Best LED bulbs for cars for 2020

Currently, LED lamps are trying to completely replace the "classic" halogen / xenon lamps from the car design. And the reason for this was not only their reduced power consumption. Among other things, they are much resistant to vibration and shock, do not require frequent replacement, which is expensive in Russian road conditions. Moreover, they do not need additional time to warm up and they light up faster. This circumstance is extremely important on the road, because the supply of light signals is one of the most important elements of the car's safety while driving, through which accidents are prevented.

LED lamp design

They are also called LED lamps (from the English "light-emitting diode" - "light-emitting diode"). Such a light source does not contain gases inside, unlike a halogen one. The design itself is quite simple - the light is produced by a single crystal, which is mounted in a small reflective bowl, and to which power contacts, wire connections, a radiator and a distribution lens are connected. The body of the LED lamp is mainly made of plastic.

The LED lamp is always equipped with a matrix of one of 4 types:

• Plain blue LEDs;
• Diodes according to the RGB standard (red, green, blue - red, blue, green);
• Diodes that attach to the surface of the light bulb (SMD);
• Diodes that are fixed to the board (COB).

According to the base used in the design (in other words, by type), diode lamps can be marked with various Latin letters and numbers, for example, H11 or W5W. The exact gradation is presented in the ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) - "Document on consumer safety of the European Economic Commission".

The main differences from halogen light sources

The design of the halogen source consists of a tungsten filament, which is enclosed in a sealed glass bulb filled with an inert gas and a halogen. Due to the gas, the brightness of the glow increases, so it allows you to increase the heating temperature of the thread. However, the resource of such devices is not durable - only 5,000 hours, while the LED lamp has about 30,000 hours. Moreover, "halogens" have a high heating temperature - about 150 degrees Celsius and categorically do not tolerate jumping voltage. LED sources are much more tolerant in this regard.

Key differences from xenon light sources

With xenon, it is still much worse: to light up at full power such a lamp will take up to 3 seconds, and the LED will light up within 0.1 seconds. The glow brightness of the "xenon" is also low - about 70 MegaCandel (candles) per 1 square meter.For diodes, this indicator starts from 100 units. There is nothing to even stutter about the xenon service life - only 3,000 hours.

Benefits of LED lamps

• Reduced power consumption - in comparison with halogen or xenon, it is several times lower. Standard consumption of up to 30 W saves fuel. Of course, it cannot be called very tangible - about 0.2 liters of gasoline will be saved for every 100 km. However, with reduced consumption, the load on the battery and in general on the entire power system of the machine also decreases.
• Increased stream of light - the light temperature of modern diodes varies between 6 thousand and 6.5 thousand Kelvin, which corresponds to a bright sunny day. Simulating natural daylight, rather than bright artificial light, makes it easier to drive at night. With such light, eyes get tired less, the roadway is better illuminated.
• Legality of installation - some LEDs can be installed independently at will, such an operation is not prohibited by law (at one time the legality of installing xenon and halogen lamps was questionable). Installation is possible on brake lights, turn signals, working lights in the cabin. It is also possible to install head lighting (H7 and H4) without special permits, but only if the car will be operated outside the public road network.
• Extended service life - subject to the rules of competent use of LED lamps, they can serve for up to 10 years.
• Low susceptibility to shock and vibration - due to the fact that in the construction of diodes there are not fragile filaments and a glass case, then, in fact, there is nothing to break there upon impact. The thin wires and the semiconductor element themselves are securely fixed and protected by a plastic lens. Bearing in mind the rough Russian roads, this factor will be important.
• Speed ​​of response - LED lamps turn on at full power 200 milliseconds faster than classic lamps. Thus, installing them in the brake lights will allow the car driving behind it to react more quickly to a stop in front of the driver.

Disadvantages of LED lamps

Their main disadvantage is that during operation they emit a considerable amount of heat in the direction opposite to the flow of light. Thus, their effective service life will directly depend on the quality of the construction of the heat removal system. If the heat is not completely removed, this will shorten the lamp life by an order of magnitude.

In addition, LED lamps are much more expensive than traditional ones and are often sold immediately in sets (one copy is not always available for sale). The price may exceed the cost of ordinary ones by 50-60 times, however, this circumstance is more than compensated by the super-long service period.

LEDs need a rated current to operate, so resistors or additional sources of electricity will have to be used in the vehicle's power system.

Places of installation of LED lamps in a car

As mentioned above, it is possible to install diodes to provide head lighting only at the factory (if the motorist will operate the car on public highways). In all other cases, independent lamp assembly is possible. In general, the installation location will depend on the base of the LED source:

• Headlights are often equipped with bulbs with an H7 / H4 base (although it is possible to install HB3, H3, H11, HB4 under factory conditions);
• Fog lights fit H11, 10, 8 bases;
• For direction indicators and side lights, W5, 14HP, P21W and P21 are intended;
• For the main turn signals, T4W, W5W and T10 are used;
• Reversing lights use T20 and W21W bases;
• Rear brake lights use 5W, P21;
• It is possible to install a T5 base in the cabin.

