Before buying a new headlight bulb, confirm the size and type in your owner’s manual.
When buying replacement headlight bulbs, consider these factors.
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Brightness: Bulb brightness, measured in lumens, explains how much illumination the bulb supplies. According to federal guidelines, headlights may not exceed 3,000 lumens, but many states have stricter guidelines, so it’s important to verify local laws. Even below this limit, the wrong bulbs can create glare for oncoming drivers. The right type of bulb with an appropriate lumen rating will give you superior visibility while preventing glare.
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Bulb type: Car manufacturers use different types of headlight bulbs - opens in new window or tab. in different applications. Your vehicle may require halogen, HID, or LED bulbs.
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Color temperature: Measured in Kelvin, color temperature describes the shade of the bulb’s light. A higher Kelvin temperature corresponds to a whiter light, possibly even blue, while lower Kelvin temperatures give a yellow hue.
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Compatibility: Obviously, the most important factor is whether a certain bulb fits your year, make, and model car. You can find the headlight bulb size listed in your owner’s manual.
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Wattage: Never use bulbs that have a higher wattage rating than what came installed on your car. Too much wattage can overload the wiring and cause electrical system damage.
Types of Headlight Bulbs
Headlight technology has expanded in recent years. But certain lighting tech might not be legal in your region.
Back in the day, automotive headlight bulbs were all halogen. These are still commonly used and tend to provide up to 1,000 hours of illumination.
Halogen bulbs
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contain a combination of gasses—such as iodine, chlorine, and inert filler—that protect the tungsten element. It’s a similar design to an incandescent light, but the stronger filaments and increased internal pressure help it to shine brighter. While halogen bulbs are among the cheapest options, they can get hot. They are also easily damaged by oil from the skin, so you should never touch the glass with bare hands.
What are HID headlight bulbs?
High-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs
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last about twice as long as most halogen bulbs and shine brighter. They have a structure similar to fluorescent tubes. An electrical current passes through a gas mixture enclosed in a glass cylinder.
Xenon headlights
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are HID bulbs that use Xenon gas.
One of the benefits of HID bulbs is that, unlike halogens, there’s no warm-up time needed for them to be at their brightest. HID bulbs also have a whiter color. A disadvantage is the glare they can produce if they’re not properly aimed.
Are LED headlight bulbs legal?
Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs
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have a very long life and are very bright. They use an electrical current to make diodes glow. LEDs produce minimal heat and are 90 percent more efficient than halogen lights. They can last 30,000 hours and have become more reasonably priced over the past few years.
Many new luxury cars now use LED headlights. If your vehicle didn’t come with LED headlights, check the legality of brighter bulbs. Some LED headlight bulbs are not considered street-legal, so do your research first.
Are headlight bulbs universal?
No, headlight bulbs are not universal and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each vehicle requires a specific kind of bulb (ex. H1, H4), and there are different bulbs for taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and fog lights. The only way to ensure the right fit is to choose the bulb type specified your owner's manual.
The Cost of Headlight Bulbs
A pair of halogen replacement bulbs can cost as little as $30 per pair.
Halogen headlight bulbs are the most affordable, often costing $30 or less per pair. However, they aren’t as bright as their HID or LED counterparts. HID bulbs may cost $25 to $100, while LED bulbs are generally between $25 and $200.
What are the best cheap headlight bulbs?
If you need to save money, you can’t go wrong with
Sylvania
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headlight bulbs. As one of the oldest bulb manufacturers, Sylvania has become known as the best affordable brand for headlight bulbs. Many automakers install Sylvania bulbs at the factory, and the company offers replacement bulbs that won’t break the bank. Sylvania also offers a wide variety of fitments covering numerous car models.
Are expensive headlight bulbs worth it?
A better brand may offer a longer warranty and extended life. If the bulbs last longer, you may actually spend less in the long run, thanks to fewer replacements.
Philips
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CrystalVision Ultra Upgraded car and truck headlight bulbs offer extreme brightness.
Osram
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DS3 6000K Cool Blue Advance Xenarc Xenon headlights offer bright light with a crisp cutoff at night.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.
