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Nov 06, 2024

How To Choose the Right Light Bulb

Rabekah Henderson is a contributing writer at USA TODAY Homefront specializing in home improvement, design and decor. She has experience writing about all things home and housing for Dwell, Apartment

Rabekah Henderson is a contributing writer at USA TODAY Homefront specializing in home improvement, design and decor. She has experience writing about all things home and housing for Dwell, Apartment Therapy and the Spruce — she loves helping people improve their homes while doing the same herself. When she’s not writing, Rabekah can be found planning her next trip or snuggling her two cats. Rabekah is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

There are four common types of light bulbs: LED, halogen, CFL and incandescent.

Popular LEDs are the most energy-efficient choice, while power-heavy incandescents are phased out.

A light bulb’s size, shape, color and brightness affect its function.

Whether fixing a flickering light or upgrading your space, you’ll need to choose more than just a lighting fixture. Light bulbs come in various options available at any home improvement store.

We outline the most common light bulbs — LED, halogen, compact fluorescent (CFL) and incandescent — and how they vary by size, shape, color temperature and brightness. Each factor affects how a bulb lights up a space, ultimately changing how that space looks and feels. “Don’t just slap any bulb into your fixture,” said Tim Hodnicki, president of Easthampton, Massachusetts-based Electrical Experts.

Here is what you should know about the types of light bulbs, what each is best for and when bulbs should be replaced.

LED, compact fluorescent, halogen and incandescent are four types of light bulbs commonly used in the home. However, most incandescent bulbs are no longer made or sold. Here’s what to know about each type.

LED stands for light-emitting diode, which is how these bulbs give off light. When an electrical current passes through its semiconductor material, it lights up.

These light bulbs are known for their energy efficiency and variety of uses. Hodnicki recommended LED bulbs as the best all-purpose option.

“LED bulbs are the way to go for most lighting needs, both at home and at work,” added Bobby Lynn, owner and operator of LiveWire Electrical in Charlotte, North Carolina. “They’re super efficient, last an impressively long time and offer a ton of flexibility when it comes to brightness and colors.” LED bulbs can last over 25,000 hours — incandescent or halogen bulbs often last only 1,000 to 2,000 hours.

However, LED bulbs can sometimes be too bright for certain spaces, and they often have to be muted or diffused with a lampshade or cover for a softer effect. They can also be more expensive than other bulb options.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFL bulbs, use a small amount of mercury to give off light. They can last up to 20,000 hours and cost less than LED bulbs.

However, the mercury in these bulbs can leak if they crack or shatter. For this reason, it’s a good idea to use them in attics, basements or garages instead of living spaces with kids or pets. They’re also a good outdoor lighting choice.

CFL bulbs take a few minutes to reach full brightness, which some users find frustrating. They’re more likely to buzz or flicker.

Halogen bulbs provide light by moving electricity through a small amount of halogen gas and quartz. They’re bright but also dimmable and often used for recessed or pendant lighting.

However, halogen bulbs run hot — so much so that some manufacturers recommend using gloves to replace dead bulbs. This makes them a poor choice for spaces with children or pets. When many are used in a small area it can lead to unwanted heat. Halogen bulbs don’t last very long. The average life span is just 2,000 hours.

Incandescent light bulbs were once the most popular type of light bulb around, but they’ve been banned from production and sale since August 2023. This is primarily because of their not-so-great energy efficiency. Most incandescent bulbs provide just 15 lumens per watt. In comparison, LED bulbs provide around 75 lumens per watt.

Incandescent bulbs give off a lot of heat and don’t last very long — the average life of an incandescent light bulb is only 1,000 hours. However, they were popular for a long time thanks to their versatility, warm light and affordability. You’ll still find them in appliances and traffic signals, and they’re used as plant lights, bug lamps and flood lights. Don’t expect to find them in a multipack of standard bulbs.

Light bulb shape, base size and color temperature also matter. Each factor affects how they’re best used — a bright outdoor flood light bulb will look much different than one for a dining room light fixture.

