Light Bulb Types: How to Choose the Best Light Bulbs

13 Jan.,2025

 

Light Bulb Types: How to Choose the Best Light Bulbs

Your Best Light Bulb Choice

There are a lot of choices when buying light bulbs, but choosing the right kind is easy with our guide. Today, the longest-lasting light bulbs are primarily light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. General-purpose LED bulbs fit standard light sockets and are the most energy-efficient option. LED bulbs have a lower wattage than incandescent bulbs &#; meaning they use less energy &#; but still have the same light output. LED bulbs can last more than 20 years and don&#;t contain mercury.

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LED bulbs work by using an electrical current passed through semiconductive material to illuminate the tiny diodes. The heat produced is absorbed into a heat sink, keeping the bulbs cool to the touch. That also means they don&#;t emit heat into your home, which may help you save on air conditioning costs. You can use LED bulbs outside too. Just make sure the packaging indicates the bulb is rated for outdoor use.

What&#;s the Difference Between LED and Regular Light Bulbs?

LED bulbs use less wattage than incandescent bulbs, so they can create the same amount of light using less energy. Regular incandescent bulbs produce warm, yellow light, while LED bulbs produce soft, cool light.

Lighting Facts

The type of lighting you choose for a room directly affects its atmosphere and mood. The right combination of light fixtures and light bulbs illuminates your home and offers both flattering and useful results. To get the best light bulbs for your lifestyle and home, it helps to know a bit about the science of lighting. For more on lighting and its role in home décor, read our how-to guide &#; Home Lighting Tips.

Lumens and Watts

Lumens and watts are important for determining light output and energy use.

  • Lumens are the amount of light a light bulb emits. More lumens equal brighter light; fewer lumens equal dimmer light. Standard 100-watt bulbs produce about 1,600 lumens.
  • Watts are the amount of energy a light bulb uses. The lower the light bulb&#;s wattage, the less energy it uses. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LED bulbs have a lower wattage than incandescent bulbs but have the same light output.
Tip

Never exceed the maximum wattage recommended for your lamp or fixture.

Which Type of Light Bulb Is Brighter?

Bulb type doesn&#;t determine how bright a light will be. Instead, the number of lumens determines brightness. Light bulb packaging usually includes the number of lumens the bulb produces.

Light Color

Light color or appearance is measured on the Kelvin (K) temperature scale, and it&#;s the difference in soft white versus daylight bulbs. Lower Kelvin numbers mean more-yellow light. The higher the Kelvin number, the whiter or bluer the light.
  • Soft White (Yellow Range, K to K): This is the standard color of incandescent bulbs. These bulbs are perfect for illuminating bedrooms, living rooms or dens and highlighting dark woods.
  • Warm White (Between the Yellow and White Ranges, K to K): These bulbs are perfect for kitchens, workspaces and bathrooms.
  • Bright White (Between the White and Blue Ranges, K to K): These bulbs work best in kitchens and bathrooms with chrome or white fixtures.
  • Daylight (Blue Range, K to K): These bulbs are perfect for reading because they&#;re bright but still easy on the eyes.

Wattage Breakdown

The Energy Independence and Security Act of requires that light bulbs use 25% less energy, leading to the phaseout of standard incandescent light bulbs and CFLs. Use this chart to locate an energy-saving equivalent.

Reading the Package Label

Lighting labels provide facts to help you get the most bang for your buck. They&#;re now required by the Federal Trade Commission to appear on light bulb packaging. Facts include brightness, estimated yearly cost, life expectancy, light appearance, energy use and mercury information.

Tip

By comparing the lumens, or light output, and life expectancy of different bulbs with the same wattage, you can select the light bulb that provides the best combination.

Are LED Bulbs Better Than Regular Bulbs?

LED bulbs can last longer than incandescent bulbs and are better for conserving energy without sacrificing performance, which is why many people prefer LED bulbs. Others prefer the warm light that incandescent bulbs provide.

How Do I Know What Type of Light Bulb I Need?

The type of bulb you need will depend on the type of lamp or light socket you have and how you want to use your light. Fluorescent bulbs are good for locations where you prefer bright, continuous light, such as in offices and kitchens. Incandescent bulbs provide a warm light, so people often use them in bedrooms and desk lamps. LED bulbs are bright and long lasting, and some use less energy than incandescent bulbs. Smart bulbs are great for people with busy lives who want to set their lights on a timer or wish to control them remotely. These days, you have more lighting options than ever, so think about how you&#;ll use your bulbs before making a selection.

Here are some of the most common types.

Incandescent Light Bulbs

Incandescent bulbs used to be the industry standard, but laws now require light bulbs to abide by specific energy-efficiency rules. All standard 100-, 75-, 60- and 40-watt incandescent bulbs have been phased out and will no longer be produced. Many specialty incandescent bulbs, such as chandelier bulbs, will remain available.

