Barrina LED Shop Light Review: Easy, Affordable Upgrade

You can never have too much light in your garage. If you're anything like me, you need a lot more light than what your current setup offers. Stop waiting. Head over to Amazon and grab some Barrina LED shop lights.

For years, my garage lighting was severely lacking. Even though I had the floors professionally epoxy-coated before moving in and installed cabinets, toolboxes, and workbenches within months, I kept putting off the lighting upgrade. A few unanswered calls to electricians later, and the project fell by the wayside.

Initially, I wanted professional installation, hoping they could hide the wiring. Since the second floor of my home extends over the garage, there's no attic access to run wires behind the drywall. Realistically, the pros would have sold me overpriced LED fixtures and run the wires externally through conduit.

So, I finally decided to take the DIY route. I no longer live with just two fluorescent fixtures in a 700 sq. ft. garage. I only wish I had done it sooner!

Barrina LED Fixtures

While browsing Garage Journal and Reddit, I noticed that one brand kept popping up in DIY lighting discussions: Barrina. Sold on Amazon at almost-too-good-to-be-true prices, they have thousands of 5-star reviews.

LED prices have been dropping, and their quality and light output have been improving. Barrina offers complete fixtures that are easy to install, whether you're replacing or adding to your existing lights. The wiring is straightforward: simply plug them into a socket and use the included toggle switch, or hardwire them to an existing switched circuit using the included pigtail.

Buying Options

Barrina offers lights in 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8-foot lengths, available in packs of 6, 10, or 12.

They come in various color temperatures: 4000K ("cool white"), 5000K ("daylight"), and 6500K ("super bright"). The lower the Kelvin rating, the warmer the color appears. Practically speaking, 4000K is a "warm" white, 5000K is "cool" white, and 6500K borders on blue. I don't recommend the 6500K; it's too blue. The 5000K offers a balanced daylight feel, while the 4000K is a good choice for warmer light.

You can also choose between 20-watt and 40-watt versions. The 20W lights have frosted white lenses, while the 40W versions have clear lenses. I accidentally ordered the 20W lights initially, and as soon as I turned them on, I knew they weren't bright enough. Go with the 40W!

My Selection

I chose the 4-foot, 5000K, 40-watt version (available here)—the perfect fit for my garage. The 4-foot length suited my space, 5000K offered a nice color balance, and 40W delivered the illumination I needed.

I bought two 6-packs (12 lights total) and added a small assortment of linking cables in different lengths. I used the hardwire pigtails included with the light kits to control them from the existing wall switch. Altogether, I spent just under $230.

Installation

These lights are so featherweight that installation is a breeze. They come with small wood screws that are more than enough to support them. Screw the bases straight into the drywall and clip the lights in. I used coaxial staples to neatly secure the wires.

A couple of tips: estimate the length of linking cables you'll need beforehand, and use a laser level to align the lights and cables for a tidy installation.

I completed the installation over two evenings, spending about three hours wiring and mounting all 12 lights.

Layout & Design

For my garage, three rows of three lights each worked perfectly: one row down the center and two more on either side of where a car would sit. With two cars in the garage, this setup provides excellent light around the sides with minimal shadowing under the cars or in the wheel wells. When there's just one car in the middle, everything is well-lit, including the engine bay.

I mounted the remaining three lights on my garage door for auxiliary lighting.

The door-mounted lights exceeded my expectations. When the garage door is closed, they provide a surprising amount of light under a car raised on jack stands. When the door is open, they help compensate for the overhead light blocked by the door.

These door lights are easy to disconnect and reconnect as needed. I linked the three lights together and used the light kit's toggle switch to control them. You can unplug the switch when not in use, which is handy if you frequently open and close your garage door.

Final Verdict

These lights have truly been a game-changer for my garage. They've not only brightened up the space but also made working in there a pleasure. Considering the low price and effort, I regret not installing them sooner. If you're on the fence, don't hesitate. Light up your garage with more shop lights, and you'll wonder why you waited.

Disclosure: this is not a paid, compensated, or discounted review. I bought the lights myself from Amazon. There are no referral links or kickbacks.