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Xenon vs LED lights: what's the difference
Halogen light bulbs have been commonplace in the automotive industry since way back in the 1970s. Although they are still used as the standard bulb in many vehicles, these warm yellow lights are becoming outdated as more manufacturers and consumers are turning to more efficient, longer lasting alternatives. Xenon and LED car headlights outshine their halogen predecessors, consuming less energy and emitting a brighter light.
What is the difference between xenon and LED headlight bulbs?
Xenon bulbs
Xenon lights, a.k.a. high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps emit a bright white-blue light that is similar to natural daylight. Like halogen headlights, the bulbs are filled with a gas but instead of using a metal filament, HID lights use electrodes. An electric arc is created between the two electrodes and as the electric current passes through, the gas is ignited to produce light.
One of the main advantages of not having a filament is that the bulbs last much longer than standard halogen components. Xenon headlights last approximately 2,000 - 2,500 hours compared to just 400 - 1,000 hours for standard lights. They are also 2-3 times brighter. Popular brands offer bulbs for both single beam and dual beam lighting systems. Dual beam bulbs known as bi-xenons are single bulbs that perform both high beam and low beam functions.
LED bulbs
LED car headlights haven’t been around as long as their counterparts and, up until recently, have mostly been used in high-end, premium vehicles. They do not contain any gas but rather operate using what is known as solid state lighting technology. This essentially means that instead of emitting light from a vacuum or using gas, the light is emitted from a piece of solid matter - the light-emitting diode. The diode is a semiconductor that glows as an electric current passes through its microchip.
TYC Headlight
Left, H7/H7, for right-hand traffic
HELLA Headlight
Left, LED, D1S/H7, D1S, H7, LED, Bi-Xenon, 12V, for right-hand traffic
HELLA Headlight set
with bulbs, with motor for headlamp levelling
HELLA Headlight
Left, H7/H7, PY21W, Halogen, 12V, for right-hand traffic
JOHNS Headlight
Left, H7/H7
They have quickly become popular due to their energy efficiency and long-lasting light. As technology advances, LED headlight bulbs are becoming cheaper to produce. They typically generate less heat than incandescent bulbs and are able to illuminate a wider area.
Xenon vs LED: Which type is better?
There are several advantages to both types, although LEDs typically perform better when it comes to energy consumption, size, and illumination. Both of them generate a very bright light, however, xenon headlights are sometimes so bright that even the low beams can have a glaring effect on oncoming traffic. HID setups often feature a levelling system which automatically adjusts the light pattern to reduce glare.
In ideal conditions, LED lights can technically have a lifespan of up to 25,000 hours and consume at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, such as halogen and xenon. They tend to be smaller and come in multiple different colours, allowing drivers to customise their headlights. On the other hand, the manufacturing costs for xenon lights are still much lower, making the components cheaper to replace.
Whichever you choose, xenon or LED headlights, you need to ensure that they can be installed on your car. Some cars that have a halogen light fitting will require the use of a HID or LED conversion kit. These are widely available on the aftermarket.
Is it time to change your headlights?
If the car spotlight bulbs or low beam headlight bulb has burnt out, you’ll need to replace it as soon as possible to comply with the government’s safety regulations and to prevent road accidents. When you shop online, you can find a huge variety of car headlight bulbs and compare prices to find the best deal for your car. Top manufacturers include HELLA, Philips, Bosch, and Valeo.
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