Which Is Better: LED Vs. Halogen Headlights
Table of Contents
- LED Vs. Halogen Headlights: What’s the Difference?
- Are LED Headlights Really Better?
- Which Headlights Are Better: Halogen or LED?
- Luminous Characteristics: Are LED Headlights Better for Night Driving?
- Lifetime
- Power: Do LED Headlights Draw Less?
- Price
- Versatility
- Use on Public Roads
- Is It Worth Replacing Halogen with LED in Headlights?
LED Vs. Halogen Headlights: What’s the Difference?
LED lamps are increasingly replacing halogen and xenon in the US market. This situation is not surprising since LED lights are superior to all other sources. Our customers very often doubt whether to switch from halogen to LED headlights. The Indy Auto Man mechanics have prepared detailed material to help you find the exact answer to this question.
Are LED Headlights Really Better?
| LED | Halogen lamps |
| LED lamps work on the principle of semiconductors: energy is generated when electricity passes through a semiconductor, and a significant part of it is released in the form of photons. | Halogen lamps work in the same way as incandescent lamps: the tungsten filament is heated by current and emits a glow. |
| LED lamps have high efficiency since the LED heats up to approximately 140°F and consumes little energy, about ten times lower than halogen ones, while almost all the energy is spent on lighting. | The efficiency of halogen lamps is low because most of the energy is spent on heat transfer and not on lighting. At the same time, energy consumption is much higher than that of LEDs, and the heating temperature is up to 1,004 °F. |
| The lamp bulb serves only to protect the LED and to scatter light. It does not contain any gas, vacuum, or filament inside. | Inside the lamp bulb is either a vacuum or a gas, while active chemical compounds are also involved to increase the brightness of the emitted light flux. |
| LED lamp life is over 30,000 hours. | The service life of a halogen lamp is, on average, from 400 to 1000 hours. |
| Luminous flux (brightness) is about 2000 LM. | Luminous flux is about 1000 LM. |
| Color temperature (light shade) can be any, depending on the LEDs. On car headlights, as a rule, daylight lighting is used. | The color temperature depends on the external filters. Car headlights use a warm tint. |
LEDs are by far the most modern technology used in automotive lighting. However, halogen lamps are still firmly established in their positions, and you will find plenty of used cars for sale in Indianapolis with halogen headlights. There are significant differences between these two types of lighting that are important to be aware of when buying automotive lamps.
Read also how to plan your car servicing.
Which Headlights Are Better: Halogen or LED?
We will compare LED and halogen lamps by the main parameters.
Luminous Characteristics: Are LED Headlights Better for Night Driving?
LEDs win in all respects, as they provide a bright and powerful luminous flux, and a clear cut-off line. The light temperature is also the most comfortable for a person and is close to daylight. Similar characteristics can only be found in Philips halogens. LEDs extend the night vision distance, especially in off-road and dimply lit areas.
Lifetime
The most modern halogen lamp shines for 450 hours. LEDs have an average lifespan of 25,000 hours, as manufacturers declare. As practice has shown, our customers in Indianapolis really change the LED lamps every few years.
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Power: Do LED Headlights Draw Less?
The load on the onboard network and fuel consumption depend on this indicator. Accordingly, the higher the number, the more load the network receives. The average power of LED lamps is 25 W, halogen lamps are up to 60 W.
The power of the LED lamps does not affect the brightness of the light. In this case, the characteristics of the luminous flux depend on the quality of the LED elements. But for halogen lamps, this is an important indicator. The more watts stated, the brighter the light source will shine. This means that the brightest halogens will put an additional load on the onboard network.
Price
The cost of halogens varies in the range of $10-$20. They are inexpensive, but it is worth remembering the need for more frequent replacement compared to LED lamps. For really reliable LEDs, you will have to pay around $100. But this cost is fully paid off due to the long service life.
Versatility
You can put halogen lamps in the headlight of any used car. LEDs will fit correctly into the optics in 9 cases out of 10. It is better not to use LED light sources in fog lights, but they are perfect for headlights, interior lighting, dimensions, turns, and stops.
Use on Public Roads
LED lamps can be easily installed in the headlights. They do not blind oncoming drivers and pedestrians, brightly illuminating the roadway. However, Indiana law bans such headlight colors as blue, green, red, and yellow on the front of vehicles.
Is It Worth Replacing Halogen with LED in Headlights?
LEDs are usually chosen for their intense light output without much energy consumption. They are considered some of the brightest headlight bulbs you can install but not so bright as to harm other drivers. Typically, these light sources have a longer lifespan due to their ability to resist overheating and consume less electricity. Recently, almost all manufacturers have begun to install them in new cars due to good performance.
If you have halogen lamps installed and want to replace them with LEDs, it is better to address an experienced electrician to check the circuits and fittings. Visit the Indy Auto Man service center in Indianapolis to ensure your car’s electrical system is compatible with the lower-wattage LED lights, or check our inventory and buy a used car with a perfect lighting system.
