Top 5 LED Retrofit Kits for Warehouse Lighting Efficiency

Upgrading warehouse lighting from older HID or fluorescent fixtures to LEDs can yield tremendous efficiency gains and maintenance savings. Warehouses often have high ceilings (typically 20–30 ft or more)1000bulbs.com, which require powerful high-bay lights to adequately illuminate the space. LED retrofit kits – whether plug-and-play lamps or full fixture replacements – offer a way to dramatically cut energy use (often 60–75% savings over metal halide or HPS lamps) while improving brightnessoeo.com. Modern LED high-bay lights also last 50,000+ hours, reducing bulb change labor in hard-to-reach ceiling installationsoeo.com.

Rather than replacing entire fixtures, LED retrofit kits allow you to reuse existing housings and simply upgrade the lighting technology. If your current fixtures are structurally sound, retrofitting is a “less is more” opportunity – lower cost per fixture yet brighter outputblog.litetronics.com. Retrofits also minimize waste since you aren’t discarding large metal housingsblog.litetronics.com. That said, if fixtures are very outdated or if you want the absolute highest efficacy, a new LED high-bay luminaire might be warranted – some premium LED high bays now exceed 200 lm/W efficacyinside.lighting for maximum energy savings. In this article, we focus on indoor warehouse lighting solutions and include both plug-and-play retrofits (which work with existing fixture wiring or ballasts) and new LED replacements. We evaluated each option on energy efficiency (lumens per watt), light output for high ceilings, ease of installation, and overall value and features like dimming or controls integration. Below are the top five LED retrofit kits for warehouse lighting, with scores and pros/cons based on these criteria.

1. Philips TrueForce LED High Bay Lamp – Top Efficiency & Brand Reliability

Score: 9.5/10 – High output LED HID-replacement lamp from an industry leader, delivering excellent efficiency and long life.

Philips’ TrueForce LED High Bay retrofit is a direct replacement for conventional metal halide high-bay bulbs. The 145W TrueForce LED lamp produces about 20,000 lumens (equivalent to a 250–400W HID) with an efficacy around 130–137 lm/W, and it’s rated for 50,000 hours of operationcandelacorp.comusa.lighting.philips.com. It screws into the existing mogul-base socket (E39/EX39) and can deliver bright, clean light for a fraction of the energy used by HIDcandelacorp.com. Philips offers both plug-and-play (UL Type A) models that work with certain HID ballasts, and MainsFit (Type B) models that run on line voltage after bypassing the ballastcandelacorp.com. This gives flexibility in installation – you can either simply replace the bulb (if compatible) or bypass the old ballast for improved reliability. The lamp is available in common warehouse color temperatures (4000K, 5000K) with CRI ~80 for good color renderingcandelacorp.com. It is DLC-listed for efficiency rebates and carries a solid 5-year warranty (Philips is known for quality control). Overall, the TrueForce LED High Bay is a top-tier choice to retrofit high-ceiling warehouse lights with minimal hassle and quick payback.

Pros:

• High efficacy (~131 lm/W) and light output (~20k lm) – delivers equal or greater brightness than a 400W MH while using ~60–65% less powercandelacorp.com.
• Long 50,000-hr life and Philips reliability, meaning fewer lamp changes in difficult high-bay locationscandelacorp.comcandelacorp.com.
• Flexible install options: available in ballast-compatible plug-and-play or direct-wire versionscandelacorp.com. No need to replace the whole fixture.
• Rebate eligible (DLC) and qualifies for energy incentives, improving ROIbulbs.com.

Cons:

• Requires ballast bypass for some models (Type B) – involves wiring work if you choose the mains-powered version. (Type A versions work with limited HID ballast types.)
• Not dimmable in most versionscandelacorp.com, which limits using motion or daylight dimming controls (consider a separate sensor switch if needed).
• The lamp bulb is large and heavy (over 9” long, ~4+ lbs), so it may not fit in very tight fixtures or could stress older socketsshineretrofits.com. Ensure your fixture can accommodate it.

