The Best H13 LED Headlight Bulbs in 2024

This is my buying guide on the best H13 LED headlight bulbs in 2024. Below is a quick summary of my top recommendations. Scroll further down to read my in depth, hands on reviews, for each headlight brand.

WORTHY CONTENDER
Image of Firehawk 2023 Best H13 LED Headlight

Firehawk 2023 H13 LED
Headlight Bulbs

  • Plug and play
  • 20,000 lumens/set
  • 6,000K Cool White
  • +500% brighter than halogens (advertised)
  • Perfect beam pattern with minimal scattering
  • Best runner-up for H13 LEDs
  • 50,000-hour lifespan (advertised)
  • 62W per set
  • All-in-one unit with built-in CAN bus driver
  • Built-in 12,000 RPM turbo cooling fan
  • Excellent heat retention of 88%
  • IP68 Water resistant
  • 2-year warranty
Best
Overall
Image of Sealight x 2 - Best H13 LED Headlight

Sealight X2 H13 LED
Headlight Bulbs

  • Plug and play
  • 20,000 lumens/set
  • 6,500K Cool White
  • +600% brighter than halogens (advertised)
  • Ultra-perfect beam pattern (advertised)
  • Best overall H13 LEDs
  • 60,000-hour lifespan
  • 150W per set (advertised)
  • 1:1 Compact external driver
  • Built-in 20,000 RPM turbo cooling fan
  • IP67 Water resistant
  • 1-year warranty
PREMIUM
CHOICE
Image of Novsight N60 - Best H13 LED Headlight

Novsight N60 H13
LED Headlight Bulbs

Use our Code HEADLIGHTREVIEWS to save 25% off all purchases

  • Plug and play
  • 40,000 lumens/set
  • 6,500K Cool White
  • +900% brighter than halogens (advertised)
  • Perfect beam pattern – no shadows or scattering
  • Best premium H13 LEDs
  • 100,000-hour lifespan (advertised)
  • 200W per set (advertised)
  • 1:1 Compact external driver
  • Built-in fan
  • IP68 Water resistant
  • 16-month warranty

Trucks like Dodge and Ford, and other vehicles such as Jeeps commonly use H13 bulbs in their headlights.

But once the stock bulbs burn out, it’s time to replace them, and I recommend upgrading to LEDs. They’re much brighter, have a whiter color, and last longer.

I’ve been testing car and truck headlights for over ten years. Knowing which ones are the best is difficult, but I’ve done that work for you.

Marketing companies like to hype up the stats and abilities of headlight bulbs. My tests reveal what works and what doesn’t.

The Sealight Xenower H13 LED headlight bulbs are my pick for the best overall; they’re great value and have excellent heat retention.

I’ll also review a runner-up for best and a premium option.

Here are the best H13 LED headlight bulbs for trucks and jeeps.


Sealight X2 Best H13 LED Headlight Bulbs

OVERALL BEST
Best H13 LED headlight

Top-Notch Pick

Sealight stands as one of the leading sellers of headlight bulbs in the US. Among their offerings, the Sealight X2 H13 LED headlight bulbs really caught my eye with their brightness and impressive heat retention.

What Sealight Claim

While Sealight crafts top-notch H13 headlight bulbs, their marketing department tends to stretch the truth a bit.

The company advertises the Sealight X2 H13 LED headlight bulbs at 20,000 lumens per set, boasting they’re 600% brighter than stock halogens. However, my tests painted a different picture, so read on for the real scoop.

Equipped with a 7035 LED chip, they claim these bulbs can project a flawless beam pattern sans dark spots, reaching 1,600 feet down the road. Again, my tests don’t align with this statement.

With a Kelvin color of 6,500, they instantly won my favor. That’s a significant upgrade from the 3,000K halogens that tend to skew more towards a yellow hue. This cool white light really helps me spot objects and road signs with ease.

Sealight advertises the wattage at a whopping 150 per set, which translates to 75 watts each. That sounded overly ambitious to me, and my tests proved my suspicion right.

These units boast a premium aluminum body with a carved heat sink, cooled by a 20,000 RPM silent turbofan, the fastest I’ve ever encountered.

Rated IP67 waterproof, they may not be top tier, but they give me enough confidence to brave harsh weather conditions like snowstorms or heavy rain.

Their final claim, a lifespan of 60,000 hours, was a tough pill to swallow. I’m yet to find a bulb that lasts 50,000 hours. Plus, Sealight only backs these with a 1-year warranty, which feels rather short in comparison to other brands.