If 12 W diode light sources with a luminous flux of thousands of lumens are installed in the headlights of the car's dipped beam, then such a circuit must be provided with a radiator.If diodes in the H4 base are used on these headlights, then two bulbs with a total power of 17 W are installed at once, one for 1000 lm for the low beam, and 1500 lm for the high beam.

Possible errors when installing LED lamps

The main problems that arise when installing such lamps may be their compatibility with the vehicle control unit. For example, it may constantly require a connection check. The reason lies in the fact that the auto computer monitors the presence of a light source based on its electricity consumption, and the diodes consume little of it, so the control unit may simply "not see" them. The problem can be solved in two ways. Firstly, you can contact a car service, where, at the program level, they will “register” the presence of an installed LED lamp in the car control unit (an expensive method). Secondly, independently install the ballast or "snag", which artificially forces the control unit to consider the LED lamp installed (cheap method). You can buy such ballast in any auto shop, it is called "LED can-bus". The price of the device is from 200 to 300 rubles.

Some properties of LED lamps from different manufacturers

• It is no secret that it is better to purchase equipment such as diode bulbs from well-known brands. Although Asian manufacturers are widely represented in this market segment today. Specific features for different manufacturers are listed below:
• Chinese manufacturers often use cheap components, which reduces the lamp life;
• In the same kit from a Chinese manufacturer, diodes can have different light temperatures, which will affect the quality of lighting (for example, one diode will shine with white light, the other with yellow);
• In Chinese samples, you can often find a poorly designed heat sink system, which again will affect the duration of their use;
• Western models are permanently equipped with ceramic insulators that cannot be melted, even if there are problems with heat dissipation;
• LED lamps from European manufacturers have full reflection from the lantern, which provides a bright and uniform light, they do not dazzle drivers driving in the opposite lane and are completely acceptable even for tired eyes;
• As a rule, the declared technical characteristics for LED lamps from Western manufacturers are fully true. If the operating period is specified in the amount of 30,000 hours, then there is no doubt about it.

Rating of the best LED bulbs for cars for 2020

Plinth H1

H1-G9TB - Philips Z ES

Car bulb H1 with Philips Lumileds Luxeon Z ES LEDs for low or high beam. It can also be used in fog lights. The H1-G9TB car head light bulbs provide an excellent light border. Supplied in a set of two.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	6
Manufacturer country	Germany
Driver	External
Radiator	Available, flexible
Light flux, Lm	1000
Total power, W	18
Warranty period, months	12 months
Price, rubles	3900

• Maximum brightness;
• The presence of a radiator;
• Excellent heat dissipation.

• Minor problems when installing in old machines - not enough space for installation.

Plinth H3

H3-J1 Seoul Kit

Low-cost South Korean LED lamps with good luminous efficiency. Each lamp consists of a matrix of 6 Seoul CSP LEDs. They are used as a worthy alternative to halogen lamps in high / low beam headlights. The production uses a unique light diffusion technology.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	6
Manufacturer country	South Korea
Driver	Compact
Radiator	Is absent
Light flux, Lm	1800
Total power, W	18
Warranty period, months	12 months
Price, rubles	1900

• Simulates the filament of a standard halogen lamp;
• Has increased brightness;
• There is a current stabilizer.

• Polarity is present.

Plinth H4

Bulbs H4-55W - 4 Philips Luxeon MZ

This set of two lamps contains the most powerful LEDs produced by the German company Philips. They are used exclusively for high beam. The lamps have increased brightness and use four diodes.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	4
Manufacturer country	Germany
Driver	External
Radiator	Is absent
Light flux, Lm	2000 – 4500
Total power, W	30-55
Warranty period, months	12 months
Price, rubles	8000

• Unique arrangement of LEDs (at the level of a standard lamp spiral);
• Possibility of adjusting the base on the thread with a special key;
• An active cooling system is used.

• Not found.

Plinth H7

Bulbs H7-S1 - 6 CSP LED Seoul

This set uses the latest light diffusion system, the functioning diodes give the impression of a normal halogen lamp. They can be used for both high and low beam. The lamps in the set are polarized (if one does not light up, then you need to dismantle the second, unfold and reconnect).

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	6
Manufacturer country	PRC
Driver	External
Radiator	Is absent
Light flux, Lm	1600
Total power, W	18
Warranty period, months	12 months
Price, rubles	1690

• Soft white light;
• Built-in stabilizer;
• Flanged lamp type.

