The LED vs. halogen lights comparison has dominated the industry with potential light consumers seeking the best lighting solution. If you fall under this category, we have got you covered.
Generally, LED lights produce energy-efficient lights if you allow current through the light-emitting diodes.
However, halogen lights emit light thanks to a tungsten filament in a bulb filled with halogen gas.
While LED lights are known for their high energy efficiency, halogen lights stand out for their brightness.
But which option should you choose for your lighting applications?
Today’s articles make everything easier by highlighting the differences and similarities between LED and halogen lights. Let’s get rolling!
What Are Halogen Lights?
These are a special type of incandescent light with tungsten filament encased in a high-temperature bulb or small quartz with halogen gas.
The gas, in this case, could be bromine or iodine.
Therefore, allowing current through the tungsten filament will automatically heat up and produce light.
Generally, the light produced by halogen lights is bright, white, and with a high color temperature.
As a result, we recommend them in situations where intense and focused lighting is required, including spotlights, stage lighting, and automotive headlights.
Advantages
- First, these lights produce an intense and bright illumination that makes them ideal for situations that require high-intensity lighting.
- Secondly, halogen lights have a high color temperature and provide exceptional color rendering abilities.
- Thirdly, these lights are compact and small; you’ll find them easy to install.
- When you switch on these lights, they produce immediate illumination.
- Lastly, you’ll find them more affordable than LED lights.
What Are LED Lights?
(LED lamps illuminating)
Light-emitting diode lights are among the latest technology providing light energy thanks to the recombination of electron holes and electrons in a diode.
We know these lights for their increased energy efficiency since they consume less power and emit more energy with limited environmental impact.
One main reason we recommend these lights is their high lifespan which could extend to thousands of hours without replacements.
Interestingly, you’ll immediately get instantaneous lighting without warm-up time after switching these lights.
Another impressive feature of LED lights is the dimming capabilities that adjust the light to create your preferred ambiance.
LED vs. Halogen Lights: Differences
(A bright halogen bulb)
LED and halogen lights have the following critical differences.
Energy efficiency: Generally, LED lights convert a larger percentage of their input power into useful lights.
And since halogen lights are a special type of incandescent light, they waste most of their energy in heat.
Lifespan: Its common knowledge that LED lights are among the most durable lighting products in the industry.
While LED lasts 25,000-50,000 hours, halogen lights only last about 2,000-6,000 hours.
Therefore, expect a constant replacement of your halogen lights to keep up with your energy demands.
Environmental impact and heat generation: We all know that LED lights emit less heat and don’t have any hazardous elements like mercury.
However, halogen lights emit a lot of heat and have halogen gases that present a harmful effect.
Therefore, halogen lights impact the environment negatively.
Light output: LED lights will give you a more directional and focused light than halogen lights. This means you’ll need lenses or reflectors to control the light focus in halogen lighting, which is an extra cost.
Color rendering: LED lights have better color rendering abilities than all other lighting options, including halogen lights. With LEDs, your application will have multiple colors and color temperatures.
Dimming abilities: LEDs are designed to support dimming abilities, thus allowing you to manipulate different light aspects. However, not all halogen lights are designed to support dimming abilities.
Cost: Although you might buy LEDs expensively initially, their long-term cost is much lower than halogen lights.
LED vs. Halogen Lights: Similarities
(A closer look at a halogen light bulb)
Despite the differences between LED and halogen, they still share some similarities. Check them out below.
Brightness: First, you can use either an LED or halogen light source to get bright illuminations.
As a result, you can employ them in high-intensity applications such as automotive headlights and outdoor floodlights.
Color temperature: Secondly, you can design your LED or halogen lights to produce varying color temperatures.
Therefore, depending on your needs, it becomes easy to get cool, neutral, or warm lighting.
Versatility: Lastly, you can use halogen or LED lights in various applications, such as industrial and residential settings.
Moreover, you can use them for multiple purposes, including decorative, general, and accent lighting.
Are LED and Halogen Lights Interchangeable?
(LED lighting in a warehouse)
Not at all! You can employ LED and halogen lights interchangeably because of differences in performance, electrical, and design characteristics, as we’ll highlight below:
Electrical compatibility: LED lights only work under specific current and voltage requirements. You’ll most likely have to use an LED-compatible transformer or driver.
On the other hand, halogen lights function at high voltage levels, and you’ll have to use a halogen transformer or driver.
Fitting compatibility: The two lighting solutions have different physical dimensions and base types.
The sockets and fixtures ideal for LED lights are incompatible with those for halogens.
Energy efficiency: LED lights consume less power and energy than halogen lights.
Therefore, if you switch from LED to halogen lights, you’ll have to consider power requirements and possibly upgrade the power system.
As a result, you’ll spend more time and money for such upgrades to be effective.
FAQs
Which lasts longer between LED and halogen lights?
Without second thoughts, LED lights will last longer than halogen lights.
Generally, you should expect about 25,000-50,000 hours and 2,000-6,000 hours for LED and halogen lights, respectively.
Therefore, when you use LED lights, you should expect minimal bulb replacements and repairs.
For this reason, we consider LED lights to have a lower long-term cost, although with a high initial cost.
Where can you use halogen lights?
You can use halogen lights in any application scenario requiring focussed and bright illumination.
First, you can use these lights in any residential setting that requires high-intensity lighting, including bathrooms and kitchens.
Secondly, since halogen lights are very bright, you can use them in automotive to give a focusses headlight light beam.
Moreover, we employ halogen lights in exhibitions and retail stores to improve a product’s visual appeal.
Similarly, you can use them to light up stages in the entertainment industry.
Lastly, you can enjoy these lights in any outdoor setting, commercial buildings, and warehouses.
Final Remarks
Generally, LED lights excel in energy efficiency, while halogen lights stand out for their brightness.
Also, halogen lights, being incandescent, have a shorter lifespan of 2,000-6,000 hours, while LED lights can go as high as 25,000-50,000 hours.
And since these lights differ in performance, electrical, and design differences, it won’t be possible to use them interchangeably.