Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best light model

When you're shopping for light bulbs, compare lumens to be sure you're getting the amount of light, or level of brightness, you want. The Lighting Facts Label will help. This label makes it easy to compare bulb brightness, color, life, and estimated operating cost for the year.

Buy Lumens, Not Watts

In the past, we bought light bulbs based on how much energy, or watts, they use. But now it makes more sense to buy lights based on how much light they provide.

When you're shopping for light bulbs, think about the brightness you want by comparing lumens instead of watts. A lumen is a measure of the amount of brightness of a lightbulb -- the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the lightbulb.

What's a Lumen?

Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a bulb. More lumens means it's a brighter light; fewer lumens means it's a dimmer light.

Lumens are to light what

• Pounds are to bananas
• Gallons are to milk

Lumens let you buy the amount of light you want. So when buying light bulbs, think lumens, not watts.

The brightness, or lumen levels, of the lights in your home may vary widely, so here's a rule of thumb:

• To replace a 100 watt (W) incandescent bulb, look for a bulb that gives you about 1600 lumens. If you want something dimmer, go for fewer lumens; if you prefer brighter light, look for more lumens.
• Replace a 75W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 1100 lumens
• Replace a 60W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 800 lumens
• Replace a 40W bulb with an energy-saving bulb that gives you about 450 lumens.

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Home lighting—it can make or break a living space. It can transform a once flat and dull room into a comfortable sanctuary. When picking out the right lighting for your house, it’s key to know the basics about how to choose light bulbs. From sizing to color temperature to energy efficiency factors, there are many types of light bulbs to consider.

One new change you may notice while shopping for bulbs is that, as of August 1, 2023, most incandescent light bulbs are no longer for sale in the United States. If you're looking for alternative options, we are here to help you narrow it down in our light bulb buying guide.

Here’s what you need to know when it comes to choosing the right light bulbs for your home.

Basics of light bulbs

Before getting into the shapes, sizes, and uses of light bulbs, here are commonly used terms to know when shopping for home lighting.

Light bulb wattage

Watts measure how much power or energy a light bulb uses. Higher-wattage light bulbs require more energy, resulting in a higher electric bill.

Incandescent bulbs have high wattage, making them highly energy inefficient. This is why new United States regulations have banned most incandescents in favor of lower wattage and more energy-efficient bulbs like LEDs.

Both bulb types emit the same amount of light despite their wattage differences.

Light bulb lumens

Lumens refer to how much light a bulb gives off. If a bulb has more lumens, it will have a brighter light.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends considering lumens instead of watts while shopping if your main concern is how dim or bright your home lighting will be.

Types of light bulbs

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Shopping for light bulbs can feel a little complicated, so go in prepared.

While all light bulbs achieve the same purpose of enhancing a dark room, several types cater to different aesthetic preferences and home functionality requirements.

LED light bulbs

Light-emitting diode bulbs—LEDs—are the most energy-efficient choice, and the primary type of light bulb available now. These bulbs do not get hot to the touch and contain no mercury (unlike fluorescent bulbs and CFLs).

LED bulbs also include—but are not limited to—smart bulbs, which can offer a multitude of high-tech options like paired control with your Alexa or Google Assistant.

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Fluorescent light bulbs

You may be familiar with fluorescent light bulbs in commercial settings, like the mall or office space. These harsh, bright white lights are handy for utility spaces like garages and laundry rooms.

These bulbs can last up to 200,000 hours, making them a long-lasting selection.

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Incandescent light bulbs

Historically one of the most common light bulbs, traditional incandescent bulbs were affordable options for home lighting. However, as of August 1, 2023, most incandescent bulbs are no longer available in the United States—with some exceptions. Incandescents are phasing out due to their lack of energy efficiency in favor of the more environmentally friendly LED bulbs.

Many appliance light bulbs, like in a fridge or microwave, are incandescent. In light of the ban on incandescent bulbs, some types of these bulbs are still allowed, including appliance lamp bulbs.

Halogen light bulbs

As of 2023, halogens have also been banned alongside most incandescent bulbs and will no longer be manufactured. Halogen bulbs, while energy-efficient, tend to have a shorter lifespan than other light bulbs—about nine to 12 months after regular use of the light.

