This is our buying guide on the best LED Headlight Bulbs in 2023. Below is a quick summary of our top recommendations. Scroll further down to read our in depth hands on reviews, for each headlight bulb.

SEALIGHT LED
Headlight Bulbs
- Up to 28,000 lumens
- Beam stretches further down the road
- Ultra-pure white 6500K color temperature
- more modern look
- Better reflectivity
- Easier to pick out bumps and potholes in the road
- No dark spots or blurriness
- Dimmable snap ring allows you to adjust the beam
- Copper substrate and 12,000 RPM fan
- Better heat management
- Aviation-grade aluminum
- Available in a variety of sizes
- 50,000 hour lifespan
- No error codes, flickering, or interference with the stereo or radio

Auxito LED
Headlight Bulbs
- Bright and powerful illumination
- 12,000 lumens of brightness
- 6500K color profile
- Longer throw
- Wider projection
- No flickering or blurriness
- No dark spots anywhere in the beam
- 12,000 RPM cooling fan
- Silent operation
- Intelligent IC driver
- Power efficient ZES chips
- 30,000 hour lifespan
- Easy to install
- Fully CANbus ready
- Does not cause any errors with the car’s onboard systems

BEAMTECH LED
Headlight Bulbs
- Latest CSP chips
- 16,000 lumens or higher brightness
- 6000K color profile
- Stable, flicker-free beam
- No blurry spots
- Budget-friendly option
- Easy to install
- Plug-and-play design
- 15,000 RPM cooling fan
- Integrated heat sink
- Liquid-cooled tube design
- 50,000 hours of use
- Built-in decoding circuit
- No error codes or flashing
- Any interference with the radio or stereo
- Wider angle projection
This is my buying guide on the best LED headlight bulbs in 2023
When it comes to LED headlight bulbs there’s a million different bulbs to choose from . But not all that glitters, or in this case shines, is gold. And unless you want to buy a lemon, it’s best to do your due diligence and choose the best.
Overall I found Fahren’s LED headlight bulbs are by far the best. These bulbs pair some of the brightest light output on the market with a cool, ultra-white color temperature. So in addition to the improved illumination, you also get a more aesthetically pleasing look for your vehicle.
I’ve been testing and reviewing headlight bulbs for over a decade. So if you need help choosing the right one for your vehicle, you came to the right place.
Keep reading for more information on the best LED headlight bulbs.
IMPORTANT! – Make sure you have the correct bulb sizing and fitment so you don’t waste your money, use this handy tool to double check.
Auxito often heads our lists of best headlight bulbs and the trend continues. Their LED headlights and bulbs feature bright and powerful lighting, a cool color profile, and best-in-its-class power management.
First things first, let’s talk about the brightness. Auxito claims over 12,000 lumens of brightness, but the intense beam looks even brighter in person! It really lights up your path and makes the whole foreground much more clear.
The power efficient ZES chips offer over 300% brighter light when compared to stock bulbs. The result is enhanced visibility for night time driving. Similarly, the 6500K color profile is designed to help the driver pick out obstacles, hurdles and bumps in the road more easily.
In keeping with the theme of high visibility, these LED bulbs sport a wider angle of projection. Comparing these bulbs and stock halogens side-by-side, we noticed that the Auxito offering brought more of the roadside into view.
One huge benefit of the higher power rating of these bulbs is the farther throw. We can attest to better illumination, further down the road. This proved particularly useful while driving in the countryside, where we were able to spot wild animals in our path from further away.
As we mentioned, the ZES chips used here make this one of the most power-efficient bulbs on this list. In fact, Auxito boasts over 30,000 hours of continuous heavy usage. This astounding figure is made more believable when you consider that these bulbs are outfitted with a cooling fan capable of around 12,000 RPM.
However, in testing, we didn’t have to put up with any fan noise, and the LEDs never got too hot, so it must be working!
Speaking of, we did not notice any issues with the vehicle’s on-board computers. This Auxito bulb is fully CANbus ready and does not cause any errors or warning lights in the car. The intelligent IC driver is a nice touch and really helps keep the headlights running without a hitch.
