Which Is The Best LED Light Bulbs: Complete Buyer’s Guide
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This is a buyer’s guide to the best LED light bulbs for home, office, indoor, and outdoor fixtures.
As you might already know, LEDs are the most energy-efficient lighting option today.
However, there are different factors to consider when buying LED light bulbs.
How Do I Choose the Right LED Light Bulb?
Check the packaging and label
Look for LED light bulbs with Energy Star and UL certifications, as trusted entities vet them to provide quality and energy-efficient lighting.
Also, check for additional information about light color, brightness, wattage, estimated energy costs, expected lifetime, etc.
Check the color temperature
Most LEDs fall into three color temperature categories: soft white (2700 to 3000 K), bright white/cool white (3500 to 4100 K), and daylight (5000 to 6500 K).
LEDs with lower Kelvin (K) numbers have a yellowish light color, and those with higher Kelvin numbers have a whiter and brighter light.
For reference:
- Less than 2000K is similar to dim candlelight
- 2000 up to 3000K offers a soft white glow (best light bulbs for living room)
- 3100 to 4500K casts a bright white light comparable to daylight (best LED light bulbs for kitchen)
- 4600 to 6500K emits a blue-white color (best used in areas requiring brighter light)
- 6500K and up provides a bright bluish hue (too harsh for home lighting, often used in commercial locations)
Brightness and Wattage
LED light bulbs come in different wattage (Watts) and brightness (Lumens).
Watts is the amount of power the light bulb consumes while Lumens refer to the amount of light or brightness the light bulb produces.
The higher the lumens, the brighter the light a bulb provides.
A typical 60-watt incandescent bulb gives off 800 lumens, while a 75-watt incandescent gives off 1,100 lumens.
For reference, below is a Lumens vs. Watts chart based on the most common medium screw-base (E26) light bulbs.
Dimmable or Non-Dimmable
Dimmable LED bulbs allow you to control their brightness manually.
A dimmable option can help conserve energy and gives you the flexibility to readjust the brightness of your room and surroundings.
However, consider that dimmable LED bulbs only work by installing dimmable light switches.
Smart Technology
Smart light bulbs can connect to home Wi-Fi, making it possible for you to operate them remotely.
With a smart LED light bulb, you can turn your light ON or OFF remotely using a smartphone or tablet.
Some smart LEDs also can change color temperatures and more!
Expected Lifetime
No one likes to change their light bulbs ever so frequently.
Not only is it a waste of time but also costly.
So before you buy that LED bulb you want, check for its lifetime.
Most LED bulbs today last anywhere from 10 to 25 years (10,000 to 50,000 hours) based on an average bulb usage of 3 hours per day.
And now, below are the top 10 LED light bulbs based on energy efficiency, longevity, performance, cost, and customer reviews.
There is also FAQ section at the end of this article should you want to learn everything you need to know about LEDs.
Let’s dive in.
LED Bulbs Comparison Table
| LED Light Bulb | Wattage | Brightness | Light Color | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SYLVANIA Frosted LED Light Bulb | 8.5W | 800 Lumens | 2700K | Up to 11,000 hours |
| Philips Non-Dimmable LED Light Bulb | 9W | 800 Lumens | 5000K | Up to 10,950 hours |
| Luxrite Energy Star Rated LED Light Bulb | 9W | 800 Lumens | 3000K | Up to 25,000 hours |
| GREAT EAGLE LED Light Bulb | 9W | 750 Lumens | 2700K | Up to 10,000 hours |
| KOR 9W LED A19 Light Bulb | 9W | 800 Lumens | 3000K | Up to 15,000 hours |
| Energetic Energy Star Certified LED Light Bulb | 9.8W | 800 Lumens | 3000K | Up to 15,000 hours |
| Cree Dimmable LED Bulb | 10W | 815 Lumens | 2700K | Up to 25,000 hours |
| Kasa Multicolor Smart LED Light Bulb | 10.5W | 850 Lumens | 2500 to 6500 Kelvin | Up to 25,000 hours |
| Amazon Basics Non-Dimmable LED Light Bulb | 10.5W | 800 Lumens | 2700K | Up to 15,000 hours |
| Feit Dimmable LED Light Bulb | 17.5W | 1600 Lumens | 5000K | Up to 15,000 hours |
10 Best LED Light Bulbs
1. SYLVANIA Frosted LED Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Frosted A19 LED Light Bulbs
- 8.5 watts, 800 Lumens
- Up to 11,000 hours of lifetime
- Non-toxic bulbs; mercury and lead-free
- Light color: 2700K Soft Light
This frosted LED bulb from SYLVANIA is suitable for every room at home or office.