• The polarity problem could have been solved with trickery, but it is not included in the package.

Plinth H8

OSRAM H8 LED LEDriving FOG LAMP 6000K 12V

This lamp is intended for use in fog lamps only. The model features high reliability and good light diffusion. Color temperature readings are enhanced. It has a high degree of reliability and a long service life.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	2
Manufacturer country	Germany
Driver	External
Radiator	In stock
Light flux, Lm	1350
Total power, W	55
Warranty period, months	12 months
Price, rubles	6000

• Build reliability;
• No polarity;
• Correct price / quality ratio.

• Narrow specialization.

Plinth H9

IPF V303HLB

This model is a veteran of the LED lamp market, produced in Japan since April 2015, and received excellent recommendations. The diode has a simply prohibitive working life - more than 50,000 hours. The sample has a well-formed beam geometry and does NOT blind oncoming drivers.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	2
Manufacturer country	Japan
Driver	External
Radiator	In stock
Light flux, Lm	3600
Total power, W	12
Warranty period, months	18 months
Price, rubles	6000

• Has its own cooling system;
• Extended warranty period directly from the manufacturer;
• Connects to all known OEM connectors.

• There may be minor problems with the detection by the on-board computer of the car (it may be necessary to install ballast).

In base H11

BraveWay H11 9005 9006 Turbo

A clear representative of the Chinese industry with Aliexpress. The model is declared as multifunctional, suitable for both low and high beam. Has an increased light transmission. The declared standard working life is 30,000 hours.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	6
Manufacturer country	China
Driver	External
Radiator	Is absent
Light flux, Lm	12000
Total power, W	12
Warranty period, months	12 months
Price, rubles	2500

• Extremely low cost for advanced features;
• Declared versatility of use (for cars, trucks, motorcycles);
• There is protection against dust and moisture.

• Ballast installation will be required in 15% of cases;
• It is definitely not installed in special cars of the "Volvo" brand;
• In other European cars, you may need to purchase an adapter.

In base HB2

KAFOLEE 9003 HB2 LED headlight 16000LM

Another representative of the Chinese market.It is positioned as a 100% replacement for halogen headlights for both low and high beam, and it claims that the light is 200% brighter and its dispersion is increased by 150%. Full 360 degree illumination angle set.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	2
Manufacturer country	China
Driver	External
Radiator	Is absent
Light flux, Lm	16000
Total power, W	80
Warranty period, months	24 months
Price, rubles	1700

• 2 years warranty;
• Support in Russian (there is even a "hot line");
• Dust and moisture resistant housing.

• The 100% ballast requirement for European cars is honestly declared.

In base HB3

HB3 9005 Dled Sparkle

The construction uses high-power diodes of the latest generation. The case has the most compact design, which is extremely convenient for installation and operation. Built-in overheating protection eliminates the need for external coolers. There is a possibility of additional focusing of the light beam.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	2
Manufacturer country	Russia
Driver	External
Radiator	In stock
Light flux, Lm	13000
Total power, W	12
Warranty period, months	12 months
Price, rubles	3450

• Has an adjustable stand;
• Has its own moisture protection;
• The design uses ultra bright LEDs.

• Not found.

In base HB4

Solarzen HB4-38s35 kit (LG concern)

The latest version of this model is used for use in fog lights. The light bulb uses 38 LEDs, the body is made of a single piece of aluminum, the power consumption of the sample is reduced by 8 times. The model is presented in a presentable packaging, it can be a good gift for a knowledgeable specialist.

Name	Index
Number of LEDs, pcs	38
Manufacturer country	South Korea
Driver	External
Radiator	In stock
Light flux, Lm	900 (each diode)
Total power, W	13.5
Warranty period, months	12 months
Price, rubles	2400

• Relatively low price for such powerful equipment;
• Simple and intuitive installation (no adapters required);
• It is universal for both foreign cars and domestic cars.

• There is no voltage regulator.

Instead of an epilogue

The analysis of the market showed that the majority of Russian car enthusiasts prefer to buy LED lamps of exactly Western production. Indeed, even in spite of their overpriced, one can be more than confident in a Western product than in an Asian one. Moreover, you should not buy very cheap fakes from online platforms of consumer goods, for example, from AliExpress.

The world-famous Philips company receives the most praise for this product category from Russian users. Their light bulbs are made using the highest quality components and, in general, they were one of the first in the world to use this technology and supply similar goods to retail.

In addition, the majority of consumers note the fact that in Chinese online stores the product has overstated technical characteristics, while domestic or Western sites do not sin this, providing real information. Thus, we can draw a certain conclusion that when buying LED lamps, focusing solely on the price is by no means the best option. It is better to opt for a well-known brand.