7 Best 3 ft LED Tubes of 2026
Seven 3 ft LED tubes compared on length, brightness, and ballast type.
By Ethan Cole
Updated November 13, 2026
A 3 ft tube is an uncommon length used in some small commercial and utility fixtures, and there are fewer choices than 4 ft. This list covers seven LED tubes in 3 ft lengths, in T8 and T5 shapes. Check the tube code and base before you buy.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luxrite T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A and Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 4 Pack | Wet Location Wording | 4 tubes | T8 and 3 ft | 1,560 lm; 3000K to 6500K | Type A and Type B; dimmable |
| Espen T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type C, Selectable Color Temperature) | Selectable Color Temperature | 1 tube | T8, 3 ft, and G13 | 1,600 lm; 3500K to 4000K | Type C; dimming not stated |
| Espen T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type C, Selectable Color Temperature), 25 Pack | Most Tubes in the Pack | 25 tubes | T8, 3 ft, and G13 | 1,900 lm; 2700K to 5000K | Type C; dimming not stated |
| Jesled T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 12 Pack | Works With or Without a Ballast | 12 tubes | T8 and 3 ft | 2,520 lm; 3000K to 6500K | Type A+B; dimmable |
| Satco T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type B, 5000K) | Ballast Bypass Design | 1 tube | T8, 3 ft, and G13 | 1,450 lm; 5000K | Type B; dimming not stated |
| Sokply T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, 4000K), 2 Pack | UL Listed | 2 tubes | T8 and 3 ft | 1,875 lm; 4000K | Type A+B; dimming not stated |
| Jesled T5 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 4 Pack | Highest Listed Lumens | 4 tubes | T5, 3 ft, and G5 | 2,700 lm; 5000K | Type A+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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LUXRITE 3FT LED Tube Light, T8, 12W=25W, 1560LM
|
$59.95 | Buy | ||
Espen 25/Pack CoreTech 3FT LED T8 Type C Light
|
$155.00 | Buy | ||
Espen 25 Pack 3FT LED T8 Type C Light Tube
|
$155.00 | Buy | ||
JESLED 3ft T8 LED Bulbs, 12-Pack
|
$89.99 | Buy | ||
Satco S39929 12W T8 LED Tube Linear Bulb 3Ft 5000K
|
$164.28 | Buy | ||
Sokply T8 LED Tube Light 3FT Hybrid Type A+B 15W
|
$40.99 | Buy | ||
JESLED 3FT T5 LED Tube Lights
|
$44.99 | Buy |
LUXRITE 3FT LED Tube Light, T8, 12W=25W, 1560LM
Espen 25/Pack CoreTech 3FT LED T8 Type C Light
Espen 25 Pack 3FT LED T8 Type C Light Tube
JESLED 3ft T8 LED Bulbs, 12-Pack
Satco S39929 12W T8 LED Tube Linear Bulb 3Ft 5000K
Sokply T8 LED Tube Light 3FT Hybrid Type A+B 15W
JESLED 3FT T5 LED Tube Lights
Top 3 3 ft LED tubes Reviewed
#1 Luxrite T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A and Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 4 Pack: Wet Location Wording
Why We Picked It
A 4-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.
Key Specifications
- Pack: 4 tubes (listed)
- Tube and Base: T8 and 3 ft
- Output and Color: 1,560 lm; 3000K to 6500K
- Ballast Type: Type A and Type B (listed)
- Wattage: 12W (listed)
- Dimming: Dimmable (listed)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
The listing mentions wet or damp use. Check the exact rating and that the fixture is rated for the location.
Best For
A fixture that takes this tube length and base.
Skip It If
You need a different length, base, or ballast type than the one listed.
Check current pricing and availability for the Luxrite T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A and Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 4 Pack.
#2 Espen T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type C, Selectable Color Temperature): Selectable Color Temperature
Why We Picked It
A T8 LED tube, 3 ft. The listing mentions a G13 base, Type C wiring, 11W, 1,600 lumens, a color temperature of 3500K to 4000K, a UL or ETL listing, and wet or damp location use.
