LED panels all look alike in a catalogue photo, yet the difference between a comfortable office and a glaring, flickering one comes down to four numbers on the datasheet. Here is what to check before you buy.
Brightness: think lumens, not watts
Wattage tells you consumption, not output. Compare lumens — a good 600x600 panel delivers around 3,600 lm from 30–36 W (efficacy of 100 lm/W or better). For general offices aim for 300–500 lux at desk level; a typical room needs roughly one panel per 8–10 m².
Colour temperature and rendering
4000 K (cool white) is the safe choice for offices and retail; 3000 K suits hospitality and waiting areas; 6500 K is best kept for task-heavy back-of-house zones. Check colour rendering too: CRI 80 is the minimum for workplaces, CRI 90+ for clinics, studios and showrooms where colours must look true.
Glare: the UGR rating
If staff work on screens, specify UGR<19 panels. They use micro-prismatic or low-glare diffusers that cut reflections on monitors — a requirement in most modern office fit-out specifications in the UAE.
The driver is half the product
Cheap drivers cause flicker, hum and early failure. Look for flicker-free drivers with a power factor above 0.9, and choose DALI-dimmable versions if the project has lighting control. A 5-year warranty usually signals a manufacturer who trusts their driver.
Quick checklist
Lumens and efficacy, colour temperature and CRI, UGR rating, driver quality and warranty — confirm those four lines on the datasheet and you will not go wrong. Need help comparing options? Our team can match panels to your specification and budget.