Finally, we appreciate the flicker-free operation of these LEDs. The beam pattern does not exhibit any dark spots or blurriness. In fact, these are some of the most well-calibrated LED bulbs on the market. Some drivers reported slight flickering on older model cars, but nothing an additional decoder won’t fix.
Oh, and if you’re as fed up with the long and tedious installation processes of most LEDs, Auxito’s wireless plug and play installation is sure to please.
Pros
- Bright and powerful illumination
- 12,000 lumens of brightness
- 6500K color profile
- Longer throw
- Wider projection
- No flickering or blurriness
- No dark spots anywhere in the beam
- 12,000 RPM cooling fan
- Silent operation
- Intelligent IC driver
- Power efficient ZES chips
- 30,000 hour lifespan
- Easy to install
- Fully CANbus ready
- Does not cause any errors with the car’s onboard systems
Cons
- Additional decoder required to mitigate flickering on older model cars
Brand | AUXITO |
---|---|
Light Source Type | LED |
Color Temperature | 6500 Kelvin |
Brightness | 16000 Lumen |
Wattage | 80 watts |
Color | white |
Voltage | 12 Volts |
Fit Type | Vehicle Specific |
Position | Front |
Operating Life | 50000 Hours |
Manufacturer | AUXITO |
Item Weight | 1.21 pounds |
Package Dimensions | 6.1 x 5.55 x 2.32 inches |
Exterior | Copper |
Fahren takes the ‘more is more’ approach to designing LED headlight bulbs. Here, you get the brightest light output, and the whitest color temperature, without having to pay the price of unreasonably high power consumption.
The first thing I noticed about Fahren LED headlight bulbs is the enhanced light output. Most of the brand’s lineup offers significantly higher brightness than competing bulbs.
With some of the company’s higher-end offerings, you can get as much as 20,000 lumens of brightness, making your line of sight clearer for nighttime driving. The 20,000 lumen mark is significantly more than other bulbs on the market. And you’ll be sure to be the brightest car on the road.
But brightness is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to headlight bulbs. You also have to consider the color temperature. And here again, Fahren’s bulbs don’t disappoint. Most of the lineup features a 6500K color profile, which is even cooler than pure white.
The obvious benefit here is that your path is lit up more clearly. In testing, I found that obstacles in the road, signs, pedestrians, and animals were a lot easier to identify and avoid thanks to the whiter beam.
These bulbs also have some other upgrades over stock halogens that make your driving experience safer and more comfortable. And I found it was super easy to see incoming objects.
For example, the wider angle of projection brings more of your path and the roadside into view. The bulbs are also exceptionally well-calibrated, so you get a uniform beam pattern, free of dark spots. Which means it’s practically impossible to miss objects on the road. And you also won’t blind oncoming traffic.
You also don’t have to put up with any blurriness in the beam, which besides being a potential safety hazard, can also just look less appealing.
Select bulb sizes also come with an adjustable ring which lets you tweak the beam pattern to your liking. Which is nice to have the variety in how your beams are set up.
Another plus point that I love about Fahren bulbs is thir build quality is superb.
The whole bulb body is made of aviation grade aluminum, ensuring better durability and heat management; not that the 12,000 RPM turbo fan and hollow carved heat sink in these bulbs need any help to keep temperatures manageable. The turbo fan means the bulbs stay well ventilated and ensure a long life span.
One issue with the fan is that it is indeed on the loud side and I personally observed a very very high pitch noise that seems to be unique to this headlight. However I’m testing in an open area and it’ll likely be much more muted when installed but I think it’s only fair that I warn you.
The aviation grade metal is nothing too special. As nearly all headlight bulbs are built with the material.
And if you like to take your vehicle off-roading, or need to drive in inclement weather conditions, you’ll appreciate the inclusion of an IP68 water and dust proof rating. Again, something every bulb has.
Power consumption is understandably higher than bulbs that aren’t as bright. At the same time, because Fahren uses the latest in LED chip technology, power consumption is significantly lower than what you’d expect from bulbs that are this bright!
