bright lights for crisp visuals but with a softer and relaxed ambiance.
You can use warmer light panels to create cozier and more relaxing vibes for homes. Flat-panel LED lights for the kitchen can make cooking a whole lot more fun. Due to the large surface area, sharp contrasting shadows are pretty much eliminated.
Commercially LED panels are usually installed in suspended ceilings or false ceilings. However, the fixtures can also be surface mounted, which is convenient.
There are many options available for LED panel lights, and more often than not, it becomes confusing for inexperienced buyers. Here are some key factors you should consider while buying LED panels.
Lumen is a unit that defines the brightness of LED lights. When planning to utilize LED panels, it is crucial to consider the appropriate wattage required for your specific usage.
Color Rendering Index means how well an artificial light source can mimic natural light (CRI 100) in illuminating an object.
In simpler terms, a higher CRI rating means the light source can efficiently bring out the vibrant colors of an object. Typically, LED lights have a CRI rating between 70 to 98.
We suggest going for LED panels with 95+ CRI if you want to light for camera work. Though they’re a bit expensive, the results are stunning.
In residential and commercial use, 70-85 CRI works perfectly. You can learn more about the color rendering index (CRI) here.
Halogen and Incandescent lights have 100 CRI. However, their color rendering is still subpar to LED panel lights due to warmer temperature light output.
Color temperature refers to the color shade of light. The light with yellow (tungsten) hue is warmer, and the whiter and bluer hue is cooler. There is a whole spectrum from 2700 kelvin to 6000 kelvin you can choose from.
As discussed above, LED panels for camera work can be daylight balanced(only white source) or bi-color(white and tungsten). Making them effective for outdoor as well as indoor shooting.
Having the right color temperature LED panel is absolutely critical for great visuals.
But you can not always have an LED panel with every possible color temperature in the spectrum. This is where color correction gel comes in. It’s a thin film of various colors that can adjust the color temperature when placed in front of a light source.
For general illumination like ceiling lights, choose the one that best compliments your decor and interior.
LED panel lights’ main feature is that they emit soft light. However, due to their smaller size and high intensity, they can still cast strong shadows. So, we recommend buying a diffuser box or a grid to soften the light a bit more.
LED panels for residential use already have a diffuser screen, so there isn’t much need to bother about it.
LED panel lights for camera work also come with battery options. Bigger batteries can last a whole day which can be pretty convenient for daytime shooting.
LED panels are simple fixtures with the following components. Knowing about these components will help you repair and maintain these luminaires.
LED panels for studios have standard black frames, sometimes also called housing. For an aesthetic look, LED panels for general lighting can have plastic, steel, or aluminum frames.
Diffuser simply softens the light spread and makes it more even. LED panels for studio work don’t come with a diffuser. You have to order them separately.
That’s the basic frame that supports the LED chips. Make sure to secure it properly to the wall or ceiling.
LED drivers are microcontrollers of LED lights. They’re usually attached to the back of LED panels. Make sure they are properly ventilated.
With dimmable LED panels, you have the flexibility to set the right mood, whether you want cozy and relaxed lighting or bright and energetic illumination.
LED panel lights are tough cookies! They can handle accidental bumps and vibrations without shattering or breaking, making them highly durable and reliable.
LED panel lights are feather-light and compact, making them easy to install and maneuver without changing the ceiling grid. They won’t weigh you down during setup or take up too much space.
Flexible LED panels, also called LED mats, are foldable, making them extremely portable. They can also fix in tight spaces. Even if you aren’t using LED mats, the general fixtures have thin, slim profiles that allow easy installation and portability.
LED panel lights come in a wide range of vibrant colors and temperatures, allowing you to unleash your creativity and set the perfect tone for any occasion or setting.
Take charge of your lighting experience! Programmable LED panels let you personalize your space with customized lighting scenes and presets
Unlike fluorescent lights, LED panel lights emit a soft, flicker-free light that reduces eye strain and fatigue, providing a more comfortable and enjoyable lighting experience.
LED panel lights are energy-efficient superheroes, consuming significantly less electricity compared to traditional lighting sources. They help you save on energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint.
LED panel lights boast an impressive lifespan, lasting much longer than traditional lighting options. An LED lasts 50 times more than a traditional incandescent bulb.
