Introduction
The headlights on any car are one of the most crucial parts of vehicle safety. They provide the necessary visibility during night drives or rough weather conditions. They are, quite literally, your light in the dark!
As vehicle usage has increased, headlight options have also increased. Two of the most popular ones are LED technology and halogen bulbs. At the same time, halogen bulbs have been with us since the first vehicle was built, maybe even before that, LEDs have gained traction for their numerous benefits. Need to figure out which one is best for you? We’ve got you covered!
Read on to learn the differences between these two types of headlights and their pros and cons. If you’re still stuck, there’s a section to help determine which is best for your vehicle.
What are Halogen Headlights?
Halogen headlights are made of a quartz glass capsule. Inside this capsule is a tungsten wire and halogen gas. The wire is connected to the main electricity supply. An electric current flows through it, and it heats up. This heat causes it to emit light. The halogen gas is commonly bromine or iodine. It prevents the tungsten from wearing out too quickly, increasing the bulb’s lifespan.
What are the Pros and Cons of Halogen Headlights?
One of the main benefits of halogen headlights is that they’re widely available and extremely affordable. One halogen bulb costs around $10 to $20, and you can find them at any hardware store without much difficulty. The installation costs for them are also low.
This is also due to how easy they are to replace. Their design is simple. They can be replaced without any specialized knowledge or tools. If you’re handy enough, you can do it at home!
And since halogen bulbs have been around forever, they’ve been the standard for a long while. This means that halogen bulbs are compatible with most vehicles on the market. Whatever car you have, a halogen bulb is suitable.
Of course, there are certain drawbacks to halogen headlights. The first is that they are less energy-efficient. Halogen bulbs generate huge amounts of heat- if you touch one after it’s been turned off, the surface is still hot. But this does mean that they lose a lot of energy while running.
The tungsten filament inside burns out quickly. While the halogen gas prevents an immediate burn-out, the headlights still wear out from usage. The lifespans of halogen headlights are quite short, typically around 700 hours.
They function just as well; however, halogen headlights have limited brightness. In certain driving conditions, this can reduce visibility and safety. You do not want restrained visibility when driving.
What are LED Headlights?
An LED is a light-emitting diode. It has semiconductor diodes inside, which conduct electricity in one direction and block it in the other. An electrical current passes through, making it light up. Unlike halogen bulbs, LED lights provide light in one specific direction. This technology is being adopted in most modern vehicles. Let’s consider why.
What are the Pros and Cons of LED Headlights?
LEDs are more energy-efficient, as they consume a lot less electricity. All of the power is immediately converted into light. It isn’t wasted as heat that is lost to the environment. So they’re a lot more eco-friendly and healthier for your vehicle’s electrical system.
Since they don’t consume as much energy, LED lights don’t burn out as quickly. They also have a longer lifespan, around 15,000 to 30,000 hours!
They run just as bright though, and this is especially beneficial while driving in bad conditions such as foggy weather. However, this brightness also means that they have the potential to cause glare for other drivers. This can blind them and be hazardous.
Further, LED headlights are a lot more expensive up front, anywhere from $50 to $200, or even above. Replacement can also cost more, since additional units may be required. This might be because most manufacturers use sealed units, so the entire assembly has to be replaced instead of just the light.
This doesn’t change the fact that LEDs are incredibly versatile. They can come in many different shapes and sizes, and you can choose from many designs. LED lights also offer a more sleek, polished look.
Recent advancements have also indicated that the control is much more nuanced now. You can turn off specific lights instead of the whole unit!
LED Headlights and Halogen Headlights; a Comparison
There are several factors to be considered when evaluating LEDs and halogens:
- Brightness and Visibility: Halogen bulbs provide moderate brightness. Their light is also tinted yellow, which can feel a bit drowsy. In comparison, LEDs are a lot brighter and produce whiter light. This gives better illumination and less strain on the driver’s eyes.
- Energy Efficiency: The use of energy is incredibly important. Halogen bulbs consume a lot of energy, half wasted through heat. LED lights consume less electricity but function just as well, if not better. This is crucial for electric vehicles, where every single watt counts.
- Lifespan: LED headlights burn out less quickly than their halogen counterparts. Their lifespans are 10 times greater than that of halogen headlights! You won’t have to worry about them suddenly giving out.
- Cost: Halogens are inexpensive. They’re even simpler to replace, which reduces the additional costs, unlike LEDs, which have high upfront costs. They may even rack up additional bills during the replacement process.
- Heat: Too much heat can damage surrounding components and even the environment. Halogens burn extremely hot, risking an injury if you touch them accidentally. LEDs run cooler.
- Ease of Installation/Replacement: Halogen bulbs are the simplest to replace since they’re compatible with almost every vehicle. LED headlights may require specialized equipment or other parts, complicating the process.
Can You Replace Halogen Headlights with LED?
Yes! It’s possible to replace halogen headlights with LED ones. But the process may require some tweaks. Here are some things to consider:
- Compatibility: Make sure that the LED bulbs are compatible with your vehicle. Check the headlight housing and electrical systems especially.
- Installation: LED bulbs often come with kits to facilitate installation or replacement. To simplify the process, these kits can include adapters, resistors, and heat sinks. However, for optimal performance, we recommend checking with a professional mechanic.
- Traffic Laws: In certain regions, retrofitting LED bulbs into halogen headlights is against the law. Check with your local regulations.
Which is The Better Choice- Halogen or LED?
What a complicated question! The answer depends on your preferences and needs. We’ve provided a detailed summary to help you decide.
When to Opt For Halogen Headlights
- Budget-Friendliness: Halogen bulbs are best for cost-conscious drivers or when your budget is limited.
- Simplicity: Halogen headlights are easy to replace and widely available. They’re great for when you don’t want to deal with the hassle of a professional garage.
- Moderate Lighting: Halogen bulbs are sufficient if you drive in a well-lit environment, such as an urban area or sprawling city.
When to Opt For LED Headlights
- Superior Visibility: If you drive frequently in darker areas, like rural areas or areas with bad weather, the high brightness of LEDs will improve your safety on the road.
- Long-Term Value: The long lifespan of LEDs provides a good balance with the high upfront costs. This saves you the worry of your headlights being given out and frequent replacement.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Drivers who want a modern look or customizable vehicle designs should choose LEDs.
Conclusion
Both LEDs and halogen come with their strengths and weaknesses. While halogen bulbs are easily available, LEDs stand out for their exceptional efficiency. Grasping the differences between these two will help you drive safely. Of course, it all depends on your driving needs and vehicle requirements. Whichever one you opt for, proper maintenance is vital for good performance and safety.