Getting sick and tired of your dim factory headlights? Upgrade with a set of bright LED headlight bulbs.
If your car came from the factory with halogen or HID bulbs, you’re going to need to replace them or upgrade them down the line. Both of these bulb types lose light output over time; thus, even if they’re functional, they aren’t performing like new. When it comes time to replace them, why go with the same lighting solution when there are better options? The LED light technology that illuminates the newest models can work with your older car too.
But which one do you pick? When you want a simple replacement halogen, familiar brands like Sylvania and Phillips are sitting on the shelf. When it comes to LED lamp upgrades, things get a little more blurry. There are new brands that you probably don’t know; however, this doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t of good quality.
Don’t worry, we know lights. Halogen, HID, and LED. We’ve delved into the ratings to find the best LED headlight bulbs. The ones that will improve nighttime visibility without sacrificing durability. Or blinding the drivers coming the other way.
We drive the latest new cars, trucks, and SUVs, but did you also know the team at Fureingroup.com tests tires, waxes, wiper blades, and pressure washers? Before we recommend a product as a top pick in one of our popular product lists, our editors put it to the test. We run through all its features, test the claims that the brand makes about each product, and then give an honest opinion on what we like and don’t like from our personal experience. As experts in all-things automotive, from minivans to sports cars, and from portable jump starters to ceramic coating, we want to make sure you buy the product that’s right for you.
How to Measure LED Headlight Brightness
Brightness is measured in lumens, an essential factor when picking a replacement bulb. Too bright, and you risk dazzling oncoming traffic; not bright enough, and your visibility will suffer. You will also want to compare the advertised working life if you’re doing a lot of night driving. LED headlights last much longer than halogen and HID bulbs, and most advertise at least 30,000 hours of life, which adds up to around twenty years of life if used an average of four hours per night.
Most importantly, vehicle owners can use many LED headlight bulbs to replace halogen headlights if they want brighter, longer-lasting light. Many manufacturers include plug-and-play kits with their products, so you don’t need to make any modifications to your vehicle. Brightness can depend both on the specific bulbs available for your car and the different model lines that manufacturers offer, with a range from 6,000lm (lumens) up to 12,000lm. However, even 6,000lm is brighter than almost any halogen headlights.
Can You Upgrade Your Headlights to the Best LED Headlight Bulbs?
It might not make sense initially, but it can be easier to upgrade older vehicles to the best LED headlight bulbs than newer cars, due to the CAN bus (Controller Area Network) system that connects the many computerized components.
LED headlights often include their own CAN bus systems and should be plug-and-play. However, it’s worth checking reviews for your specific model. As outlined in our instructions, conduct a simple test before final installation. When in doubt, check our forums for firsthand experiences with your car model.
