Choosing the best headlight for your car is more significant than many people think. An astute choice will reward you with few follow-up replacements in the long term.
Things To Consider Before Selecting A Headlight Bulb
Consider the following parameters when you select your headlight bulbs:- Lifespan: how long do you want one bulb to last?
- Brightness: some lightbulbs provide more illumination than others
- Whiteness: opt for a light/soft colour temperature of the bulbs
Top 5 Types of Headlight Bulbs
The main types of headlights available in the market are:1. Halogen bulbs
Lifespan
Although they are the most used bulbs in vehicle headlights, they lose close to a quarter of their brightness in the first 2 years.With a lifespan of about 450 - 1,000 hours, they’ll need replacement every 3 years if you want to maintain a safe visibility range.
Brightness
Halogens aren’t very bright and often have a yellowish tint. They emit around 700 Lumens in low beam and around 1,200 lumens in high beam.While selecting halogen headlights, you often have to choose between lifespan and brightness. Maximum-performance bulbs are brighter but have a shorter lifespan.
Whiteness
With a colour temperature of around 3,000K, halogen bulbs have a soft, warm, and yellowish light that has greater visibility.Best Suited For
With their yellowish tint and great visibility range, halogens are ideal for nighttime drivers and those who often drive in rural areas or dimly lit streets.2. HID headlights
High-Intensity Discharge lights were the first in the market to truly challenge the halogen bulbs, which had become a staple in the auto industry.Lifespan
Although they consume less power than halogen bulbs, they have a longer lifespan— 6,000 to 24,000 hours— and are more efficient. However, they are more expensive.Brightness
HID headlights function similar to neon lights in that they have a very strong glare that can blind oncoming traffic. Besides that, they have brighter light, a farther reach, broader coverage, and higher costs relative to halogen bulbs.Whiteness
Most HID headlight bulbs have a cloud temperature hovering around 4800K. This gives your headlights an intense white light with a bluish tint that can be blinding. If you opt for GIDs, make sure you select a bulb within a safe range that complies with local rules.Best Suited For
HIDs are the most effective in lighting up the side of the road. If you use your car to go on road trips and long drives, HIDs are a cost-effective and reliable option.3. Xenon Headlights
Xenon headlights are another type of High-Intensity Discharge (HID) light. Because of the wider spread of light, these headlights give a much better view of the road.Lifespan
They use less energy than halogens, but more as compared to LEDs. Xenon headlights last up to 10,000 hours before needing replacement.Brightness
At 3,000 lumens, xenon headlights are almost twice as bright as halogen headlights. These light bulbs are hotter than LEDs and become dimmer over time.Whiteness
Xenon headlights have a colour temperature in the 4000K – 6000K range.Xenon headlights are much hotter than LEDs. An electric current passes through xenon gas to create an arc between two electrodes to generate an intense white light that is often brighter than your LEDs.
Best Suited For
Xenon lights are erratically blinding because of poor concentration. With their weak penetration power, get these if your area is not very well-lit and mostly clear.4. LED headlights
LED stands for light-emitting diode. LEDs produce light most unusually, in a process known as electroluminescence. They are very energy-efficient even in their small size.LEDs are also more expensive than halogens.
Lifespan
Not only do LEDs use very little power to function, but their lifespan is also pretty nearly unlimited. They can last up to 50,000 hours or 10 years.Brightness
LEDs have become car makers’ go-to headlights: they are immensely energy-efficient, using up to 85% less electricity than halogen.At 2,000 – 4,000 Lumens, LEDs provide broad illumination in the dark and triumph over HIDs when it comes to brightness safety levels. You can go from power to full brightness instantly.
Whiteness
The light emitted from an LED is about two mm wide. LED headlights to cover stretches of ground ahead with an intensity of whiteness that rivals HIDs and surpasses halogens.Although the bulbs themselves don’t produce heat, they tend to heat neighbouring assemblies and require complex cooling systems.
Best Suited For
Most drivers consider the LED headlight to be the perfect option. It provides white brightness that’s both far-reaching and widespread without the blinding effect of HIDs. If you’re primarily a city-dweller, LEDs will not disappoint.5. Laser headlights
Lasers are one of the newest entries in the headlight market, debuting in the early 2010s.The light that beams from the laser light is created by the phosphor, not the actual lasers. Lasers play a small role in the luminescence of these lights. Laser lights are safe for use even on late-night roads and highways.
Lifespan
Laser headlights can last up to 50,000 hours and are more energy-efficient than LEDs. Stylish and far-reaching as they are, laser headlights are the most expensive in the market.Brightness
Laser lights can be up to 4 times brighter than LEDs while consuming much less power in a smaller unit. Its light can illuminate up to a 3000-meter distance.However, they generate lots of heat when compared to LEDs and HIDs. They have only very recently become legal in the US. If you’re keen on installing lasers, consult with professional firms that can provide you with customized parts.
Whiteness
The colour temperature of the laser headlight is between 5,500 K and 6,000 K.They are highly energy-efficient, even in their small packages. They illuminate both widely and brightly. Lasers have a safety mechanism for when the bulb is damaged.
