This article is your guide to different types of LED light bulbs. The Philips Smart LED bulbs are among the best bulbs for homeowners to choose when lighting their homes. There are a lot of light bulbs to choose from, though, so we are going to help you pick out the perfect LED light bulb for your home or small business.
Here at The Energy Professor, we want to give you the information you need to not only save money on your energy bill but to also become more energy efficient. We hope you find this post helpful and makes it easier for you to know about LED light bulbs, keep reading? Be sure to also check out our one-of-a-kind energy savings calculator!
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What are the Best LED Bulbs for Homes?
The best LED bulb for a home depends on various factors, such as the room’s lighting needs, fixture compatibility, color temperature preferences, and energy efficiency goals. However, here are some highly-rated LED bulbs that are often recommended for home use:
1. Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance LED Smart Bulb
- Pros: Offers a wide range of colors and shades of white, smart features with voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, and can be customized with the Philips Hue app for schedules and scenes.
- Best For People looking for smart home integration and versatile lighting options that can change color and brightness.
2. Cree 60W Equivalent Soft White A19 LED Bulb
- Pros: Affordable, provides a warm, soft white light (2700K), long lifespan (up to 25,000 hours), and is dimmable.
- Best For: General use around the house, particularly in living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas where soft, warm lighting is desired.
3. GE Relax LED Soft White Bulb
- Pros: Emits a warm, inviting light (2700K) that is ideal for relaxing environments, is energy-efficient, and has a high color rendering index (CRI) of 90+ for more natural and accurate colors.
- Best For Bedrooms and living rooms where a cozy, relaxed atmosphere is preferred.
4. Sylvania LED Light Bulb A19
- Pros: Cost-effective, energy-efficient, non-dimmable, and provides a soft white light (2700K). It has a lifespan of 11,000 hours and is available in multipacks.
- Best For Standard lighting needs in areas like kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms.
5. Philips LED Non-Dimmable Frosted A19 Light Bulb
- Pros: Energy-efficient, available in a range of color temperatures (2700K, 3000K, 5000K), affordable, and provides a consistent, bright light.
- Best For General-purpose lighting, especially in fixtures where dimming is not required.
6. Feit Electric Vintage LED Edison Bulb
- Pros: Stylish vintage look with energy-efficient LED technology, warm amber glow (2200K), and dimmable capabilities.
- Best For Decorative fixtures like pendant lights or open fixtures where the bulb is visible and you want a vintage aesthetic.
7. LIFX Mini White (Dimmable) Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb
- Pros: Compact size, no hub required for smart features, dimmable, works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, and offers adjustable brightness and schedules.
- Best For: Smart home users who want easy control and automation without needing a separate hub.
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LED vs. Incandescent Bulbs
When choosing light bulbs, it’s essential to understand the differences between LED and incandescent options. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how they compare in terms of energy efficiency, lifespan, and light quality.
Energy Efficiency
LED bulbs are much more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. They use significantly less electricity, which leads to lower energy bills and a reduced environmental impact. By making the switch to LED, you can save money while being kinder to the planet.
Lifespan
LED bulbs also last much longer—up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. This means you won’t need to replace them as often, saving you both time and money in the long run.
Light Quality
The type of light each bulb produces is another crucial factor:
- LED Bulbs: These emit focused and directional light, making them great for specific tasks or areas.
- Incandescent Bulbs: They provide a broader spectrum of light with a warm color temperature, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Understanding Brightness: Lumens vs. Watts
When looking for brightness in LED bulbs, focus on lumens (lm) instead of watts. Traditional incandescent bulbs used wattage to indicate brightness, but with LEDs, this is no longer accurate. For example, a typical 60-watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens. An LED can achieve the same brightness with only 8-12 watts. So, when choosing LED bulbs, check the lumens for the brightness you need.
Color Temperature: The Kelvin Scale
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Lower Kelvin values (around 2700K) give off a warm, yellow light, similar to incandescent bulbs.
- Higher values (5000K and above) produce a cooler, bluish light, ideal for workspaces.
Reading Light Bulb Labels
When shopping for bulbs, it’s important to read the labels carefully. Look for:
- Lumens for brightness.
- Wattage for energy consumption.
- Kelvin for color temperature.
This information will help you choose the right bulb for your needs.
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How to Read LED Bulb Labels
If any of these numbers seem confusing, LED light bulb producers make it relatively simple to understand light bulb labels. This Lighting Facts label is on every single LED light bulb package and can help you understand the figures we discussed above.
