Light bulbs: Your guide to LEDs, CFLs and halogens

Light bulbs in Australia

Traditional incandescent light bulbs are no longer available in Australia as the government started phasing them out in 2009. This is because while incandescent bulbs are cheap to produce, they're incredibly inefficient compared to bulbs with newer technology and waste about 90% of the energy they use.

You can still find incandescent bulbs in Australia for specialty use, but general-use incandescent bulbs have now been replaced by LEDs, CFLs and halogen bulbs.

LEDs

LEDs or light-emitting diodes are generally considered to be the most energy-efficient light bulb option. They're designed to last longer and run more efficiently than older incandescent models.

While they have a higher upfront cost than other bulb types, they also last longer making the lifelong cost of LEDs lower. They also use up the least electricity while producing the most light and are a common component of circuitry such as TVs, traffic lights and smartphone camera flashes.

CFLs

CFLs or compact fluorescent lamps work the same as traditional tubular fluorescents bulbs, but they are more compact and more efficient. They are also more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, though not as efficient as LEDs.

CFLs are almost as cheap to run as LEDs and typically have a lower upfront cost. However, they have a shorter lifespan of about half the lifespan of LEDs. CFLs take time to warm up to full brightness and produce less light as they age.

Halogens

Also known as "tungsten halogen lamps", halogens work similarly to incandescent bulbs, but they use less electricity and emit more light. However, halogens are not as efficient as either LEDs or CFLs.

Halogen bulbs are cheap to buy, but they cost more than other bulbs to run and have a shorter lifespan. This results in a higher lifetime cost than LEDs or CFLs.

How to compare light bulbs

To find the best light bulb for your household, consider the following factors:

• Energy efficiency

  LEDs, CFLs and halogens are all considered to be more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs are typically the most energy-efficient option, followed by CFLs.

• Cost

  While LED bulbs have the highest upfront cost, they have a lower lifetime cost than CFL or halogen bulbs. This is because LEDs cost less to run and have longer lifespans.

• Light output

  Bulbs used to be measured by the amount of power they used in watts. New bulbs use significantly less power but produce just as much (or more) light. As a result, bulbs are now measured by the amount of light they produce in lumens.

  When comparing bulbs, use the following watt-to-lumen translations as a general guideline:

  Watts	Lumens
  25W	250
  40W	500
  60W	800
  75W	1,100
  100W	1,600

• Colour temperature

  Consider what kind of light you prefer using the following table:

  Colour temperature	Degrees Kelvin	Description	Best for
  Soft or warm white	2,700K	Soft yellow	Cozy areas such as bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.
  Cool or bright white	4,100K	Bright white	Kitchens, garages, workspaces and bathrooms.
  Daylight	5,000K	Blueish white	Accent lighting and reading areas.

• Smart capability

  If you want to be able to control your lights with a smart device, you'll need to buy an LED bulb.

• Specialty bulbs

  If you need a specialty light, for example, a bulb to replace your oven light, you won't have as many options. Many specialty bulbs are only available as halogens or incandescents.

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Written by

Sarah Brandon

Sarah Brandon is an editor at Finder specialising in technology and reviews. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from New York University and loves learning about why people do what they do. Sarah has researched and written about a wide range of topics, from air purifiers to AirPods. But no matter the subject, her number one priority is figuring out what information our readers need to make the best decisions. See full profile