2. OEO EZ LED “Super Hybrid” & “Ultra 1K” Lamps – Easiest Install for HID (No Rewiring)

Score: 9.2/10 – Ultra high-output LED retrofit lamps that simply screw into your existing HID fixtures without an electrician, ideal for quick upgrades and 1000W HID replacements.

For a truly plug-and-play retrofit, OEO’s EZ LED series stands out. These LED high-bay lamps are designed to work with your existing HID ballasts – no rewiring or ballast removal neededoeo.comoeo.com. Upgrading is literally as easy as changing a light bulb. The OEO EZ LED Super Hybrid model can replace HID lamps from 250W up to 750W, with versions outputting 15,000, 20,000, or 25,000 lumens to suit your needsoeo.com. For even higher ceilings or 1000W HID replacement, the OEO EZ LED Ultra 1K model produces up to 37,000 lumens, rivaling the brightness of a 1000W metal halide while using only ~260W LEDoeo.com. Both the Super Hybrid and Ultra 1K simply screw into the mogul socket and leverage the existing magnetic ballast, auto-sensing the current. This makes for a fast installation with no electrician required, and you avoid having to dispose of old ballasts or fixtures. These lamps are DLC 5.1 rated for high efficiency and are eligible for utility rebatesoeo.com, and they boast a >50,000-hour lifespan. In practice, replacing a 400W MH with OEO’s ~150W LED lamp can save about 67% energy, and replacing a 1000W with ~250W LED saves around 75%oeo.com. This plug-and-play convenience makes OEO’s retrofit kits extremely attractive for warehouse operators who want to cut energy usage immediately without major electrical work.

Pros:

• No rewire needed – easiest installation. Simply replace the bulb; uses existing HID ballast (no interruption to operations or hiring electricians)oeo.comoeo.com.
• High lumen output options: up to 37,000 lm (Ultra 1K) for 40+ ft high bays or 1000W HID equivalencyoeo.com. Few other retrofits reach this brightness in one lamp.
• Major energy savings and long life: e.g. 1000W→250W cuts ~75% poweroeo.com; rated 50k+ hours so you’ll change lamps far less often.
• Rebate eligible (DLC 5.1) and built for industrial use. A quick way to improve efficiency and qualify for incentives.

Cons:

• Dependent on the old ballast: If the existing ballast is aging or inefficient, it remains a point of failure and adds some energy draw. (You keep the ballast maintenance in the system.)
• Compatibility: Designed for standard probe/start MH or HPS magnetic ballasts – not for electronic HID ballasts. Unusual or failing ballasts may not work optimally.
• Large form factor: The lamps are big (to house LED drivers); ensure your fixture’s reflector or enclosure can accommodate the new lamp dimensions. In tight/enclosed fixtures, heat buildup could be an issue (Ultra 1K is for open fixtures).
• Higher upfront cost per lamp than basic LED bulbs (due to the built-in tech for ballast sensing), though labor savings often offset this.

3. MaxLite LED High Bay DirectFit Lamp – Plug-and-Play Convenience

Score: 9.0/10 – A ballast-compatible LED retrofit lamp from MaxLite offering quick installation and multi-watt flexibility for common warehouse high-bays.

MaxLite’s LED High Bay Retrofit Lamps (DirectFit) provide another convenient way to upgrade warehouse lighting without a full rewire. These lamps are designed to run on existing HID ballasts – you just screw the LED lamp into the mogul socket and you’re donemaxlite.com. The MaxLite DirectFit uses current-sensing technology to adjust its output to match the ballast’s driving current, meaning one lamp can replace various HID wattagesmaxlite.com. The standard model is a 145W LED (enclosed-rated) that can replace 175W, 250W, 320W, up to 400W metal halide fixturesmaxlite.commaxlite.com. For higher loads, MaxLite offers a 250W version (not for enclosed fixtures) that is equivalent to 750–1000W MH in output. In practice, the 145W lamp produces around 15,000–20,000 lumens (depending on ballast) – enough for typical 20–30 ft mounting heights – while the 250W can exceed 25,000+ lumens for very tall ceilings. The big appeal is the plug-and-play install: no need to bypass or remove the ballast, saving labor time. These lamps support 120–277V via the ballast and even work with both probe- and pulse-start MH ballasts. MaxLite’s retrofit lamps are DLC-listed and come with a 5-year warranty, and they feature options like an EX39 mogul base and even a port to add sensors (on some models)websvc.maxlite.com. For warehouses seeking a quick efficiency boost, the MaxLite DirectFit provides significant energy reduction (60%+ vs HID)websvc.maxlite.com with minimal downtime.

