However, most car enthusiasts prefer LED headlights for obvious reasons. Both LED and HID headlights are visually pleasing and provide better efficiency and cost-effectiveness, provided that they last longer than Halogens.
On the other hand, LEDs and HIDs emit bright and crisp light, representing tailor-made lighting solutions for road illumination.
They use more power with a short lifespan and poor performance. However, the disadvantages of Halogen headlights outweigh its one advantage of being cost-efficient. For example, if you’re looking for a cost-effective replacement, Halogens are the most common and convenient to replace without additional parts at an insanely affordable price. The final decision depends on your preferences. Despite the cost, they last the longest and light up the horizon far and wide. High-quality LED headlights are the most expensive, ranging anywhere between $50 – $200. However, in terms of light output, HID headlights have surpassed both the headlights - LEDs and Halogens with around 3,000 lumens. Moreover, HID bulbs are more expensive than Halogens and a little cheaper than LEDs. Halogen replacement bulbs are the most affordable option on my list, ranging in brightness from basic to premium options. They are easy to replace, emit a brighter and crispier light with less energy consumption.Īlternatively, the replacement of HIDs is much more complex than halogens and LEDs. The ease of replacement is what matters the most while choosing automotive parts.Īs halogen bulbs are more common among drivers, the replacement is easy as a breeze. Ideally, LED bulbs last up to 10 years or even longer, depending on their use and conditions. The average duration of LED light bulbs is around 30,000 – 50,000 hours that depends on various factors. The advantage of LEDs over any other bulb is the superior lifespan and phenomenal performance. HIDs promise 2000 – 8000 hours of use.Ĭonsequently, I’ve noticed that they last twice that of halogens at their minimum lifespan and eight times longer than halogens at their maximum use. Nevertheless, halogens last longer in moderately used cars and reasonably in heavily used vehicles.Īs far as HIDs are concerned, they have an average lifespan greater than halogen bulbs and LEDs. Also, they drain your car battery by consuming a lot of energy.
Halogens promise 450 – 1000 hours of use. Halogen headlights are cheaper and easily accessible, but they have a short lifespan compared to HIDs and LEDs. Meanwhile, HIDs are the brightest, and LEDs come in second. In conclusion, the light output of Halogen bulbs is the lowest compared to LEDs and HIDs. It’s because the wattage of the bulbs also affects the brightness of LEDs. However, the estimate depends on various factors, including the wattage of the bulbs. Lastly, LEDs can produce around 2,000 lumens on average. On average, the HID emits around 3000 lumens, making it three times brighter than the Halogens. HIDs consume less power and produce maximum results than halogen bulbs. On the flip side, HIDs are popular among car owners for their extraordinary performance. Moreover, the overall light output of halogens depends on the brand and model of headlights. However, in some cases, the halogen bulbs produce around 1,600 to 1,700 lumens, provided that they are designed for high-beam only. Halogens, in most cases, emit approximately 700 lumens in low beam and around 1200 lumens in high beam. The light output or brightness of headlights appeal the most to car enthusiasts because it’s the only factor that affects your ride. The major difference that sets the three bulbs HID vs.
The most effective option on our list is the LEDs that take up to 32.9 watts, thereby winning the crown in terms of energy efficiency. Halogens are followed by HIDs that consume around 49.1 watts, making it the second least efficient bulb in the headlight hall of fame. Halogens are the least energy-efficient bulbs that take up to 56.7 watts. When choosing our automotive accessories, we should always strive for the most energy-efficient options. However, HIDs are strictly for projectors because they are too bright for reflector headlights, ultimately blinding the drivers.Īn energy-efficient bulb converts all electricity to light energy without producing any heat at all. Meanwhile, LEDs are an ideal choice for reflectors and sometimes for projectors as well. Therefore, when it comes to halogens, they can be used for both projector and reflector housings. However, most vehicles feature halogens and their reflective housings as the standard headlight.