Halogen light bulbs offer a warm glow, ideal for mood lighting. For an alternative, seeks out soft white LED bulbs with a 2700K rating.

CFL light bulbs

As part of the incandescent and halogen ban, CFLs are slowly being phased out and will likely be unavailable by 2025. In the meantime, they are a decent option when it comes to energy efficiency.

The twisted shape of the bulb fits easier within more lighting sockets around the home. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact, but when broken, CFLs should be cleaned up carefully.

Light bulb color temperature

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The lower the Kelvin rating, the warmer the light.

When researching home lighting options, consider color temperature, too.

Color temperature refers to the appearance of the light given off by the bulb, such as the warmness (tends toward a yellow glow) or coolness (a blue hue). Light bulb color temperature doesn't have anything to do with heat. For example, you may want a warm white bulb in your bedroom but a cool white light under your kitchen cabinets.

When it comes to color temperature, choosing the right light bulb means seeing where it lands on the Kelvin scale. Color temperature is measured in degrees of Kelvin on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000.

Bulbs that fall higher on the Kelvin scale are whiter in color temperature.

Cool light color temperature

Cool, white light strikes the right balance of providing adequate light for completing tasks while being soft and inviting. This type of light is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms.

The packaging typically specifies the color light temperature, but not always. In order to know for sure, you must understand Kelvin ratings. This is the number listed alongside the letter “K" on the packaging.

For cool white lightbulbs, look for those rated 3100K to 4500K. The higher the rating, the brighter and cooler the light will be.

These bulbs from GE give off a crisp white glow.

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Warm light color temperature

Warm-colored white light bulbs are best for spaces like offices, living rooms, and bedrooms.

For warm light, look for bulbs with 2500K ratings.

These 2700K filament bulbs from Sylvania provide a smooth and dim glow.

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Daylight color temperature

The most stark of all color temperatures is daylight. At 5000K, this lighting temperature emulates daytime light and is ideal for garages and basements that lack natural light.

This set of 5000K GE LED light bulbs, for example, provides a daylight glow to the room.

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Light bulb shapes and sizes

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Everything you need to know about light bulb shapes and bases.

Whether you’re equipping an antique lamp, sconces on the wall, track lighting, or task lighting, your light bulbs need to properly fit.

There are several shapes and sizes of light bulbs to choose from. Before you buy new bulbs, take a look at your light and determine the correct size.

Here are the most common types of light bulb shapes to know.

• A Series: This is the most common light bulb shape. You may see light bulbs labeled as A60 or A19, for example, which refers to it being an A-type bulb shape followed by its diameter measured in eighths of an inch.

• B Series and C Series: These are some of the most decorative light bulbs, which include candle and candle angular bulbs (think Christmas lights). B and C bulbs are ideal for wall sconces and lamps.

• G Series: G light bulbs, also known as globe light bulbs. These bulbs look similar to A light bulbs, but they possess a much rounder shape. Globe lights have an ornamental feel to them, making them a great decorative choice for something like a vanity space.

• MR Series: MR, or multifaceted reflector bulbs, are used in smaller spaces to create direct, beaming lighting.

• PAR Series: PAR, which means parabolic aluminized reflector bulbs, are great bulbs when it comes to illuminating or spotlighting a specific area, like a piece of wall art.

• R Series: R or reflector bulbs have very similar qualities to PAR bulbs, but differ in the goal of lighting. R bulbs create wider flood lighting that fills up the room.

Types of light bulb bases

Light bulb bases refer to the end tip of a bulb that you install into the light fixture. Before installing, it’s important to ensure your bulb base will fit. When purchasing a new lamp or light fixture, it should specify which type of base your light bulb will need to properly screw in.

• E26 and E27: The most common base sizes are E26 and E27 which are considered standard to fit in most lamps.

• E12: E12 base bulbs are otherwise known as candelabra bases. These candle-style bulbs are more common in light fixtures like that gorgeous chandelier hanging in your home.

• E17: Intermediate bases that are labeled at E17, are far less common than standard or candelabra bases. Typically these will be used in small table lamps and ceiling fans.

• Bi-pin: With bi-pin bases, the base is two pronged and slides into place. These are common in kitchen light fixtures like under cabinet lights.

• Twist and lock: A twist and lock base simply turns until it clicks into place—less turning is involved than a traditional bulb.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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