Light up with a clear conscience! LED panels are environmentally friendly. They are free of toxic substances like mercury (like fluorescent tubes) and produce minimal carbon emissions, ensuring that your lighting choices align with your sustainability goals. Also, they dissipate heat efficiently, preventing overheating and maintaining a safe lighting environment.
The future of LED panels is bright, with a thriving market that presents excellent prospects for wholesale businesses. With their versatile applications, customizable features, and eco-friendly nature, LED panel lights continue to gain popularity.
As technology progresses, LED light source is becoming increasingly affordable while offering better quality than ever before. This cost reduction, coupled with advancements in LED technology, allows for LED panels with improved brightness, color accuracy, and durability at more accessible price points.
Overall, LED panels are a reliable and efficient general lighting and photography solution.
LED light panels are versatile lighting fixtures with numerous applications. After going through this guide, you’ll now be familiar with the main types and features they offer. We’ve also discussed various sizes available in the market and how they can benefit your particular application.
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LED panel light is a high-end indoor lighting fixture. The light passes through the light guide plate with high transmittance to form a uniform plane luminous effect. Matching different accessories (clips, surface-mounted frame, or steel ropes) , these lights can be easily mounted on a range of surfaces, making them suitable for diverse applications.
LED panel structure:
1. Panel light aluminum frame
The frame is an important part of flat panel light, and the high-strength frame makes the panel light more durable. The lateral frame of the LED panel light is constructed from diverse materials, each exhibiting distinct heat dissipation capabilities. At present, the frame materials of panel lights mainly include aluminum alloy, steel, PC, A6063, aluminum-plastic, steel and other materials.
The most commonly used is the aluminum frame (small panel light, with a plastic shell), and it is divided into splicing and welding frames. The welding frame will be stronger and the price will be more expensive than the splicing frame. The general frame has a flat frame and step frame according to the style, and the price will be different. In addition, the weight of the frame will also affect the price.
2. LED light source
The type, brand, and quantity of LED chips will affect the light effect, and the luminous flux will also affect the price.nd quantity of LED chips will affect the light effect, and the luminous flux will also affect the price.
SMD2835 and SMD4014 are used a lot in panel lights, brand chips like HONGLI, SANAN, SAMSUNG, Lumileds (formerly Philips) are our first choice. The direct-lit panel light generally needs far fewer lamp beads than the side-emitting panel light because the light-emitting of the lamp beads is scattered by the optical lens.
3. LED light guide plate
The light guide plate is essential for edge-emitting panel lights. It refracts light, guiding it from parallel to perpendicular through the light-transmitting plate. Reflection via reflective paper directs the light to the panel light’s back. Efficiency depends on dot design and plate choice (transmittance), often PMMA, MAS, or PS, varying in cost.
PS and MAS will turn yellow due to long-term use. PS will probably last for two years, and MAS will last for three years. It also depends on the climate of the region. Generally speaking, it will be produced in hotter places. The yellowing time will be shorter. If you want a 5-year warranty or higher light efficiency, PMMA light guide plates are basically used. The size of the light guide plate used by various factories is generally in the range of 1.6-3.0mm, and the thicker the plate, the higher the price.
4. LED diffuser
The function of the diffuser plate is to evenly disperse the light of the light guide plate, and it can also play the role of blurring the dots. The materials used are mainly PC (polycarbonate plastic), acrylic, PS (polystyrene plastic), PP ( polypropylene plastic), etc. The price is from high to low, and PS and PP are used more.
The light transmittance of acrylic is 92%, PC is 88%, PS is about 80%. Acrylic boasts higher light transmittance and affordability, though it’s less resistant to aging. Comparatively, PC is pricier but excels in anti-aging properties. Diffuser plate thickness varies among manufacturers, with conventional options falling between 0.8mm-1.2mm and costing more. Direct light-emitting panel lights demand stronger diffuser intensity compared to side light-emitting types, often requiring a thicker design.
5. Reflective Paper
Reflect the residual light on the back of the light guide plate to improve the light efficiency, generally RW250.
6. Back cover
The most commonly used is the iron back cover, the thickness and weight are different, and the strength is different. Compared with the side-emitting panel light, the direct-lit panel light has a different style, and the back cover is thicker, and the direct-type back cover will be spray-coated, in addition to coloring for better reflection.