Incandescent bulbs use a filament that&#;s heated to the point of glowing. The glowing filament produces the bulb&#;s light.

  • Incandescent bulbs last one year on average.
  • Incandescent bulbs don&#;t contain mercury.
  • You can use incandescent bulbs with dimmer switches.

When replacing old incandescent bulbs, choose LED bulbs instead.

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  • LED bulbs generally last longer than incandescent bulbs.
  • LED bulbs use less energy and produce less heat than incandescent bulbs.
  • You can use LED bulbs with dimmer switches.

Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent bulbs or tubes are filled with mercury vapor that emits ultraviolet (UV) light when electricity is applied. The bulbs/tubes have a coating inside that turns the UV rays into visible light. They use less energy than an incandescent bulb and are ideal for offices, kitchens, hallways and other areas that need a large area of light. Fluorescent bulbs also produce about 75% less heat than incandescent bulbs, so they keep rooms cool with less energy.

  • Fluorescent lights are usually long and tube-shaped but also come in U-shaped bulbs.
  • Fluorescent tubes won't work without a ballast, a device that regulates the current to the bulb.

Halogen Light Bulbs

Halogen bulbs use a filament that&#;s heated to the point of glowing. They&#;re the same as incandescent bulbs but use less energy.

  • Halogen bulbs last one year on average.
  • Halogen bulbs don&#;t contain mercury.

High-Intensity Discharge Light Bulbs

High-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs are primarily used in streetlights and larger spaces, such as warehouses and commercial buildings. They&#;re filled with sodium or mercury vapor that conducts electricity. HID bulbs don&#;t have filaments like most light bulbs, so they last longer.

Smart Light Bulbs

Smart light bulbs enable you to set timing and brightness with voice controls or, if you&#;re away from home, remotely using a smart device. Some models even let you adjust the color to warm, yellow lighting or cool, blue lighting.

  • LED smart bulbs use less energy than their incandescent counterparts while producing the same light output.
  • LED smart bulbs will last up to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs while providing the same quality of light.

Light Bulbs With Camera Functionality

These bulbs include security cameras so you can check in on your home from anywhere that has an internet connection. You can enable light bulbs with motion sensors to send you alerts whenever they detect movement. You can also program timers, set the brightness and more. You&#;ll find these available as exterior flood lights or indoor LED bulbs.

Light Bulb Shapes and Bases

There are a variety of light bulb sizes, shapes and bases available to fit your needs. Different types of LED bulbs can be used in table lamps, pendant lights, ceiling fans, wall sconces and other lighting fixtures. Vintage and decorative bulbs are perfect for adding a bit of style to your room décor.

If you're looking to replace a broken bulb, have your old bulb with you when you shop so you can buy the correct replacement. You can also check out other available energy-saving and stylish options.

Here are some common light bulb shape codes you may encounter when shopping for bulbs: 

  • A19 bulbs retain the classic shape of a lightbulb, and their curved shaped is ideal for use with hanging ceiling fixtures and floor lamps. 
  • A21 bulbs also have the classic bulb shape &#; like A19s&#; but with a wider diameter.
  • B11 bulbs are designed for use in decorative lighting applications, such as wall sconces, pendant lights, chandeliers and more.
  • T4 bulbs are equipped with a reflector in order to emit a brighter light. These bulbs are a good choice for closets, stairwells and hallways.

Lighting Innovations

If you like to keep up with the latest technological innovations, there are some new lighting features to choose from.

Voice Enabled: Manufacturers have created bulbs that you can turn on and off via voice-recognition technology.

Music: Some LED light bulbs have built-in Bluetooth speakers so you can stream your playlists wirelessly. Some even have color-changing technology that you can choose to sync with the music, featuring up to 16 colors to fit any occasion or mood.

Automotive Headlight Bulbs

The bulbs in automobile headlights can burn out just like bulbs used in lamps and lighting fixtures. When purchasing replacement headlight bulbs, you&#;ll need to match the bulb to the make and model of your vehicle. This information can usually be found in the specifications section of your vehicle&#;s owner&#;s manual. Also, be sure to purchase a bulb that is compliance with the Department of Transportation&#;s safety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions asked about light bulbs.

What type of light bulb type gives the most light?

LED light bulbs emit the most light (the greatest amount of lumens) while using much less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

What is a halogen light bulb?

Halogen bulbs use a filament that&#;s heated to the point of glowing. They're the same as incandescent bulbs but use less energy. For more information see the &#;Halogen Light Bulbs&#; section above.

What's the difference between soft white vs. daylight light bulbs?

Soft white is the standard color for incandescent bulbs and gives off a muted yellow hue. Daylight bulbs offer more brightness with a blue tint. For more help, see the &#;Light Color&#; section above.

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