All of that durability and efficiency combine to give you better lifespan. Fahren’s bulbs lead the pack when it comes to longevity, with many of their models offering 50,000 hours of lighting or more. And a two year warranty.
Finally, because these bulbs come outfitted with an intelligent IC driver, they are less prone to causing issues with your car’s onboard systems. No error codes, no flickering, or any other problems of the sort.
So overall. If you want super bright headlight bulbs and are not on a budget. I would say Fahren is your best bet. Only issue is their legality in certain states. As they are 20,000 lumens.
Unboxing
Now let’s get to the unboxing. It’s a mysterious black bag which comes with a few zip ties. You also get a fold-out manual with pretty thorough instructions, for what it’s worth. Overall there are four zip ties and two extra gaskets. Plus two pieces of double-sided tape and a little tiny Allen wrench for the adjustable collar, and it’s pretty cool how you register for your one-year warranty.
Our Test Bench
For testing Fahren’s Bulbs I used an H11 headlight from a 2018 Ford F-150. I use this vehicle specifically because it’s the best selling vehicle in America for over 20 years and is the most common on the road.
I powered the bulbs using a benchtop power supply and positioned the bulb’s hot spot onto a lux meter that is 20 feet away and mounted on my garage door.
I also recorded the initial brightness and then again after 27 minutes to document how well the light manages heat. I decided on 27 minutes because that’s the average commute time in the United states.
My tests aren’t for lux number accuracy but for comparison to a stock h11 halogen bulb which measures 725 projected looks and 910 reflected lux. Using my test method, different tests in different environments will give you different results.
The Results
I started using the one pro-professional-grade thermal camera. After 27 minutes, the main unit heats up to 185 degrees Fahrenheit and the driver 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Now I can’t compare these to my previous test when I used the laser thermometer because here is what a standard h11 bulb heats to a blistering 752 degrees Fahrenheit in around one minute.
Looking at the reflector output, there’s a crazy 5200 Lux in my test environment. Far higher than the halogen Baseline of 910 Lux, and the first reflector housing light I tested reached higher than 5000 Lux. Overall, this is one of the most powerful LED headlight bulbs I’ve tried in a reflector for initial light output and quite a bit.
Pros
- 20,000 lumens
- 6500K color profile
- Wider angle of projection
- Uniform beam pattern
- Adjustable ring
- Just a really solid headlight bulb overall
- Aviation grade aluminum
- 12,000 RPM turbo fan
- Hollow carved heat sink
- My personal favorite
- IP68 water and dust proof rating
- 50,000 hour lifespan
- Intelligent IC driver
- Less prone to causing issues with your car’s onboard systems
Cons
- Power consumption is a bit higher than other bulbs
Brand | Auxbeam |
---|---|
Light Source Type | LED |
Color Temperature | 6000 Kelvin |
Brightness | 6000 Lumen |
Wattage | 30 watts |
Color | Gold/Black |
Fit Type | Universal |
Position | Right |
Operating Life | 50000 Hours |
Manufacturer | Auxbeam |
Model | F-16 |
Item Weight | 7 ounces |
Product Dimensions | 16 x 4 x 11 inches |
Special Features | EMC Anti-interference-current Stable, external drive, 300% Brighter than halogen, 360 degree illumination, 6000k high power LED chips, efficient silent cooling system, instant full brightness without start-up relay, IP 68 waterproof |
HIKARI claims that this LED headlight is the best led headlight bulbs on the market! Do I agree? Yes, for sure! I have never had any complaints with HIKARI Ultra LED Headlight.
I have been testing these LED headlights for several months now, and I must admit that I’m thoroughly impressed by its outstanding performance. The uniform beam pattern and the bright 12000lm light output allows you to clearly see the road and road signs without blinding the opposite traffic.
HIKARI Ultra LED Headlight uses impressively less power (only 23 watts each LED headlight) for the massive 12000 lumens light output that it produces. So, you can enjoy this super bright LED headlight without worrying about its power consumption.
You have to make sure one thing (to avoid the mistake that I made) carefully check the headlight size before you purchase HIKARI Ultra LED Headlight because it comes in several different sizes.
