10 Types of Light Bulbs: Definitions, Pros, Cons

Light bulbs have come a long way since its research and commercialization in the 18^th century. Manufacturers create diverse types of light bulbs with their unique characteristics. Choosing the right bulbs is important to keep your property well-lit, without additional burdens.

Learn about these different types of bulbs and get the most appropriate light the next time you shop around for the house!

1. Incandescent Light Bulb

Incandescent is the most popular type of light bulb. It has a filament system that glows and produces light when heated.

Typical wattage for the incandescent bulb is between 40 and 110 w, popular among regular households. Makeup artists like this bulb because it compliments skin tone and makes their job easier.

Pros:

• Soft and “warm” light
• Not hurting the eyes
• Cheap and easy to get

Cons:

• Not energy-efficient
• Unable to illuminate a large space

Best for: accent light, decorative light, makeup dress light

2. LED Light Bulbs

Despite its popularity, LED still needs to catch up with more popular bulbs, like incandescent and halogen. Short for “light emitting diode,” LED does not get heated up and burned out like incandescent.

When you use it, the lumen slowly diminishes, until the lamp fully dies. LED is one of the most energy efficient light bulbs, able to last for 5 to 10 years.

LED comes in many variations. LED strip lights, for example, are ideal for parties or other leisure events. Many LED lights are also waterproof, perfect for installation in the water (such as for pool party).

Pros:

• Energy efficient
• Emitting bright light
• Coming in various types, sizes, and colors

Cons:

• Emitting focused instead of diffused light
• Too bright for a small space
• Expensive

Best for: task lighting (example: under kitchen countertop), display light, commercial building light

3. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Feel like LED lights for room are too bright? Try using compact fluorescent bulbs. They are brighter than incandescent bulbs but not as expensive or bright as LEDs. The light comes from the reaction between mercury and argon gases in the bulb, which produces UV light.

Fluorescent bulbs emit diffused light and come in different tones. While incandescent only offers warm tone, fluorescent offers warm, cool, white, and other varieties (depending on the manufacturer).

Pros:

• More energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs
• Easy to get
• Cheaper than LED lights
• Coming in various tones

Cons:

• Containing a small amount of mercury
• Must be recycled
• Breakage can release mercury gas

Best for: regular household lighting, semi-outdoor lighting

4. Halogen Light Bulbs

Halogen is one of the brightest light bulbs. It produces white light that imitates daylight, making it ideal for outdoor lighting. Halogen bulbs are also common for swimming pools, because they provide bright, diffused light underwater.

Halogen light bulbs are ideal for task lighting, and they use less energy than incandescent. However, they get heated more easily, reducing their usage life.

Pros:

• Bright, ideal for task lighting
• More energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs

Cons:

• Getting heated easily
• Increasing fire hazard

Best for: swimming pool lighting, park/yard lamps, under-cabinet lighting

5. Wi-Fi Capable Bulbs

Wi-Fi capable bulbs are parts of the rising “smart house” trends. The bulbs are connected to devices such as iOS or Android. You control them using a special remote control or your connected devices.

Wi-Fi capable bulbs usually have standard sockets, so you don’t need to revamp your house’s connection.

Smart bulbs nowadays are more compact and varied than the earlier versions. Many come as colored light bulbs, perfect to create atmosphere.

Pros:

• Practical for internet users
• Easy to control

Cons:

• Expensive
• Can be unreliable compared to traditional lighting

Best for: smart-home owners, frequent internet users

6. Mercury Light Bulbs (HID)

Mercury light bulbs come in several types. Aside from the popular fluorescent bulbs, you can also find high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs. The latter contains high-pressure sodium, metal halide, and mercury gas, which create bright light.

The HIDs emit diffused yet bright light. These bulbs are used for parking lots, streets, and parks because they can illuminate a large area with just one bulb. Just like fluorescent bulbs, HID bulbs emit a small amount of mercury when break.

Pros:

• Extremely bright
• Suitable for outdoor lighting

Cons:

• Mercury can cause side effects when the bulbs break near someone
• Requiring thorough recycling steps when they are out

Best for: industrial buildings, warehouses, streets, large parks, parking lots

7. Spotlight Bulbs

Spotlight lamps use long light bulbs that focus on one spot or area. At home, they are installed in hallways or kitchen. They are cheaper alternatives than halogen because many of them are energy efficient.

The larger versions of spotlight lamps are used for stages and exhibition platforms. Their focused light is useful to accentuate certain object or people.

Pros:

• Focused light to draw attention
• Ideal for functional area

Cons:

• Not ideal as the main lighting
• Can be expensive

Best for: kitchen, patio, museum, stage, car dealer, art studio

8. Corn Lamp

Corn lamp is a type of LED light bulb. Instead of one main bulb, corn lamp actually consists of smaller LED lamps, arranged on a tubular metal structure. This design allows the lamp to illuminate a large area, without depending on high-lumen bulbs.

Corn lamp is common in sports courts, streets, garages, car parks, and other spacious areas. They also don’t produce a lot of heat and can light up instantly. They are also more energy efficient than halogen bulbs.

Pros:

• Don’t get heated up easily
• Illuminate large areas with fewer bulbs
• Energy efficient

Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy, especially the ones with high wattage

Best for: parking lot, sports court, yard, streets

9. Flame-shaped Bulb

Flame-shaped bulbs are modern designs that make your lamp look like candles. They were created when modern bulbs started to take off. The lamps created an elegant look with their candle-like appearance, but without fire hazards.

Pros:

• Perfect for atmosphere
• Available in various styles and colors

Cons:

• Not ideal for the main lighting
• Usually short-lived

Best for: mood lighting, accent lighting (especially in interior)

10. Reflector Bulb

Reflector bulbs have silver surfaces, which aim the light to a certain direction. Reflector bulbs work like a spotlight, but they more resemble regular household bulbs. You can use reflector bulbs to draw the eyes to certain house features.

Pros:

• Easy to get
• Attract the eyes to prized house features

Cons:

• More expensive than regular light bulbs
• Not ideal as the main lighting source

Best for: any properties with artworks or exhibition objects

These different types of light bulbs offer special characteristics to match your needs. Understand what you need from the lighting source before buying the right bulb.