Buying Guide for Choosing Different LED Bulbs

Introduction to LED Light Bulbs

With the advantages of could use up to 50,000 hours and reduced energy costs up to 90%, LED bulbs have already proven that they are the future of lighting and became the most popular light products in recent years.

Types of LED Bulbs

There are three basic types of LED light bulbs :

Floods or Spotlights LED Bulbs

LEDs are directional in nature by the way they're built so any application that requires directional lighting such as track lighting, flood/spotlighting and recessed lighting are a great candidate for using LEDs. Some LED bulbs can have an additional lens that can spread or concentrate the light after it exits the LED element.

Globe Shape LED Bulbs

For areas where you need light all around you want to look for a globe-shaped bulb. This "solves" the directional light problem by using a lens at the top of the bulb to disperse the light at wider angles. These however, are a still a work around for the directional nature of LEDs and as result, you get less light output per watt of energy. Most globe bulbs give you about 50 lumens/watt or less.

Candle Shape LED Bulbs

Candle bulbs emulate the shape of a candle flame and work in multiples to provide ambient and accent lighting. They are for use in decorative lighting fixtures, including wall sconces and decorative fixtures.

Color Temperature of LED Bulbs

As a general rule, you should use warmer light indoors, and whiter light outdoors. A color temperature of 2500-4000 Kelvin works great indoors. You should use a bulb with a color temperature of 5000-7000 Kelvin outdoors, as the whiter light allows your eyes to see better at night. White light in the 5000-7000 Kelvin range is also excellent for display cases, boutiques, artwork, or other settings where you need excellent color rendition.