Headlights have been around since the dawn of the automobile, evolving from the early acetylene lamps already in use on horse-drawn carriages, to the adaptive laser units you would find on the latest high-end model.
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The most common types of headlights in use today are halogen and LED. Manufacturers are slowly phasing out halogen headlights in favour of LEDs, but both have their benefits and in this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of both types to give you a better idea of which one is best for you.
Halogen headlights have been around since the s, they are a modified version of an incandescent light bulb (the ones we all used to have in our homes) and comprise of a tungsten filament enclosed in a glass bulb filled with halogen and a mix of other noble gases. Halogen lights emit a yellowish glow.
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Halogen light bulbs are commonplace in the majority of entry-level cars around the world thanks to their low manufacturing and replacement costs.
Replacing a halogen light bulb is also a lot simpler than swapping out a faulty LED unit, however, you may be doing it more often as halogen bulbs have a shorter lifespan than LEDs. That said, the average cost of a halogen bulb is between £5 to £20, so having to replace them every few years is hardly going to break the bank.
Halogen bulbs aren’t very efficient, though, consuming around 80% more energy than an LED headlight. This can put an extra load on the car’s electrical system and can impact overall efficiency over time.
They also don’t shine as brightly as LEDs, as some of that energy usage gets converted into heat instead of illumination. The dimmer light quality and yellowish glow is less disturbing for other road users, though.
LED is an acronym for Light Emitting Diode, LED headlights produce light by passing electricity through tiny little semiconductors which emit photons. This electrical process is what illuminates the road ahead. LED headlights emit a very bright white light.
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The big benefit of LED headlights is their low power usage relative to the light they emit. They are approximately 80% more efficient than traditional halogen bulbs, this lowers the strain on the car’s electrical system which in turn can improve fuel economy. This is especially important in EVs, where every watt of power saved means more miles between charges.
LEDs are far more versatile than halogens, too, they can be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes, and their hi-tech nature allows for more nuanced adaptive headlight control. Some designs – often referred to as matrix technology – can even switch off individual LEDs to avoid blinding oncoming vehicles.
LED headlights have a far longer projected lifespan than halogens (up to 10 times as long), but when they do give out, they cost far more to replace. A recent study showed that a replacement LED headlight for a Suzuki Swift cost almost £700. A VW Polo’s LED unit was closer to £900.
These costs are partly down to the fact that most manufacturers use sealed headlight units, so you have to replace the entire headlight assembly instead of just the LED unit.
On a budget car that is 15-years old, a blown set of LED headlights may write-off the entire vehicle. However, prices always come down as new technology becomes more commonplace. And with most manufacturers already shifting over to LED headlights – over 60% of all new cars globally have LED lights as standard – this should be the case here as well.
Not legally in the UK. There are many aftermarket suppliers offering LED headlight replacement kits for cars with halogen lights (a kit is required as power and cooling differences between the bulb types mean you can’t just swap bulbs), but unfortunately it is not legal to make this upgrade due to legislation that does not provide a certification process for aftermarket LED headlights. Some consider this unfair and have campaigned for the legislation to be updated, but all we can do is advise you of what the rules are.
The MoT testing manual was also updated in , telling testers: “Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp [the car will fail its MoT as a result].”
With auto manufacturers already well on the way to adopting LED headlights as standard fitment, the days of the halogen bulb are numbered.
If you are buying new, the choice is often already made for you, although upgrading to adaptive LED headlights or even laser lights is sometimes an option on luxury models. The stronger light quality, long lifespan and lower energy use of LED lights make them a great choice in general, and replacement costs should come down as market adoption rates increase.
Halogen lights still have their place in budget cars, as well as in the used car market. The low replacement costs are the biggest drawcard, ensuring that a blown bulb or damaged headlight unit don’t equate to an exorbitant replacement cost.
Upgrading your car’s headlights can make a huge difference in safety and driving comfort. Halogen and LED headlights are two popular options, each with its own benefits.
Halogen lights are affordable and reliable, while LED headlights offer impressive brightness, energy efficiency, and a longer lifespan.
Wondering which one is the better choice for your vehicle?
In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between halogen and LED headlights to help you make the best decision for a brighter and safer drive!
A halogen headlight bulb is a type of automotive lighting commonly used in vehicles.
It consists of a glass envelope containing a tungsten filament, a halogen gas, and a quartz bulb. When the headlights are turned on, an electric current passes through the filament, causing it to heat up and emit light.
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The halogen gas helps to recycle evaporated tungsten back onto the filament, prolonging its lifespan.
Halogen headlight bulbs are widely used in various car models, including popular brands like Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Chevrolet, which come equipped with halogen lights from the factory.
An LED headlight bulb is an advanced lighting technology used in vehicles.
It consists of a semiconductor diode that emits light when an electrical current passes through it. The main structure includes the LED chips, heat sink, driver, and lens.
Unlike halogen bulbs, LEDs don’t have filaments and use less energy. They produce bright, focused light and have a longer lifespan.
LED bulbs work by converting electrical energy directly into light through the movement of electrons.
They are commonly found in modern cars, including models from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla, which often come with LED lights as standard factory equipment, providing improved visibility and energy efficiency on the road.
When it comes to light distance, there is a notable difference between halogen and LED headlight bulbs. LED headlight bulbs have an impressive lighting range that can reach up to 300 meters, providing enhanced visibility and illumination on the road.
On the other hand, halogen headlight bulbs have a comparatively shorter lighting range, typically reaching up to 100 meters. This means that LED headlights offer a significantly longer reach, allowing drivers to see farther ahead and react to potential hazards in advance.
The extended lighting range of LED bulbs contributes to improved safety and confidence while driving, especially in low-light or dark conditions.
LED headlights are more energy-efficient compared to halogens, they emit more light and less heat than halogen lamps at the same energy used. LED headlights transfer over 90% of light with under 10% heat-wasting, while halogen headlight bulbs only convert 10% of light and 90% heat-wasting.
Do LED Headlights Last Longer Than Halogens?
Halogen headlights typically last between 500 to 1,000 hours and usually need to be replaced about once a year.
In contrast, LED headlight bulbs can last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 hours.
High-quality options, like NAOEVO LED headlights, can reach up to 50,000 hours, often lasting the entire lifespan of many vehicles. Simply put, LED car lights have the longest lifespan compared to both halogen and HID headlights.
The cost of buying new headlights is another concern for many drivers.
LED headlight bulbs are more cost-effective than halogens for a long period of use.
The cost of halogen is approximately ranging from $35 to $100 per pair and the average price is $50.
According to estimated data, the price of LED headlights is around $100 to $200 per pair and $150 on average.
A quality LED headlight bulb is capable of lasting up to 5- 10 times longer than halogens.
Assuming that halogen headlights should be replaced 8 times as often as LED headlights, and the average price of halogen is $50 and LED headlight is $150.
LED headlights could cost more upfront, but after halogens have been replaced several times, the cost of halogen lamps is slowly exceeding that of LEDs.
The market trend for LED vs halogen headlight bulbs is shifting towards LED technology.
While halogen lamps remain dominant, LED headlamps are steadily gaining popularity and are expected to replace halogen lamps as the primary product in the coming years.
This presents a lucrative opportunity to venture into the auto LED headlight bulb business.
Choose NAOEVO as your trusted LED car light bulb provider and let them contribute to your success.
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