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If you are considering replacing halogen lamps with LED substitutes, then this is a personal review of some of the many LED spot lights that I have tested (and in most cases still quite happily use). To buy any of the products featured here, or if you’re simply interested in further unbiased, genuine customer reviews and all the latest prices then just click on the photographs or product names.
The links lead to the same place I bought all mine, namely Amazon who offer not only good quality LED bulbs but invariably also the absolutely best prices available anywhere and of course their legendary returns policy.
If you’re interested instead in non-spotlight, regular shape LED light bulbs than click any of these links for similar reviews of those types:
Comparison of Halogen and Various LED Bulbs
By way of introduction, this composite photograph shows 4 different GU10 spotlights as follows:
- (top left) 50W halogen lamp with a 40° beam angle
- (top right) 6W Auraglow LED 30°
- (bottom left) 9W Dimmable LED 60°
- ( bottom right) 6W Edison LED 45°
So let us first dismiss all claims that LED lamps cannot match a standard 50W halogen lamp while using a fraction of the power. As you can see, they can variously come extremely close, completely outshine them and be not quite there but probably close enough (and certainly well above a conventional 35W lamp).
What also comes across quite clearly is the effect that beam angle has. If the 9W LED deployed a narrower beam it would look like it was burning a hole in the wall, but with 60° it creates a decent amount of ambient light as well as reasonably tight light pool as one would expect from a spot light. Another point to consider is that by stepping up to 9W the savings in running costs are obviously not as dramatic as with 6W. Also, to be honest, 9 watts of LED is almost too bright for many domestic situations. But lighting is entirely subjective, so each to their own on that score.
The three LEDs shown in this first photograph are all the “high power” type that use a cluster of three separate LEDs, but you can also get what are called SMD LEDs that use a large array of smaller LEDs. You can find out loads more with this brief guide to buying LED bulbs, otherwise on with the review…
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Very useful and balanced article thanks. I have started converting to LED throughout the house and appreciate your analysis. When we did a major extension 3 years ago (from 2 bed/2 bathroom bungalow to 6 bedrooms/4 bathrooms) through the architect I made sure we included energy saving/efficiency in the specification – and discussed this with the joiners/electrician who were actually doing the job. Our council were particularly picky about the front door and U ratings etc so I was amazed once the job was finished to find out that we had 34x50W Halogens in the new upstairs!!!
1700 watts to light upstairs – ouch! Not surprised you decided you needed to do something about that. I was in a similar situation a few years back and really did not like my electricity bills one little bit. Going LED made a BIG difference all round.