Here are some options that received glowing marks in our research. Feit Electric 40-Watt-Equivalent LED Vintage-Style Light Bulb, The Best Outdoor Light Bulbs to Illuminate Your Yard, Best CFL: At 2,700K, theyre ideal for ambient lighting. Color temperature, which is measured in Kelvins is another factor to keep in mind. Philips Hue White 2-Pack A19 LED Smart Bulb, Philips LED Frosted, Soft White Light, 16-Pack. They dont lag in reaching their full 750 lumens. It's also good to look for bulbs that have EnergyStar and UL certifications. Get the Philips frosted LED light bulbs at Amazon. Bulb Type: CFL | Lumens: 860 lumens | Watts: 13 watts | Usage: Indoor. However, these Philips bulbs are expensive. Bulbs over 4,600K are the best light bulbs for kitchens or home offices. This incandescent bulb from GE has other added benefitsit can be used with a dimmer and is less expensive to purchase initially than other bulb types. They offer "daylight" brightness, with a high color temperature rating of 5000K. However, they dont have as many lifetime hours as some of the more expensive bulbs. Philips Hue White 4-Pack A19 LED Smart Bulb, Best Full Spectrum Specialty LED: In rooms like the basement, bathroom, or kitchen, this kind of light illuminates in greater detail and offers the best contrast between colors. Using them is a simple way to be more energy efficient without an app or Wi-Fi connection. At 15-watts of power, these bulbs do use more energy than the other indoor LEDs on our list, but still about 75% less than a standard bulb. However, many areas are phasing out three of them due to their lower energy efficiency. These bulbs are Energy Star certified, meaning that they use 90-percent less energy, last 15 times longer, and comply with the Environmental Protection Agencys quality and efficiency standards. GE Lighting 3-Way 50/100/150W Incandescent A21 Light Bulb, Best for Bathrooms: For example, both a 4-watt LED light bulb and a 25-watt incandescent bulb emit 220 lumens; however, an 18-watt halogen bulb also gives off around 220 lumens. Using energy-efficient light bulbs is a simple way to help reduce your bills. This Sylvania Halogen Light Bulbwhich offers a 60-watt equivalentworks great for table lamps, pendants, and hanging fixtures, and it's also dimmable. Cree 60W Equivalent Daylight (5000K) Dimmable LED Light Bulb, Best Budget: "Whereas a colder temperature, such as 4000 Kelvins, may provide more functional lighting in the kitchen and bathrooms. Just note that to get the full Hue experience, you need to purchase the Philips Hue Bridge, which is sold separately. It can work up to 10,950 hours and last for 11 years when used three hours per day, so youll be able to rely on these bulbs for a while. The Sylvania halogen light bulbs bring the benefits of halogen to the home with an efficient design that renders true colors. While LED bulbs are more expensive up-front, they can save money in the long run. The three types are dual-inline package (DIP), surface-mounted diode (SMD), and chip on board (COB). This article was written, researched, and updated by Erica Puisis, who writes about home products for The Spruce, specializing in interior design and plant care. Feit Electric PAR38 Dimmable LED Light Bulb (90-Watt Equivalent), What to Consider When Shopping for LED Light Bulbs. Note that you shouldnt use these with dimmers, though. Choose brighter bulbs for areas where you plan to read or study and softer, yellow-hued bulbs for accent lighting or a warm ambiance. These happy bulbs are equivalent to their 60-watt incandescent counterparts. This bulb won't react to humidity and uses just 11.5 watts of energy, so it's an economical choice for rooms that see a lot of use. Brighten your mood with these natural-light mimicking full spectrum LEDs. We gave them the best overall award, but theyre also a top runner for the best smart bulbs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers information and resources on where to recycle light bulbs. Users should take care to order the desired color temperature. Color temp: 2700K | Lumens: 800 | Watts: 8.8 | Lumens/watt: 91. BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. What color temperature is the most like natural sunlight? Buying the bulk 16 pack of bulbs reduces the price of each bulb and provides enough bulbs to stock up or change out most of the bulbs in an entire home. