LED Batten Buying Guide: 2 ft vs 4 ft, 10W vs 20W vs 36W (India)

An LED batten is the modern replacement for the old fluorescent tube light. It is a slim, one-piece fitting with the LED strip, diffuser and driver built in, so you screw it to the wall or ceiling and wire it directly. In this LED batten buying guide we cover the three choices that matter: length (2 ft or 4 ft), wattage (10W, 20W or 36W) and colour (6500K cool white or warmer tones). We also cover how to replace an old tube light and how many battens a room needs.

Short answer: for most Indian bedrooms and living rooms, one 4 ft, 20W LED batten per wall is the default. Go to 36W for large halls, shops and garages. Use 2 ft, 10W battens for bathrooms, balconies, passages and under kitchen cabinets.

LED batten vs old fluorescent tube light

Indian lighting brands like Crompton say an LED tube gives at least 100 lumens per watt. A fluorescent tube gives much less. In practice:

• Power: a 20W LED batten gives roughly the same light as an old 36–40W fluorescent tube. That is about half the electricity for the same brightness.
• Lifespan: brands quote 25,000–50,000 hours for LED tubes and 7,000–15,000 hours for fluorescent ones. At 6–8 hours a day, the LED batten should last close to a decade.
• No choke, no starter: the old tube needed a choke, a starter and a separate holder. LED battens have a built-in driver and turn on instantly with no flicker at startup.
• No mercury: fluorescent tubes contain mercury. LED battens do not, so a broken one is not a hazard.

One honest limitation: if the LED driver fails, you usually replace the whole batten, because the driver cannot be swapped out. Battens are cheap enough now that this rarely matters, but it is why the warranty period is worth checking.

2 ft vs 4 ft LED batten: which length?

Length	Typical wattage	Best for	Notes
2 ft (≈60 cm)	10W–20W	Bathroom, balcony, passage, pooja corner, under-cabinet	Fits narrow walls and above mirrors
4 ft (≈120 cm)	18W–22W (standard), 36W–40W (high output)	Bedroom, living room, study, kitchen, shop	Same length as the old fluorescent tube, so it covers the existing marks and wiring

How to apply: if you are replacing an old 4 ft fluorescent fitting, buy a 4 ft batten. It covers the same wall marks and lines up with the existing wiring point. Choose 2 ft only where a 4 ft fitting physically does not fit or the space is small.

10W vs 20W vs 36W: picking the wattage

Wattage is a rough proxy for brightness. The real number is lumens, which good brands print on the box. Use these as a starting point:

• 10W (about 2 ft): a small bathroom, balcony, staircase landing or wardrobe area. Good secondary light.
• 18–22W (usually 4 ft): the standard home tube light. One per wall in a 10×10 to 12×12 ft bedroom or study is usually enough.
• 36–40W (4 ft, high output): large living halls, double-height rooms, shops, offices, garages and workshops, or anywhere you need bright task light.

If you are unsure, buy for the larger room. A too-bright batten can be offset with a second, softer light source. A too-dim one cannot be fixed without replacing it. For room-by-room wattage on bulbs and other fittings, see our LED light wattage by room size guide.

How many LED battens does a room need?

Divide the room into zones rather than counting watts:

• Bedroom (10×12 ft): one 4 ft 20W batten on the main wall, plus a bedside lamp.
• Living room (12×16 ft): two 4 ft 20W battens on opposite walls, or one 36W batten plus wall lights.
• Kitchen: one 4 ft batten over the counter, not behind you. A batten behind your back throws a shadow on the chopping board.
• Bathroom: one 2 ft 10W batten near the mirror.
• Shop or garage: 36W battens spaced every 6–8 ft along the length.

6500K vs 4000K vs 3000K: which colour?

• 6500K, cool day light: the bright, slightly bluish white most Indian homes use in tube lights. It is the default on almost every batten deal. Good for kitchens, study tables, offices and shops.
• 4000K, natural white: a neutral middle option. It is easier on the eyes in living rooms and fine for reading.
• 3000K, warm white: a yellow, cosy light. It suits bedrooms and evening lounging, but colours look less accurate under it.

Some battens offer 3-in-1 colour switching: you flick the switch off and on to cycle between warm, neutral and cool. This is worth the small premium in a bedroom you also use for work.

What to check before you buy an LED batten

• Lumens on the box: compare lumens, not just watts. A higher lumens-per-watt figure means the same light for less electricity.
• Surge protection: Indian supply voltage swings. Look for battens that state a voltage range or surge protection on the listing.
• Diffuser: an opal (milky) diffuser spreads the light evenly and hides the individual LED dots. Clear diffusers look harsh.
• Mounting: most battens use clip mounts. Check that the clips and screws are included.
• Warranty: typically 1–2 years. Keep the invoice, because the driver is the part most likely to fail.
• Packs: battens are often sold in packs of 2, 10 or 20. If you are re-lighting a whole flat or a shop, a pack works out much cheaper per piece.

How to replace an old tube light with an LED batten

1. Switch off the MCB for that circuit, not only the wall switch.
2. Remove the old tube, then unscrew the fitting and disconnect the choke wires.
3. Connect the batten's phase (live) and neutral wires to the supply wires and earth if provided. Most battens mark L and N on the terminal block.
4. Fix the mounting clips to the wall, snap the batten in, turn the MCB on and test.

If you are not comfortable with wiring, an electrician can do this in a few minutes per point. Dispose of the old fluorescent tube carefully, since it contains mercury.

Live LED batten deals

These batten deals were live on RichDeals when this guide was published. Prices change, so each deal page shows the current status:

• Crompton Laser Ray Maxx 36W LED Batten, 4 ft, 6500K: a high-output batten for halls, shops and garages.
• Panasonic 20W TheaLED Batten Tube Light, 6500K, pack of 10: a standard-wattage pack for re-lighting a whole flat.
• Wipro Garnet 10W 2 ft LED Batten, 6500K, pack of 10: short battens for bathrooms, balconies and passages.
• Philips 20W LED Batten, 2 ft Slimline, pack of 20: a bulk pack for shops, PGs and offices.

For bulbs and every other running discount, browse all live offers.