The Best & Brightest 3157 LED Bulbs in 2024

This is my buying guide on the best 3157 LED 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 3157 bulbs.

BUDGET BRIGHTEST

Alla Lighting
LED Bulbs

Buy Now at Ebay

• 2,800 lumens per set
• IP67 waterproof
• Excellent brightness up to 1.870 lux
• Easy installation
• 6000K xenon white
• 17 watts per pair
• 33 5730 LED chips per unit
• Excellent cooling maximum 141°F
• Great for DRL use
• 30,000-hour lifespan

Overall BRIGHTEST

Lasfit Switchback 3157 LED Bulbs

Buy Now at Lasfit

• 2,600 lumens each
• 1-year warranty
• Plug-and-play installation
• 3,000K amber white
• 28 watts each
• 40 LED chips
• Built-in resistor
• Excellent heat retention of 89%
• Temperature maximum of 154°F

PREMIUM CHOICE

Sylvania 3157 ZEVO LED White Bulbs

Buy Now at Ebay

• Excellent beam pattern
• 1.7 watts each
• Easy installation
• 6,000K bright white
• Excellent heat retention 85%
• Lifetime warranty
• Maximum temperature 141°F

3157 bulbs are versatile, and that’s what makes them great.

Whether you need them for reversing, turn signals, daytime running (DRL), interior, or brake lights, they can get the job done.

But how are you supposed to decide which one is best?

Lucky for you, I’m here with all the knowledge you need to guide you. I’ve always been passionate about cars and worked on them since I was a kid.

I tested ten of the brightest 3157 LED bulbs. The results? I found the top three.

The Lasfit Switchback 3157 LED bulbs were the brightest ones I found. The reason?

They have superb brightness and an intelligent temperature control system that keeps them cool.

Learn more about what makes these 3157 LED bulbs great and more about my other two top picks, one budget and one runner-up for brightest.

Lasfit Switchback 3157 LED Bulbs

OVERALL BRIGHTEST

The Brightest of the Bunch: Lastfit Switchback 3157 LED Bulbs

What makes Lastfit Switchback 3157 LED bulbs stand out from the rest? They’re the brightest, clocking in at a whopping 2600 lumens.

My Testing Regimen

I test all my headlight bulbs in the same fashion. I set up a lux meter 20 feet away from the bulb. I’m not comparing lux to lumens; rather, I’m pitting them against your typical stock halogen bulbs.

During my tests, halogens registered 725 lux in the projector test and 910 lux in the reflector test.

The Lasfit Switchback 3157 LEDs, however, blew the halogens out of the water during the projector test, coming in at 1,053 lux. That’s a staggering 150% brighter than the stock halogens.

Even more impressive is the heat retention of these LEDs. After 27 minutes (which is the average commute time in the US), the Lasfits dipped to 939 lux, representing an excellent heat retention rate of 89%.

Naturally, if you’re using these as backup or tail lights, you won’t need them on for 27 minutes. But as daytime running lights (DRLs), this longevity is a definite plus.

In the reflector test, the LEDs started at 2,080 lux and only dropped to 1,855 lux, again maintaining a great 89% retention rate.

I found the cut-off point to be fairly low, ensuring a fully illuminated area and fantastic visibility when reversing. As signal lights, they were easy to spot, even in daylight.

These Lasfit Switchback 3157 LED lights were noticeably brighter than the halogens and gave a broader field of view. 

While the advertised wattage of these bulbs is 28, I found it to be 26.2 watts during my tests. It’s pretty close to the marketed value, which is nice to see.

Shining Light on the Color Temperature

The LEDs sport a color temperature of 3,000 Kelvins, giving off an amber-white light that’s well-suited for both tail and signal lights. The color also works brilliantly for DRLs.

Although I’m partial to the cool white of the 6,000 Kelvin range, I know many drivers appreciate the amber hue.

Managing the Heat

The Lastfit 3157 LED bulbs utilize an intelligent temperature control system to keep an eye on heat levels. Initially, the lack of an internal fan raised my eyebrows.

However, after a 27-minute test, the bulbs heated up to just 154°F, which is fairly decent. It seems like the design does its job.

The Extras

The design of these bulbs is quite unique. Mini fuses surround the base, enhancing durability and giving the bulbs an appealing, sci-fi look.

