Help Illuminate Your Path With the Best Headlight Bulbs

Safe driving practices include both your driving techniques as well as the tools you use to navigate. But even driving cautiously won't really help you if you can't see the dangers ahead. It is vital to stay aware of any hazards in front of you so you can help mitigate them, and you can only really do this if you have some headlights illuminating your path. Selecting the perfect set of headlight bulbs for your car is not very straightforward though, there are many things you need to consider. To help simplify this process a bit, we have put together a guide to help you choose the right product for your car, whether you are looking for a replacement headlight bulb or a new one.

Types of Headlight Bulbs

When choosing some headlight bulbs for your car, the type of bulb you want to buy is likely going to be the first of many questions you might want to ask. The four main types of headlight bulbs are as follows:

Halogen

The illumination produced by these bulbs is created by heating a tungsten filament, which is a feature of the now decades-old incandescent technology. Since they’re both cost-efficient and easy to find, these versions are the most often used in automotive headlights. But due to their lower luminant lifetime, higher energy consumption, and increased heat generation, the use of these bulbs has recently decreased drastically.

LED

Most modern cars use LED bulbs in their headlights because they offer higher brightness levels and also tend to last longer and use less energy. And despite being pretty expensive, these versions are commonly used because of some of their other promising features. They are illuminated by an electro luminance phenomenon and can be a safer option because of the lower amount of heat they produce while running. 

Xenon 

High-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs are another name for xenon bulls, which are used more sparingly. With the help of xenon and argon gasses, these versions create light using arc and metallic salt technology. Even though these bulbs are expensive, they can offer pretty unmatched illumination at longer ranges. But, unless you are driving in more rugged terrain, these versions are frequently advised against because they can create glare for oncoming drivers, which can be blinding, dazzling, and distracting — particularly for older drivers.

Laser 

The latest addition to the headlight bulb space is laser bulbs. This relatively new technology — often referred to as “chemiluminescence-driven lamps” — is powered by a chemical reaction. Compared to LED lights, these versions are more powerful and energy-efficient, but they also emit more heat and are significantly more expensive.

Factors To Consider When Choosing Headlight Bulbs

Due to their critical function, you need to carefully consider which headlight bulbs you want to put in your car. To help you with finding a suitable product, we have listed some factors which should make deciding on which type of headlight bulb will work best for you and your car a little easier, and they include:  

Intended use

The type of headlight bulb you select should depend on your intended purpose for it. Although standard halogen and LED bulbs can be adequate for most circumstances, you might need to use HID lights on more challenging terrain, in lower lighting, and during bad weather.

Bulb size

When it comes to the size of headlight bulbs, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. Headlight bulbs come in various sizes, including H1, H3, and H7, among others. So, make sure you know your headlights' compatibility before you go out and try to buy a product for your car.

Housing

There are two types of housing for headlight bulbs: reflector and projector housing — and to provide consistent illumination, the bulb you buy needs to be compatible.

Brightness

The luminance level, or the brightness of headlight bulbs, varies from one bulb to the next. Headlight bulbs with a brightness of 6000 lumens or more are ideal for nighttime visibility — and the available brightness also increases as the lumen rating increases.

Color temperature

Even though the words “color temperature” might seem intimidating, you should be aware of a headlight bulb's kelvin rating. This rating describes the emitted light's color, temperature, or hue. And it typically falls between 3000 and 6000 kelvin. Bulbs with a 3000-kelvin color temperature typically emit warm, yellow light. White light is produced by bulbs using a 4000-kelvin color temperature, and cooler white light with a higher illuminance is produced by bulbs with a 5000-kelvin color temperature. But, when the color temperature goes past 6000 kelvin, a brighter blue and purple hue are produced.

It is also important to remember that the brightness is unaffected by a headlight bulb's color temperature.

Lifespan

The total illumination hours, or the working hours of a headlight bulb, are referred to as the lifespan of a bulb — and they are a measure of how long a bulb can last before needing to be replaced. Short-lived headlight bulbs are inconvenient and ultimately more expensive. And the longevity of LED headlight bulbs is one of the reasons that make them appealing.

The Price of Headlight Bulbs 

Pricing headlight bulbs is a complex issue because various things come together to determine the final cost. And these factors involve both the car and the bulb in question. Headlight bulbs are also available for anywhere between $20 to over $200. 

The type of bulb involved, whether you’re buying a single bulb or a complete assembly kit, the manufacturer, and the make and model of your vehicle are some of the things that can influence the cost of headlight bulbs. And the type of bulb is the single most crucial factor. For example, halogen lights are inexpensive while LED and HID bulbs are more expensive. It is also important to note that labor costs for replacing headlights can also significantly impact the final price.