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Epa, U. S., and OCSPP. At 2,700K, they emit a soft white light that makes them one of the best bulbs for bedroom use and gathering areas in the home. If you have a house full of incandescent bulbs to replace, the Cree 60W Equivalent Daylight or GE Lighting 32279 LED Bright Stik are compatible with most lamps and fixtures and wont break the bank. The bulb should complement the homes interior and lighting design. Heidi Wachter was a senior editor at Experience Life magazine for 10 years. Cree 100-Watt-Equivalent A21 Dimmable LED Bulb, The Best Kitchen Lights to Illuminate Your Kitchen, Best Halogen: The amount of energy used by a light bulb is measured in watts. Get the Sylvania halogen light bulb at Amazon. However, theyre also vampire devices, meaning they drain power even when theyre turned off. If you want to be able to control your lights using a smartphone or virtual home assistant, then you'll want to find a smart bulb. Some LEDs (particularly those used in screens) do emit moreblue lightthan other bulb types. When you're shopping forlight bulbs, there are several factors to consider, including energy efficiency, lighting temperature, light output, measured in lumens, and wattage. Smaller sizes are also available. They are easy to find, compatible with dimmers, and easily screw into any fixture with a medium screw base. GE Lighting 32279 LED Bright Stik 6-Watt Light Bulbs, Best Soft Light LED: If youre looking for a smart-home-friendly option, we recommend the Philips Hue 60-Watt-Equivalent A19 Dimmable LED Smart Bulb, which is Alexa and Google Assistant-compatible. Bulb Type: LED | Lumens: 800 lumens | Watts: 10 watts | Usage: Indoor. She has written for publications like Experience Life, Shondaland, and betterpet. We researched how energy efficiency is measured in light bulbs and which specs determine the best investment for buyers. You may also see some bulbs that list "Watt equivalents," which is intended to help you compare LEDs to incandescent bulbs, but the whole industry is trying to move away from watt equivalents so it's better to look at Lumens to understand a bulb's brightness. The sleek cylindrical shape fits in most places a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb would, making it a suitable lighting option for just about anywhere around the house. LED bulbs are recyclable, though they also are safe for household disposal. As a typical CFL, they take a few minutes to reach full brightness. United States Department of Energy. Check a bulbs compatibility with a light fixture by looking at the wattage rating of the fixture to ensure the bulbs wattage doesnt exceed the fixtures maximum rating. CFL stands for compact fluorescent bulbs, known for their energy efficiency and long-lasting power compared to incandescent bulbs. This light is bright and has a more perceptible blue hue than bright white or true white bulbs. They're also designed to last20,000 hours, or over the course of 18 years. However, it's also much warmer than LED or CFL bulbs, which can seem harsh by comparison. The soft white light is flattering and easy on your eyes, and the bulbs are dimmable. Since theyre LEDs, theyre more efficient than a traditional light bulb. The Philips Hue white smart bulbs provide a powerful addition to any home but particularly to a smart home. The bulbs are 10 watts or the incandescent equivalent of 60 watts. In addition to Alexa and Google Assistant, the Bridge also makes the bulbs compatible with Apple HomeKit. If broken, they can leak toxins. As an LED light, they dont need to warm to reach their full brightness. Since sunlight changes throughout the day and is affected by season, latitude, and weather, what natural light looks like is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. Treehugger tests various products, combining authoritative sources with comprehensive research to provide you with the best recommendations. The list includes bulbs of different types to meet the various needs around the home, from the bedroom to outdoor lighting. The bulb provides a substantial 800 lumens of brightness, though its unfortunately not dimmable. Bulb Type: LED | Lumens: 1600 lumens | Watts: 15 watts | Usage: Indoor/enclosed outdoor. PHILIPS LED 100-watt Equivalent, CFL Light Bulb, 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside Cleanup Day, 10 Money-Saving Gadgets That Pay for Themselves, 21 Money-Saving Tricks That Every Homeowner Needs to Know, 14 Secrets of People with Low Energy Bills, How To: Get Your Bathroom Guest-Ready in 20 Minutes or Less, 9 Clever Organizing Tools to Help You Cut Clutter, Powerful 800 lumens provided by only 10 watts, Dont