This is my buying guide on the best and brightest 9145 LED headlight bulbs in 2023. Below is a quick summary of my top recommendations. Scroll further down to read my in depth, hands on reviews, for each 9145 bulb. Photos and real world tests are further below.
Alla Lighting 9145 LED
Light Bulbs
- Plug and play
- 2,800 lumens/set
- 6,000K Cool White
- +200% brighter than halogens
- Best budget 9145 LEDs
- 30,000-hour lifespan
- 17W per set
- All-in-one
- IP65 Water resistant
- 1-year warranty
Firehawk New 9145
LED Bulbs
- Plug and play
- 20,000 lumens/set
- 6,000K Xenon White
- +500% brighter than halogens (advertised)
- Best overall 9145 LEDs
- 50,000-hour lifespan
- 62W per set
- All-in-one unit
- Built-in 12,000 RPM turbo cooling fan
- IP68 Waterproof
- 2-year warranty
Fahren Termitor 9145 LED Headlight bulbs
- Plug and play
- 6,000 lumens/set
- 6,500K Cool White
- +350% brighter than halogens (advertised)
- Brightest overall 9145 LEDs
- 50,000-hour lifespan
- 80W per set
- All-in-one unit
- IP68 Waterproof
- 1-year warranty
Fog light bulbs come in various types, and the 9145 is an excellent replacement.
While the factory-installed halogens may have done an ok job, I highly recommend you upgrade to LEDs; they’re better for so many reasons.
Find out more in my FAQs below.
But with so many choices, the challenge is knowing which ones are best. I’ve been testing headlight bulbs for over a decade, and I’ve done the hard work for you.
After testing fifteen different 9145 bulbs, I’ve narrowed them down to three. The Firehawk 2023 9145 LED bulbs are my pick for best overall.
I’ve then listed the best budget option and the overall brightest. There’s a bulb for everyone.
Get ready to find out the best and the brightest 9145 LED bulbs.
Firehawk New 9145 LED Bulbs
OVERALL BEST
Why the Firehawk 2023 9145 LED Bulbs are My Top Choice
When I’m asked to single out the crème de la crème, the Firehawk 2023 9145 LED bulbs immediately spring to mind. They’re blindingly bright, outshining standard halogens by a mile, and their heat retention is simply superb.
A Closer Look at the Specifications
Firehawk has a reputation for crafting top-tier headlight bulbs, and it seems their marketing team knows it. They boldly claim that these 9145 LED bulbs produce a mind-blowing 20,000 lumens, allegedly being 500% brighter than halogens.
Sounds audacious, doesn’t it? Let’s see how the bulbs fared in my tests.
One aspect that draws me towards LEDs for fog light replacement is their Kelvin color. Unlike the usual 3,000K amber/yellow hue of factory halogens, these bulbs radiate a clear, crisp 6000K Xenon White, greatly boosting the visibility of objects ahead.
The bulb unit is an all-in-one construct featuring a built-in CAN bus Driver. It’s fashioned from 2mm thick red copper, and the heat sink comprises 40 pieces of aviation aluminum. To top it off, a silent 12,000 RPM turbofan is included.
These bulbs have a distinctive wattage of 62 watts per set. Considering such an advanced cooling system and low wattage, these bulbs ought to stay cool. Even though I’m skeptical about their 50,000-hour lifespan claim, the 2-year warranty provides some reassurance.
Firehawk rates these 9145 LED bulbs as IP68 waterproof. So, I can confidently install these bulbs and tackle any weather, from torrential downpours to heavy snowfall.
Unpacking the Firehawk Experience
A Firehawk bulb, with its distinctive red finish, is easy to pick out from the crowd.
Inside the box, there’s a detailed manual, filled with pictures, a tad excessive for plug-and-play units.
On examining the bulbs, the materials used look pretty standard; everything seems aptly advanced and upgraded.
The 9145s are all-in-one units and come with an adjustable collar. The relatively small fan area made me question its cooling capacity, but the test results were unexpectedly surprising.
Supposedly, the compact 9145 bulbs align 1:1 with halogens, suggesting they should fit most vehicles without much ado. In my case, they slid perfectly into my Tundra.
Running the Tests
All my headlight tests follow the same protocol. I position the bulb 20 feet away from my lux meter and compare the results to factory halogens. Usually, I clock in 725 lux for the projector test and 910 lux for the reflector test.
So, how did the Firehawk 9145 LED bulbs fare?
In the projector test, I registered an initial rating of 1,332 lux, a whopping 607 higher than the halogens. That’s almost twice the brightness.
The real deal-breaker, though, is heat retention. After 27 minutes, roughly the average commute time in the US, the lux dropped to just 1,172. That’s 88% heat retention, far above the standard 77%.
In the reflector test, the initial output was 2,280 lux. Although only half of what the advertisement claimed, it still shone about 250% brighter than halogens, a significant upgrade.
