8 Best Type B Ballast Bypass LED Tubes of 2026
Eight Type B ballast bypass LED tubes compared on length, brightness, and ballast type.
By Ethan Cole
Updated November 12, 2026
A Type B tube, also called a ballast bypass or direct wire tube, runs on line voltage without a ballast. That can save on ballast failures, but the fixture must be rewired. This list covers eight tubes listed as Type B. We describe what each listing says and give no wiring steps.
See our best LED tube lights list for the rest. If you would rather replace the whole fixture, see our best LED shop lights and best 4 ft LED shop lights.
Note: switch the power off at the breaker and let a tube cool before you change it. Check the tube type against your fixture: a Type A tube is meant to work with the existing ballast, a Type B tube bypasses the ballast and needs the fixture rewired, a Type A+B tube is listed to work either way, and a Type C tube uses an external driver. Rewiring a fixture is electrical work, so use a licensed electrician if you are not experienced. Look for a UL or ETL mark, check whether the fixture is rated for the location, and follow the maker’s instructions. Listings differ; we describe what each maker lists.
All Products Compared
| Product | Best For | Pack | Tube and Base | Output and Color | Ballast Type and Dimming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ledvance T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K, Dimmable), 20 Pack | Ballast Bypass Design | 20 tubes | T8, 4 ft, and G13 | 2,500 lm; 5000K | Type B; dimmable |
| Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 30 Pack | Highest Listed Lumens | 30 tubes | T5, 4 ft, and G5 | 3,200 lm; 3500K to 6500K | Type B; dimming not stated |
| Sunco Lighting T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 30 Pack | Most Tubes in the Pack | 30 tubes | T8 and 4 ft | 2,200 lm; 5000K | Type B; non-dimmable |
| Hykolity T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 20 Pack | Selectable Color Temperature | 20 tubes | T8, 4 ft, and G13 | 2,300 lm; 3000K to 6500K | Type B; dimming not stated |
| Sunco Lighting T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 10 Pack | UL Listed | 10 tubes | T8 and 4 ft | 3,000 lm; 5000K | Type B; non-dimmable |
| Luxrite T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A and Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 12 Pack | Wet Location Wording | 12 tubes | T8 and 3 ft | 1,560 lm; 3000K to 6500K | Type A and Type B; dimmable |
| Hykolity T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 10 Pack | DLC Mentioned | 10 tubes | T8, 4 ft, and G13 | 5000K | Type B; dimming not stated |
| Parmida T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 20 Pack | Solid All-Rounder | 20 tubes | T8 and 4 ft | 2,200 lm; 5000K | Type B; dimming not stated |
| Award | Product | WikiHomeLED Score About WikiHomeLED ScoreThe WikiHomeLED Score is our own rating from 0 to 10, calculated the same way for every product from Amazon buyer ratings, adjusted for how many ratings each product has. It is never influenced by manufacturers, retailers, or affiliate commissions. Learn more › | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sylvania 20 Pack T8 Type B LED Bulbs 4 Foot, 18W
|
$115.33 | Buy | ||
LUXRITE 30-Pack 4FT T5 LED Tube Lights, Type B
|
$484.99 | Buy | ||
Sunco 30 Pack 4 Foot T8 LED Tube Light Bulbs, 18W
|
$134.99 | Buy | ||
hykolity 20 Pack T8 LED Bulbs 4 Foot
|
$129.99 | Buy | ||
Sunco 10 Pack 4 Foot T8 LED Tube Light Bulbs, 24W
|
$54.99 | Buy | ||
LUXRITE 3FT LED Tube Light, T8, 12W=25W, 1560LM
|
$174.95 | Buy | ||
hykolity T8 LED Bulbs 4 Foot, 171 LM/W
|
$75.99 | Buy | ||
PARMIDA 20 Pack UL 4FT LED T8 Ballast Bypass Type
|
$79.95 | Buy |
Sylvania 20 Pack T8 Type B LED Bulbs 4 Foot, 18W
LUXRITE 30-Pack 4FT T5 LED Tube Lights, Type B
Sunco 30 Pack 4 Foot T8 LED Tube Light Bulbs, 18W
hykolity 20 Pack T8 LED Bulbs 4 Foot
Sunco 10 Pack 4 Foot T8 LED Tube Light Bulbs, 24W
LUXRITE 3FT LED Tube Light, T8, 12W=25W, 1560LM
hykolity T8 LED Bulbs 4 Foot, 171 LM/W
PARMIDA 20 Pack UL 4FT LED T8 Ballast Bypass Type
Top 3 Type B ballast bypass LED tubes Reviewed
#1 Ledvance T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K, Dimmable), 20 Pack: Ballast Bypass Design
Why We Picked It
A 20-pack of T8 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions a G13 base, Type B wiring, 18W, 2,500 lumens, a color temperature of 5000K, dimming, and a UL or ETL listing.