Pros
- +270% brighter than standard stock bulbs
- 12000lm Luminous Flux
- 24-month warranty
- Uniform Beam Pattern
- Ultra Slim Design
- Modern LED technology for superior performance
Cons
- Not compatible with projector lights
Brand | HIKARI WINGS |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.05 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 5.12 x 6.69 x 2.36 inches |
Bulb Type | 18,000LM Prime ZES LED |
Mirror Lighting Type | automotive-exterior-headlight-bulbs |
Voltage | 12 Volts (DC) |
Wattage | 32.00 |
Beamtech’s LED headlights are a little bit cheaper than our top pick. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on any features or performance. In fact, you get similar performance figures, an equally durable build, and all the longevity you could ever want.
Beamtech uses the latest CSP chips for their LED headlight bulbs. This means you get a healthy balance of brightness, power consumption, and longevity.
I found that the brightness for most of the lineup comes in at around the 16,000 lumen mark. Some newer models also get even brighter than that, but you also get a variety of less powerful (and more affordable) options to choose from.
The color temperature of these LEDs leaves little to be desired. Most Beamtech LED headlight bulbs come with a 6000K color profile, though some of the flagship models can get even cooler than that. Which means these bulbs are a perfect choice for folks looking for a whiter beam.
I tested most of Beamtech’s bulbs and are happy to report that all of them feature a stable, flicker-free beam. You won’t have to put up with any blurry spots or non-uniform light output, as is the case with some other budget options.
Ease of installation is another one of the plus points of Beamtech LED bulbs. You get a simple, plug-and-play design that simplifies the installation process.
Even when you have to keep the bulbs running for longer, there’s no risk of them overheating. Besides the usual high-speed cooling fan (15,000 RPM in this case), these bulbs also have an integrated heat sink, and a liquid-cooled tube design.
Longevity for these bulbs is also in line with our top pick, coming in at around 50,000 hours of usage.
The bulbs come with a built-in decoding circuit, so you don’t have to put up with any error codes or flashing. In our experience, these bulbs do not cause any interference with the radio or stereo.
As for using these bulbs day-to-day, or rather, night-to-night, you get a wider angle projection than even other aftermarket bulbs. This means you can spot cars changing lanes, or wild animals coming into your path a lot quicker.
A bulb’s beam pattern is super important. We wanted to talk about this first. As you can see, the beam pattern in your reflector headlight is nice and clean. When you throw generic (or many’ name brand’) kits into your headlights, you get a lot of scatter, blinding oncoming drivers. Overall we found Beamtech’s pattern to be excellent.
How bright are they, you ask? I was surprised by the output. The peak lux (brightness), when installed into low beam reflectors, was 49% or 1.5 times brighter than a stock halogen bulb. When using high-beams which are much brighter. beamtech’s bulbs were 23% or 1.23 times brighter over halogen. In contrast, it looks like a slight difference between the numbers. Even the most minor light significantly impacted driving at night and in adverse weather conditions.
One issue I noticed when the Beamtech’s bulbs were installed compared to my stock halogens. Was that I no longer had the high beam light emitted on my dashboard when the high beams were on. Now this could be one off thing. Specific to my model of car. But it certainly wasn’t ideal.
Pros
- Latest CSP chips
- 16,000 lumens or higher brightness
- 6000K color profile
- Stable, flicker-free beam
- No blurry spots
- Budget-friendly option
- Easy to install
- Plug-and-play design
- 15,000 RPM cooling fan
- Integrated heat sink
- Liquid-cooled tube design
- 50,000 hours of use
- Built-in decoding circuit
- No error codes or flashing
- Any interference with the radio or stereo
- Wider angle projection
Cons
- Not as bright as our top pick
Brand | BEAMTECH |
---|---|
Light Source Type | LED |
Color Temperature | 6500 Kelvin |
Wattage | 50.00 |
Voltage | 32 Volts |
Operating Life | 30000 Hours |
Item Weight | 0.01 ounces |
Product Dimensions | 6.1 x 6.15 x 2.36 inches |
Sealight’s LED headlight bulbs are easily the most expensive on our list, but they’re also worth every penny. Here, you get some of the brightest LED headlights on the market, by quite the margin; exceptional durability and performance follows.
