All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
If you’ve ever stood in a dark backyard wondering where to position a light so your patio parties don’t turn into a game of shadow puppets, you’re not alone. Flood and spot lights do more than banish gloom—they shape mood, boost security, and showcase plants, pathways, and architectural detail like a theatre lamp. In the UK market, there are loads of choices from specialist brands and major retailers, and picking the right light can feel like choosing the right paint for a house: it changes everything.
LEDs are everywhere for a reason. They are efficient, robust, and come in styles that fit a modern terrace or a country cottage. From compact GU10 spot bars to 150 watt high bay-style floodlights for garages and workshops, LED tech has matured so you get instant-on brightness without the glare or the long warm-up times of older bulbs.
LEDs use far less power than old-school halogens for the same light output. That means noticeably lower bills without sacrificing brightness. Think of it as trading a thirsty van for a fuel-sipping hybrid—same journey, much less cost at the pump. When choosing, look at lumen output rather than wattage alone; lumens tell you how bright the light will be.
Many modern LED floodlights are rated to last tens of thousands of hours and are built to shrug off damp UK weather. Fixtures with high Ingress Protection, like IP65, guard against jets of water and dust—perfect for exposed walls, eaves, or garden spike lights that live outdoors all year round.
If you’re shopping for flood and spot lights, certain brands and sellers stand out for range, reliability, or value. Below I break down names you’ll see regularly and why they might be a good fit for your job—whether you’re lighting a driveway or highlighting a garden sculpture.
Kosnic offers no-nonsense LED floodlights that suit both domestic and light commercial uses. Models like the Della 80W are ideal when you need a bright, cool-white wash—great for a work area or large garden. If you want reliable, budget-friendly power, Kosnic is often a solid pick.
Ovia blends modern design with practical specs. The Sentro frameless floodlight shows how a discreet fixture can still deliver clean, even light. If aesthetics matter—say, you want a low-profile look against a rendered wall—Ovia’s range helps you keep the design tidy while still getting the performance.
Aurora covers a wide spectrum from compact adjustable spotlights to big high-wattage floods like the Cosmos 150W, aimed at workshops and large exteriors. Aurora often offers models with CCT (changeable color temperature), so you can tune from warm to cool light without changing the fixture.
JCC is useful if you want flexible, affordable outdoor accents or solar-powered spike lights for planting beds. Their range includes small directional spotlights for highlighting a tree or statue and more powerful wall-mounted units for path and security lighting.
Forum’s GU10 spotlight bars are popular for interior accenting—think kitchen islands and artwork—while their finish options, from satin nickel to chrome, suit contemporary interiors. If indoor spotlighting is on your to-do list, Forum is worth a look.
Integral combines performance with clean industrial design. Their reflectors and track-mounted surface fittings are handy for focused retail or studio lighting, and they also offer outdoor-rated GU10 fittings for a robust, focused beam outside.
Elios provides smart solar accessories and adjustable brackets for larger solar floods—great when wiring is a pain or you want a low-impact install. Velacs often offers CCT functionality and a wide spread of wattages for both domestic and commercial needs.
Astro leans towards premium interior lighting, with well-finished multi-bar spotlight options that suit modern living rooms and kitchens. If your focus is interior spotlighting with a designer finish, Astro’s builds are classy and tactile.
Expert Electrical acts as a specialist supplier in the UK market, stocking both household brands and commercial fixtures. If you’re a tradesperson or prefer to source professional-grade hardware, Expert Electrical often has the variety and technical depth to match the job.
Don’t forget the big high-street and online names. Screwfix and Toolstation are go-to spots for tradespeople who want fast availability and practical ranges. B&Q, Wickes, and Homebase are great if you want to see display fittings in person and get helpful store advice. LightingDirect and specialist online retailers can be king for choice and technical product pages.
Choosing lighting is part science, part gut feeling. Below are the key factors to weigh up so you don’t end up with a blinding spotlight or a weak wash that leaves corners dark.
Forget judging by watts alone—lumens measure actual light output. For example, a modern 50 watt LED flood can easily replace a 300 watt halogen and still be far brighter than you expect. Think about your aim: for a patio you might want 800–1,600 lumens; for a driveway or security flood, 2,000+ lumens. If you're lighting a shed or garage workspace, aim higher for clear task lighting.
Color temperature determines the mood. Warm white (around 2,700–3,000K) is cosy for patios, cool white (about 4,000K) looks crisp for modern exteriors and work areas, and very cool light (6,500K) reads almost blue and suits security-focused areas. Many products, like CCT models from Velacs or Aurora, let you toggle between temperatures to suit the scene.
