When you're shopping for an LED light bulb, it's important to find one that provides the amount of light you need, as well as the color of light you like. You'll also want to consider how the light emits from the bulb, and the dimension of the bulb and base. The bulbs in this review are comparable to a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
Features
A standard 60-watt incandescent bulb puts off about 800 lumens. The more lumens, the brighter the light is. LED light bulbs provide many lumens for few watts compared to incandescent bulbs. Since this is the case, it's better to find a bulb that has low wattage but high lumens because it will save you on your energy bill.
A standard 60-watt incandescent bulb puts off about 800 lumens. The more lumens, the brighter the light is. LED light bulbs provide many lumens for few watts compared to incandescent bulbs. Since this is the case, it's better to find a bulb that has low wattage but high lumens because it will save you on your energy bill.
You also want to find an LED light bulb that offers a long lifespan. Most offer between 25,000 and 50,000 hours of light. When you look at a Lighting Facts label on the light bulbs, they typically list the lifespan in years. This is based on a standard of using the light for three hours per day each day of the year.
When you're looking for an LED light bulb, another thing to consider is the color of the light. Depending on where the light bulb lands on the color temperature spectrum, lights can be all colors: red, yellow, green, blue and shades of white. The shades of white range from warm to cool white. The lower the color temperature, the more yellow your white light will appear. If the light is higher on the color temperature scale, it will appear to cast a cool, bluish hue. Another aspect of the color is the color rendering index (CRI). The higher the CRI number, the greater the number of objects lit by the light bulb that will appear natural.
The bulb should also be UL listed and comply with part 15 of the FCC as a Class B device, meaning it won't interfere with radio frequencies. It's also an added bonus if the light bulb is Energy Star Qualified.
Design
The dimensions and weight of LED bulbs are not the same as a standard incandescent bulb. LED light bulbs are on average a quarter of an inch taller. The average diameter of these LED lights is similar to that of incandescent bulbs but varies depending on the model. LED lights are also heavier than incandescent bulbs, so you'll want to be sure that your light fixture can support the extra weight.
The dimensions and weight of LED bulbs are not the same as a standard incandescent bulb. LED light bulbs are on average a quarter of an inch taller. The average diameter of these LED lights is similar to that of incandescent bulbs but varies depending on the model. LED lights are also heavier than incandescent bulbs, so you'll want to be sure that your light fixture can support the extra weight.
Most LED light bulbs can't be fully enclosed in a light fixture because heat decreases the life of the light bulb. If you plan to use your LED light bulbs outside, you'll first want to verify that they can withstand damp outdoor conditions. If you want to dim your lights with an LED light bulb, you'll need to have one that the manufacturer has specifically designed to perform as a dimmer.
The beam spread is another thing to consider. While incandescent lights put off light in all directions, LED lighting typically sends its light in one direction. The best LED light bulbs that are comparable to 60-watt incandescent bulbs distribute the light around the bulb as well as from the top.
Help & Support
Chances are you won't need to be in contact much with the manufacturer to use your light bulbs. However, having a practical return policy and warranty are importance since these light bulbs cost more than incandescent and CFLs. A good LED light bulb should come with at least a three- to five-year warranty.
Chances are you won't need to be in contact much with the manufacturer to use your light bulbs. However, having a practical return policy and warranty are importance since these light bulbs cost more than incandescent and CFLs. A good LED light bulb should come with at least a three- to five-year warranty.
LED lighting presents a new, more environmentally friendly option. It's long lasting and can save you money over an extended period. These lights are heavier than other lighting options, and the bulb is on average a little taller than a standard light bulb; however, the base can fit in standard light sockets. These lights will keep going long after incandescent and CFLs would have stopped working, and they'll save you money on your electrical bill.
If you're savvy about saving money and the environment, you've probably taken an interest in LED light bulbs because they're even more energy efficient and environmentally safe than CFL and incandescent bulbs. Many LED bulbs also have unique designs that loosely resemble traditional incandescent bulbs but have embellishments around the bulb itself.
More Light, Less Heat
Light-emitting diodes (LED) are semiconductors. As electrons pass through this type of semiconductor, it turns into light. Compared to incandescent and CFL bulbs, LED lights are more efficient at turning energy into light. Therefore, less of the energy radiates from the bulb as heat. This is why LED bulbs are cooler during operation than incandescent and CFL bulbs.
As the light-emitting diodes create light, they warm up quite a bit for their size. LEDs are heat sensitive, so it's important that the heat move away so that it doesn't damage the semiconductors. In order to do this, these lights need a system to keep cool. Most LED lights have a heat sink plate that moves the heat away from the light-emitting diodes through the heat sink plate. Manufacturers make the heat sink plate out of a variety of materials, but it's commonly made from aluminum. Frequently, the heat sink becomes part of the design of the bulb.
An LED light bulb's heat sink usually weighs several ounces and can become hot once you turn on the light. From the heat sink plate, the heat moves into the air surrounding the bulb. If you place the bulb in an enclosed fixture, it keeps the heat from effectively moving away from the heat sink, raising the temperature around the light-emitting diodes. This, in turn, causes the LEDs to overheat, shortening the life of the bulb.
Directional Light
Many LED bulbs have light-emitting diodes that all shine in one direction. This results in a bulb that directs most of its light toward the top of the bulb. If you place this type of bulb in a table lamp, you can see that most of the light ends up on the ceiling with very little refracted onto the table. In an attempt to make LED bulbs more like incandescent bulbs, omni-directional LED lighting is becoming more common. This lighting distributes the light evenly around the bulb. Commonly, it's done by bouncing the light off reflective plates inside the bulb.
An Aging Bulb
As LED light bulbs get older, they don't just burn out. Instead, they grow dimmer. The industry standard for LED light bulbs is that they should last for at least 25,000 hours with at least 70 percent as much brightness as they have when they are new. Below 70 percent is the point at which the industry decided the decrease in brightness is noticeable.
LED light bulbs are relatively new on the market, so they haven't been through the test of time – especially those that boast a lifespan of 50,000 hours. Although most of these lights last for about 25,000 hours, their warranties only cover about three years. This is perhaps because if you run the LED lamp continuously, it will only stay within the 70 percent range for a little less than three years. However, if you look on the Lighting Facts label of many LED lamps, it gives a life based on years. This is because the industry standard is three hours of use per day instead of 24 hours.
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