Best LED Lightbulbs: Top 5 Energy-Saving Brands Most Recommended By Experts

Light emitting diode (LED) light bulbs have become the absolute standard for lighting at home, in the office, and in public places like stores or outdoors. 2008 is when LED bulbs were first shown to have widespread usage in schools and hospitals. The popularity of LED lighting is three-fold: they consume less energy, produce less heat, and have a much longer product life as compared to older types of bulbs. Our list of the top five best LED lightbulbs most recommended by experts will help you find the right bulbs for the job.

LED bulbs are considered by some as one of the easiest ways to enact a more sustainable home as a way to combat waste and climate change. Nearly seven in 10 Americans believe climate change will be catastrophic within their lifetime (68%), according to new research. A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults looked at their sentiments around environmentalism and found that Gen Z (84%) and millennials (75%) are especially likely to feel like climate change will affect their future. However, just over a third of all respondents feel informed about environmentalism (35%). And one in nine admit they’re not confident in understanding how waste affects the environment, but most would be interested in learning more (77%).

Living sustainably requires more effort than you might think. Thoughtful care must be taken to reduce waste and make environmentally friendly purchases. While many are making strides to do so, there is still plenty of work to be done. In fact, seven in 10 Americans admit that they treat their own home better than they treat the planet. However, there is hope as people are trying to reduce their carbon footprints by taking steps like installing energy-efficient appliances (55%), cutting down on single-use plastics (47%), and buying locally sourced and organic produce (44%), according to a survey of 2,000 Americans.

In addition to contributing to better sustainability in the home, some LED lightbulbs are just straight-up cool. They can offer a myriad of colors and ambience settings to make your living or work area just right. We turned to our sources to discover the top five best LED lightbulbs most recommended by experts. Let us know your favorite brands in the comments below!

The List: Best LED Lightbulbs, According to Experts

 

1. Philips LED Bulbs

Philips sets the gold standard for lighting. Their line of frosted A19 bulbs is considered the best of the best by our sources. “Philips came up most often with our experts as the best source for a standard E26-base screw-in lightbulb that closely mimics the warmth and dimming of an incandescent… Interior designer Olivia Stutz says that her clients ‘have been extremely satisfied with the price and performance’ of Philips LEDs,” according to The Strategist.

Bob Vila.com chimes in with a rave review, “Philips has been creating lighting for over 125 years and is one of the most well-known brands in lighting. This set of 16 efficient and long-lasting bulbs is a helpful purchase, especially when making the initial switch to LED light bulbs throughout a home. The Philips LED range offers a lot of perks with no visible flicker, long lifetime, energy savings, and instant ‘on.’ These bulbs can be used for up to 10,950 hours, lasting over 10 years in most homes.”

“The Philips Dimmable A19 Smart Wi-Fi Wiz bulb offers loads of value and convenience for its low price. It works with Wi-Fi for app control without needing a separate hub, it supports voice commands, and it features plenty of customization options. Its companion app lets you create Scenes to set the mood for different occasions, Rhythms to automate lighting adjustments based on the time of day, and Schedules to enable your preferred light mode on certain days and times,” details PC.

2. Feit LED Multi-Use Light Bulb

Feit bulbs were called out for their excellent light output capabilities. They are especially well suited for work areas within a home, school, or office. Real Simple explains, “While soft, dim lighting might be apt for some spaces, the kitchen is not one of them. Reliable kitchen lighting is key whether you’re following a new recipe, opening a wine bottle, or writing your grocery list. The Feit light bulbs have a 5,000K or bright white temperature that resembles daylight. Plus, they can be used indoors or out and are suitable for damp locations, making them durable as well as versatile. They’re also cost-efficient as they come in a 10-bulb pack, each with a 11,000-hour lifespan.”

“Everything in your home looks great under the light of these Feit bulbs, which have a high color accuracy that make fruits and decor appear natural and realistic. Both the Soft White and Daylight versions performed equally well across all our tests, with some of the best dimming ranges we’ve seen on LED bulbs, although they struggled a bit at the absolute lowest light levels,” according to Wirecutter.

