LED Tubes – T5, T8, U-Bend, Selectable & More

Why Switch to LED Tubes?

• 40–60% energy savings — A 15W–18W 4 ft LED T8 typically replaces a 32W fluorescent. Type B also removes ballast wattage loss.
• 50,000+ hour life — Two to three times a fluorescent tube, with fewer relamps in offices, warehouses, and schools.
• Instant on, no flicker — Full output immediately. No warm-up, no buzz, no mercury to recycle.
• Type A, Type B, and hybrid A+B — Plug-and-play on the existing ballast, rewire for line voltage, or stock one lamp that does both.
• Field-selectable CCT — Many Keystone and Euri models switch 3000K / 3500K / 4000K / 5000K / 6500K on the tube so one SKU covers a whole building.
• Contractor packs — 2-pack through 25-pack cases for project pricing and fewer cartons on the job.

Type A vs Type B vs Type A+B

Pick the UL type before you pick wattage. The wrong type either will not light or will damage the driver. Full definitions live on our LED tube types page.

Type C (external driver) is the premium controls path. This collection is focused on Type A, Type B, and A+B — the types most commercial jobs specify.

How to Choose the Right LED Tube

1. Diameter and shape

• T8 — The default 1-inch tube for offices, schools, retail, and most 4 ft strips and troffers.
• T5 / T5HO — Slimmer 5/8-inch tubes. T5HO is common in high-bay fluorescent fixtures (F54T5HO replacements).
• U-bend — Fits 2x2 U-bend troffers. Confirm leg spacing (typically 1-5/8 in or 6 in) before you order.

2. Length

• 2 ft — Under-cabinet, 2x2 fixtures, and short strips. Often 7W–9W replacing 17W T8.
• 4 ft — The volume SKU. 12W–18W T8 replacing 32W fluorescent; 25W T5HO replacing 54W.
• 3 ft and 5 ft lamps are in stock for less common fixtures. Match nominal length, not just wattage.

3. Color temperature

• 3000K–3500K — Warm / neutral for hospitality and some offices
• 4000K–4100K — The commercial default
• 5000K — Cool daylight for warehouses, shops, and task areas
• 6500K — Very cool; use only when specified

CCT-selectable tubes cover several of these with a switch on the lamp. Set them on the ground before they go in the ceiling.

4. Wiring and sockets (Type B)

Type B tubes are single-ended or double-ended. Double-ended models usually work in shunted or non-shunted tombstones. Single-ended models need non-shunted sockets on the powered end. Always follow the manufacturer’s wiring diagram, turn power off at the breaker, and relabel the fixture after a ballast bypass. A licensed electrician is recommended.

5. Listings and packs

For utility rebates, choose DLC-listed Type B or A+B models. Most professional tubes here are glass with a frosted lens, 80+ CRI, and damp-location rated. Order the 25-pack when you are doing a floor or a building.

Common Applications

• Office and school 2x4 and 2x2 troffers
• Retail and warehouse strip fixtures
• T5HO high-bay fluorescent fixtures being converted lamp-by-lamp
• Utility rooms, corridors, and stairwells
• Parking garage and canopy linear fixtures (damp-rated tubes only)

Brands We Carry

Keystone Technologies DirectDrive Type B and Color Select tubes · Sylvania / LEDVANCE ECO Type B and DUALescent A+B · Euri Lighting hybrid CCT-tunable T8. Many models are DLC-listed for rebate programs.

Why Buy from LeanLight?

• Fast, free shipping on every order (ships from Georgia; typically 1–5 day delivery in the U.S.)
• Volume and project discounts on cases and multi-location rollouts
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee with easy returns
• Georgia-based lighting specialists focused on commercial and industrial LED since 2008

Need the type definitions first? Read LED Tube Types (A, B, C, A+B) and Color Selectable LED Tubes. Related collections: Linear Fluorescent Lamps, Fluorescent Ballasts, Lighting Retrofit Kits, and LED Corn Bulbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an LED tube?

An LED tube is a linear LED lamp built to drop into a fluorescent fixture in place of a T8, T5, T5HO, or U-bend fluorescent tube. It produces the same general light with less wattage, no mercury, and a 50,000-hour rated life.

Do LED tubes need a ballast?

Only Type A tubes use the existing fluorescent ballast. Type B tubes require the ballast to be removed or disconnected and the sockets wired to 120–277V. Type A+B hybrid tubes work either way. Check the product title and spec sheet before you install.

Can I mix LED tubes and fluorescent tubes in the same fixture?

No. Do not mix lamp technologies on one ballast. Convert the whole fixture to the same UL type.

How much energy will I save?

Typical savings are 40–60% versus the fluorescent tube being replaced. Example: a 15W Type B LED T8 replacing a 32W T8 plus its ballast often cuts fixture wattage by half or more.

Are LED tubes dimmable?

Most Type B tubes are non-dimmable. Some Type A and Type C systems dim through a compatible ballast or external driver. Confirm dimming on the individual product page.