What I Noticed

I love how Sealight puts thought into the little details.

For starters, they include rubber gloves in the box to protect your hands, and also provide zip ties and double-sided tape for the external driver.

Even though they include a very detailed instruction manual, I found these bulbs plug right in, just like stock ones. So, I didn’t even need to glance at the guide.

Just holding the Sealight H13 bulbs instills confidence in their build quality. They have a solid, weighty feel that suggests durability.

Another nice touch is the engraved Sealight logo adorning the fan.

The external driver is super compact, something I appreciate as it simplifies the installation process.

Given the lofty claims, I was really eager to put these bulbs to the test.

My Tests

Let’s get one thing straight, I’m a big fan of Sealight products, and these H13 bulbs top my list. But the over-the-top promotion can be off-putting.

Now, onto the results versus their claims.

For all my tests, I maintain consistency. I place a lux meter 20 feet from the bulb and compare the reading to stock halogens, which register 725 lux in the projector test and 910 lux in the reflector test.

The Sealight X2 H13 LEDs initially clocked in at 954 lux. That’s a 130% brightness boost compared to halogens.

After the average US commute time of 27 minutes, they only dipped to 842 lux, or 88%. Their heat retention is truly excellent, outperforming the average by more than 10%.

In the projector test, the Sealight X2s started at 1,864 lux, doubling the brightness of stock halogens. But this falls far short of the 600% advertised. After 27 minutes, they cooled down to 1,645 lux, maintaining 88%.

The beam pattern covers the usual weak spot in the lower center quite well, but the cut-off was higher than I prefer, reducing the distance I could see down the road. It wasn’t close to the 1,600 feet advertised. I also noticed the pattern was a tad weak on the upper and lower left.

I measured 34.8 watts for each bulb, which would round up to roughly 70-75 per set, not 150. Seems like there was a bit of number inflation during marketing.

These also win my vote for the best H13 LED headlights due to their low operating temperatures, registering only 113°F for the main unit and 123°F for the driver after 27 minutes.

The combination of excellent heat retention and low operating temperatures might help these bulbs have a long life, but hitting 60,000 hours seems like a stretch.

What Others Say

I’m not the only one who digs the Sealight X2 H13 LED headlight bulbs. They’ve earned a stellar 4.6/5 stars from other drivers.

Customers rave about their brightness and consider them an outstanding replacement for stock bulbs. A few truck drivers reported flickering issues, but this is common and can be addressed by installing a decoder.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to replacing your truck’s stock halogen headlights, the Sealight X2 H13 headlight bulbs get my seal of approval. They run cool, provide double the brightness, and outlive their counterparts.

Pros
  • Plug and play
  • 20,000 lumens/set
  • 6,500K Cool White
  • +600% brighter than halogens (advertised)
  • Ultra-perfect beam pattern (advertised)
  • Best overall H13 LEDs
  • 60,000-hour lifespan
  • 150W per set (advertised)
  • 1:1 Compact external driver
  • Built-in 20,000 RPM turbo cooling fan
  • IP67 Water resistant
  • 1-year warranty
Cons
  • CAN bus errors in some vehicles

Firehawk 2023 H13 LED Headlight Bulbs

WORTHY CONTENDER

A Solid Runner-Up

Trying to pick between the Sealight X2 H13 LEDs and the Firehawk 2023 H13 LED headlight bulbs was like splitting hairs. It all boiled down to personal taste, and to be honest, I’m still on the fence about the superiority of all-in-one units.

Advertised Specifications 

Firehawk, much like Sealight, tends to hype up their products a bit too much.

Here we go again, a lofty claim of 20,000 lumens per set. Firehawk, however, states that their bulbs are only 500% brighter than stock halogens. My experiments showed a different story.

Their H13 bulbs sport Japanese chips, promising a laser-focused beam pattern, allegedly devoid of any dark patches or shadows, without causing any blinding issues for oncoming traffic.

The Kelvin color leans slightly warmer than the Sealights, sitting at 6000K, but I had no issues spotting road signs ahead.

This bulb set is an all-in-one piece with a built-in CAN bus driver.

The bulb design includes 2 mm of thickened copper adorned with a red finish. Additionally, 40 pieces of aviation-grade aluminum heat sinks, combined with a 12,000RPM silent turbofan, ensure these H13 bulbs stay pleasantly cool.

Firehawk predicts a staggering 50,000 hours of bulb life. Boy, I’d love to see that someday. On the bright side, Firehawk outshines Sealight by offering a 2-year warranty.