Each bulb also features 40 LED chips, which explains the impressive brightness and wide beam pattern.

Installing the Bulbs

Lasfit has done a commendable job of making these bulbs a direct match to stock halogens, so installation was a breeze, taking around five minutes per bulb.

Although Lasfit claims these bulbs don’t cause any hyper-flashing and therefore don’t need a decoder, I did get a CAN bus dashboard error during installation, so I ended up needing one.

How They Hold Up

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find specific information about the waterproof rating or the expected lifespan of the 3156 bulbs.

However, other Lasfit products are rated IP68 and are expected to last for 30,000 hours. Combined with a 1-year warranty, I’d say that’s quite reassuring.

Feedback from Fellow Drivers

The Lastfit 3157 LED bulbs have an average rating of 4.3/5 stars from reviewers.

Drivers have praised their straightforward installation, extreme brightness, and excellent performance as DRLs.

While there don’t appear to be any issues with hyper-flashing, some drivers have reported radio interference, but this seems to be fixable with a decoder.

The Bottom Line

Lasfit has definitely delivered the brightest 3157 LED bulbs out there. They might be a bit too bright for some, but you’ll definitely see everything clearly when reversing. Durable, reliable, and versatile, these bulbs tick all the boxes.

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Shining Bright on a Budget: Alla Lighting 3157 LED Bulbs

The Alla Lighting 3157 LED bulbs are a superb budget-friendly option. Offering up to 2,800 lumens per set, they don’t compromise on brightness.

My Test Drive

In the projector test, the Alla Lighting 3157s churned out a respectable initial reading of 1,001 lux. This was only 52 lux shy of what the Lasfit 3157 LEDs managed.

However, their heat retention wasn’t quite as impressive as the Lasfits. After a 27-minute burn, these bulbs dropped to 83%, or 8232 lux. 

In the reflector test, they initially clocked in 210 lux behind the Lasfits at 1,870 lux, dipping to 83% or 1,554 lux later on.

I also noticed that the beam pattern wasn’t as precise. A common weak spot in the lower middle was more noticeable. Yet, thanks to a low cut-off point, there was minimal fuzziness or scattering, and the beam was well-balanced on both sides.

What initially appeared to be a misprint turned out to be true; the Alla Lighting 3156 bulbs pulled only 8.3 watts of power in my tests. They’re advertised as consuming 8.5 watts, so it’s a very close match.

Color Temperature 

I personally lean towards the Alla Lighting 3157 LED bulbs over the Lasfits as they emit a cool white light at 6000 Kelvins.

In my opinion, the white light does a better job of illuminating objects in front of and behind the vehicle. It really shines when used inside the car, lending a sharper look to everything.

Managing the Heat

The bulbs come equipped with an aluminum heatsink, an advanced feature designed to prevent overheating. I must admit, I was pretty impressed with their heat management. After 27 minutes, they only heated up to 141°F. I reckon the modest 8.5-watt power draw helps here.

Extra Perks 

I found their versatility to be fantastic. You can use them as reverse lights, brake lights, signal lights, or daytime running lights.

Each bulb is packed with 33 5730 LED chips, accounting for their intense brightness and the very even beam pattern.

Installation

The installation process was as smooth as it was for the Lasfit 3157 LEDs. They’re designed to be a 1:1 plug-and-play replacement for halogen bulbs, making the swap straightforward.

However, I did run into hyper-flashing with my Toyota, which required me to install a decoder. This issue is pretty common with LED replacements, and I’ve discussed it more in the latter part of the reviews.

Durability and Longevity

The 3157 LED bulbs come with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. I had the chance to test them out in a storm, and they held up brilliantly.

Alla Lighting claims that these bulbs have a lifespan of 30,000 hours, a bit lower than the standard 50,000 hours touted by other brands. But given the 1-year warranty, I believe this estimate is realistic.

Feedback from Fellow Drivers

The Alla Lighting 3157 LED bulbs have received over 2,800 customer reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/5 stars.

Reviewers have heaped praise on these bulbs for their exceptional brightness and efficient cooling system. Their longevity is another feature that has drawn positive remarks.

Hyper-flash has been reported as a common issue, but it seems installing load resistors can easily resolve it.