have as many hours per bulb as some brands, Highly efficient, offering 800 lumens with only 7.5 watts, May be too bright for those with sensitive eyes, Daylight bulbs for rooms that need task lighting, Cannot withstand direct exposure to inclement weather, Easy to order the wrong color temperature. They dont distort colors, creating true color renditions. They use up to 85% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. That means that they can suppressmelatonina hormone that facilitates sleepso if you're concerned you may want to consider avoiding very bright LED light tooclose to bed time, or looking for LED bulbs on the warmer range of the color spectrum. Models like the Philips 60-Watt-Equivalent CFL Twister Light Bulbs are a good alternative to incandescent bulbs since you wont have to replace them as often. Reds will appear red and blues will appear blues under lights with high CRI. Types, Uses, and Environmental Impacts, The 7 Best Solar-Powered Generators of 2022, Big Bulb Manufacturers Conspiring With Department of Energy and Trump to Slow the LED Revolution, The 7 Best Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights of 2022, The 9 Best Energy-Efficient Ceiling Fans of 2022. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. A light bulb may seem small, but exchanging your old bulbs for energy-efficient bulbs for an entire house makes a difference in your carbon footprint. Johnathan Brewer is a home improvement expert with over two decades of professional experience as a licensed general contractor specializing in kitchen and bath. The bulbs fall in the soft white light range, with a color temperature of 2,700K. And like all CFL bulbs, these need to be properly recycled when they burn out. But if you had dozens of devices using LEDs on your smart home system, it could start to add up. Its better suited for areas in the home used for reading, displaying, or performing tasks. As alluded to in its name, this is an LED bulb. Cree 60W Equivalent Daylight (5000K) LED Light Bulb at Walmart, Energetic LED Light Bulb Soft White at Amazon, GE Lighting 32279 LED Bright Stik 6-Watt Light Bulbs at Amazon, Feit Electric Dimmable LED Light Bulb at Home Depot, Feit Electric PAR38 Dimmable LED Light Bulb at Amazon, Best Overall: We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. This type of light is better for task lighting, such as in the kitchen, bathroom, and areas in which the user needs the ability to see fine details. Its not as suitable for task lighting. How Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs Compare with Traditional Incandescents. However, a comparison with the old bulb is sometimes the only way to ensure the bulb is compatible. Unlike regular LEDs, Smart LEDs can connect to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and similar networks controlled remotely. The manufacturer claims they will last 25,000 hours, and are backed by a three year warranty. The Best Rechargeable Flashlights For Emergencies and Every Day, LEDs Have Evolved to Be More Than Just Lighting, It's Time to Phase Out Fluorescent Lightbulbs, Report Finds, I Converted My Home to 100% LED Lighting and You Should Too, How to Recycle Light Bulbs and Why You Should, Behold the Revolution: LED Bulbs Are Now as Cheap as Incandescents, How Do Solar Lights Work? On the plus side, these TCP bulbs distribute light evenly. Lumens indicate the brightness of a bulb, so more lumens indicates a brighter bulb. By Stacey L Nash | Published Mar 29, 2022 2:43 PM. Bright white and true white bulbs fall between 3,100K to 4,500K. Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. and wont flicker like many other CFL bulbs do. Its a bit pricey, but offers excellent control over lighting while saving energy. From trendy restaurants using them in breathtaking chandeliers to interiordesigners using them on sconces and hanging pendants, vintage (or Edison) light bulbs seem to be everywhere. Philips also bumps up the eco-friendliness by using recycled glass and packaging materials. Durable and affordable, these 40-watt replacement LEDs use only 6 watts of energy and provide 450 lumens of light. Their 700 lumens put out a soft white light that stays at 2,700K. They simulate 6,000K of sunlightor a bright daylight colorwithout exposure to damaging UV rays. A lightbulbs color impacts the mood and functionality of a room. "Warmer colors such as 3000 Kelvins are ideal in spaces that you want to be warm and invited, such as the bedroom and living room," says Knopfler. Switching toLED bulbswill