Way back when incandescent lights were the only viable option people had, there wasn’t much variety going on. These fixtures had a thin tungsten filament that heated up whenever electricity passed through it, which in turn produced its light source. But more often than not, they weren’t energy-efficient and didn’t last too long, which ultimately increased energy bills and overhead spending.
More recent technological advancements paved the way for more efficient and sustainable solutions, which eventually lead to the invention of LED (Light Emitting Diode) fixtures. These options are more durable, versatile and even more eco-friendly compared to their predecessors.
How Do You Know Which LED Light Bulbs to Buy?
When you browse through a well-stocked LED light bulb store, you’ll notice several shapes, sizes and brightness levels. Knowing which items to prioritize and what to look for can make your search much easier.
Fitting or Base Type
A light bulb’s base is what goes into the socket to ensure a proper electrical connection. You’d be surprised at how common of a mistake choosing the wrong fitting is, despite a seemingly straightforward buying process.
The most common option is the screw, which features a threaded base that you twist to get it to fit into the socket. Some models may have thicker bases, so it’s important to measure the size of your electrical sockets to make sure they fit snugly.
Next, bayonet caps require a push-and-twist manoeuvre so the two pins on either side can fit into the socket properly. Once inside, the pins expand to keep it in place.
Finally, the pin and push fit varieties have two or more pins at the base that goes directly into the socket. The length, thickness and shape of these pins are what dictate which fixtures they can fit into. Given their nature, their most common counterparts include downlights, track or recessed lighting.
Bulb Shape
The shape of your LED light bulb purchase depends on the fixtures you have and the beam angle you’re trying to achieve. The most important distinction in this category is between directional and omnidirectional options.
The former focuses the light in a specific direction, akin to a spotlight while the latter projects light in all directions. Which one you choose depends on how you want the light to appear in your commercial or residential space.
Brightness
You can determine the brightness levels of LED globes by their lumen count. The higher the number, the brighter and more powerful the illumination they produce.
In most cases, a lumen count in the range of 400 to 900 should be enough for a bright and inviting home. If you like more subtle fixtures, you can go for 220 lumens, whereas 1300+ numbers can provide significant illumination in larger spaces.
Correlated Colour Temperature
Notice how some fixtures emit a lighter and brighter light whereas others have a more yellowish tint to them? This is directly related to the Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) rating for lights, which is reflected in degrees Kelvin benchmarks.
The higher the temperature in degrees Kelvin, the whiter and cooler the light becomes. Lower CCTs have a warm, yellowish tint that closely resembles the soft glow of candles.
Colour Rendering Index
The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) is what determines the light bulb’s colour accuracy. This refers to how well it illuminates the objects in the vicinity and whether or not there may be some visual discrepancies when viewed under that light.
This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker for residential fixtures, which is why it’s often overlooked in the buying process. However, having a fixture with a reasonable CRI might be beneficial in certain areas in the house like the kitchen, bathroom or wardrobe.
For commercial properties, a CRI rating of 70-80 is the preferable route, because it helps customers gauge the colour of the products they’re buying. It also helps brands maintain transparency during the sales process with accurate marketing tactics.
Rated Life
This is basically the estimated shelf life of light bulbs. Even though no one can determine how long a product will last with absolute certainty, manufacturers can provide a ballpark for how long they think they could be of service.
LED fixtures have an inherently longer lifespan than incandescent options, boasting an average cycle between 15,000 to 30,000 hours. Some options can even go as high as 50,000 hours, depending on its specific manufacturing specifications and intended use.
Dimmable vs Non-Dimmable
Customization is king in most cases, and lighting fixtures are no exception. Most of us are used to standard, non-dimmable options but they’re not always the most practical solution.
If you like greater control over the level of illumination in the room, you could go for dimmable varieties. They usually come with a dimmer switch that lets you adjust the brightness of your bulbs according to your preference.
For instance, if you like to host family gatherings or get-togethers with friends, you can use dimmable lights to set the mood and create a more enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved.
Once the festivities end, you can easily crank up the brightness and get back to your daily work-related tasks or run some errands around the house.