Browse our full line of LED landscape flood lights and spot lights.
Landscape Flood and Spot Lights
Understanding Beam Angle
A beam angle is the measurement of the angles formed between a cone of light’s brightest point (the center) and the points on both sides where the light’s intensity is 50% as bright.
- Larger beam angles (greater than 45°) spread light over a wider area.
- Smaller beam angles (less than 45°))create a narrow, focused beam.
As the angle increases, the width of the beam expands—perfect for broader coverage. Bulbs and fixtures might not always say “spot” or “flood,” but their beam angles will define them.
NEMA Beam Classifications
Another way to tell the difference between a flood beam and a spot beam is by the NEMA light beam type. This classification measures the horizontal and vertical beam intensity area, designated as:
- Horizontal Type # × Vertical Type #
These numbers represent 10% of the maximum horizontal and vertical beam intensity area, helping you determine the exact spread of light.
What Is a Flood Light?
Any light with a beam angle of around 45° and above is usually considered a flood light. Flood lights provide a wide light spread and are perfect for covering large outdoor or work areas.
Common Applications:
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Fixture Style: Rectangular or oval heads are typically flood light fixtures.
For commercial use requiring even more intense light distribution, check out our commercial flood lights.
What Is a Spot Light?
Spot lights feature beam angles up to 45° and emit focused, concentrated beams of light that highlight smaller objects or areas. We also carry flag spot lights that have beam angles as narrow as 15 degrees for powerful, concentrated illumination on flags.
Common Applications:
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Even if two bulbs appear identical—like PAR30 bulbs—their beam patterns can differ drastically. A spot beam version produces a focused beam, while a flood beam version spreads light widely. If the bulb size is compatible, you can easily swap between flood and spot beams within the same fixture.
Fixture Style: Round heads are usually spot light fixtures.
Landscape Spot Lights and Flood Lights
In landscape lighting, both spot lights and flood lights play key roles. Spot Lights focus on specific features such as trees, shrubs, sculptures, or architectural details. They produce precise, dramatic illumination.
Flood Lights illuminate larger areas, including yards, signage, and building facades, enhancing both aesthetics and security. Both fixture types can be part of low-voltage landscape lighting systems, offering versatility and energy efficiency.
Why Should I Use LED Flood Lights and Spot Lights?
Using LEDs for your landscape applications will lead to greater benefits and cost savings.
- Longer Lifespans: LEDs last significantly longer than traditional fixtures, reducing the need for replacements and associated costs.
- Customizable Lighting: Each style is available with Tunable CCT and RGB color options to adjust your lighting to meet your needs.
- Smart Controls: We carry flood lights and spot lights with smart control options, which can be controlled via remote, smart app (phone or tablet), or smart home ecosystem (Amazon Alexa or Google Home).
What Do I Need to Know About Installation?
The exact installation instructions for each fixture will vary by product. Just remember, selecting between spot and flood lighting comes down to understanding your space and lighting goals. Spot lights provide precision, focus, and dramatic highlights. Flood lights offer broad, even coverage for safety and ambiance. Whichever you choose, keep in mind the beam angle determines how your light performs—small angles focus, large angles spread.
To learn how to install a specific product, refer to the usual manual. Check out this blog for more specific information on how to create a landscape lighting design.
What Voltage Do Flood Lights and Spot Lights Use?
Most of our landscape flood and spot lights for residential use will operate using 12 VAC or 24 VAC. However, we do carry select products with a 120-277 VAC that may be more suitable for commercial applications. Our flag lights also feature a 120-277 VAC.