Key Specifications
- Pack: 20 tubes (listed)
- Tube and Base: T8, 4 ft, and G13
- Output and Color: 2,500 lm; 5000K
- Ballast Type: Type B (listed)
- Wattage: 18W (listed)
- Dimming: Dimmable (listed)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
A ballast bypass tube is wired directly to line voltage, which means the fixture must be rewired and the ballast removed or bypassed. Follow the maker’s instructions and use a licensed electrician if you are not experienced.
Best For
Fixtures you plan to rewire or have rewired for direct line voltage.
Skip It If
You need a different length, base, or ballast type than the one listed.
Check current pricing and availability for the Ledvance T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K, Dimmable), 20 Pack.
#2 Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 30 Pack: Highest Listed Lumens
Why We Picked It
A 30-pack of T5 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions a G5 base, Type B wiring, 24W, 3,200 lumens, a color temperature of 3500K to 6500K, a UL or ETL listing, a DLC mention, and wet or damp location use.
Key Specifications
- Pack: 30 tubes (listed)
- Tube and Base: T5, 4 ft, and G5
- Output and Color: 3,200 lm; 3500K to 6500K
- Ballast Type: Type B (listed)
- Wattage: 24W (listed)
- Dimming: Not stated in the text we saw
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
Lumen figures are the seller’s own. Check the fixture’s rating and the tube type before you buy.
Best For
Garages, shops, and other spaces that need a lot of light.
Skip It If
You need a different length, base, or ballast type than the one listed.
Check current pricing and availability for the Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 30 Pack.
#3 Sunco Lighting T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 30 Pack: Most Tubes in the Pack
Why We Picked It
A 30-pack of T8 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions Type B wiring, 18W, 2,200 lumens, a color temperature of 5000K, a non-dimmable design, and a UL or ETL listing.
Key Specifications
- Pack: 30 tubes (listed)
- Tube and Base: T8 and 4 ft
- Output and Color: 2,200 lm; 5000K
- Ballast Type: Type B (listed)
- Wattage: 18W (listed)
- Dimming: Non-dimmable (listed)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
A large pack saves effort when you re-lamp a whole building, but check that every fixture takes the same tube length and type.
Best For
Re-lamping many fixtures in one purchase.
Skip It If
The fixture is on a dimmer.
Check current pricing and availability for the Sunco Lighting T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 30 Pack.
#4 Hykolity T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 20 Pack: Selectable Color Temperature
A 20-pack of T8 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions a G13 base, Type B wiring, 18W, 2,300 lumens, a color temperature of 3000K to 6500K, and a UL or ETL listing. Check current pricing and availability for the Hykolity T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 20 Pack.
#5 Sunco Lighting T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 10 Pack: UL Listed
A 10-pack of T8 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions Type B wiring, 24W, 3,000 lumens, a color temperature of 5000K, a non-dimmable design, and a UL or ETL listing. Check current pricing and availability for the Sunco Lighting T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 10 Pack.
#6 Luxrite T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A and Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 12 Pack: Wet Location Wording
A 12-pack of T8 LED tubes, 3 ft. The listing mentions Type A and Type B wiring, 12W, 1,560 lumens, a color temperature of 3000K to 6500K, dimming, a UL or ETL listing, and wet or damp location use. Check current pricing and availability for the Luxrite T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A and Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 12 Pack.
