As kak111's post indicates, major IR LED manufacturers make various models to suit different requirements and their radiation characteristics are shown on datasheets. For example, when I need a narrow beam and/or a strong one, I use Vishay's TSAL6100. When I want a broader but still quite strong beam, I use a TSAL6200, also by Vishay. An advantage of using IR LEDs (and other products) made by a major company is that they have detailed datasheets and such datasheets are reliable.
Some time ago, I did a major project in which one section required several IR links outdoors in broad daylight. At first I used no-name IR LEDs from the local market and I could barely get a reliable link at 5m. After some investigation, I found that not only were the LEDs inefficient, but they also focussed their emissions in directions way off the physical axis. Later, I replaced them with TSAL6100 and could easily set up rock-solid links at more than 20m without any change in the circuit.