Halogen or LED Lights: Which is Better for You?

LED or halogen? A decade ago, it was much easier to pick a light bulb. You went to your local hardware store and bought the first bulb that fitted your light fixture. So simple, so easy! But all that changed as the popularity of the LED grew.

The process is far more complex. You have to know about color temperature, energy use, the runtime of a bulb, durability, and more. It’s an unnecessary headache.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between halogen and LED lights and find which is best for you.

Part 1: Halogen vs. LED Light Comparison Table

Choosing a light bulb can be a tricky task. It’s not just about finding a bulb that’s the right wattage or fits into your light fixture, it’s about the complete package. So, let’s take a look at this halogen vs LED comparison chart to find out more.

Part 2: What is a Halogen Bulb?

A halogen bulb is a type of incandescent light that contains a tungsten filament. It is sealed in an ‘envelope’ that also contains inert gasses. The tungsten evaporates when it is heated and creates a light source. High-resistance glass is used to house the gasses and filament (the bulb) so that it can withstand higher temperatures.

Key Features:

• Compact size for greater flexibility
• Excellent light quality
• Dimmable and cost-effective

Part 3: What is an LED Bulb?

An LED (light-emitting diode) contains a microchip that lights up semiconductors when an electrical current passes through it. The semiconductors are wrapped in plastic to create a focused light source. While the bulbs can produce excellent lighting, they don’t need high volumes of energy to generate electricity.

Key Features:

• Low UV emissions
• Excellent color rendering
• Flexible lightweight design
• Low energy consumption
• Long lifespan

Part 4: Halogen vs. LED: Energy Efficiency

LEDs are energy-efficient and are some of the best power solutions of all time. They’re far more efficient than halogens. For instance, LEDs use around 80-85% less energy than a standard halogen light bulb. This means you can save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and reduce your overall power usage with an LED. While halogens are cheaper to buy, they have poor energy-efficiency compared to LEDs.

Part 5: Halogen vs. LED: Brightness Level

Halogens produce between 15-25 lumens per watt, LEDs manage 80-100 lumens per watt. LEDs also  have a better brightness level. Even if you were to use an LED with a small wattage, it would still match the brightness of an 85-watt halogen bulb.

Halogen lamp vs LED light levels may vary but LEDs typically match halogens quite easily. While halogens emit softer lights, LEDs have a focused beam. The brightness level of an LED can be adjusted which means you can create a suitable environment for every area or space.

Part 6: Halogen vs. LED: Color Temperature

A key difference between halogen and LED is color temperature.

Halogens have a color temperature between 2,700K and 3,000K. LEDs, however, range from 1,500K and 9,000K.

LEDs have become more practical and functional over the last few years. Depending on the exact light fixture in the home (and chosen bulb), you can fully adjust the color temperature to suit your needs. It is more effective and useful, to say the least.

Part 7: LED vs. Halogen: Electricity Consumption

Does LED or halogen have a lower energy consumption rate?

Halogen bulbs range from 30 to 100 watts. Typical household bulbs don’t often exceed 50 watts which, on the surface, seems low and energy conscious. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Since halogens use a significant amount of energy to power a light, you’re using more energy over a shorter period. So, even if you were to use a 40-watt bulb, you’d use more energy than that of a 60-watt LED or incandescent light bulb.

LEDs, however, use far less energy (over 80%) than halogen. Since it uses less energy, LEDs have a lower electrical consumption rate.

Part 8: Halogen vs. LED: Lifespan/Durability

Looking at halogen vs LED bulbs for durability and lifespan can be crucial when searching for the best lights for your home. While halogen bulbs offer anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 hours of runtime, LEDs tend to last 10,000 and 25,000 hours – some longer. It’s a huge difference in lifespan but it’s all down to the technology behind LEDs.

Halogens do have their advantages but they disappoint in the battle of lifespan. It’s the same with durability. Halogens are more fragile in design which means they’re easy to break if dropped from a reasonable height. Of course, the lifespan of any bulb is often determined by the quality of construction. Poorly made lights, even LEDs won’t last the test of time.

Part 9: Halogen vs. LED: Risk of Burn

Halogen light bulbs vs LED – who triumphs for safety?

Halogens use a substantial amount of heat to power a light bulb. This means the bulb gets very hot very quickly which can be incredibly dangerous to handle or touch. These bulbs can even cause serious burns to the skin. Halogens are even hot enough to ignite certain materials that pose a serious fire risk and hazard.

On the other hand, LED bulbs produce minimal heat to power a light. They are somewhat safer than a halogen since they don’t produce sufficient heat to be classed as a fire risk. LEDs are also unlikely to cause serious burns if handled.

Bonus: Getting More from Your LED Lights

The biggest benefit of modern LEDs isn't just saving power. It's control. You can change their color, set schedules from your phone, and even link them to your home security system for added peace of mind.

eufy makes these types of smart LED products. They are designed to work easily with the eufy Security app and a home’s existing voice assistants, like Google or Alexa.

A New Choice for Outdoor Lighting

Permanent lights are a great way to blend security with year-round decorative lighting. A great example of this is the eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights S4. These light strips are made to be installed once along your roofline for lighting you can customize to any holiday or mood.

• Radar-Activated Security: These are the first outdoor lights with a radar motion sensor. It accurately detects an approaching person and instantly lights up the area, which can deter intruders or help you find your keys.
• Vibrant, Accurate Colors: The lights mix color with warm white LEDs. This makes them brighter and creates rich, true colors ideal for holiday light shows.
• Stands Up to Weather: With an IP67 waterproof rating, these lights are built to handle rain, dust, and snow year after year.

Here are some eufy Smart LED lights that you can check out;

• Indoor floor lamp.
• Outdoor spotlights.
• Pathway lights.
• Outdoor string lights.

Conclusion

It isn’t easy to decide if halogen or LED lights are best for your home. On one hand, halogen bulbs are cheap to buy, easy to install, and compact for versatility. LEDs, however, are cheaper to run, energy-efficient, and don’t need to be replaced often. When you compare halogen to LED, LED is the clear winner – and for good reason.

LEDs are safer to use in homes, don’t pose a fire risk, and can be adjusted to enhance any space. Of course, choosing a new light depends on your specific needs and wants. It does make sense, however, to choose LED as they’re flexible and better for the environment.

FAQs

Is it worth replacing halogen with LED?

Replacing halogen bulbs with LEDs can be worthwhile as they’re energy-efficient, run for up to 25,000 hours, and reduce your overall energy costs.

Are halogen or LED lights better for your eyes?

Surprisingly, halogen lights are kinder on the eye. LEDs can act as a beam and emit harmful blue light which can impact your eye’s health and cause long-term damage. This can be avoided with appropriate precautions, however.

Are Halogen Lights Outdated?

Halogens are considered to be outdated with many governments phasing them out in favor of eco-friendly and energy-efficient alternatives, such as LEDs.