#7 Hykolity T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 10 Pack: DLC Mentioned
A 10-pack of T8 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions a G13 base, Type B wiring, 14W, a color temperature of 5000K, a UL or ETL listing, and a DLC mention. Check current pricing and availability for the Hykolity T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 10 Pack.
#8 Parmida T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 20 Pack: Solid All-Rounder
A 20-pack of T8 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions Type B wiring, 18W, 2,200 lumens, a color temperature of 5000K, and a UL or ETL listing. Check current pricing and availability for the Parmida T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 20 Pack.
How to Choose Type B ballast bypass LED tubes
Ballast Type (A, B, C)
Type A tubes are meant to work with an existing compatible ballast. Type B tubes bypass the ballast, which means the fixture is wired straight to line voltage. Type A+B tubes are listed to work either way. Type C tubes use an external driver. Check the listing for the type, and use a licensed electrician for any rewiring if you are not experienced.
Rewiring
A ballast bypass means rewiring the fixture. This is electrical work, so use a licensed electrician if you are not experienced, and follow the maker’s instructions. Label the fixture so others know it has been converted.
Brightness
Compare lumens, not watts. Tubes of the same length vary a good deal in lumens, and the figures here are the sellers’ own, not our measurements. Many listings also give an equivalent to a fluorescent tube, which is a rough comparison.
Color Temperature
Lower Kelvin numbers look warmer. 3000K is warm white, 4000K is neutral, 5000K is daylight, and 6500K is a cool white. Listings use words like cool white loosely, so check the Kelvin figure and keep one color temperature in a space.
How We Evaluate Type B ballast bypass LED tubes
We did not install or run these products. We compared manufacturer specifications and Amazon listing details, selected November 12, 2026. We could not retrieve current Amazon star ratings or rating counts for these listings, so they carry no WikiHomeLED Score, we show no star ratings, and the order is our editorial judgment of the listed specifications, not a score. We looked at the tube code, length and base, lumens, color temperature, ballast type, dimming, and any stated certifications or location ratings. We kept one listing per product family and no more than two per brand. Lumen, wattage, and color temperature figures are as published by each seller and are not our measurements; where a listing is vague or contradicts itself, we say so. Read recent customer reviews before you buy. The full method is on our How We Review page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Type B LED tube?
It is a tube wired directly to line voltage with the ballast removed or bypassed, per the listing and the maker’s instructions.
Is a Type B tube cheaper to run?
The tube itself draws far less than a fluorescent. Whether you save more by removing the ballast depends on the fixture. We do not make savings claims.
Can I use a Type B tube in a fixture with a ballast?
Only after the fixture is rewired as the maker says. Check the listing.
Do I need an electrician?
If you are not experienced with wiring, yes.
Final Verdict
Ledvance T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K, Dimmable), 20 Pack is our first pick, Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 30 Pack follows, and Sunco Lighting T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K), 30 Pack is third. We ordered by the strength of each listing’s stated specifications, not by ratings. Choose by the tube code, length, and base your fixture takes, the ballast type and wiring you are prepared for, the brightness and color temperature you want, and whether you need to dim.
More in LED Tube Lights and LED Light Bulbs.
Related Reviews and Guides
New to LED tubes? Start with Type A vs Type B vs Type C LED tubes, do LED tubes work with an old ballast, how to choose LED tubes to replace fluorescent tubes.
More lists: best Type A and B hybrid LED tubes, best plug and play Type A LED tubes, best 4 ft T8 LED tubes.
Individual reviews: Ledvance T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, 5000K, Dimmable), 20 Pack; Kouzems T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 25 Pack; Feit Electric T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K); H&B Luxuries T8 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 20 Pack.
Head to head: Ledvance T8 4 ft 20 Pack vs Hykolity T8 4 ft 20 Pack; Sunco Lighting T8 4 ft 50 Pack vs Parmida T8 4 ft 20 Pack; Feit Electric T8 4 ft vs Hykolity T8 4 ft 20 Pack.
About the author
Ethan Cole leads research and editing at WikiHomeLED, comparing LED lighting for the home through manufacturer specs, manuals, safety listings and owner feedback. Every product is scored against the criteria on our How We Review page, and picks are updated when models change.