The first thing to note about Sealight LED bulbs is the bright light output. They offer some headlight bulbs that can produce up to 28,000 lumens of brightness.
The beam stretches further down the road, bringing more of your path into view. In testing, I found it much easier to see obstacles and other motorists in front of us.
But besides just raw power, Sealight also focused on the quality of the beam. As such, you get an ultra-pure white 6500K color temperature, which has a couple benefits.
For one, the front-end of your vehicle is treated to a more modern look. As for more practical benefits, the cooler color temperature enables better reflectivity, so you can pick out bumps and potholes in the road, road signs, and other features with ease.
Other stuff is as you’d expect from a high-end set of LED headlights. The beam is well-calibrated and there aren’t any dark spots to deal with. It is focused and precise, so you don’t have to put up with any blurriness.
If you aren’t happy with the way it looks, the dimmable snap ring on Sealight headlight bulbs allows you to adjust the beam to your liking.
Heat management is handled by a copper substrate, which allows for better heat dissipation.
Cooling is further enhanced by the 12,000 RPM fan integrated into the design. This is admittedly a bit slower than other bulbs on our list, but I never had any issues with overheating, so it seems to work well.
Not to mention, this fan setup is one of the most silent on the market, barely making a peep, even when it’s going at full speed.
The actual bulb body is made of aviation-grade aluminum, so it resists getting damaged over time. This also reduces chances of the bulbs getting damaged during the installation process.
Compatibility with different makes and models won’t be an issue. The Sealights are offered in a variety of sizes, and the unique design ensures easier installation.
Sealight’s bulbs are also designed to offer the best longevity possible. Even with more frequent usage, you can expect the bulbs to last 50,000 hours or more, so you don’t have to change them out as often.
Lastly, these bulbs did not cause any issues with the vehicle’s onboard systems. I did not find any error codes, flickering, or interference with the stereo /radio systems.
Unboxing
The box feels high quality and has decent packing overall. Now when you open it up, you get an instruction manual that does an excellent job of explaining how to install the bulbs, as well as explaining different bulb sizes and how to contact customer support. Then there are also some zip ties and double-sided tape.
Now for this Sealight bulb it’s the Xenover X4 which is a minor jump up from what we previously tested which was the Xenover X2. The X4 specifications are slightly better and similarly priced. Some perks I like is that overall it looks like a great light and also has a super unique design.
As I said earlier. It’s also really compact and overall the materials just feel really good in my hands.
Testing Results
In terms of Sealight’s performance. Starting with the projector, it had a 303 Lux rating. And 578 lux over the halogen 1725 Lux measurement. This is indeed brighter than the previous sea light bulbs I’ve tested. And After 27 minutes, it did retain an impressive 88 per cent of that light output resulting in 1147 Lux over time and 422 lux over standard halogens. So obviously not the bright LED bulbs on the market; however still great performance.
In terms of the actual accuracy of the beams Sealight was generally a lot better in a reflector than a projector.
Pros
- Up to 28,000 lumens
- Beam stretches further down the road
- Ultra-pure white 6500K color temperature
- more modern look
- Better reflectivity
- Easier to pick out bumps and potholes in the road
- No dark spots or blurriness
- Dimmable snap ring allows you to adjust the beam
- Copper substrate and 12,000 RPM fan
- Better heat management
- Aviation-grade aluminum
- Available in a variety of sizes
- 50,000 hour lifespan
- No error codes, flickering, or interference with the stereo /radio
Cons
- Most expensive bulbs on this list
Light Source Type | LED |
---|---|
Color Temperature | 6000 Kelvin |
Wattage | 60.00 |
Item Package Quantity | 2 |
Color | white |
Fit Type | Universal Fit |
Position | Front |
Operating Life | 50000 Hours |
Manufacturer | SEALIGHT |
Item Weight | 11.6 ounces |
Package Dimensions | 4.84 x 4.41 x 3.31 inches |
Verdict
These are the five best on the market that I highly recommend all of my friends. Make sure that you remember one thing; all of these LED headlights for a car are cool white, so know your driving conditions before you make a selection. I hope that my selection helps you find the best LED headlights for your vehicles.