Pros:

• Quick, ballast-friendly installation – truly plug-and-play with existing HID systemsmaxlite.com. Great for retrofitting large facilities in phases without rewiring.
• Multi-watt compatibility: The lamp auto-adjusts to different HID ballast outputs, covering 175W through 400W HID in one unitmaxlite.com. One product can retrofit many fixture types.
• Offers high-output model for 1000W HID replacement (250W LED) if neededmaxlite.com. Good solution for very high ceilings or replacing high wattage mercury vapor lamps.
• Decent efficacy and quality: ~110–140 lm/W performance, CRI 80+, 50,000-hr life, and DLC qualified for rebatesmaxlite.commaxlite.com. From a known lighting manufacturer with support/warranty.

Cons:

• Ballast remains in circuit: The old ballast continues to consume some power and could fail. This slightly reduces overall system efficiency and means future maintenance if a ballast dies.
• Not for all fixture types: Must have a mogul-base HID socket. It won’t retrofit fluorescent fixtures or small-base sockets. (Strictly for HID high-bay fixtures.)
• Enclosed fixture limitations: The higher watt model (250W) cannot be used in enclosed fixtures due to heatmaxlite.com. Even the 145W, though rated for enclosed, will have reduced cooling in airtight housings – check fixture temperature ratings.
• No dimming or smart controls when used with a magnetic ballast. You can’t easily add 0–10V dimming on a plug-and-play lamp (consider MaxLite’s Type B version or an external occupancy sensor cutoff for motion control).

4. Light Efficient Design Screw-In LED Retrofit Lamps – Versatile HID Replacement (90W–270W)

Score: 8.8/10 – High-performance LED retrofit “corn lamps” offering multiple wattages, robust build features, and reliable performance for both open and enclosed fixtures.

Light Efficient Design (LED) specializes in advanced LED retrofit lamps for HID fixtures. Their high-bay retrofit line includes models ranging roughly from 90W up to 270W that can replace HID lamps from 250W up to 1000W equivalentsshineretrofits.com. For example, the popular 135W model (LED-8132M) is a direct screw-in that replaces a 400W metal halide, outputting around 18,600–19,200 lumens in a 5000K daylight colorshineretrofits.com. That’s about 140 lm/W efficacy, which is very competitive and DLC-approved for efficiencyshineretrofits.comshineretrofits.com. These lamps require ballast bypass (they run on line 120–277V), but in return you get rid of the old ballast losses and have a very robust lamp/driver system. Light Efficient Design’s retrofits are known for their thoughtful engineering: features include an optional uplight LED module on some models to illuminate the ceiling/reflector (reducing “cave effect”), dynamic temperature control to prevent overheating at high bay temps, and drivers that are potted and vibration-resistant for industrial environmentsshineretrofits.com. They also integrate 6kA surge protection to handle power spikes and are rated for damp locations, with sealing against dust and insects for open fixture useshineretrofits.com. In short, these are heavy-duty lamps built for warehouses, manufacturing floors, and gymnasiums. Light Efficient Design offers models for open or enclosed fixtures (check the specific model; the “M” versions are for open fixtures, while others can go in enclosed). All carry 5-year warranties and 50,000-hour lifespans. With a wide range of wattages, you can choose a lamp that closely matches your needed lumen output, making this line one of the most versatile retrofit solutions.