“A bulb needs to fit the fixtures you plan to use,” Hodnicki said. “Check for base type and size, as well as the wattage limits of the fixture, to avoid overheating or electrical issues.”

There are many light bulb sizes available. But the most common light bulb size is E26 — this is the classic screw-in bulb, also known as a standard-medium base.

Another common base type is the E12. Also known as the candelabra base, these connections sit on the bottom of narrow flame-shaped bulbs often used in chandeliers or other lighting fixtures.

Light bulb shapes are identified by letters. The A light bulb shape is the most common one, used in most lamps and overhead lighting.

The C shape represents candle-shaped bulbs, often paired with an E12 candelabra base.

Reflectors make up the R and MR light bulb group, typically used in outdoor flood lights or recessed lighting.

G light bulbs are known as globe lights and are found in vintage or antique-looking fixtures.

The shape of a light bulb affects how it gives off light and fits into fixtures. When shopping for light bulbs, make sure the bulb you pick is the right shape for the fixture it’s going into.

Color temperature should be considered when shopping for light bulbs. “Color temperature is measured in kelvin and affects the ambiance of a space,” Hodnicki said. Warm white or soft white bulbs (2200K to 2700K) give off warm, relaxing tones but can also make a room feel too yellow or dim. These types of bulbs are best for bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms.

Bright white or cool white bulbs (3000K to 4000K) emit refreshing, cool light. “If it’s clarity and an alert atmosphere you need, like in kitchens or offices, go for something cooler, between 4000K and 6000K,” Lynn said. However, some bulbs can go too far in the cool direction, making a space feel soulless or too bright.

Daylight bulbs (5000K and higher) give off a blueish light that resembles daylight. They’re too strong for large-scale indoor use, but they can make great makeup, mirror or task lights, and outdoor security lights.

You can buy specialty bulbs that come in colors or rotate between various colors. These are typically LEDs and are best for creating a specific mood in a space.

A light bulb’s brightness is measured in lumens, with more lumens signifying more light. Some bulbs measure brightness in watts, but lumens are used instead with the decline of power-based incandescent bulbs.

For a soft, cozy light similar to a 40W incandescent bulb, look for a 450-lumen bulb. Look for bulbs with 1500 lumens or more for a brighter, bigger space.

Many bulbs won’t need to be replaced until they go out. This means an LED bulb won’t need to be replaced until it’s been used for at least 25,000 hours, though some last up to 50,000 hours. CFL bulbs last less, about 20,000 hours, though some may need to be replaced earlier if they start to flicker.

However, you may consider replacing halogen and incandescent bulbs with LEDs sooner, even if there’s a bit of sticker shock. “LEDs may have a higher upfront cost, [but] their longevity can make them more cost-effective over time compared to traditional incandescent bulbs,” Hodnicki said. This is because these types of bulbs use more energy and get hotter than more energy-efficient ones, leading to steeper costs year after year.

LED, compact fluorescent and halogen light bulbs can all be purchased at most home improvement stores for under $4 a bulb. If you’re looking for a light bulb with a little more customization, check out LED smart bulbs, which can be controlled by a phone or smart speaker.

Whatever type of light bulb you buy, install it carefully and follow electrical safety tips to protect yourself when putting in or taking out lighting.

Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.

Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Rabekah Henderson is a contributing writer at USA TODAY Homefront specializing in home improvement, design and decor. She has experience writing about all things home and housing for Dwell, Apartment Therapy and the Spruce — she loves helping people improve their homes while doing the same herself. When she’s not writing, Rabekah can be found planning her next trip or snuggling her two cats. Rabekah is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Alyssa Trostle is an editor at USA TODAY Homefront. Having read dozens of warranty booklets from every vehicle manufacturer and over 100 sample contracts from third-party providers, Alyssa is an expert in the auto categories of warranty and shipping categories. Alyssa earned an MFA in creative writing with a concentration in creative nonfiction from Chatham University, which honed her skills in writing and editing both creative and professional content. In her spare time she enjoys reading contemporary fiction and following Pittsburgh sports.

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