Frosted light bulbs produce softer, diffused light that effectively lightens without irritating your eyes, making them perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms.
SYLVANIA’s frosted LED bulb lightens any room bulbs with 800 lumens of light output at only 8.5 watts.
And unlike CFLs, they don’t have warm-up time, and you instantly get its full brightness right after flipping the switch.
It is also non-toxic (doesn’t contain mercury), has a total lifespan of up to 11,000 hours, and can save you 85% on your energy bill from lighting.
A19 LED bulbs are designed to directly replace your existing incandescent light bulbs while consuming significantly less power.
2. Philips Non-Dimmable LED Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Frosted A19 Dimmable LED Bulb
- 9 watts, 800 Lumens
- Up to 10,950 hours of lifetime
- Mercury-free and non-toxic
- Light color: 5000K Daylight
This A19 LED light bulb from Philips provides 800 lumens of cool light while using 80% less energy than typical 60W incandescent bulbs.
It fits standard medium base (E26) fixtures, the size of most light bulbs used in the U.S.
It also has a lifetime of up to 10,950 hours and 10 years of light (based on three hours per day), saving you the cost of frequent bulb replacement.
And while it is non-dimmable, this LED light bulb meets strict test criteria, including flicker, strobe, glare, and color rendition for EyeComfort requirements.
Furthermore, it also has durable and shatter-free plastic construction.
And if you’re in search of energy-efficient home appliance brands, Philips also made our list of the best air fryers to save electricity and cooking oil.
3. Luxrite Energy Star Rated LED Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Energy Star Rated Dimmable LED Light Bulb
- 9 watts, 800 Lumens
- Up to 25,000 hours of lifetime
- Dimmable from 100-10% lighting output
- Light color: 3000K Warm White
Luxrites’s A19 LED bulb “outshines” most competition with its 800 lumens of crisp light while using only 9 watts.
It provides 3000 Kelvin of warm white light for your kitchen, patio, living room, porch, or office. It also fits floor lamps and ceiling fans and is one of the best LED light bulbs for outdoor fixtures.
Luxrites’s A19 LED bulb is also dimmable so that you can adjust its brightness to your mood and needs.
You can control the brightness of this LED bulb from 100 to 10% lighting output.
4. GREAT EAGLE LED Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- A19 60W Equivalent LED Light Bulb
- 9 watts, 750 Lumens
- Up to 10,000 hours of lifetime
- UL Listed light bulb
- Light color: 2700K Warm White
This LED light bulb from Great Eagle is shatter-resistant, shock and vibration resistant, and features an Instant-On function.
It is designed as a direct replacement and an energy-efficient alternative to incandescent, halogen, and CFL lamps and is ideal for use in any room in your home, including kitchens, living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms.
It can help reduce up to 85% of energy usage and only costs $1.08 per year (under $0.01/day) to operate for 3 hours daily.
Moreover, this professional-grade LED light bulb is also UL Listed, FCC, and ROHS certified – meaning it has been tested and listed by the Underwriter Laboratories and met rigorous nationally recognized safety requirements.
5. KOR 9W LED A19 Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- A19 60W Equivalent LED Light Bulb
- 9 watts, 800 Lumens
- Up to 15,000 hours of lifetime
- Shatter-resistant material
- Light color: 3000K Soft White
How would you like to save up to 85% on your energy bill from lighting?
KOR’s LED light bulb provides a soft glow and eye-friendly ambiance to your office, living room, dining room, bedroom, and closet.
It gives out 800 lumens and uses only 9 watts of energy, and can last for up to 13.7 years (15,000 hours) with 3 hours of daily use.
It features an elegant design, a flicker-free and Instant On LED bulb.
6. Energetic LED Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Energy Star & UL Certified LED Bulb
- 9.8 watts, 800 Lumens
- Up to 15,000 hours of lifetime
- Dimmable and suitable for dry and damp locations
- Light color: 3000K Warm White
Energetic’s 9.8 watts LED light bulbs are UL and Energy Star Certified to meet rigorous standards in energy efficiency and safe use.
This LED bulb can directly replace 60W incandescent bulbs and comes with an E26 standard base, making it a cost-effective choice for table lamps, kitchen, bathroom, living room, porch, track, and anywhere in-home or commercial space.