7. LED driver
The quality and price of the LED panel light power supply depend on the brand, voltage, isolation (isolation is safer), non-isolation, whether it is stroboscopic (it will affect whether the light of the lamp is stroboscopic when taking pictures under the mobile phone), functional requirements (such as dimming and color grading) and certification requirements will vary.
8. Installation parts
Suspension wires, mounting brackets, etc. are used to install and fix accessoriesounting brackets, etc. are used to install and fix accessories
Different areas or places often choose different styles and types of LED panel lights. LED panel lights can be divided into the following categories:
1. From the way of lighting
2. From an installation ways
3. From functional choices
we have a versite panel lights with different wattage and size, choose the one you need from our wide range.
Dimension300×300mm (ftx1ft)600x300mm(1×2 led panel light )600x600mm(2×2ft)1200x300mm (4ftx1ft)1200x600mm (4ftx2ft)Wattages18W 20W 24W24W 30W30W 36W 40W 45W 48W 60W30W 36W 40W 45W 48W50W 60W 80W 96W 120WNote 1: Backlit panel light will be available to do higher wattages than edge-lit panel light in the same sizes.
Note 2: The other special dimension such as 1200x150mm, 1200x200mm, and 1200x1200mm can be customized.
Structurally, positive light-emitting LED panel lights are different from side-emitting LED panel lights, and their light-emitting working principles are also different.
Edge-lit LED panel lights working principle
It mainly includes a frame, diffuser plate, light guide plate, light bar, reflective film, back plate, and other components. The light of the LED chips enters the interior of the light guide plate from the light-emitting surface, and the light hits the reflective point of the light guide plate and then exits downward, and is irradiated from the light-emitting surface of the lamp. The light that does not reach the reflective point will be reflected back through the reflective film so that the LED Most of the light from the led chips is converted into lightly used for lighting. The quality of the light guide plate is an important criterion to measure the quality of the side-emitting panel light.
Back-Lit Panel light working principle
The structure of the direct type (Back-lit) panel light mainly includes a frame, a diffuser plate, a light bar (including an aluminum substrate, lamp beads, a lens, a back cover, etc.)
The light of LED chips is scattered by the lens and reflected from the back cover and emitted from the light-emitting surface of the lamp. It does not need to be refracted by the light guide plate and is directly illuminated.
LED panel lights have become a versatile lighting solution for various settings due to their efficiency, versatility, and aesthetic appeal; LED panel lights are mainly used in:
The key places like Office Spaces ,Commercial Areas ,Educational Institutions, Healthcare Facilities, Residential Spaces ,Parking Garages and so on, Led panel light can be seen almost everywhere in our life.
1.Dark areas appear around the panel lights
This phenomenon generally occurs in side-emitting panel lights, because the thickness of the light guide plate is not enough, please replace the thicker light guide plate such as 2.0T, and 3.0T.
2.Yellow light appears around the panel light frame
This also often occurs in side-emitting panel lights, because the distance between the light guide plate and the side lamp beads is too close during the production process. The distance between the lamp beads and the light guide plate needs to be adjusted. Of course, it may also be the quality problem of the LED lamp bead itself, which needs to be replaced with a better-LED lamp bead.
3.The middle part of the panel light turns yellow
This is one of the main aspects of the current quality problems of side-emitting panel lights. For this question, please refer to the blog “why led lights yellow changing”.
4.Water ripples appear
The reflective film in the side-emitting panel light is generally made of PE material, and some low-end suppliers often use foam reflective film to reduce costs, which will deform during prolonged heating. resulting in the appearance of water ripples.
5.LED panel lights flicker
The main reasons for flickering are as follows: 1. The power supply is broken; 2. The power supply does not match the current and power parameters of the lamp bead, 3. The lamp bead is damaged
To choose the right LED panel lights, you need to understand the important parameters related to panel lights. as follows:
Lighting mode:Edge-lit or backlit panel light. The positive light-emitting panel has high lighting efficiency, no risk of yellowing, and the price is cheaper than the side light. High-end side-emitting panel lights are generally expensive and suitable for use in high-end places, while low-end side-emitting panel lights often have yellowing and dead lights. So, we recommend buying positive emitting panel lights.