Wrapping Up

The Alla Lighting 3157 bulbs deliver impressive brightness and performance for a budget-friendly price. They’re nearly as bright as the Lasfit bulbs, but their heat retention falls slightly short despite running cooler. All in all, they’re an excellent choice for those wanting to upgrade on a budget.

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One to Consider: Sylvania 3157 ZEVO LED Lights

It’s hard to talk about LED lights without bringing up the Sylvania 3157 ZEVO LEDs. Although the company doesn’t disclose specific lumens per bulb, my tests put them neck and neck with the Lasfit and Alla Lighting variants.

Putting Them to the Test

In the projector test, these bulbs clocked in at around 1,029 lux, placing them squarely between the other two contenders. At 150% brighter than your stock halogens, they seem just about right for backup or reverse lights.

Interestingly, their heat retention came out a smidge better than the Alla Lighting LEDs, holding at 85% or 875 lux after a 27-minute burn.

In the reflector test, their initial reading was 1,949 lux, again fitting snugly between the other two. They later dipped to 1,657 lux, or 85%, after the same 27 minutes.

The beam pattern showed some dark spots at the top and bottom left, likely due to the low cutoff. The middle center weak spot was more visible than with the Lasfits, yet not as stark as with the Alla Lighting bulbs. 

What really impressed me was a noticeably better view of the area and a clearer line of sight behind me compared to both the other options.

Color Temperature 

The Sylvania ZEVO 3157 LED bulbs emit a cool white light at 6,000 Kelvins. This makes them a perfect match for daytime running lights, interior lighting, or backup lights. 

The white light also works well for trunk and dome lights, offering enhanced clarity on all objects.

Handling the Heat

Sylvania touts the ZEVO 3157 bulbs as having over-engineered thermal management, and I can’t help but concur. After 27 minutes, my reading was a mere 139°F, just below the Alla Lighting ones.

The secret could be the power draw; these bulbs consume less than 2 watts.

Added Benefits

These bulbs also work well as interior lights, making those “hunt for the dropped keys” scenarios much easier. It’s certainly a nice change from straining your eyes under yellow light.

Installation

The plug-and-play design made the installation quick and painless. But like the other two, I ran into CAN bus errors, requiring me to install a load equalizer.

However, Sylvania is clear in their ZEVO 3157 LED specs that an equalizer may need to be installed, which is appreciated.

Durability and Longevity

Sylvania is somewhat hush-hush about the IP rating of these bulbs. But considering the industry standard ranges between IP65 and IP68, I’d expect them to fall somewhere within that bracket.

There’s also no specific mention of their lifespan, but Sylvania offers a lifetime warranty. Now, that’s something you don’t often hear in the world of headlight bulbs.

Feedback from the Road

The Sylvania 3157 LED bulbs currently hold an average rating of 4.5/5 stars.

Many drivers have praised the overall brightness of the reverse lights and the visibility they offer.

On the flip side, the most common drawback is the potential need for a load resistor to eliminate CAN bus errors, and their compatibility doesn’t extend to all vehicles.

In a Nutshell

These bulbs strike an excellent balance, offering superior quality at a reasonable price. They’re bright, reliable, and boast top-notch heat management. Definitely a worthy consideration.

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Things to Consider When Buying the Brightest 3157 LED Bulbs

Uses

3157 LED bulbs are double filaments, which means they fit many different sockets. Primarily used as backup/reverse and indicators, they can also be used as brakes, DLRs, and interior lights.

They can also be interchanged with 3156 LED bulbs which are single filament but require a bit of extra fiddling around in the installation.

My tip is always to use the proper light in its correct socket. Check the vehicle’s user manual before buying replacement 3157 LEDs to ensure they’re suitable.

Color Choice

Many 3157 LED bulbs come in a choice of colors, red, yellow, and white. Each serves its own purpose.

If the bulb replaces brake or tail lights, a red bulb behind a red lens provides double the alertness for the driver behind.

For turn signals and side markers, amber/yellow lights behind a clear or amber lens work really well.

Finally, white behind a clear lens is perfect for backup, DRLs, license plates, and all interior or parking lights.

Hyper-flashing

A common issue with replacing stock halogens with LEDs is that hyper-flashing can occur. This happens because the LEDs draw much less power than halogens do. As such, the vehicle believes the lights aren’t working, so they start to flash.

Installing a decoder will remove this issue and assist if there are CAN bus errors like dashboard notifications or radio interference.