The Firehawk 2023 H13 LED bulbs boast an IP68 waterproof rating, the highest achievable, making me feel utterly secure while driving in heavy downpours or dense fog.

First Impressions

As I unbox the kit, the red finish on the bulbs instantly grabs my attention. I have a soft spot for unique features, and I’ve yet to come across another brand showcasing red bulbs. Quite a pleasing touch!

Holding these bulbs, the material composition seems pretty standard, nothing extraordinary or remarkably upgraded catches the eye.

Contrary to the Sealight, the Firehawk H13 is a consolidated unit with an in-built driver. This compact design made me a tad nervous about the heat retention capabilities, given the relatively small fan area. So, did my suspicions hold any weight? You’ll find out shortly.

A notable advantage of all-in-one models is their simple installation process. These bulbs are plug-and-play, allowing me to set them up within minutes.

While Firehawk provides an extensively detailed manual, replete with numerous images, I hardly found the need to reference it.

Geared up and ready, I plunged into testing to see whether my apprehensions would bear out.

Let the Testing Begin

The projector test results took me by surprise. The Firehawk 2023 H13 LEDs began with an output of 1,332 lux — a whopping 607 more than halogens, essentially doubling the brightness.

Echoing the heat retention of the Sealight X2s, these bulbs dipped to 1,172 lux or 88% after a 27-minute run.

In the reflector test, the initial output of 2,280 lux was 1,370 higher than halogens — 250% brighter, which falls short of the hyped-up 500%.

The super beam pattern came close to fulfilling its name. There was some fuzziness at the top center, but with a lower hotspot, it’s understandable. The bottom left exhibited a bit of scattering, but nothing major.

My measurements found the bulbs consuming 29 watts, which was reasonably close to the advertised 31 watts.

A pleasing discovery was the modest temperature of 122°F after 27 minutes. While it’s a tad warmer than the Sealights, it’s far from overheating.

Hence, I believe these bulbs could potentially have an impressive lifespan.

Feedback from Fellow Drivers

The overall consensus of drivers gives the Firehawk 2023 H13 LED headlight bulbs a solid 4.4/5 rating.

Praises such as ‘exceeded expectations,’ ‘improved visibility,’ ‘the bulbs you need,’ abound in the positive feedback.

Customers did note a shorter lifespan of approximately one year, a far cry from the promised 50,000 hours.

Wrapping It Up

Firehawk is steadily climbing my list of favorite headlight manufacturers. The 2023 H13 LED headlight bulbs pose as a commendable runner-up. While I remain undecided on all-in-one units, I’m open to the prospect of being pleasantly surprised.

Pros
  • Plug and play
  • 20,000 lumens/set
  • 6,000K Cool White
  • +500% brighter than halogens (advertised)
  • Perfect beam pattern with minimal scattering
  • Best runner-up for H13 LEDs
  • 50,000-hour lifespan (advertised)
  • 62W per set
  • All-in-one unit with built-in CAN bus driver
  • Built-in 12,000 RPM turbo cooling fan
  • Excellent heat retention of 88%
  • IP68 Water resistant
  • 2-year warranty
Cons
  • Probably won’t last 50,000 hours

Novsight N60 H13 LED Headlight Bulbs

PREMIUM CHOICE

A High-End Pick

Shelling out about $100, you get the Novsight N60, which in my book, takes the crown as the top premium H13 LED headlight bulbs.

Promised Specifications

The Novsight N60 H13 LED headlight bulbs are marketed with a staggering 40,000 lumens per set, claiming to be 900% brighter than your usual halogens. These assertions are nothing short of audacious, and I was eager to put them under the microscope.

Details about the chip are sparse, other than it being the latest 80 mils CSP.

The Kelvin color is once again my personal favorite, a cool white 6,500, which significantly enhances the visibility of the path ahead.

In terms of cooling, these bulbs are designed with double heat pipe dissipation and come with a fan. However, no details about the fan’s RPMs are mentioned, which makes me curious about their overall performance.

The advertised wattage hits an incredible 200 per set! However, my own tests tell a different story.

The lifespan of these H13 bulbs seems to be escalating. Novsight promises an astounding 100,000 hours, but backs this only with a 16-month warranty.

Matching the Hikari 2023s, the Novsight N60s come with an IP68 waterproof certification. They are made to withstand heavy snow, fog, rain, and even sandstorms.

My Impressions

I’m a sucker for unique features! Novsight throws in a cool keychain with every purchase, a nice touch.