Treehugger adds that, “These Feit Electric bulbs outshine the competition by offering a soft, warm color quality at affordable pricing. They are easy to find, compatible with dimmers, and easily screw into any fixture with a medium screw base. They’re suitable for enclosed fixtures or outdoor use. EnergyStar rated, the manufacturer claims they can last an average of 25,000 hours. They use up to 85% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.”

3. Amazon Basics LED Light Bulb

Amazon offers a wide array of branded products that have established a reputation for affordability and quality. Their Basics line of LED bulb is no exception. “Add light bulbs to the staples that Amazon’s house brand has covered, with Amazon Basics LED bulbs that can find a place in just about any room. They’re available in a variety of brightness ratings and light colors, with the soft white 75-watt equivalent delivering a pleasantly bright 1,100 lumens. Each bulb can produce strong light for bathrooms and other places where you need good, detailed visibility,” details The Spruce.

“Looking for a bulb that saves up on energy costs? Meet the Amazon Basics LED Bulb that has a built-in sensor that turns it on and off based on how well-lit the surrounding environment is. This means you won’t ever forget to turn off the lights when you want to go to bed. It also helps you out when you’re away from the house and aren’t there to turn them on manually… Its long-lasting lifespan of nearly ten years is more than enough for most households. Overall, they’re perfect for both indoor and outdoor lighting needs,” notes Old House.

Bob Vila.com states, “These bulbs require no time to warm up, offering full brightness at the flick of the light switch, making them handy for darker areas of the home, like a basement. The 2700 K color temperature offers a soft white light that creates a warm and cozy atmosphere, an ideal choice for living rooms, dining rooms, or bedrooms.”

4. GE Lighting LED Lightbulbs

General Electric is a well-established brand in the United States. Although younger consumers might not consider GE’s brand reputation, for many others GE is a strong choice at-a-glance. “GE Lighting traces its roots to the famous Thomas Edison. Founded in the early 20th century, the company is the lighting division of the General Electric Company, which Savant Systems Inc. acquired in 2020,” explains Attainable Home.

CNET offers a personal reviewer’s take, “My LED lighting tip: Just stick with GE Reveal bulbs, because after about six years of reviewing light bulbs for CNET, I’ve yet to test one that hasn’t delivered on its promise of better-looking colors. That includes standard 60-watt replacement LEDs, floodlights, weird-looking stick-shaped LEDs, dimmable LED bulbs and more.”

Bob Vila.com suggests that GE bulbs are great for the bathroom. “Rated to last up to 13 years, these GE LED light bulbs have longevity on their side, keeping the bathroom well lit and functional long-term. The bulbs have a frosted finish, making them gentler on the eye than clear bulbs. They may resemble traditional incandescent bulbs, but that’s where the similarity ends.”

5. Cree LED Lightbulbs

Cree lightbulbs receive specific praise for the way they make colors seem to “pop.” This is especially useful for dining rooms. The Spruce offers an explanation, “One area where the Cree bulbs particularly excel is how accurately they show the colors of objects they shine on. Out of a maximum Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 100, the bulbs’ 90+ CRI means rich, natural colors all around your room.”

“You may not always want your lights on full blast, so selecting dimmable light bulbs allows you to adjust brightness and tailor the lighting to your preferences. This Cree light bulb is dimmable, has a soft white light, and can be used in fully enclosed fixtures like lamps and sconces without hazard. They also have a 22+ year lifespan, so you don’t need to worry about changing a hard-to-reach light bulb for a long time,” posits Real Simple.

“Cree has established itself as a top-tier manufacturer of LEDs creating affordable, effective lighting solutions to energy-sucking incandescent bulbs. With a manufacturer rating of 25,000 hours of use, they’re long-lasting alternatives to similar incandescents and have a very pure, bright white light,” writes Treehugger.

You might also be interested in:

• Best Solar-Powered Outdoor Lights
• Best Blue Light Glasses
• Best Kitchen Faucets
• Best Home Office Chairs
• Best Tower Fans

Sources

• The Strategist
• Bob Vila.com
• PC
• Real Simple
• Wirecutter
• Treehugger
• The Spruce
• Old House
• Attainable Home
• CNET

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.