LED vs. Halogen Lights: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing lighting was once a simple process for contractors and distributors. Before, all you had to do was focus on two key areas — shape and watt usage. Fast forward to the 21st century, and technology has changed a lot. You must now consider color, intensity, durability and energy efficiency.

The most common lighting comparison nowadays is between LED and halogen lights. We’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you decide which lighting option can help you meet your needs.

LED vs. Halogen Lights: Brief History

LED stands for light-emitting diode. These lights first entered the industry in the 1960s. Many earlier developments lacked brightness for general lighting, so manufacturers often placed LEDs in electronics and displays. Through the ‘70s and ‘80s, scientists developed LEDs in different colors.

The most significant development was in the ‘90s when scientists invented the blue LED, which enabled white LED lighting through a combination of colors. This development made LED bulbs more practical for widespread lighting applications while being more durable, energy-efficient and eco-friendly than conventional lighting options.

Summary of the primary advantages of LEDs:

• Durability: The lights are more resistant to shocks and external impacts.
• Energy efficiency: An LED bulb consumes less energy.
• Eco-friendly: They don’t contain harmful materials, making them easier to dispose of and safer for the environment.
• Directional light: LEDs allow you to emit light in a specific direction, making them ideal for applications like spotlights.
• High color rendering index (CRI): This allows them to provide a more accurate color representation.

Developers created halogen lights in the ‘50s as an improvement from the then-traditional incandescent lights. Because of their focused and intense beams, these lights were specifically for the industrial and automotive industries, but they became popular in households for accents and spotlighting. While halogens are still widely used, they are quickly being replaced by LEDs, which offer more efficiency and durability.

Summary of the primary advantages of halogen lights:

• Bright: Halogen lights create a bright, white light.
• Decent CRI: Halogen bulbs provide a fair color representation.

LED vs. Halogen Lights: 6 Key Differences

Understanding the key differences between LED and halogen lights is essential for choosing the best light fixture for your needs.

1. Safety

Regarding LED vs. halogen watt usage, there is one clear, efficient choice. LED lights convert 10%- 20% of their energy into heat. This minimal heat conversion makes them unlikely to start a fire and safer to handle.

Conversely, research on energy-efficient lighting has shown that halogen bulbs convert 80% of the energy they consume into heat. This excessive heat production is a fire risk and might be particularly hazardous if the light is placed too close to combustible materials.

2. Adaptability

LED lights tend to be more adaptable than halogen lights in multiple areas:

• Color options: LEDs come in various colors and temperatures, from warm to cool lighting. Halogens tend to be warmer and offer less variety.
• Brightness control: LED dimming is versatile and lets you easily adjust the brightness of your LEDs according to your preferences. Halogens also have a dimming option but tend to be less efficient at lower brightness levels.
• Shape and size: LED lights come in more shapes and sizes than halogen bulbs. Halogens are often bulkier and more limited in size options. They’re also less adaptable for modern or custom lighting designs.

3. Cost

Halogen lights are less expensive upfront than LEDs. However, they also have a shorter life span, are inefficient and consume more energy, which might result in higher long-term costs. LED lights have a higher upfront cost but offer longevity and efficiency.

4. Maintenance

LED lights require minimal maintenance. You might need to dust and clean the lights occasionally to keep them bright. Dusting the lights is easier because they don’t get hot, so dust doesn’t stick as easily.

Halogen lights require a little more maintenance to keep them running. Because of the heat they emit, they tend to attract more dust. They’re also more sensitive to oils from fingers, so holding a cloth while replacing them is essential. In addition, halogen lights have a shorter life span, meaning they need to be replaced more frequently than LED lights.

5. Environmental Impact

LED lights are today’s most efficient lighting technology. They use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, which means lower electricity bills, and they help users reduce their carbon footprint.

Halogen lights emit more heat and consume more energy, which has a greater environmental impact. Rising electricity costs and the incredible amount of energy they consume have made them impractical. In some states, retailers no longer sell them because they don’t meet local energy efficiency requirements.

6. Durability

LED lights are built with solid-state technology. This means they have no fragile parts or filaments and can withstand vibrations, shock, extreme impact and temperature fluctuations better than other types of lights. LED lights are suitable for various environments and applications. These qualities make them ideal for outdoor lighting systems because they can withstand rough conditions.

Halogen lights use a filament that heats up fast and intensely. As a result, they’re more prone to burning out quickly and breakage. LED lights also have a longer life span, lasting 25,000 hours or more. Conversely, halogen lights typically last around 2,000 hours, making them much less durable than LED lights.

LED Lighting Is Far Superior to Halogen Lighting

The choice between an LED or halogen bulb depends on your needs. LED is the winner if you need a durable, energy-efficient, low-maintenance light. If budget constraints are your primary concern, you might be tempted to opt for halogen lighting. The challenge here is that while LED lighting might require a higher upfront cost, its incredible long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment.

Brilliance LED offers high-quality, durable lighting solutions for your clients’ landscape lighting needs. We aim to deliver high-performance lighting solutions and outdoor living products. We invite you to explore our diverse range of lighting options. Whether you want to become a distributor or find a distributor, contact Brilliance for all your lighting needs.