The included manual seemed unnecessary once again, as I found the installation process straightforward and swift.

The Novsight N60 H13 LED bulbs look like standard bulbs but have personalized details like the brand name engraved down the side.

The bulbs come with an adjustable collar, and the built-in fan measures 1.6 inches x 1.4 inches, a sizeable enough fan. But, does it live up to expectations?

The external driver, with its robust feel and solid machining, brings a sense of assurance.

In essence, the Novsight N60 H13s embody the quality and refinement you’d expect from a premium product.

My Tests

Given the bold claims of 40,000 lumens and 900% brightness over stock, I anticipated the Novsight N60 H13 LEDs to be extraordinarily bright. And boy, they did not disappoint!

The projector test began with a phenomenal 2,780 lux rating, nearly 400% brighter than halogens.

However, such intense brightness often struggles with heat retention, and this was confirmed as they dipped down to 76%, or 2,113 lux, after 27 minutes.

In the reflector test, the initial rating hit an astounding 5,420 lux — 600% better than stock. Not quite the 900% they boasted, but nonetheless, truly impressive.

After 27 minutes, the reading was 4,119 lux, 76%.

These bulbs displayed some of the finest beam patterns I’ve seen. The cutoff is crisp, and while the common weak spot is more noticeable than with the Sealight or Firehawk, it’s an acceptable trade-off for such brilliance.

What surprised me was the remarkable breadth and depth of the beam pattern. Both left and right sides fill out very well, with no scattering or shadows.

A word of caution to fellow drivers: please aim these accurately. Given their extreme brightness, they could pose a hazard to yourself and oncoming traffic if not properly aligned.

Their advertised wattage of 100 per bulb astounded me. In my tests, they clocked in at 66.2 watts, which is still incredibly high.

As for the cooling system? Well, it fell short. After 27 minutes, the main unit heated up to a worrying 231°F, with the driver reaching 153°F. However, generating such intense brightness comes with the cost of heat.

Feedback from Fellow Motorists

Motorists’ ratings mirror the Hikari 2023s for the Novsight N60 H13 LED bulbs at 4.8/5.

Comments praising them as the ‘Best headlights ever,’ ‘amazing beam pattern,’ and ‘highly recommended’ abound.

Like the Sealights, a few drivers reported flickering issues, but these were resolved by installing a decoder.

Final Thoughts

If you’re someone like me, with a penchant for ultra-bright lights, the Novsight N60 H13 LED bulbs are worth every penny.

Pros
  • Plug and play
  • 40,000 lumens/set
  • 6,500K Cool White
  • +900% brighter than halogens (advertised)
  • Perfect beam pattern – no shadows or scattering
  • Best premium H13 LEDs
  • 100,000-hour lifespan (advertised)
  • 200W per set (advertised)
  • 1:1 Compact external driver
  • Built-in fan
  • IP68 Water resistant
  • 16-month warranty
Cons
  • CAN bus errors in some vehicles

H13 LED Headlight Bulbs FAQ

Here are the four most common questions I get asked about H13 LED headlight bulbs.

What cars use H13 headlight bulbs?

H13 LED headlight bulbs are most commonly used in trucks, specifically Dodge and Ford. Jeep also benefits from replacing stock bulbs with H13s.

Drivers should always check their manuals to determine which bulb suits their truck.

Are H13 headlight bulbs dual beams?

H13 headlight bulbs are dual beam only. If the vehicle being driven is a four-light model, requiring separate bulbs for high and low beams, the H13s aren’t suitable.

What headlight bulbs are interchangeable with H13?

The 9008 headlight bulb is interchangeable with the H13, and often they’re branded with both numbers for convenience.

What are H13 headlight bulbs best for?

H13 headlight bulbs are commonly used as dual-beam headlight replacements. Some truck drivers choose to replace their fog or rear lights with H13s.

Personally, I use them as truck headlights only.


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Author

Hi, I'm Graeme, the author and owner of HeadlightReviews.com. Before I started this hobby site, I used to work alongside my 'Pops', helping out as he worked as a mechanic for over 50 years. Twenty-five of those he was running his own Auto Electrician & Body Shop, where I fell in love with vehicle lighting. I've taken all our experience online (that's not his gig)… so it’s safe to say there are very few people on the internet who can match our expertise and deep understanding of vehicle mechanics, repairs, parts, and especially headlights. If you've got a bulb question, contact me here, and read more about me and headlightreviews.com here.

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