Inspecting the beam pattern, I noticed slight fuzziness at the top center. On the bright side, the hot spot was conveniently low. I did notice some scattering on the bottom left.
The advertised watts are 31, and I recorded 29. I always appreciate when these numbers match up. It’s an indicator of proficiency with their technology.
As for the compact fan, which initially raised my eyebrows? After 27 minutes, it only heated up to 122°F, a splendid result. The promising heat retention figures suddenly became clear.
Considering such low temperatures and impressive heat retention, these bulbs might actually have a long lifespan.
A Look at Other Drivers’ Opinions
Over 5,000 Amazon drivers have reviewed the Firehawk 9145 LEDs, earning an average of a solid 4.4/5 stars.
Most drivers are in agreement that they’re exceptionally bright and serve as excellent halogen replacements.
However, some drivers had difficulties with installation, mentioning that they didn’t easily fit all fixtures.
Wrapping Up
Given the remarkable brightness, reaching 250% of halogens, and exceptional heat retention, the Firehawk 9145 LEDs earn my top spot for fog light replacements.
Pros
- Plug and play
- 20,000 lumens/set
- 6,000K Xenon White
- +500% brighter than halogens (advertised)
- Best overall 9145 LEDs
- 50,000-hour lifespan
- 62W per set
- All-in-one unit
- Built-in 12,000 RPM turbo cooling fan
- IP68 Waterproof
- 2-year warranty
Alla Lighting 9145 LED Light Bulbs
BEST BUDGET
Why the Alla Lighting 9145 LED Fog Light Bulbs Are My Best Budget Choice
Looking for an affordable gem? Let me introduce you to the Alla Lighting 9145 LED fog light bulbs. Costing under $20 a set, these bulbs are the epitome of “bang for your buck.”
Diving Into the Specifications
What I love about Alla Lighting is their honest marketing approach. They rate their 9145 LED bulbs at a humble 2,800 lumens per set.
Their Kelvin color strikes a chord with me – a cool white at 6,000K. This color tone is just perfect for fog lights, as it enhances the visibility of the road ahead, making for safer journeys.
Each bulb is fitted with 33 high-power 5730 Cree LED chips that produce a fully-angled 360° light output.
The bulbs are all-in-one units with built-in drivers, manufactured with an aluminum heat sink that aids in heat dissipation. The lack of an internal fan initially raised my concern about heat retention, but given their low power consumption – a mere 17 watts per set – I didn’t let it bother me too much.
Alla Lighting estimates a lifespan of around 30,000 hours for these bulbs. Frankly, this prediction seems much more grounded compared to the sky-high 100,000 hours some brands claim. They back this up with a 1-year warranty.
These bulbs have an IP65 rating, signifying water resistance but not full waterproofing. This tells me that they can weather heavy rain and fog, but prolonged exposure might be a bit too much.
Getting Acquainted with the Bulbs
Alla Lighting’s product consistency and reliability have always impressed me.
The package comes with an instruction manual, though these bulbs are genuine plug-and-play, making the manual somewhat redundant.
Upon unboxing the 9145 LED fog light bulbs, I was captivated by their sleek, black, futuristic look. The 33 chips give the bulbs an impressive, beacon-like appearance and they feel incredibly robust.
Their compact design, lacking an external driver or fan, means they’ll likely fit snugly into most vehicle’s fog light fixtures.
In a nutshell, they seemed quite promising, and I was eager to test them out.
Running the Tests
In the projector test, these bulbs recorded an initial lux of 875. Even though this is merely 150 more than halogens, they looked significantly brighter. After 27 minutes, the lux dropped to 735, or 84% of their initial value. Evidently, the cooling system does a fine job, fan or no fan.
In the reflector test, the initial lux was 1,983, over twice as bright as halogens. This figure fell to 1,665 lux after 27 minutes, which means an 84% heat retention.
The striking whiteness of the bulbs and the light blue tint at the top seemed to enhance the visibility of objects ahead, making them easier to spot.
The 33 chips did a stellar job. The beam pattern was flawless, with no dark spots or shadows. Despite the lower lumens causing less downward lighting compared to some others, they still outperformed halogens.
The bulbs showed good power efficiency. They’re rated at 8.5 watts each, and my readings showed 8.3 watts – impressively close to the claimed value.
After running for 27 minutes, the unit’s temperature hit a respectable 135°F. Even without a fan, these bulbs seem to handle heat surprisingly well.
Alla really nailed it with these 9145 LEDs.
The Public Opinion
Amazon users seem to adore this product. There are over 40,000 reviews, with 77% of them giving these bulbs a 5-star rating.
In general, users found them easy to install, excellent in terms of value for money, and astonishingly bright for a mere 2,800 lumens.
However, some drivers noted that the bulbs didn’t last much beyond the warranty period.
Wrapping Up
For those who value both performance and budget, the Alla Lighting 9145 LED fog light bulbs are a fantastic investment. They deliver excellent brightness without putting a dent in your wallet.