reduce yourelectric billand lighten your carbon footprint. The more lumens per watt the bulb offers, the more energy efficient it is. This dimmer light feels cozier and is more likely to be used in restaurants and bedrooms for general ambient lighting. While color temperature advantages are based on bulb location and buyer preference, we looked for bulbs within the different color temperatures for ambient, task, and accent lighting. While not as efficient as LEDs or CFLs, theyre still a good replacement option for incandescent bulbs. LED(Light-Emitting Diode) bulbs arent just for specialty lamps anymore. LED bulbs can cost more up-front than other types of energy-efficient bulbs, but they also last much longer, typically at least 10,000 hours. Check the watts versus lumens to get a better idea of the bulbs energy efficiency. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best One drawback is that these bulbs don't work with dimmer switches. Lights under 3,000K give off warm (yellowish) light thats often called soft white in the bulbs description. At this color temperature, the light has a cooler, almost blue, light. These 13-watt bulbs are the equivalent of a 60-watt incandescent bulb and provide a natural light similar to daylight. These Sylvania bulbs are usable in damp environments indoors or out. This bulb provides maximum visibility and makes the other colors in your kitchen nice and vibrant. Their 5,000K color temperature rivals daylight, so theyre ideal for bright task lighting. LED bulbs typically offer a lifespan between 10 and 20 years and are the longest-lasting bulb. Theres also an option to create customized DIY color settings. Bulb Type: LED | Lumens: 800 lumens | Watts: 8.5 watts | Usage: Indoor/protected outdoor, Set timers and control multiple lights at once. Designed to reduce shatters, they resist shocks and vibrations. We also considered the color temperature options, extra features, and durability of the bulb. Smarthome devices need to be in standby mode to talk to your smartphone, so they constantly draw a nominal charge. Keep in mind that manufacturers claims about lifespan may vary dramatically from actual performance in the real world. With a manufacturer rating of 25,000 hours of use, theyre long-lasting alternatives to similar incandescents and have a very pure, bright white light. Yes, LED bulbs save money when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. productslearn more about The app was easy to use, and the white light was bright and soft, which you dont always get from LED lights." We researched and tested light bulbs from dozens of brands, assessing their brightness,efficiency, and longevity. Unlike CFLs and LEDs, this bulb won't give you a long lifespan (1.8 years at three hours a day), though halogen bulbs provide more light than an incandescent and use less energy. The lighting color of LEDs is usually measured in Kelvin (K). This includes no agreed-upon definition of lifetime or how many hours an LED will last. Cree has established itself as atop-tier manufacturer of LEDscreating affordable, effective lighting solutions to energy-sucking incandescent bulbs. Sometimes, the fixture has a sticker near the base indicating the correct bulb base size. If you prefer to use incandescent bulbs, this GE Lighting 3-Way Incandescent A21 Light Bulb is a great option. However, if they get broken, everyone should leave the room, including pets. Like the estimated lifespan, if the bulb is used longer than 3 hours a day, it will cost more per year to operate. This low-level energy usage likely wouldnt be noticeable on an electric bill for one or two appliances. They create 800 lumens while using only 8.5 watts. Bulb Type: LED | Lumens: 250 lumens | Watts: 6.5 | Usage: Indoor. She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg. "It is much more accurate to look at the lumen output than the wattage." There are four common types of light bulbs used in homes. Finally, there is growing concern that blue and cool-white LEDs may exceed safe blue-light limits, which can be harmful to eyes if viewed long-term (youll also find blue light coming from television and computer screens). Theyre compatible with dimming switches and backed by a ten year warranty. Get the Ascher vintage LED Edison bulbs at Amazon. On the technical side, color variation may occur from lamp to lamp with LEDs making consistency an issue. It has a 90+ CRI, which means it accurately renders the colors of everything it illuminates. These bulbs arent just a good deal over the long term; theyre also affordably priced for those on a tight budget. This bulb has a Kelvin rating of 2700 Kelvin, which means it will illuminate any space you install it with a soft and warm white light, which is perfect for creating a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. Bulb Type: Incandescent | Lumens: 615/1540/2155 lumens | Watts: 50/100/150 watts | Usage: Indoor/enclosed outdoor. The power consumption is low enough that theyre estimated to last up to 20,000 hours. