What Is a Wash Moving Head? A Complete Guide for Beginners

Wash moving head lights are essential tools in the world of stage lighting. Whether you're lighting up a concert, wedding, club, or theater, these fixtures create soft, colorful washes that fill the stage with atmosphere and emotion. But what exactly is a wash moving head, and how is it different from other types of lights like beam or spot?

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about wash moving head lights — from how they work to how to choose the right one.

What Is a Wash Moving Head Light?

A wash moving head is an intelligent lighting fixture that pans, tilts, and projects a wide, smooth beam of light over a large area. Unlike narrow-beam spotlights or sharp beam lights, wash lights are used to bathe the stage, background, or performers in color and ambience.

Key Features of Wash Moving Heads:

• Wide beam angle (typically 10° to 60°, often motorized zoom)
• Smooth color blending (RGBW, RGBWA, or CMY color mixing)
• Even light distribution – no harsh edges
• Motorized pan/tilt for dynamic motion

Led Wash Moving Head Light

Wash vs. Spot vs. Beam — What’s the Difference?

Feature	Wash Moving Head	Spot Moving Head	Beam Moving Head
Beam Angle	Wide (10°–60°)	Medium (10°–30°)	Narrow (1°–3°)
Purpose	Color wash	Focused pattern/gobo	Sharp visual beams
Best For	Background, ambiance	Highlights, effects	Visual impact, clubs
Common Power	60W–600W+	200W–700W	100W–500W

✅ Wash = ambiance + color coverage
✅ Spot = focus + pattern
✅ Beam = energy + punch
Led wash moving head effect

What Are Wash Moving Head Lights Used For?

Wash moving heads are versatile and widely used in:

• Concerts & Tours – Creating colorful stage environments
• Theater – Enhancing mood and scene transitions
• Weddings & Corporate Events – Soft background lighting
• TV Studios – Providing consistent, flicker-free illumination
• Clubs & DJs – Color sweeps synced with music

Popular Types of Wash Moving Heads

1. LED Wash Moving Head

• Energy efficient
• Long life (30,000–50,000 hrs)
• Fast color mixing
• Available in RGBW, RGBWA, and RGBAW+UV

2. Lamp-Based Wash

• Powerful brightness
• Used in large-scale events
• Shorter lifespan (1000–2000 hrs)

3. Hybrid Wash (Zoom + Beam + Spot)

• Combines wash with spot and beam features
• Flexible use for touring and installations

Light Source Comparison

Light Source	Brightness	Lifespan	Color Mixing	Cost
LED	High	30K–50Kh	Excellent	Medium–High
Lamp	Very High	1K–2Kh	Average	Medium
Laser (new)	Ultra High	20K+	Emerging tech	High

7x40w led wash moving head

How to Control a Wash Moving Head Light?

Most modern wash moving heads are controlled using DMX512 protocol.

Basic Setup:

1. Connect DMX controller to wash moving head via XLR cable (3-pin or 5-pin)
2. Assign DMX address to each fixture
3. Use DMX channels to control:
   • Dimmer
   • RGBW color
   • Zoom
   • Pan/Tilt
   • Strobe

Also available: wireless DMX options for faster setup.

How to Choose the Right Wash Moving Head?

When buying a wash moving head, consider the following:

• Power: 60W for small venues, 300W+ for big stages
• Zoom Range: Adjustable beam width offers more flexibility
• Color System: RGBW or CMY? More colors = more creativity
• Build: Is it IP-rated for outdoor use?
• Control: Does it support RDM or wireless DMX?

💡 For outdoor events, consider IP65-rated wash moving heads.

Common Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a wash and a spot moving head?

Wash lights create soft, wide color areas; spot lights create focused beams and patterns.

Is a wash moving head good for weddings or small stages?

Absolutely! Even a 60W wash head can beautifully cover a 5x5m area with vibrant colors.

Can one controller manage many wash lights?

Yes, with DMX daisy-chaining and unique addresses for each fixture.

Discover Aolait Wash Moving Heads

At Aolait, we offer a wide range of professional wash moving head lights including:

• 💡 150W RGBW Zoom Wash – Compact, quiet, perfect for weddings
• 💡 300W IP65 Wash – All-weather outdoor performance
• 💡 LED Hybrid Wash/Spot – All-in-one solution for mobile DJs

🛒 See all Wash Moving Heads →

Conclusion

Wash moving head lights are the unsung heroes of stage lighting — creating atmosphere, depth, and emotion. Whether you're a beginner or a pro designer, understanding how they work and how to choose the right one can transform your next event.

Ready to explore our collection of wash lights? Visit aolait.com for more.

• How to Control Moving Head Lights
• IP65 Rated Moving Lights: The Future of Outdoor Lighting