Start by checking the lumens rating, which indicates brightness—higher lumens mean brighter light. Next, look at the wattage to understand energy consumption; LED bulbs typically use much less wattage than incandescent bulbs for the same brightness. Don’t forget to check the Kelvin (K) measurement, which tells you the color temperature of the light—lower numbers (2700K) provide a warm glow, while higher numbers (5000K+) produce a cooler, daylight-like light. By focusing on these key details, you can choose the perfect LED bulb for your needs.
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How Long Do LED Lamp Light Bulbs Last?
The great news is most consumers are delighted when they find out the lifetime of an LED light bulb. When learning about LED light bulbs, the most important thing is that they don’t burn out! One of the reasons why people save money is because of how long LED bulbs last.
How Long do LED Light Bulbs Last?
- 100,000 hours or 20 years of average use!
On average, LED bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours of use. That’s almost 20 years of usage! One thing to consider is that exposure to extreme weather, such as heat, may reduce the lifetime of the bulb. Another great thing about LEDs is that instead of burning out, LED light bulbs gradually dim over time. That could be 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, which only last about 1000 hours. Your LED light bulb could potentially last for 20 years.
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Using LED Light Bulbs in Your Home
When choosing LED light bulbs, it’s crucial to consider your home’s specific needs. Not all LEDs are compatible with enclosed fixtures or dimmer switches. For enclosed fixtures, use LED bulbs designed to handle limited airflow and heat. Standard LEDs can overheat in enclosed spaces, so research appropriate options to avoid damage. Additionally, not all LED bulbs work with older dimmer switches. You may need to replace outdated dimmers to use a broader range of LED bulbs effectively.
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What is the Brightest LED Light Bulb?
If you have rooms with high ceilings or recessed lighting, you’ll want to prioritize brightness over softness in your light bulbs. After all, the higher your light bulbs are, the brighter they’ll need to be to light up the room. So you may be wondering, what is the brightest LED bulb?
The brightest LED light bulbs for the home are Philips 5000 Lumen LED Bulb. It uses 43 Watts, and it has a 5000K color temperature (daylight white). A warm white LED bulb for interiors is The SANSI 27W A21 Dimmable LED Light Bulb. This is the brightest LED bulb, but it may be too big for certain fixtures, The Philips 100w Equivalent LED Bulb is another standard-size household bulb available. It uses 18 watts of power to produce 1620 lumens of warm white light. This is the brightest standard-size light bulb.
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Types of LED Bulbs FAQ
Q: Which LED Bulbs are Most Like Incandescent?
A: Softer and warmer LEDs will give off the same lighting effect as an incandescent.
Q: Are There Vibration Resistant LED Light Bulbs?
A: Since LED bulbs do not have filaments like incandescent bulbs, they are more durable. Therefore, vibration will not cause an LED to blow but could speed up lumen degradation.
Q: How Can You Tell if a Light Bulb is LED?
A: There are a variety of ways to tell if you have an LED bulb or not. The most common way is to check the base of your light bulb. If it has a number that starts with the letter “A,” then it is an LED light bulb.
Q: What is the Difference Between Watts and Lumens?
A: For older, more traditional incandescent bulbs, terms like wattage were used to tell you how bright a light may be. When looking for an LED bulb watt list, you might be confused when you see the term lumens (lm) instead of watts. Newer LED bulbs are exponentially more efficient therefore, using watts to describe their brightness was no longer accurate. Check the lumens on LEDs when choosing light bulbs for brightness.
Q: What do Kelvins Measure?
A: While lumens measure brightness, Kelvin measures what LED lights look like. Low Kelvin scale measurements have a warmer tone, and higher, strong LED light bulbs have a blue, cool Kelvin scale tone.
Q: How Long Do LED Light Bulbs Last?
A: On average, LED bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours of use. That’s almost 20 years of usage! One thing to consider is that exposure to extreme weather, such as heat, may reduce the lifetime of the bulb. Another great thing about LEDs is that instead of burning out, LED light bulbs gradually dim over time.
Q: What is the brightest LED bulb?
A: The brightest LED light bulbs for the home are Philips 5000 Lumen LED Bulb.
Do you Need Cheaper Electricity?
If you’ve taken the time to understand the information on your bill and discovered you’re paying more than you’d like for your electricity, have you looked around for a cheaper deal? The Energy Professor has a wealth of information on ways to save on your utilities, including details of top deals that could significantly reduce your monthly or quarterly electricity bills.
We hope you found this article helpful! If you are looking for ways to increase energy efficiency and sustainability in your home, be sure to take a look at all of the latest renewable energy options in your area. The Energy Professor helps residential and small business owners find qualified energy suppliers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Illinois, and Massachusetts