LED Headlights | Dimensions | Voltage | Wattage | Color Temperature | Lifespan |
Auxbeam F-16 Series | 16 x 4 x 11 inches | 12 volts | 60 watts | 6000K | 50,000 hours |
SEALIGHT S1 | 6.3 x 4.7 x 2 inches | 12 volts | 40 watts | 6000K | 30,000 hours |
Cougar Motor H11 | 6.6 x 5.1 x 2.3 inches | 12 volts | 60 watts | 6000K | 50,000 hours |
HIKARI Ultra | 6.7 x 5 x 2.1 inches | N/A | 23 watts per bulb | 6000K | 50,000 hours |
BEAMTECH H13 | 6.1 x 6.2 x 2.4 inches | 32 volts | 50 watts | 6500K | 30,000 hours |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do LED headlights come in different color temperatures?
Yes! Usually, LED headlights are available in 4 colors. LED light bulb color temperatures are measured on the Kelvin scale. Following are the four-color temperatures with their Kelvin scale ratings:
- Warm White – WW 2700-3200 Kelvin
- Natural White – NW 4000-4500 Kelvin
- Day White – NW 5000-5500 Kelvin
- Cool White – NW 6500-7500 Kelvin
(Warmer LED lights have yellow tones; whereas, cooler LED lights have blue tones)
2. Do LED Headlights consume a lot of power?
Low power consumption is one of the most significant advantages of LED car highlights. As compared to halogen bulbs, LED headlights to consume much less power. When buying LED headlights, you should always look for options that offer higher lumens for less wattage.
3. Are car LED headlights legal to use?
Before any kind of car modification, you have to consider whether or not it is legal because you wouldn’t want to get into unnecessary trouble. Most people assume that LED headlights are not legal to use. However, LED headlights are legal if the projected light beam illuminates the road between 50 and 100 meters. To be on the safe side, you should check your local area laws before investing in LED headlights.
4. Are LED headlights ideal for extreme weather conditions?
Yes! As compared to halogen bulbs, LED headlights are a more suitable option for extreme weather conditions. No matter if you drive in very cold, very hot, rainy, foggy or even dimly lit areas, LED headlights are excellent for you.
5. What factor causes LED headlights to fail?
Heat is one of the main factors that cause most LED headlight kits to fail. If you want yours to last long, then you should invest in a bulb or fixture with an external driver rather than an integrated one, especially if your car is exposed to very hot temperatures.
6. What component of the LED headlight kit typically fails first?
LED headlight kit’s driver is typically the first component that fails. An efficient LED headlight system should last you 50,000 hours or more. I always try to purchase LED kits that come with reliable a driver from a reputable brand, including Philips and Meanwell. Also, look for LED headlight kits with at least or two years warranty.
Beam Pattern, Scattering And Light Focus
If you are new to purchasing Led headlights that one of the most significant factors is the pattern of the beam, its scattering and focus. Flowing are the various beam patterns available:
- Spot beam – as the name suggests, a spot beam pattern is mostly about precision and focused with the beam emitted at a 10-degree angle. The narrow-angle allows the light to illuminate the furthest without being too broad. This pattern is best suited for straight country roads and slow-moving trails. The focused pattern misses obstacles on the sides.
- Flood beam – The flood beam pattern is designed to flood the road with light thanks to its wide 60-degree angle. The width of the beam illuminates the sides of the trail, which makes it easier to see obstacles on the sides of the road. The flood beam pattern is best for curvy and fast-moving roads.
- Combination beam – As you can guess by the name of this beam pattern that it is the combination of both spot and flood beam. It is incredibly versatile and a popular choice among buyers.
- Driving beam – The driving beam has a distinct diamond-shaped pattern and a 60-degree wide beam, which is great for larger vehicles.
