I’m looking to improve the lighting in my unfinished basement/shop, and I’m not too impressed with integrated LED shop lights. They’re really cheap, but most of them have low CRI and just don’t seem reliable.
I’m considering getting lamp-ready fixtures (like this one — MaxLite Lamp-Ready Fixture) and pairing them with high-quality bulbs. I think that might address both reliability and light quality.
What do you guys think? Am I on the right track, or is there a better option out there?
I know this will probably be more expensive, maybe double the cost of those cheap LED shop lights, but I think it’s worth it!
Sounds like a solid plan! I’ve had the same issue with cheap integrated lights. Once I switched to lamp-ready fixtures with good bulbs, the difference was night and day! Plus, you can always swap out the bulbs later if you want something different
From a lil experinece Investing in quality fixtures is definitely the way to go. The light quality makes a huge difference, especially if you’re working on detailed projects
I’ve been down that road, and I have to say, the upfront cost is worth it. Those cheap LED lights always seem to flicker or burn out too quickly. With lamp-ready fixtures, you’ll have way more flexibility in the long run.
If you can swing the cost, go for it! Good lighting is essential in a workspace. I’ve tried both, and there’s no comparison. Plus, higher CRI means better color accuracy, which is super important for any projects you might do.
I’m all for quality! I did the same thing and couldn’t be happier with the upgrade. Just be sure to pick bulbs with a higher CRI—it’s a game changer. You’ll see colors and details you didn’t even know you were missing!
Thanks so much for all the awesome feedback, everyone! It’s great to hear that so many of you have had positive experiences with lamp-ready fixtures. I feel way more confident about making this investment now. I appreciate all your insights!