Key Specifications
- Pack: 1 tube (listed)
- Tube and Base: T8, 3 ft, and G13
- Output and Color: 1,600 lm; 3500K to 4000K
- Ballast Type: Type C (listed)
- Wattage: 11W (listed)
- Dimming: Not stated in the text we saw
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Things to Consider
Check how the color temperature is changed, such as a switch on the tube, and whether it can be changed after install.
Best For
A fixture that takes this tube length and base.
Skip It If
You need a different length, base, or ballast type than the one listed.
Check current pricing and availability for the Espen T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type C, Selectable Color Temperature).
#3 Espen T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type C, Selectable Color Temperature), 25 Pack: Most Tubes in the Pack
Why We Picked It
A 25-pack of T8 LED tubes, 3 ft. The listing mentions a G13 base, Type C wiring, 9W, 1,900 lumens, a color temperature of 2700K to 5000K, and a UL or ETL listing.
Key Specifications
- Pack: 25 tubes (listed)
- Tube and Base: T8, 3 ft, and G13
- Output and Color: 1,900 lm; 2700K to 5000K
- Ballast Type: Type C (listed)
- Wattage: 9W (listed)
- Dimming: Not stated in the text we saw
| 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
You need a different length, base, or ballast type than the one listed.
Check current pricing and availability for the Espen T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type C, Selectable Color Temperature), 25 Pack.
#4 Jesled T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 12 Pack: Works With or Without a Ballast
A 12-pack of T8 LED tubes, 3 ft. The listing mentions Type A+B wiring, 18W, 2,520 lumens, a color temperature of 3000K to 6500K, dimming, and a UL or ETL listing. Check current pricing and availability for the Jesled T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 12 Pack.
#5 Satco T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type B, 5000K): Ballast Bypass Design
A T8 LED tube, 3 ft. The listing mentions a G13 base, Type B wiring, 12W, 1,450 lumens, and a color temperature of 5000K. Check current pricing and availability for the Satco T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type B, 5000K).
#6 Sokply T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, 4000K), 2 Pack: UL Listed
A 2-pack of T8 LED tubes, 3 ft. The listing mentions Type A+B wiring, 15W, 1,875 lumens, a color temperature of 4000K, and a UL or ETL listing. Check current pricing and availability for the Sokply T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, 4000K), 2 Pack.
#7 Jesled T5 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 4 Pack: Highest Listed Lumens
A 4-pack of T5 LED tubes, 3 ft. The listing mentions a G5 base, Type A+B wiring, 18W, 2,700 lumens, and a color temperature of 5000K. Check current pricing and availability for the Jesled T5 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 4 Pack.
How to Choose 3 ft LED tubes
Tube Codes and Length
The T in T8, T5, and T12 means tubular, and the number is the diameter in eighths of an inch, so a T8 is 1 inch across and a T5 is 5/8 inch. Lengths are usually 2, 3, 4, or 8 feet. Match the code and the length to the fixture, because an LED tube must fit the same sockets as the fluorescent tube it replaces.
Base
Most T8 and T12 tubes use a G13 medium bi-pin base, and T5 tubes use a smaller G5 base. 8 foot tubes often use a single pin FA8 base or a recessed double contact base. Check the socket before you buy, since the bases are not interchangeable.
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.
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.
How We Evaluate 3 ft 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 fixtures take a 3 ft tube?
Some small commercial and utility fixtures. Check the fixture for the length.
Is a 3 ft tube the same as a 4 ft?
No. It is a shorter product with fewer lumens. Check the listing.
Is there a T8 and a T5 in 3 ft?
Yes, and they do not fit each other’s fixtures. Check the tube code.
Are they dimmable?
Some are. Check each listing.
Final Verdict
Luxrite T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A and Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 4 Pack is our first pick, Espen T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type C, Selectable Color Temperature) follows, and Espen T8 LED Tube (3 ft, Type C, Selectable Color Temperature), 25 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 T8 vs T5 vs T12 LED tubes, how to choose LED tubes to replace fluorescent tubes.
More lists: best 2 ft T8 LED tubes, best T5 LED tubes, best 8 ft LED tubes.
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.