LED vs. Halogen Headlights: Which is the Better Choice?

With the continuous development of automotive technology, automotive headlights have also undergone significant evolution. Traditional halogen headlamps have long been dominant because of their low cost and easy maintenance. However, with the enhancement of energy conservation and environmental protection awareness and technological progress, LED headlights have gradually become the darling of the market. LED headlights not only provide higher brightness and longer service life, but also have better energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Therefore, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of halogen lights and LED headlights is crucial for owners to choose the right headlights.

Halogen vs LED Headlight

When choosing car headlights, halogen lights and LED headlights are the two main options. The following content will compare the two types of car headlights in terms of definition, energy consumption, brightness, lifespan and cost Effectiveness.

Definition of Halogen and LED Headlights

Halogen bulbs differ from regular incandescent bulbs as they include a thin tungsten filament surrounded by halogen gas (usually iodine or bromine). When electricity passes through the tungsten filament, it heats up and emits light, with the tungsten gradually evaporating. The halogen gas enables the tungsten filament to reach temperatures close to its melting point (3400 degrees Celsius), thereby extending the bulb’s lifespan.

Halogen bulbs are less energy-efficient than LED bulbs because most of the energy is lost as heat. Halogen bulbs produce about 700 lumens in low beam and 1200 lumens in high beam. Most halogen bulbs emit a yellowish light.

Approximately 90% of new cars come equipped with halogen bulbs from the factory due to their low cost and ease of replacement.

LED headlight bulbs are an advanced lighting technology used in vehicles, consisting of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). When an electric current passes through a semiconductor, the LED chips emit light. The main structure includes LED chips, a heat sink and a driver.

LED headlight bulbs do not have filaments, consume less energy, produce bright, focused light, and have a long lifespan. They convert electrical energy directly into light through the movement of electrons.

Energy Consumption Comparison

The energy consumption of halogen headlamps is high, the general car is 55 watts, and the energy consumption of LED headlights is low, only 20 to 30 watts, and the energy saving effect is significant. LED bulbs generate less heat when they glow, are more energy efficient, and more energy is converted into light.

Brightness and Irradiation Distance

The brightness of LED headlamps is significantly higher than that of halogen headlamps, usually emit 5000K to 6500K white light, and the irradiation distance can reach 200 to 300 meters. In contrast, the halogen lamp has a lower brightness, emitting a warm yellow light of about 3000K, and the irradiation distance is only 50 to 100 meters.

The high color temperature of LED headlights provides clearer white light, helping to improve the visibility of driving at night. The warm yellow light of halogen lamp has strong penetration in foggy days, but the overall brightness is low.

On rural and urban roads, LED headlights perform better due to their higher brightness and longer exposure distance. In rainy and foggy weather, the yellow light of halogen headlamps provides better penetration, but its overall effect is not as good as LED headlights.

Lifespan of Halogen and LED Headlights

Halogen bulbs have an average life of about 500 to 1000 hours and need to be replaced frequently. During the use of this kind of lamp, the tungsten wire will gradually evaporate and deposit on the bulb wall, and eventually cause the lamp to burn out.

The average life of LED headlights can reach 30,000 hours or more, significantly reducing the frequency of replacement. This is because LED bulbs do not have fragile tungsten wires, and their light-emitting mechanism is more stable and durable.

Cost Effectiveness

Halogen bulbs have a lower cost and are suitable for situations with limited budgets. The price of each bulb is usually between a few dollars and a dozen dollars, but it needs to be replaced frequently and long-term maintenance costs are high. In contrast, the initial purchase cost of LED headlights is higher, and the price of each bulb may range from tens of dollars to more than one hundred dollars. However, LED lights are more energy efficient and have a long life, low maintenance costs, and are more economical in the long run.

For example, suppose a halogen lamp has a life of 1,000 hours and costs $10, while an LED headlamp has a life of 30,000 hours and costs $100. Then, in 30,000 hours of use, the halogen lamp needs to be replaced 30 times, at a total cost of $300. In contrast, LED headlights, although the initial cost is higher, only need to be replaced once in the same time, with a total cost of $100.

Full Compared of Halogen vs LED Headlight

How To Choose？

To help you make an informed decision, we’ll compare the two headlights in detail from four aspects: budget and requirements, application scenarios, difficulty of installation, and safety.

Budget and demand

If your budget is limited, halogen headlamps are an affordable option. Each bulb costs about $10 and is suitable for those who need a short-term solution. Although the initial purchase cost is higher, about $100 per bulb, ED headlights are more energy efficient and less expensive to maintain in the long run. Suitable for users who plan long-term use and want to reduce the frequency of replacement.

Application scenarios

Halogen lamp When driving on urban roads and foggy days, the warm yellow light effect of halogen lamp is better, suitable for short distance driving. For example, on foggy days, warm yellow light is more penetrating and provides better visibility.LED headlights are suitable for driving on rural roads and highways, providing higher brightness and longer exposure distance.

Difficulty of installation

Halogen bulbs are easy to install and fit perfectly into the hole of the original headlamp. LED headlight bulbs need to consider whether the car space is enough, such as bulb size, drivers and so on. Now many brands have launched halogen lamp size 1:1 LED bulbs, to achieve plug and play.

Safety Considerations

LED headlights due to low energy consumption and low temperature, not easy to spontaneous combustion or burn the driving computer, high safety. The halogen lamp temperature is relatively high, need to pay attention to the use of time.

Which LED headlights are worth buying？

HILOWBIN V3 fanless 1:1design Plug-and-Play LED Headlight

Features：

Model: H11/H8/H9
Color Temperature: 6000K
Power: 60W
LUMEN:  12000L lumen
Voltage: 9-30V
IP RATE: IP65
LED CHIP: CSP
Heat Dissipation: Aluminium 6063

Reason for recommendation

HILOWBIN V3 LED headlights stand out due to their superior brightness and durability. Featuring a 6063 aluminum housing, they offer excellent heat dissipation, ensuring stable performance over long periods. The true 1:1 design allows for seamless plug-and-play installation, making them fully compatible with halogen bulbs without the need for modifications.

Additionally, the fan-less design ensures quiet operation, making them ideal for various driving conditions.

HILOWBIN V3 headlights are waterproof, guaranteeing reliable performance in all weather conditions. Each component undergoes stringent quality control to ensure the best lighting experience. Whether for daily commuting or long-distance travel, HILOWBIN V3 is the ideal choice for upgrading your vehicle’s lighting system.

Conclusion

Both halogen and LED headlights have their unique advantages and are suitable for different needs. Halogen lights are affordable and easy to install, making them ideal for those on a budget. On the other hand, LED headlights offer superior brightness, energy efficiency, and longevity, making them a great choice for long-term use and enhanced driving safety. Depending on your specific requirements and preferences, either option can effectively meet your vehicle’s lighting needs.

For more information about HILOWBIN V3, feel free to contact us anytime.