Not sure whether LED or CFL is right for you? My CFL vs LED comparison breaks down the differences. Once you've chosen your bulb type, you'll want to match it with the right color temperature and brightness level for each room.
This article is part of my complete guide to LED Bulbs — check it out for the full overview and related comparisons.
Why I Switched Every Bulb in My House to LED (And You Should Too)
I replaced the last incandescent bulb in my house in 2022. A 60W-equivalent LED costs about $1.50 per year to run. The incandescent it replaced cost $7.20. Over 10 bulbs running 6 hours a day, that's $570 per year in savings. LEDs last 25,000 hours — that's 11 years at 6 hours a day. Incandescents die at 1,000 hours. I've had the same LEDs in my kitchen since 2019. Every single one still works. The math is simple: LEDs cost more upfront ($3-8 vs $1 for incandescent), but you save $50+ per bulb over its lifetime.
What Do Lumens, Kelvin, and CRI Mean on an LED Package?
Three numbers matter. Lumens = brightness. A 60W-equivalent LED is 800 lumens. 75W = 1100 lumens. 100W = 1600 lumens. Stop thinking in watts — think in lumens. Kelvin = color temperature. 2700K is warm yellow (living rooms, bedrooms). 3000K is soft white (kitchens, bathrooms). 4000K is neutral (offices, garages). 5000K is daylight (workshops, reading). I keep 2700K in bedrooms and 4000K in my office — the difference in sleep quality was noticeable within a week. CRI = color accuracy. 80+ is standard. 90+ is good. 95+ is excellent for photography or makeup. Most LED packages list CRI on the back. Don't buy below 80.
Which LED Bulb Shapes Should You Use for Different Fixtures?
A19 (standard) — fits most table lamps and open fixtures. BR30 (flood) — for recessed cans. PAR38 (outdoor flood) — for security lights and landscape. G25 (globe) — for bathroom vanity and pendant lights. GU10 (spotlight track) — for track lighting. B11 (candelabra) — for chandeliers and decorative fixtures. I keep a box of each shape in my garage. Every time I need a bulb, I match the shape first, then the base size (E26 medium is US standard, E12 is candelabra). Using the wrong shape in a recessed can causes overheating. I've seen BR30s in A19 fixtures melt the trim.
Dimming LEDs: Why Some Buzz and Flicker (And How to Fix It)
Standard incandescent dimmers don't work with LEDs. I learned this the hard way when my dining room lights buzzed like a beehive. LEDs need compatible dimmers — Lutron or Leviton models specifically labeled “LED compatible.” A standard dimmer designed for 600W incandescent loads can't handle the low wattage of LEDs. Your 4-bulb chandelier with 40W incandescents draws 160W. Replace with 8W LEDs and it draws 32W — below the dimmer's minimum load. The fix costs $15-25 for a new dimmer. I replaced all five dimmers in my house. No buzzing since.
Can You Use Outdoor LEDs Inside? (And Vice Versa)
Yes, but only one direction. Outdoor LEDs are sealed against moisture and can be used indoors. Indoor LEDs cannot be used in outdoor fixtures — they lack the gaskets and corrosion resistance. I use PAR38 outdoor LEDs in my covered porch (not fully exposed) without issues. For fully exposed outdoor fixtures, buy Wet Location rated bulbs. They cost about $2-3 more per bulb, but they won't die in 6 months from humidity.
What's the Best LED Bulb Brand?
I've tested Philips, GE, Cree, Sylvania, and Feit over the last five years. Philips consistently has the best color consistency — I bought six Philips 60W-equivalent warm LEDs and all six were exactly the same color. GE is close but tends toward slightly green at lower dimming levels. Cree is excellent for brightness but harder to find. Sylvania is good value. Feit is the cheapest and it shows — two Feit bulbs died within a year. My recommendation: Philips for living areas where color matters, Sylvania for closets and laundry rooms, Cree for workshops where brightness is priority.
References
- Energy.gov LED Lighting Guide — DOE's official LED efficiency data and buying recommendations.
- Lutron LED Dimmer Compatibility Guide — Official compatibility charts for LED dimming.
