LED Bulb Buying Guide

LED Bulb Buying Guide

This is the buying guide from Lightexpert. In our guide, we explain what to look out for when purchasing an LED bulb and how to figure out which LED bulb is the right one for your needs.

Which LED bulb should I buy?

It’s well known by now that LED bulbs have many advantages, but which LED bulb should you actually choose? Just like with compact fluorescent or halogen bulbs, there are several factors to consider, such as the fitting, light output, and type of light. Below, we explain the most common situations and how to make the right choice when buying an LED bulb.

I want to replace my old bulbs with LED bulbs. Which LED bulb do I need?

If you want to replace your old bulbs with LED versions, you’ll need to know which fitting your new LED bulb should have.

The most common fittings for bulbs are the large screw base (E27) and the small screw base (E14).

LED bulbs are often referred to as “retrofit,” which means they are designed to fit into traditional sockets in most cases.

You can usually find the fitting type indicated on the fixture of your old bulb. The equivalent LED bulb will have exactly the same fitting. In other words, if you have an E27 compact fluorescent bulb, you can replace it with an E27 LED bulb.

How do I maintain the same light output when replacing my old bulb with an LED bulb?

In the past, the light output of incandescent bulbs was measured by electrical power in watts. Since LED bulbs use much less power than incandescent ones, wattage is no longer a reliable measure of brightness. Instead, light output is now measured in lumens, which indicate how much light a bulb produces. Wattage now only tells you how much power a bulb consumes and is useful primarily for calculating energy usage.

So how do you know how many lumens you need to match the brightness of your old 40-watt incandescent bulb? Use the table below to find the lumen equivalents for common incandescent wattages:

All you need to do is find an LED bulb with the number of lumens that matches the wattage of your old bulb!

Do you want a warm or cool white LED bulb?

It’s not just about how much light is produced — the color of the light is important too. You probably still want a cozy, warm light for the kitchen and a bright, cool white light for the bathroom. This choice is also available with LED bulbs. You just need to check the Kelvin (K) rating.

For example:

• A standard household bulb usually produces light at 3000 Kelvin, which is a neutral white light.

• If you want a warmer light, look for a bulb that produces 2400–2700 Kelvin.

• If you’re after a cooler, whiter light, choose a bulb that produces around 4600–5000 Kelvin.

Still have questions about choosing the right LED bulb?

Feel free to contact our customer service team — we’re happy to help!