- Fog beam – Fog lights are used in combination with the headlights, which are mounted below the headlights. Fog lights have a diffusion beam pattern that illuminates the road with a soft light, which surrounds the obstacle by light.
- Be sure to also check our our article on the best led headlight brands.
Price
A brief search will reveal that there are hundreds of LED headlights available at different price points. The Low-priced variants usually have a lower lumen output, have a lower lifespan and a smaller warranty period. However, you can find a bright light that may be sufficient for your needs. In contrast, the more expensive models provide more bang for your buck. Higher priced LED headlights have a higher lumen number, which offers more intensity of light, a longer lifespan, with a better warranty. However, it is needless to say that you must do your research before you make the final decision because higher-prices don’t always mean better performance or quality.
I remember getting my first car as a teenager and replacing its headlights when they gave up eventually still gives me a sense of pride.
I also got a great feeling of satisfaction when I finally switched my headlight to LED headlights, especially after experiencing the benefits firsthand. Since the time I bought the first halogen headlights for my car.
I have owned many vehicles and changed or upgraded many a headlight. Over the years, I have witnessed how technological advancements have improved headlights available to us today.
Now I have decided to use my extensive experience to bring you an informative LED headlight bulbs and my ultimate buying guide for choosing the best for your needs, which is designed to help you for many years to come.
Below is my LED headlight buyers guide is an essential read if you wish to make an informed buying decision.
LED Headlight Buyer’s Guide and What Factors To Consider
Headlights are an integral part of road safety because they help you see in low or poor light conditions and help others see you on the road. Whether you are replacing old headlights or upgrading your vehicle’s headlights, you must figure out which one will be best for you.
Following are the most critical factors you should consider before choosing one:
Top Things to Consider When Buying LED Headlights:
Color
Experts advise buying LED headlights that have a temperature of 5,000 Kelvin or above because they are considered the safest headlight due to their bright illumination of the road. Such headlights have the Daylight White color, which can allow you the widest and furthest light.
Avoid LED headlight colors that are yellowish warm, because they aren’t the brightest.
Lumens Or Light Output
The intensity or output of the light is measured in lumens. The lumen of 6,000 is typically the lowest output you can get for headlights available. The super-bright variants can light a straight line of over 500m adequately.
LED headlights with an output of 8000 lumens are powerful and illuminate within a 700m straight line.
LED headlights with 10000-lumen output provide daytime like illumination that can make nighttime drives much more comfortable and safer.
Life Expectancy
When compared to most LED headlights available in the market that have a life expectancy of 6,000 hours (halogen lights) and 30,000, LED headlights to have the longest life expectancy of over 50,000 hours thanks to the use of both cooling fans and cooling chip.
Warranty
The warranty period differs from one manufacturer to another. You may find manufacturers often provide warranties of either 2 or 3 years. Warranties are important because they protect your purchase and show the confidence a brand has in its products.
It would be best if you purchase LED headlights with three years warranty since they provide greater peace of mind. Often brands offer free technical support as a part of their aftersales services, which can be extremely helpful if you have any questions regarding the product and its use.
Cooling Methods
Like most lights, LED headlights also produce heat which needs to be mitigated because it shortens the lifespan of the headlights. Built-in cooling systems ensure that the headlights don’t get too hot. Therefore, you must choose LED headlights with an efficient cooling system.
There are mainly two kinds of cooling technology for LED lights:
- Heat Sink – Headlights with heatsink cooling technology, which are also known as Fanless LEDs, have a passive cooling mechanism that dissipates the heat without the need for an external cooling system. They instead rely on natural elements such as the wind to cool down the headlights. LEDs with heat sink have a longer lifespan, produce minimal noise and more energy-efficient and cost-effective. All these benefits translate into superior lighting performance.
- Fan LED headlights with a built-in fan cooling mechanism to use a fan as an active cooling mechanism. The fan is the external cooling source, and a slim fan is installed within the headlights assembly, in which the heat is eliminated quickly. Since most of such kinds of LEDs come with a compact fan.
- The biggest drawback of this cooling method is that the fan consumes additional power and creates noise. It also requires more maintenance than heat sink LED headlights.