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Nowadays, many renters and homeowners choose LED light bulbs over the classic incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen options. That’s because these bulbs are more energy-efficient and longer-lasting, so they save money on utility bills and bulb replacement. To find the best lighting for everyday use, as well as LED bulbs that are great for candelabras, RVs, and smart home use, we put seven popular options to the test.
After comparing bulbs of varying brightness levels, color temperatures, and applications, our top pick was the Feit Electric 8.8W Dimmable LED Light Bulb. It casts a soft white glow that is bright enough for everyday use but still warm enough to create a cozy home atmosphere.
Read ahead to learn vital info on these energy-efficient lights and for a list of some of the best LED light bulb options on the market.
LED Light Bulbs Comparison
Best Overall
Feit Electric 8.8W Dimmable LED Light Bulb
Buy at Amazon
Buy at The Home Depot
What We Like
- Casts a bright yet soft glow
- Provides up to 25,000 hours of lighting
- Doesn’t alter colors in the room
- Low cost per light bulb
What We Don’t Like
- Color temperature may lean too warm for some
Specs
-
Lumens:
800 -
Color temperature:
Soft white (2700 kelvins) -
Wattage:
8.8 watts -
Dimmable:
Yes
These LED light bulbs from Feit Electric feature a rounded, A19 body shape and an E26 base that fits most standard light fixtures. Featuring a soft, warm color temperature of 2700K (kelvins), they cast a cozy glow that’s bright enough for everyday home use without feeling harsh. These bulbs also have a color rendering index (CRI) of 90+, meaning they allow colors to appear natural and vivid, which we appreciate, as some of the other warm-toned light bulbs we tested slightly altered colors in the room.
When pitted against cooler-toned bulbs, these were a clear winner in most settings. While the 5000K daylight bulbs were a favorite for bathrooms, closets, and windowless rooms, their constant bright light was a bit jarring, and in some cases (like getting ready for bed), disruptive. These warm light bulbs, on the other hand, provided the lighting we needed without drawing attention to themselves, which is exactly what we’re looking for in a light bulb.
The Feit Electric dimmable light bulbs have an impressive 25,000-hour lifespan, which translates to a whopping 22.8 years when powered on for 3 hours per day. They’re also relatively inexpensive; compared to standard 60W incandescent bulbs, these can result in significant savings, as each of these energy-efficient light bulbs consumes only 8.8 watts.
What our tester says: “I installed the Feit Electric soft white light bulbs in the main living areas of my house. They created the perfect cozy atmosphere while still being plenty bright.”—Katie Barton, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Feit Electric LED light bulbs at Amazon (8-pack) or The Home Depot (4-pack).
More LED Light Bulbs Worth Your Money
While these didn’t earn our “best overall” title, we hand-tested the following picks and found them to be excellent choices for specific uses. This lineup includes daylight bulbs for areas that need bright, clear lighting, LED candelabra bulbs, dusk-to-dawn outdoor light bulbs, as well as other LED bulbs for light fixtures.
How We Tested the Best LED Light Bulbs
| Testing Stats | |
|---|---|
| Products tested | 7 |
| Time spent testing | 2 weeks |
| Tests performed | 3 |
| Price range | $10 to $50 |
We researched dozens of the best LED light bulbs on the market before picking seven to test. Our selection criteria included considering user ratings, brand reputation, bulb longevity, and potential energy savings. We also made sure to choose a mix of warm and cool color temperatures as well as options that work for everyday home lighting, bathrooms, outdoor ceiling fans and fixtures, and even RV lighting.
After receiving our light bulbs, we tested all standard E26 bulbs in the same bedroom light fixture for 2 days to ensure a fair comparison. We then rotated them through other rooms in our home, and tested each bulb for at least 1 week, though often longer. Specialty light bulbs, such as candelabra, dusk-to-dawn, and RV bulbs, were also tested for at least 1 week. While only one smart light bulb is included in our list, it was put through the ringer, and we used it for 2 weeks, trying all available features. Each of these long-lasting light bulbs was evaluated and rated for color quality, brightness, and value. At the end of testing, we added our ratings and awarded an overall winner.
FAQs
LED light bulbs are quickly replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs. A variety of options are available to suit almost any need, including bulbs for everyday home use, color-changing lights for mood enhancement, smart remote control light bulbs that you can power from your phone, damp-rated bulbs for bathrooms and outdoor fixtures, and even decorative string light bulbs. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions to help you learn even more about LEDs.
Q. Do LED lights save you money?
LED light bulbs may cost more up front, but they will save you money in the long run. As they have a longer lifespan than traditional light bulbs and are more energy-efficient, the savings will offset the initial cost of the bulb.
Q. Can you leave LED lights on 24/7?
LED lights can be left on 24/7, as they don’t produce much heat (and so have no risk of fire). It is not ideal, however, as their lifespan will be run through a lot quicker, and it’s unnecessary to keep the lights on in an empty room.
Q. Can you replace regular light bulbs with LED bulbs?
Yes, as long as you get the correct-fitting bulbs at the right wattage, regular light bulbs can be replaced with energy-efficient LED light bulbs.
Q. Where should you not use LED light bulbs?
Some LEDs should not be used in enclosed fixtures; doing so could result in premature dimming and could also shorten the lifespan of the LED light bulb.
Q. How do you properly dispose of light bulbs?
Glass bulbs of any type should be wrapped in discarded packaging before being disposed of. LED light bulbs can be disposed of with household waste or through your local recycling center (if available).
Q. How many watts is a good LED light?
When replacing a traditional 60W light bulb with an LED bulb, 8.5 to 12 watts is a good range to shoot for.
Q. How long do LED lights last?
LED lights can last from 5 to 20 years, depending on how often they’re used. The long lifespan is one of the benefits of LED lighting.
Meet the Tester
Katie Barton has tested and reviewed hundreds of home improvement products, always with the goal of helping readers find the best options for their homes and budgets.
Additional research provided by Glenda Taylor and Kat Hodgins
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