8 Best T5 LED Tubes of 2026
Eight T5 LED tubes compared on length, brightness, and ballast type.
By Ethan Cole
Updated November 13, 2026
T5 tubes are thinner than T8, 5/8 inch across, with a G5 base, and they are used in many commercial and under shelf fixtures. A T8 LED will not fit a T5 fixture. This list covers eight LED T5 tubes in 2 ft, 3 ft, and 4 ft lengths. Figures come only from each listing.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwatt T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 4000K, Dimmable), 30 Pack | Most Tubes in the Pack | 30 tubes | T5, 4 ft, and G5 | 3,200 lm; 4000K | Type A+B; dimmable |
| Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 30 Pack | DLC Mentioned | 30 tubes | T5, 4 ft, and G5 | 3,200 lm; 3500K to 6500K | Type B; dimming not stated |
| Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 12 Pack | Wet Location Wording | 12 tubes | T5, 4 ft, and G5 | 3,000 lm; 5000K | Type A+B; dimming not stated |
| Espen T5 LED Tube (2 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 25 Pack | Ballast Bypass Design | 25 tubes | T5 and 2 ft | 3000K to 5000K | Type B; dimmable |
| Jesled T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 4 Pack | Highest Listed Lumens | 4 tubes | T5, 4 ft, and G5 | 3,600 lm; 5000K | Type A+B; dimming not stated |
| Jesled T5 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 4 Pack | Works With or Without a Ballast | 4 tubes | T5, 3 ft, and G5 | 2,700 lm; 5000K | Type A+B; dimming not stated |
| Elb Plus T5 LED Tube (2 ft, Type A, 4000K), 10 Pack | Plug and Play Design | 10 tubes | T5 and 2 ft | 4000K | Type A; dimming not stated |
| Espen T5 LED Tube (3 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 25 Pack | Selectable Color Temperature | 25 tubes | T5, 3 ft, and G5 | 3000K to 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NUWATT 30 Pack 4FT T5 LED Bulbs Type A+B
|
$319.99 | Buy | ||
LUXRITE 30-Pack 4FT T5 LED Tube Lights, Type B
|
$484.99 | Buy | ||
LUXRITE 4FT T5 LED Tube Lights, Type A+B, 24W=54W
|
$183.95 | Buy | ||
Espen 25 Pack 2FT LED T5 Light Tube
|
$155.00 | Buy | ||
JESLED 4FT T5 LED Tube Lights
|
$49.99 | Buy | ||
JESLED 3FT T5 LED Tube Lights
|
$44.99 | Buy | ||
ELB Electronics LED T5-10-840-B-FSF
|
$110.00 | Buy | ||
|
Espen 25 Pack T5 LED Tube Light 3FT
|
$185.00 | Buy |
NUWATT 30 Pack 4FT T5 LED Bulbs Type A+B
LUXRITE 30-Pack 4FT T5 LED Tube Lights, Type B
LUXRITE 4FT T5 LED Tube Lights, Type A+B, 24W=54W
Espen 25 Pack 2FT LED T5 Light Tube
JESLED 4FT T5 LED Tube Lights
JESLED 3FT T5 LED Tube Lights
ELB Electronics LED T5-10-840-B-FSF
Espen 25 Pack T5 LED Tube Light 3FT
Top 3 T5 LED tubes Reviewed
#1 Nuwatt T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 4000K, Dimmable), 30 Pack: Most Tubes in the Pack
Why We Picked It
A 30-pack of T5 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions a G5 base, Type A+B wiring, 24W, 3,200 lumens, a color temperature of 4000K, dimming, and a UL or ETL listing.
Key Specifications
- Pack: 30 tubes (listed)
- Tube and Base: T5, 4 ft, and G5
- Output and Color: 3,200 lm; 4000K
- Ballast Type: Type A+B (listed)
- Wattage: 24W (listed)
- Dimming: 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
You need a different length, base, or ballast type than the one listed.
Check current pricing and availability for the Nuwatt T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 4000K, Dimmable), 30 Pack.
#2 Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 30 Pack: DLC Mentioned
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
The listing mentions DLC. You can check qualified products on the DLC list if you need it for a rebate.
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 T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 30 Pack.
#3 Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 12 Pack: Wet Location Wording
Why We Picked It
A 12-pack of T5 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions a G5 base, Type A+B wiring, 24W, 3,000 lumens, a color temperature of 5000K, a UL or ETL listing, and wet or damp location use.
Key Specifications
- Pack: 12 tubes (listed)
- Tube and Base: T5, 4 ft, and G5
- Output and Color: 3,000 lm; 5000K
- Ballast Type: Type A+B (listed)
- Wattage: 24W (listed)
- Dimming: Not stated in the text we saw
| 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 T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 12 Pack.
#4 Espen T5 LED Tube (2 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 25 Pack: Ballast Bypass Design
A 25-pack of T5 LED tubes, 2 ft. The listing mentions Type B wiring, 7W, a color temperature of 3000K to 5000K, dimming, and a UL or ETL listing. Check current pricing and availability for the Espen T5 LED Tube (2 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature, Dimmable), 25 Pack.
#5 Jesled T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 4 Pack: Highest Listed Lumens
A 4-pack of T5 LED tubes, 4 ft. The listing mentions a G5 base, Type A+B wiring, 24W, 3,600 lumens, and a color temperature of 5000K. Check current pricing and availability for the Jesled T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 4 Pack.
#6 Jesled T5 LED Tube (3 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 4 Pack: Works With or Without a Ballast
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.
#7 Elb Plus T5 LED Tube (2 ft, Type A, 4000K), 10 Pack: Plug and Play Design
A 10-pack of T5 LED tubes, 2 ft. The listing mentions Type A wiring, 8W, a color temperature of 4000K, and a UL or ETL listing. Check current pricing and availability for the Elb Plus T5 LED Tube (2 ft, Type A, 4000K), 10 Pack.
#8 Espen T5 LED Tube (3 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 25 Pack: Selectable Color Temperature
A 25-pack of T5 LED tubes, 3 ft. The listing mentions a G5 base, Type B wiring, 12W, and a color temperature of 3000K to 5000K. Check current pricing and availability for the Espen T5 LED Tube (3 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 25 Pack.
How to Choose T5 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 T5 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 does T5 mean?
The T means tubular and the 5 is the diameter in eighths of an inch, so a T5 is 5/8 inch across. It usually has a G5 base.
Is a T5 LED the same as a T5 HO?
No. HO means high output, and it is a different fixture and ballast. Check the listing for what it replaces.
Can I put a T5 in a T8 fixture?
No. The tube, base, and fixture are different. Match the tube code to the fixture.
Are they dimmable?
Some are. Check each listing.
Final Verdict
Nuwatt T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 4000K, Dimmable), 30 Pack is our first pick, Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type B, Selectable Color Temperature), 30 Pack follows, and Luxrite T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 5000K), 12 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, Type A vs Type B vs Type C LED tubes.
More lists: best 4000K LED tubes, best 3 ft LED tubes, best T8 LED tubes.
Individual reviews: Nuwatt T5 LED Tube (4 ft, Type A+B, 4000K, Dimmable), 30 Pack.
Head to head: Sunco Lighting T8 4 ft 50 Pack vs Parmida T8 4 ft 20 Pack; Ledvance T8 4 ft 20 Pack vs Hykolity 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.