Pros:

• Multiple wattage options (90W, 135W, 150W, 200W, 270W, etc.) – can replace everything from 250W to 1000W HID one-for-oneshineretrofits.com. You get a tailored solution rather than one-size-fits-all.
• High lumen output with great efficacy: e.g. ~19,000 lm from 135W (DLC Listed ~140 lm/W)shineretrofits.comshineretrofits.com. The largest 270W model delivers ~34,000+ lumens, sufficient for very tall high bays.
• Rugged, industrial-grade design: Features like thermal management, surge protection, and potted drivers ensure reliability in harsh warehouse conditions (vibration, heat, dust)shineretrofits.com.
• Improved light distribution: Available uplight feature (on certain models) helps illuminate ceilings/rafters, maintaining uniformity vs. the narrow beam of old HID bulbsshineretrofits.com. This can make the retrofit light feel more natural in fixtures designed for omnidirectional lamps.
• Open or enclosed fixture compatibility (model dependent). Also ANSI compliant sizing to fit most standard HID fixtures. No external driver box – all integrated.

Cons:

• Installation requires rewiring (Type B): You must bypass the ballast and connect the lamp’s driver directly to mains. This adds upfront labor compared to plug-and-play solutions.
• Weight and size: These lamps are quite large and heavy (the 135W unit is ~10 inches tall, 8.7 inch diameter, ~4.75 lbs)shineretrofits.com. Some high-bay fixtures may need bracket support or may not accommodate the lamp’s volume, especially with reflectors in place.
• No built-in dimming: These retrofits are typically non-dimmable (on/off only)shineretrofits.com. If dimming or motion sensing is needed, you’d have to install external controls to switch power on/off to the fixture.
• Cost: High-quality comes at a higher price point (often over $150 per lamp for larger sizes). However, the longevity and energy savings usually justify the investment over time.

5. Litetronics LED Magnetic Retrofit Kit – Fast LED Upgrade for Linear Fluorescents

Score: 8.6/10 – An innovative magnetic strip LED kit that lets you convert fluorescent warehouse lights to LED in minutes – ideal for retrofitting strip lights or linear high-bays with minimal tools.

Not all warehouse lighting is HID – many facilities use linear fluorescent high-bay fixtures or strip lights (e.g. 4-lamp T5HO or T8 fixtures). For those, the Litetronics Magnetic Retrofit Kit is a game-changing solution. This kit allows you to retrofit an existing fluorescent troffer or strip fixture to LED by mounting new LED strips magnetically inside the housingblog.litetronics.comblog.litetronics.com. A typical kit includes two or more LED strip modules and an LED driver, all with magnetic backs for tool-less installation. For example, one 4-foot 2-strip kit (30W per strip, ~60W total) produces about 8,100 lumens (≈130 lm/W) with 5000K LEDswarehouse-lighting.comwarehouse-lighting.com. These kits are 0–10V dimmable out-of-the-boxwarehouse-lighting.com, so you can integrate them with occupancy sensors or dimming controls easily – something not possible with old fluorescents. Installation is extremely fast: remove the fluorescent tubes and ballast, stick the magnetic LED strips onto the metal housing, connect the driver, and close it upblog.litetronics.com. The magnets hold the light bars in perfect alignment (a big improvement over older retrofits that required screws or even tape)blog.litetronics.comblog.litetronics.com. This yields huge labor savings – retrofitting is often 95% faster than installing a new fixture or even screwing in many bracket screwsblog.litetronics.comblog.litetronics.com. Litetronics’ kits are DLC Premium rated in many cases (efficacies of 130–150 lm/W)warehouse-lighting.comwarehouse-lighting.com, ensuring top-tier efficiency and rebate eligibility. They also maintain appropriate diffusion (frosted lens) to avoid glare and ensure even lightingwarehouse-lighting.com. With universal 120–277V drivers and various sizes (2-ft, 4-ft, different wattages) availabletcpi.com, these magnetic retrofit kits can modernize most linear warehouse lights – from aisle strip lights to low-bay fluorescents – in a very cost-effective manner.