Furthermore, this is a dimmable LED bulb so that you can set it to your preferred brightness.
It also has a long life span lasting 15,000 hours and is suitable for dry and damp locations.
7. Cree Energy Star Certified LED Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- A19 Dimmable LED Bulb
- 10 watts, 815 Lumens
- Up to 25,000 hours of lifetime
- Dimmable LED light bulb
- Light color: 2700K Soft White
Are you looking for the best dimmable LED light bulbs? Cree has one for you.
Cree’s Energy Star Rated, 60-Watt replacement LED light bulbs use 83% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
It is perfect for enclosed fixtures like floor lamps, table lamps, sconces, ceiling fans, and more.
It provides 815 Lumens of soft white lighting, features a dimmable design, and can last up to 25,000 hours – one of the longest lasting LED bulbs on this list.
8. Kasa Multicolor Smart LED Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Multicolor Dimmable Smart LED Bulb
- 10.5 watts, 850 Lumens
- Up to 25,000 hours of lifetime
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
- Light color: 2500 to 6500 Kelvin
This full-color changing smart LED light bulb offers 16 million color options, has dimming capabilities, and doesn’t require a hub to connect to Wi-Fi.
You can control it with the Kasa smart app, and it is also compatible with any Alexa, Google Assistant, or Microsoft Cortana.
And since it is dimmable and fully tunable, you don’t need to have candlelight if you want a romantic dinner.
With Kasa Smart LED, you can choose a light for everything from a dinner party to a late-night study session!
9. Amazon Basics Non-Dimmable LED Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Non-Dimmable A19 LED Bulb
- 10.5 watts, 800 Lumens
- Up to 15,000 hour hours of lifetime
- No waiting time to full brightness
- Light color: 2700K Soft White
Amazon also has one of the best LED light bulbs currently available in the market.
This 10.5 watts LED bulb can last over 13 years (based on 3 hours of use each day) and provides 800 lumens of soft white light at the flick of the switch.
It is also compatible with outdoor and indoor fixtures and costs only $1.26 per year to operate (based on 3 hours/day, 11 cents/kWh), making it an economical alternative to incandescent bulbs.
10. Feit Dimmable LED Light Bulb
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Energy Star Qualified Dimmable LED Bulb
- 17.5 watts, 1600 Lumens
- Up to 15,000 hours of lifetime
- ENERGY STAR qualified LED bulb
- Light color: 5000K Daylight
This LED light bulb is suitable for large spaces like function halls and dining halls.
It is an energy-efficient 100-Watt replacement and provides 1600 Lumens of 5000K light color.
Moreover, this LED bulb is Energy Star qualified; it uses up to 90% less energy than incandescent lighting and lasts 35 to 50 times longer.
And if you want to be able to control your lighting output manually, this light bulb is also dimmable with most standard dimmer switches.
Final Thoughts
LEDs might cost more in the short term, but they’re the best light bulbs for home and commercial use.
Because in the long run, LEDs are far more cost-effective and energy-efficient than CFL, halogen, and incandescent bulbs.
And besides reducing electric bill, LEDs also help you reduce carbon emissions by using less energy than you would with other lighting products.
With that being said, we hope this list has helped you decide which is the best LED light bulbs for your needs.
LED Bulbs Frequently Asked Questions
Which watt LED bulb is best for home?
The best LED light bulbs for home are those between 2000 up to 4500K in light color, has at least 10,000 hours lifetime, and preferably only consumes 12 Watts or lower.
What is the best wattage for LED lights?
LEDs comes in different wattage and every one has a suitable usage. In this list, the best LED wattage for home use are 9 or 10 Watts. But if you’re looking for LED lights for commercial use, then you can consider LEDs with 12 Watts or higher.
Do Smart LED bulbs use more or less energy than regular LED bulbs?
Because Smart LEDs comes with extra features and functionality, they use more electricity than standard LED light bulbs.
Furthermore, Smart LEDs also use a small amount of electricity even on standby to maintain their connection with your home’s Wi-Fi and smart devices.
What are the benefits of using LED
Using LEDs is a brilliant way to reduce energy consumption at home or office and a great way to cut back on your electric bills. LED light bulbs are also long lasting which help reduce pollution and waste in landfills.
What are the disadvantages of LED bulbs?
LEDs in general are more expensive than their incandescent counterparts. Some LED bulbs might also contain heavy metals that can be harmful to your health and can pollute the environment.