Light Bulb Types: How to Choose the Best Light Bulbs (2024)

FAQs

What type of light bulbs are the best? ›

Your Best Light Bulb Choice

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.

Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent that gives a close approximation of natural daylight, known as "white light." Colors appear sharper under halogen light and the bulbs can be dimmed. They're a little more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, but they're more expensive and burn at a higher temperature.

Soft white bulbs measure between 2,700K and 3,000K, casting a warm, yellowish glow. Therefore, soft white bulbs are used for warming up a space and adding a cozy feeling while daylight bulbs are used for brightly illuminating a space for work.

LED Versus Incandescent Bulbs

These high-efficiency bulbs emit more lumens per watt and last 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs. A 10W LED bulb produces as much light as a 60W incandescent bulb. LED bulbs are suitable for hard-to-reach areas, since they don't need to be changed very often.

The most common types of light bulb used in homes are 25, 40, 60, 75 and 100 watts. For most rooms, a 60 watt bulb is the standard. A 25 watt bulb gives off low levels of light, where as a 100 watt bulb is very bright.

Living room – The ideal lighting for the living room is a very warm white, with a color temperature lower than 3300°K. This color temperature is ideal to create a decorative lighting, ideal for a romantic dinner or to design domestic spaces which are cozy and relaxing, perfect for unwinding after a long day.

3000-3500K: produces a soft white light that's crisper than 2700K, similar to halogen lamps. 4000-4500K: produces a bright white light that's ideal in kitchens, offices, workspaces and vanities where detail-oriented tasks are performed.

Bottom Line. LED lights may be left on continuously, day and night if that is what is necessary. They're safer than traditional filament bulbs, which can cause fires if left on for too long. They're much less dangerous than other options.

Which type of light bulb is the most efficient and longest lasting? ›

LEDs are the longest-lasting light bulbs, lasting for years longer than their counterparts, with lifespans of up to 50,000 hours.

Experience true colors with a high CRI LED bulb

Philips LEDs have a high Color Rendering Index (CRI), meaning that these bulbs light up objects in their true and natural color. The light output remains stable throughout the lifetime of the bulb.

Incandescent bulbs have the fewest health risks and are the safest type of lightbulb. Availability of incandescent bulbs has been sporadic because of their energy inefficiency.

The answer is simple. Whichever has a higher lumen count will be brighter. If they have the same lumen count, they will be equally bright. However, you may perceive the daylight bulb as brighter of the two because it lies in the cooler temperature range of blue.

We suggest using incandescent or halogen bulbs throughout the day + night if you're after a greater sense of well-being. Also - unlike most harshly flickering LED or fluorescent bulbs - incandescents (and color-correct halogens like Chromalux®) will also be the healthiest type of light for your eyes!

LEDs are more efficient than even CFLs: A 16.5-watt LED bulb is equivalent to a 20-watt CFL and a 75-watt incandescent.

Compared to fluorescent bulbs, LED lights are up to 80% more efficient. Unlike fluorescent lights, LED lights convert 95% of their energy into light and only 5% is wasted as heat; this is all while still using far less power to provide a strong and consistent output at a lower wattage.