What are the differences between Spotlight and Floodlight Bulbs?
Introduction to spotlight and floodlight bulbs
If you are looking for lighting to help better illuminate a specific area or item, your search has brought you to choose between a spotlight and a floodlight bulbs.
- Floodlights are wide angle lights designed to disperse, or “flood”, the defined large area with light. The wide beam angle can range from 45- to 120-degrees, depending on the shape and application needs. They are commonly used to illuminate large areas like driveways, warehouses, parking lots, basements, concerts, stadiums, or any area that needs wide light coverage.
- Spotlights are narrow beams of directional light. The beam angle can reach up to 45-degrees to produce light for a designated “spot.” They provide better control and concentration of light. You will typically find spotlights illuminating specific objects like art, landscape features, or architectural details.
Floodlights and spotlights come in different shapes and sizes, and commonly found in reflector bulbs. Depending on the application requirements and beam angle, Candex floodlight and spotlight bulbs are available in BR, R, PAR, and MR series.
LED BR series and R series (Floodlights)
BR stands for “Bulged Reflector” and “R” stands for reflector. The R series uses a mirror-like coating found on the inside of the bulb that increases light output. The BR series bulbs evolved from R bulbs and have become more common than the R series. BR bulbs are similar in shape, but they contain an additional reflector in the neck of the bulb to better catch and cast light. This extra reflector is the slight “bulge” visible between the base and the top of the bulb. Both series are perfect for wall washing or wall grazing.
Wall washing works best on smooth flat surfaces and is a lighting technique that evenly illuminates the entire wall to hide imperfections and remove shadows. Wall grazing aims to do the exact opposite, the goal of this effect is to accentuate textured surfaces by emphasizing the shadows. And giving the wall a more dramatic look.
LED PAR and MR (Spotlights)
PAR stands for “Parabolic Aluminized Reflector,” these are perfect for settings needing a narrow-focused beam of light. Most PAR bulbs do not exceed 45° beam angles, so they are great for security, theaters, and spot-lightning signs. Fun fact, PARs are used in modern lighthouses after they did away with open fires and candles.
MR stands for “Multi-Faceted Reflector,” originally designed to be used in slide projectors, they made their way to residential and retail lightning. They are perfectly suited for directional lighting such as track lighting, recessed ceiling lighting, or display lightning.
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© 2023 Candex, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
© 2023 Candex, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Candex is a lighting manufacturer, operating as a privately held company. Since light bulb beginnings in 1978, our lighting products now reach consumers across the globe through extensive distribution networks. Candex has gained recognition as a trusted provider of reliable LED lighting solutions, coupled with exceptional customer support.