Beam angle tells you whether a light makes a focused spotlight or a broad wash. Narrow beams (15–30°) are for highlighting features; wide beams (60°+) wash large areas. To picture it, imagine a cone of light: at 20 feet from the wall, a 60° beam will wash roughly 23 feet across—enough to light a typical patio from a single wall-mounted flood.
IP ratings indicate how well a fitting resists dust and water. For outdoor use, IP65 is common and means the light tolerates jets of water—fine for walls, eaves, and garden edges. For buried or inundation-prone sites, look for higher ratings. Inside, IP20 is plenty, but don’t use indoor-only fittings outside unless the weather is always under control.
Solar tech has improved a lot, and solar flood or spike lights can be a quick, wire-free fix. But there are trade-offs—here’s how to think about them.
Solar fixtures are simple to install and don’t require mains wiring, which is great if you’re renting or want a temporary setup. They’re brilliant for gently illuminating flower beds or paths. However, solar performance depends on sun exposure; in shaded or northern-facing gardens you might see shorter run times and dimmer output during dull months.
Wired fixtures offer consistent brightness and are better for security applications that need reliable, long-lasting light. They also support higher output units like 100–150 watt equivalent floods and are easier to switch from mains timers, motion sensors, or smart systems. If you plan to light an entire driveway or the front of a house, hardwired is normally the way to go.
Lighting can be a DIY delight or a safety headache. Here are practical pointers to keep you on the sunny side.
Where you place the light changes everything. For motion-activated security sets, mount between 8–12 feet high so sensors get a clear field of view without being triggered constantly by passing traffic. For spotlighting a tree or sculpture, a lower placement with a narrow beam can create dramatic shadow play. Adjust tilt so the beam hits the target and avoids shining into neighbours’ windows.
If you’re hardwiring exterior lights, think of the job like plumbing for electricity—get the safety and seals right. When in doubt, call a qualified electrician, particularly for connections to the mains or for high-power fixtures. Simple plug-in flood lights can be a safe DIY option for patios and temporary setups.
Floods and spots aren’t just functional—they’re visual tools. Use them to sculpt your garden and home like a painter using light instead of pigment.
A mix of low-level spike spotlights and gentle floods can guide a path, highlight shrubs, and create depth. Use warm tones near seating zones and a cooler wash near architectural elements to separate spaces and create layers of light.
For security, choose robust, high-lumen fixtures with motion sensors and long detection range. Brands such as Aurora and larger fixtures from Integral or Expert Electrical are commonly used for commercial premises and workshops, where reliability and long runtime are critical.
When planning your lighting spend, think long term. A slightly more expensive LED fixture with a better build and a 5-year warranty often saves you money compared with cheap options that fail in a season.
Cheap units can work for low-demand areas, but if you want crisp beams, accurate color temperature, and weatherproof reliability, invest a little more. Premium fixtures often have stronger housings, better optics, and higher IP ratings that last through rainy UK winters.
Looking ahead, consider fixtures that support dimming, CCT selection, or smart controls. A floodlight that can be tied into a lighting circuit, a timer, or a smart home hub lets you refine ambience and save energy without rewiring later.
It’s helpful to match product types to tasks. For a patio area, a 50W IP65 flood in 4000K gives bright, usable light without being icy. For accenting, a small GU10 spotlight bar from Forum or Astro provides pinpoint control. For a shed or workshop, a high-output 100–150W fixture like Aurora’s Cosmos will feel like daylight when you’re measuring or painting.
Finally, avoid over-illumination; too much light flattens a scene and wastes energy. Also, don’t ignore glare—aim fixtures carefully and use shields where needed. Think in layers: a little path-level light, a mid-level wash, and spot accents create depth rather than a single blinding eye of light.
Choosing the right flood or spotlight in the UK comes down to purpose, position, and product. Whether you’re choosing a solar spike for a flower bed, a frameless IP65 flood for a modern façade, or a multi-bar GU10 system for indoor accenting, the market offers solutions from Kosnic, Ovia Lighting, Aurora, JCC, Integral, Forum, Elios, Astro, and more. Think in lumens, pick the right beam angle and IP rating, and decide solar or wired based on permanence and brightness needs. A well-planned lighting scheme is like a good soundtrack: it sets the mood, draws attention where you want it, and makes the whole place feel put together.
| Flood & Spot Lights | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Esp Low Energy Pir Led Security Light 10w Black | £ 14,68 | |
| Forum Harvey Triple Gu10 Spotlight Satin Nickel | £ 24,16 | |
| Esp Pir Led Security Light 30w White | £ 26,80 | |
| Watt & Veke Vivi Advent Star Ø80 Cm White | £ 37,65 | |
| Forum Milan Deco 3xled Spotlight Chrome | £ 53,50 | |
| Scandi Living Pine Advent Candle 62 Cm Dark Oil | £ 99,- |