Dimensions and power:The standard size of panel lights is 1200×300mm, 300×300mm, 300×600mm,600×600mm 600×1200mm. Power: 9W 12W 18W 21W 22W 24W 36W 48W 72W 85W 90W. For general home lighting, such as kitchens, bathrooms, study rooms, living rooms, etc., small-sized and low-power panel lights can be used.
For example, 3-8 square meters, with 300*300 specifications, the general power is about 10w. and 8-15 square meters, 300*600 specifications can be used, and the general power is about 18w-20w.
In commercial lighting places, the space is often larger, whether a large size such as 2×2 led panel light, 4×1 or 4×2 led light panel is used, it can provide more brightness.
Lumens:The higher the luminous efficacy output, the more energy-saving and energy-saving, and the fewer lamps are used in the same project. Now LED technology can keep the actual output of panel lights at a minimum of 100lm/W, and a maximum of 150-170lm/W.
Power Factor:The energy consumption of LED is only 1/10 of incandescent lamps and 1/4 of energy-saving lamps. The service life can reach more than 100,000 hours, and the maximum power factor is 1, indicating that the load is purely resistive, and the power transmission only has active power, no reactive power, and the utilization rate is the highest.
The power factor of LED lights depends on the LED driver. At present, the efficiency of qualified LED drivers is generally above 85%. In reality, the power of 3W, 5W, 7W, 9W, 12W, and 15W LED lights with small wattage is generally not affected. The factor requirements are high, generally between 0.5-0.65, and the power factor of large wattage will be higher. Many people think that the higher the power factor, the more efficient the power supply. Of course, under the same wattage, the higher the power factor, the better.
UGR:Glare creates a bright sensation in the visual field that the human eye cannot adapt to, and may cause disgust, discomfort, or even loss of vision. Excessive brightness in a certain part of the field of view or excessive brightness changes before and after. Glare is one of the important causes of visual fatigue. The lower the glare value, the more comfortable the LED panel light will be. Some special places, such as school classrooms, generally require the use of Anti-glare LED panel lights with UGR<19 or lower.
Lifetime:The life of the LED light is theoretically at least 50000Hrs, so if the LED panel light works for 12 hours a day, it should be able to use for 11 years. The longer the durability, the greater the cost savings.
Led driver brand:Judging from our years of production and sales experience, LED driver largely determines the final lifespan of an LED panel light. Poor quality LED panel lights often use low-end LED drivers (mostly non-isolated drivers). In terms of quality, brand driver > ordinary isolated driver > non-isolated driver. The high-end quality LED panel light driver generally adopts the isolation scheme. If the price is within the acceptable range, try to use high-end brand drivers.
BrandPhilipsOsramLIFUD EAGLERIESDONEPrice Highest HighestMiddle MiddleMiddle Warranty 3/5Years 3/5Years 3/5Years 3/5Years 3/5YearsWell-known LED panel light driver brandsTotally 4 different installation ways for led ceiling panel lights as follows: (You can check the step drawing or download the guide PDF file)
Recessed led panel lights
This installation method is often used in offices, shops, kitchens, bathrooms, etc. It is also the most common installation method. First, remove a ceiling, put the LED panel light driver on the ceiling next to it, then connect the power cord, and then put it on Panel lights are sufficient, and the installation method is relatively simple.
Suspension flat panel led light
You need to prepare a set of steel ropes first, Hang the lighting from the ceiling with steel ropes. First fix the 4 hanging wire bases on the lighting fixture on the roof, then tie the 4 hanging wires to the LED panel light, connect the light’s driving power cord, and pull the wire to adjust the height of the panel light. The installation method is more flexible
Surface-mounted led panel light
Use screws to fix 3sides of the frame onto proof, then connect the led driver, insert the Led light panels into frames, and finally, screw the last frame.
Clip installation
Generally, these are clips-led ceiling panel lights, it looks like recessed led downlights. Then the installation way is the same.
Hello, customers
My name is Ricky Wang, I’m the business manager of GRNLED. I have been in LED lights industry for more than 10 year. Feel free to contact us. I’m happy to provide you the best service and products.
Email: info@grnled.com | WeChat: ledfixture
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