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. LEDs are more expensiveper lumenthan traditional light bulbs so they have higher start-up costs than some other lighting options. United States Department of Energy. LED light bulbs come in different categories according to the type of chip used. The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is the measurement of how well a source of light renders color. Theyre dimmable and also available in candelabra and vintage-style options. These indoor/outdoor bulbs can last up to 2,000 hours. The Best Color-Changing LED Bulbs to Brighten Your Home, The Best Dimmer Switches to Adjust the Light in Your Home, The 9 Best Outdoor Christmas Lights, Tested By the Spruce, The Best Bedroom String Lights to Add Ambiance to Any Space, How to Tell What Size Light Bulb You Can Use, The Best Lighting Fixtures for Bathrooms That Go With Any Style, The Best Outdoor String Lights for Your Backyard, The Best Ceiling Fan Light Kits to Update Your Space, We Tested the Best Indoor Christmas LightsHere Are Our Favorites. "Daylight" LEDs may have 5000K, but also tend to be on the bluer side of the spectrum. To create this list, we looked for energy-efficient light bulbs, reviewed consumer testimonials, and independent testing ratings. We answer a few common questions here to help. Most manufacturers claim their bulbs can last over 20,000 hours, and offer warranties to back these claims. TCP 60-Watt Equivalent LED Light Bulbs, Best Smart: The lowest setting provides mood lighting, while the higher modes are better for general-purpose and task lighting. Theyre a compact bulb to better fit traditional fixtures. It's a three-way light bulb designed to work with three-way sockets,allowing you to choose from three different light settings at 50/100/150 watts and 615/1540/2155 lumens for each setting, respectively. That means youll also save money compared to other bulbs because you wont have to buy them as often, and youll have fewer bulbs to dispose of which makes Mother Earth happy. However, it will last up to 15,000 hours, so you won't have to worry about changing it out monthly. The bulbs give off a bright (but not blinding) white light that makes them great for bedside reading, and they have a 90+ CRI, so colors appear accurately under them. It also has a high CRI rating, which means the colors of your home decor and furniture will appear accurately under its glow. "We recommend 3500 Kelvin temperatures, which is more neutral and can be successfully used in all rooms of the home," says Knopfler. One of their main benefits is the quality of the light they offer. The latest version of the Hue bulb can be controlled with Bluetooth or Zigbee and can be voice activated via Alexa or Google Assistant, but the Philips Hue Bridge system is sold separately. To determine how efficient a bulb is, take a look at the number of lumens per watt, where a higher number indicates a higher level of efficiency. A compatible bulb is at or under the maximum wattage. Philips 60-Watt Equivalent Soft White LED Light Bulb, Philips Hue 60-Watt-Equivalent A19 Dimmable LED Smart Bulb. Philips Hue smart bulbs are estimated to last up to 25,000 hours. The packaging also lists the estimated operating cost per year. They consume just 10 watts of energy while emitting 815 lumens making them incredibly cost-effective. Look for one thats compatible with the fixture, area of use, and desired control options. TCP's 60-watt-equivalent bulbs are another great option for those looking to shop LEDs. Neporal 9W Full Spectrum LED, 8 Grow Lights That Let You Garden Anywhere, Best Bright White Light LED: Energy-efficient bulbs come in a wide range of designs, from different shapes and watts to the type of bulb: halogen, CFL, or LED. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Try the Neporal 9W Full Spectrum LED if youre looking for a bulb that brings a little sunlight into your home. You can dispose of incandescent and halogen bulbs in your household trash. You can then dispose of them in the household garbage.