Surface and Batten

What is a Batten Light?

A batten light is a long, slim fitting that mounts directly onto a ceiling or wall. It's the LED replacement for the old fluorescent tube batten. The LEDs and driver (the part that converts mains power for the LEDs) are built into the fitting, so you don't need to replace tubes or starters.

Don't confuse it with a batten fix, which is the round B22 lampholder you see in hallways and bedrooms, usually with a decorative shade over it. Our collection covers linear and surface-mounted fittings for work areas.

You'll find LED battens in warehouses, carparks, stairwells, workshops, classrooms, garages, and under verandahs. If the space needs even light across a large area and has no ceiling cavity for downlights, a surface-mount batten is usually the quickest option.

LED Batten Light Brands We Stock

Thorn Barry LED Batten

The Thorn Barry Varioflex has two switches on the fitting. The first sets the colour temperature to 4000K, 5000K, or 6500K (neutral white through to daylight). That's what "840/50/65" in the product code means. It's not an IP rating. The second is Thorn's FLEX lumen switch, which lets you choose one of three output levels on site. On the 1500mm model, you can step the light down from 6,500 lumens to half that, depending on the space.

We stock the Barry LED batten in 1200mm and 1500mm Varioflex versions, along with the fixed 4000K Barry 60W in 1500mm. For wet or dusty areas, the Thorn Julie Varioflex is a sealed IP65 batten.

Pierlite Eco and IP65 Battens

Pierlite's Eco LED Batten Gen4 lets you choose 4000K, 5000K, or 6500K and select from several lumen outputs on the one fitting. It's IP20 rated and non-dimmable, with a five-year warranty. For wet areas, the Pierlite BWP Eco IP65 battens come in 1200mm and 1500mm lengths, with lumen and colour select.

Philips CoreLine and SmartBright

The Philips CoreLine Slim is a fixed-colour batten light. The 5ft model puts out 6,000 lumens at 4000K from 46W. If you'd rather set the colour on site, the SmartBright Dual Select Wide (BN132C) switches between 4000K, 5000K, and 6500K and between 26W and 52W. Both carry a five-year warranty.

Glight, Robus, Vynco, and SAL

For everyday installs, we also carry Glight, Robus, Vynco, and SAL. Glight's tri-colour battens come in 4ft and 5ft sizes with dual or selectable wattage. SAL's Ecoline MKII is a 1500mm tri-colour, dual-wattage option, and Vynco's Olsen comes in a 5ft 50W version.

Where corrosion is a concern, the Robus Sultan is a corrosion-proof IP65 batten with 3000K, 4000K, or 6500K colour select.

How to Choose the Right Batten Light

Length and Light Output

Most LED battens come in three lengths: 600mm (2ft), 1200mm (4ft), and 1500mm (5ft). These match standard fluorescent batten sizes, making it easier to swap an old fitting for a new one.

When comparing LED batten lights in NZ, look at lumens rather than watts. Lumens tell you how much light you'll actually get. For example, the Thorn Barry 60W puts out 6,000 lumens, while the Barry Varioflex 1500mm delivers up to 6,500 lumens from just 50W.

Colour and Lumen Select

Many battens in our range let you set the colour temperature and light output on the fitting itself. Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). 3000K is a warm white, 4000K is neutral white, 5000K is cool white, and 6500K is daylight.

Selectable fittings like the Thorn Barry Varioflex, Pierlite Eco Gen4, and Philips SmartBright mean one model can cover several jobs, so you're less likely to turn up on site with the wrong colour. If you're matching existing lights, a fixed-colour LED batten light like the Philips CoreLine Slim keeps things simple.

IP Rating: Indoor vs Wet Areas

The IP (ingress protection) rating tells you how well a fitting keeps dust and water out. The first digit covers solids, and the second covers water.

IP20 battens, like the Pierlite Eco Gen4 and Philips CoreLine Slim, are made for dry indoor spaces. IP65 battens are dust-tight and protected against water jets, so they suit covered outdoor areas, carparks, and dusty workshops. Our IP65 options include the Pierlite BWP Eco, Thorn Julie Varioflex, Robus Sultan, and Glight's Under Verandah batten.

Wide-Body Battens for Fluoro Replacements

Swapping out old twin-tube fluoros? A slim LED batten can leave screw holes, paint lines, or marks where the old fitting sat. Wide-body battens cover more of that footprint, which can save you from patching and repainting the ceiling.

In our range, look at the Philips SmartBright Dual Select Wide, the Glight Wideline batten, and the Pierlite BWP Eco. Pierlite designs the BWP Eco with a wide body specifically to cover the footprint of old fluoro fittings.

Find the Right Batten Light for Your Next Job

Not sure which batten light suits the job? Start with the space. Consider the length you need, how much light the area calls for, whether it's dry or exposed to dust and water, and whether you want to set the colour and output on site.

With our range of lighting solutions, there's usually more than one option that fits. If you're stuck between two fittings or you're pricing a larger job, our team can talk through specs and quantities with you. Find a branch or contact us today with your project details to get started.