LED HIGH BAY Price vs Quality review
- Genesis One Lighting
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 21

We are often approached with requests for pricing on LED High bays, typically with only the wattage as the prescribed specification. Why do some LED high bay lights have a bigger price tag than others? Lets compare the LED High bay price vs the quality in the review below
It can be a bit confusing, but it often boils down to the quality of the parts inside. Think of it like buying electronics – certain brands are known for their reliability and performance. With LED lights, two main parts really make a difference in price and how good the light is: the LED driver and the LED chip. If price is the dictate to your procurement decision, understanding the information below may be of great benefit to you.
Let's think of the LED driver as the power source for your light. It makes sure the LED chip gets the right amount of electricity to shine brightly and consistently. Different companies make these drivers, and some are known for their quality and longevity. Our table shows a few categories of LED drivers by brand:
Category A: Drivers made by Company A. This brand is often known for its reliability and good performance.
Category B: Drivers made by Company B. These are well-established companies in the lighting industry, often associated with quality.
Category C: Drivers from Company C. These brands are also known for producing good quality drivers.
Category D: Drivers made by the manufacturer in-house Company D. The quality here can vary quite a bit depending on the manufacturer.
Category E: Cheap low-quality drivers Company E. These are typically used to keep the cost of the light down.
Now, the LED chip is the part that actually produces the light. Different companies make these chips, and some are better at producing bright, long-lasting, and efficient light. Our table also shows categories of LED chips by brand:
Category A: Chips from Company A. This is a well-regarded brand known for high-quality LED chips.
Category B: Chips from Company B. These are also reputable manufacturers of LED chips.
Category C: Chips from Company C. Again, established brands in the lighting component market.
Category D: Chips made by the manufacturer in-house Company D. Similar to drivers, the quality can vary.
Category E: Cheap low-quality LED chips Company E. These are used in more budget-friendly lights.
When you combine different types of LED drivers with different types of LED chips, you get different levels of price and quality. For Example:
AE (High quality driver + Cheap low-quality LED chip): Here, you have a more reputable driver but a lower-quality chip. This might lead to a COMPETITIVE price but a LOWER END quality. The driver might be good, but the light output and lifespan could be limited by the chip.
EE (Cheap low-quality driver + Cheap low-quality LED chip): This combination results in a Cheap price but poor quality. Both the driver and the chip are likely to be less reliable and offer lower performance.
This table shows a range of these combinations and the resulting price and quality:
COMBINATIONS | PRICE | QUALITY |
AA | HIGH | EXCELLENT |
AB | HIGH | GREAT |
AC | MEDIUM | GOOD |
AD | MEDIUM | MID RANGE |
AE | COMPETITIVE | LOWER END |
BA | HIGH | GREAT |
BB | HIGH | GOOD |
BC | MEDIUM TO HIGH | GOOD |
BD | MEDIUM | ACCEPTABLE |
BE | BELOW MEDIUM | OK, NOT GREAT |
CA | HIGH | GREAT |
CB | MEDIUM | GOOD |
CC | MEDIUM | MID RANGE |
CD | MEDIUM | ACCEPTABLE |
CE | COMPETITIVE | LOWER END |
DA | MEDIUM | MID RANGE |
DB | MEDIUM | ACCEPTABLE |
DC | MEDIUM | ACCEPTABLE |
DD | LOWER END | OK, NOT GREAT |
DE | LOWER END | OK, NOT GREAT |
EA | MEDIUM | ACCEPTABLE |
EB | MEDIUM | OK, NOT GREAT |
EC | LOWER END | NOT GREAT |
ED | LOWER END | NOT GREAT |
EE | CHEAP | POOR |
All of these combinations will result in different prices for the product. How therefore is the comparison of price, the final decision-making criteria for your choice of High bays?
What does this mean for you when buying LED high bay lights?
Don't just look at the price. Consider the brands of the LED driver and the LED chip inside. Lights that use well-known and reputable brands are generally going to cost more, but they are also likely to offer better performance, longer lifespan, and higher reliability.
Choosing a cheaper light with unknown or low-quality drivers and chips might save you money initially, but you could end up spending more in the long run on replacements and higher energy bills due to lower efficiency.
Understanding the brands behind the LED driver and chip is a crucial step in making a smart choice for your LED high bay lighting needs.
When considering led High bays, consider using combinations of the well-regarded LED chip manufacturers and led driver manufacturers, a list of which is provided below:
RECCOMENDED LED CHIP MANUFACTURERS
Nichia (Japan): Often considered a leader in high-quality and innovative LED technology, including the development of the first high-luminous blue LED.
Cree LED (USA): A well-known innovator and manufacturer with a broad portfolio of LED chips for various applications.
Samsung LED (South Korea): A major global technology company with a significant presence in the LED market, offering a wide range of LED solutions.
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (Germany): A long-established company with a strong reputation for quality and innovation in optoelectronic components, including LEDs.
Lumileds (USA/Netherlands): Known for high-performance LEDs used in various applications, including automotive and general lighting.
Epistar (Taiwan): A leading LED chip manufacturer playing a significant role in the LED industry.
San'an Optoelectronics (China): A major player in the LED chip market, focusing on high-brightness LED wafers and chips.
LG Innotek (South Korea): A global leader in electronic components, including advanced LED technology.
Toyoda Gosei (Japan): Known for its high-quality LED chips and innovations in light quality, sometimes using similar phosphor technology to Nichia.
Seoul Semiconductor (South Korea): A global LED company with a focus on innovation and a wide range of LED products.
RECCOMENDED LED DRIVER MANUFACTURERS
Meanwell (Taiwan): A very popular and widely used brand known for its reliable and cost-effective LED drivers with a broad range of options.
Inventronics (China): A reputable manufacturer specializing in high-performance and long-lifespan LED drivers, often used in industrial and outdoor applications.
Philips/Signify (Netherlands): A well-established global lighting company that also produces high-quality and reliable LED drivers.
OSRAM (Germany): Another major player in the lighting industry with a long history of producing quality lighting components, including LED drivers.
Tridonic (Austria): Known for its innovative and intelligent lighting solutions, including efficient and reliable LED drivers and control systems.
Moso Power Technology (China): A significant manufacturer focusing on LED drivers for outdoor, industrial, and smart lighting applications, known for reliable and efficient products.
Sosen (China): Specializes in medium to high-power LED drivers, often used in street and industrial lighting, with a reputation for durability.
Lifud (China): A company focused on providing high-performance and reliable LED drivers for various lighting applications, emphasizing energy efficiency.
Eaglerise Electric & Electronic (China): A long-standing manufacturer of LED drivers known for their stable performance and a wide range of products for different lighting needs.
Helvar (Finland): A company specializing in energy-efficient LED drivers and advanced lighting control systems, often used in commercial and industrial projects. For more information, please contact our sales office on +27(0)11 4620251, send a mail to sales@genesisone.co.za or visit our website www.genesisonelighting.com Visit our google business profile https://g.co/kgs/FPEZzs6 Unit 27, Northlands retail park, 210 Epsom Avenue, Hoogland, Randburg, 2169
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