I'm looking to upgrade the lighting in my shop and I've narrowed down my choices to tube lights with either a 4000K (cool white) or a 6500K (super bright) color temperature. After doing some research, I lean towards the 4000K option because it seems like it would be easier on the eyes. However, I'd love to hear your experiences with these options. Also, just for context, the lights I'm considering put out 2200 lumens. What do you all think?
1 Answer
Anything over 5000K starts to get way too cold, almost sterile. A study I read mentioned that light above 6500K can make you feel anxious when customers walk in. Personally, I used to have 5000K in my shop but decided 4000K would be perfect as it feels closer to natural light and is more inviting.

Yeah, if you're aiming for an outdoor feel, 4500K is usually a safe bet, especially around midday in Europe. Just keep in mind, quality differs with LED lights, so ensure you pick ones with a CRI above 90 for accurate color and less eye strain.