LED Home Lighting Bulb Comparison Home Improvement Appliances

December 19th, 2010 by Lee Jones

LED Home Lighting Bulb Comparison

I’ve been writing a lot about LED home lighting recently. Previous posts have covered how LED bulbs compare to CFL’s and purchasing LED bulbs for your home. The big question that hasn’t been answered is how well do LED light bulbs perform? Even with the amazing energy savings and unprecedented lifespan, consumers won’t convert to LED’s unless they put out good light. This post will cover my experience with several different types of LED lights available at The Home Depot. This post does not cover all the options available but should help point you in the right direction.

Comparing Different LED Light Bulbs

Philips 8 watt A19 LED, product number 8E26A60 This bulb is a 60W equivalent that provides 450 lumens of “Warm White” light. It’s dimmable and suitable for damp locations. It has a medium (E26) base and perfectly matches an incandescent A-line bulb shape. This is the bulb that I recommend most highly. I even purchased the EcoSmart equivalent but exchanged them because I was so pleased with this bulb. The color temperature and light output is very good and it fits nicely in any fixture. Each bulb retails for $17.97 and should last about 40,000 hours. Philips 4 watt GU10 LED, model number 406587 This bulb is an indoor flood light typically found in track lighting. It draws 4 watts of energy and produces 100 lumens. It features a bi-pin base, gives off “Soft, White Light” and boasts a 16,000 hour lifespan. I found these bulbs to produce a slightly harsher light but sufficient output when used in a group. Each bulb costs $29.97. EcoSmart 8 watt G25 LED Globe, model number ECS 25 WW 120 This is the only EcoSmart bulb I tried. It draws 8 watts of power and produces 450 lumens per bulb- comparable to a 60 watt incandescent. The life expectancy is 50,000 hours and it’s intended for indoor use only. The color temperature is 3000K suggesting a “Soft White” but I found it a little harsh. The globe measures 3.4″ in diameter and fits well in medium sized shades. G25 globes cost $29.97 each. Philips 3 watt Candelabra LED, model number 405944 Candelabra bulbs are typically found in wall sconces and chandeliers. This bulb features a mini-candelabra base with an adapter for regular candelabra fixtures. The light output is a minimal 30 lumens and lifespan is 15,000 hours. Our chandelier is the sole source of light in our dining room and these bulbs just didn’t make the cut. I’d suggest these only for decorative fixtures that you don’t expect to light up an area. Each bulb costs $15.97. Philips 11 watt PAR30 Indoor Flood, model number 406645 The last bulb I was able to try was the PAR30 Indoor Flood (indoor use only). I installed these floods in recessed cans above some shelving. Each bulb puts out 418 lumens of light- a fair amount. The soft white still felt a bit harsh but filled the space nicely. They use 11 watts of power and last for 25,000 hours. These bulbs retail for $49.97 a bulb.

What do you think? Have you tried LED home lighting? The Home Depot works with bloggers such as myself to conduct product reviews. They do not tell bloggers what to say about their products or how to say it. THD fundamentally believes that people should be free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot often provides product – free of charge – to bloggers for review as they did for this post. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Home Improvement Appliances