Pros
- Plug and play
- 2,800 lumens/set
- 6,000K Cool White
- +200% brighter than halogens
- Best budget 9145 LEDs
- 30,000-hour lifespan
- 17W per set
- All-in-one
- IP65 Water resistant
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- May not last 30,000 hours
Fahren Termitor 9145 LED Headlight bulbs
BRIGHTEST OVERALL
Shining the Spotlight on the Brightest: Fahren Termitor 9145 LEDs
Having covered the best overall and budget-friendly bulbs, I now bring you the reigning champion in the brightness category – the Fahren Termitor 9145 LEDs.
Breaking Down the Specs
Boasting an incredible output of 6,000 lumens per set, the Fahren Termitor 9145 LEDs claim to be 350% brighter than halogens, a fact I was eager to put to the test.
They’re rated at a cool white 6500K Kelvin color, ideal for enhancing visibility on the road.
Similar to my previous reviews, these too are all-in-one designs with built-in drivers.
Crafted from aviation-grade aluminum, these bulbs feature a unique hollow-carved heat sink design. But their lack of an internal fan gave me a pause, particularly given their high power consumption of 80 watts per set.
Fahren suggests a lifespan of 50,000 hours for these bulbs, yet only offer a 1-year warranty. This left me a little skeptical about their long-term performance.
With an IP68 waterproof rating, these bulbs should comfortably resist heavy rain, wind, snow, and fog.
Personal Impressions
Fahren’s packaging never fails to charm me – it’s consistently well done across their entire product range.
Inside the box, a black bag houses zip ties, double-sided tape, and a mini wrench. I couldn’t quite fathom the need for the tape, as these bulbs don’t have an external driver, but it’s always handy to have extras.
Although an instruction manual is included, it’s pretty much superfluous.
The design of the Fahren Termitor bulbs closely resembles the Forsher and Krieges models.
A fascinating design feature is the duo of copper heat pipes at the top, which I assumed are there for cooling purposes – a theory I was keen to test out.
From the moment I held these bulbs, I sensed their quality. They feel robust and solid, creating a positive impression of 9145 bulbs.
Putting Them to the Test
When it comes to brightness, these bulbs certainly live up to their promise! In the projector test, they began at an impressive 2,250 lux, a remarkable 350% brighter than halogens, just as Fahren boasts.
However, after 27 minutes, they dipped to 1,665 lux, retaining only 74% of their initial heat. Given their high luminosity, I wasn’t too surprised.
The reflector test revealed an even higher initial lux of 5,200, which later dropped to 3,848 lux or 74%.
Despite their extreme brightness, I was delighted by their well-managed beam pattern, offering both depth and width.
The hotspot being close to the cutoff was good to see, though it was slightly blurry. As a result, the typical weak spot (lower middle) was somewhat more noticeable.
Each bulb is rated at 40 watts, but I recorded 34 watts, slightly below the claimed value.
The temperature test was something I was eager to run, and after 27 minutes, they hit 211°F, significantly hotter than the others, sparking concerns about their durability.
The Public’s Verdict
The Fahren Termitor 9145 LED fog light bulbs scored a commendable 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The standout feature for most reviewers was their intense brightness and straightforward installation process.
However, some reviewers, much like myself, were concerned about their lifespan due to heat retention issues.
Drawing Conclusions
If brightness is your priority, the Fahren Termitor 9145 LEDs definitely stand out. But be forewarned, their high operating temperature might necessitate more frequent replacements compared to my other 9145 bulb suggestions.
Pros
- Plug and play
- 6,000 lumens/set
- 6,500K Cool White
- +350% brighter than halogens (advertised)
- Brightest overall 9145 LEDs
- 50,000-hour lifespan
- 80W per set
- All-in-one unit
- IP68 Waterproof
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Don’t last 50,000 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
I get asked a lot of questions about 9145 bulbs, and here are the top 3.
What are 9145 bulbs used for?
The 9145 bulb is predominantly used for fog lights. Some drivers choose to use them as daytime running lights (DLR), but they need to make minor modifications to the bulbs to fit.
Are 9145 interchangeable with other bulbs?
The 9145 LED bulbs are used in fog lights. Some drivers are choosing to replace the 9145s with 9005 as they’re considerably brighter.
Why should I upgrade my 9145s to LEDs?
The factory-installed 9145 halogens that come standard in the fog lights are ok, but 9145 LEDs are better for three reasons.
Firstly the Kelvin color. 9145 halogens are around 3,000 amber/yellow. 9145 LEDs mostly start at around 6,000K, which is white. To see objects more clearly in front of the vehicle upgrading from yellow to white is, for me, a no-brainer.
Halogens have a notoriously short lifespan as they heat up rather quickly, so they burn out. 9145 LEDs (except for a few exceptions) keep a lot cooler, so they last much longer, making them much more cost-effective.
The final reason for upgrading factory 9145s to LEDs is brightness. LEDs are from 200% to 600% brighter. Why wouldn’t you want to have more illumination in your fog lights?