Pros:

• Very fast installation: Magnetic mount and quick connectors mean each fixture can be retrofitted in minutesblog.litetronics.comblog.litetronics.com. Minimal downtime and labor cost, which is crucial in large retrofit projects.
• No drilling or special brackets: Magnets align the LED strips easily, and they stay securely in place for the long termblog.litetronics.com. This also preserves the clean look of the fixture (no misaligned screws visible).
• High efficiency (DLC Premium): ~130 lm/W or higher performancewarehouse-lighting.comwarehouse-lighting.com. You get big energy savings versus fluorescent (typically 50%+ reduction in wattage) while maintaining brightness.
• Full dimming & controls-ready: Comes with 0–10V dimmable driverswarehouse-lighting.com. Easy to add motion sensors, daylight sensors, or tie into a lighting control system for even more energy savings (only light areas when needed).
• Low profile and lightweight: The LED strips add very little weight and fit within the existing fixture body. Good for applications with limited space or where hanging a whole new fixture is impractical.
• Reduced waste: You re-use the existing fixture housing, which means far less material ends up in landfills compared to a full fixture replacementblog.litetronics.com. This is a greener approach and can save on disposal costs.

Cons:

• Requires basic electrical work: You must disconnect/bypass the fluorescent ballast and wire in the new LED driver. While straightforward, it’s more involved than a simple lamp swap, so a qualified person is needed.
• Not ideal for round HID high-bays: These kits are made for linear fluorescent-style fixtures (strip lights, troffers, etc.)blog.litetronics.comblog.litetronics.com. If your warehouse uses round or bulb-style fixtures, an LED retrofit lamp (like those above) is a better fit.
• Lumen output per kit is limited: Each 2-strip kit outputs ~8000 lumenswarehouse-lighting.com. To replace very high-output fixtures, you might need a 4-strip kit or multiple kits, if possible, which can complicate the retrofit. Ensure the kit lumen package matches your required light levels or use additional fixtures for very tall ceilings.
• Compatibility and code compliance: You must ensure the kit is installed in a fixture size it’s designed for (e.g. 4ft kit in a 4ft fixture)blog.litetronics.com. Also, retesting or labeling might be required per electrical code when retrofitting; reputable kits come with UL classification for retrofit use – check that certification to keep inspections smooth.

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Conclusion: Upgrading warehouse lighting to LED – whether via screw-in retrofit lamps or magnetic strip kits – is one of the most impactful energy efficiency measures facilities can take. The typical 20–30 ft warehouse ceiling is perfect for today’s LED high-bay retrofits, which can maintain or improve illumination while slashing energy costs by two-thirds or moreoeo.com. Our top picks above offer a range of approaches: plug-and-play lamps (MaxLite, OEO) minimize install time; high-performance retrofits (Philips, Light Efficient Design) maximize light output and longevity; and magnetic kits (Litetronics) make fluorescent conversions quick and easy. When choosing a solution, consider your existing fixture type, desired light levels, and whether you prefer a lower upfront labor (keep the ballast, use plug-and-play) or maximum long-term savings (bypass old components for highest efficiency). All the options here are proven in commercial projects to enhance lighting quality and efficiency. With many qualifying for utility rebates and delivering rapid payback through energy savings, these LED retrofit kits can dramatically improve your warehouse’s lighting with relatively little effortoeo.com. It’s lighting efficiency made easy – and your maintenance staff (and energy bill) will thank you in the years to come.

Sources:

1. OEO Energy Solutions – “High Bay LED Lamps – Direct Replacement for Metal Halide” (Jim Luby, Mar 2024)oeo.comoeo.comoeo.com
2. Philips/Signify – LED High Bay Lamp 145W Product Spec Sheetcandelacorp.comcandelacorp.com and USA Philips Lighting Catalogusa.lighting.philips.com
3. MaxLite – High Bay Retrofit Lamps Overviewmaxlite.commaxlite.com
4. Light Efficient Design – LED-8132M 135W Retrofit Lamp Specs (ShineRetrofits)shineretrofits.comshineretrofits.com and featuresshineretrofits.com
5. Litetronics – Blog: How to Choose the Best LED Retrofit Kitblog.litetronics.comblog.litetronics.com and Warehouse-Lighting.com – Magnetic Retrofit Kit product listingwarehouse-lighting.comwarehouse-lighting.com
6. Inside Lighting – “11 Most Efficient LED High Bay Fixtures” (efficacy rankings)inside.lighting
7. 1000Bulbs.com – “High Bay LED Retrofit Kits… ideal for spaces with ceiling heights of 20 feet or more”1000bulbs.com