6 Best Light Bulbs For Bathrooms In 2023
Choosing suitable bathroom light bulbs can make a big difference in creating the perfect ambiance. We understand how important lighting is, from a bright and energizing start to your day to a relaxing and soothing atmosphere for unwinding at night. We’re here to share some of the best light bulbs for bathrooms. Whether you’re looking for vanity lighting or simple bathroom bulbs, we aim to help you! We’ll cover energy-efficient LED lights that provide excellent light and save you cash on your electricity bills, warm white CFLs for a gentle glow that will compete with natural light, and halogen bulbs for bright light without heat. We’ll also give you some tips on where to install these different types of lights in your bathroom for maximum benefits. Are you caught up with the bathroom lighting rules? Let’s get started! I
This blog post will provide the finest light bulb options for your bathroom. We’ll discuss energy-efficient LED bulbs that provide ample illumination while being energy efficient, warm white CFLs that emit a soft glow, and halogen bulbs that offer bright white light with minimal heat output. Furthermore, we’ll advise you on the best places to install these different types of lighting fixtures in your bathroom to ensure that they provide you with maximum benefits. So, let’s begin!
What Are the Best Light Bulbs for Your Bathroom?
1. GE Reveal LED A19 Light Bulb
Best Overall
Are you searching for the perfect lighting to make your bathroom look its best? Look no further than the GE LED Reveal Light Bulb! With its clear, white light that imitates natural daylight and a CRI score of 90 or more, this bulb offers excellent color contrast without any yellow overtones. Trust us; everything under this light output will look true to life, perfecting all your beauty and grooming needs with vanity bulbs.
At 650 lumens, this bulb is bright enough to light up your bathroom, but it’s also dimmable, so you can adjust the brightness to fit your mood. While the dimmable feature isn’t always perfectly smooth, the bulb’s energy-efficient design makes it a favorite among users. It only uses 9 watts of power to provide the same amount of light as a 60-watt bulb, and best of all, it can last up to 13 years!
It is a durable and energy-efficient option, and the bulb also boasts a timeless shape that will look great in any bathroom. And with two in a pack, you’ll never have to worry about running out of light. Don’t settle for poor bathroom lighting – upgrade to the GE LED Reveal Light Bulb today! In our opinion, GE makes the best light bulbs.
Pricing
Key Benefits
- Dimmable
- CRI (color rendering index) score of 90+
Pros
- Top-of-the-line quality
- Energy Efficient
- Great Contrast
Cons
- You might never notice advertised HD features
2. Ecosmart A19 Non-Dimmable
Most Affordable (Energy Efficient)
Are you looking to give your bathroom a fresh new vibe? Look no further than these EcoSmart A19 Non-Dimmable LEDs! They’re an affordable option that will save you energy, emitting the same amount of light as 60-watt incandescent lights while only consuming 9.5 watts as multiple bulbs. Plus, with 840 lumens of brightness, they’re even brighter than our top-rated pick. If you prefer a bright, pure bulb to emit light for your bathroom, these LEDs in a fantastic daylight color could be just what you’re looking for. But if you’re after a cozier atmosphere, consider other options. I hope that eight are enough light bulbs.
Remember that these EcoSmart bulbs have a shorter lifespan of 11,000 hours than other LED bulbs. However, they’re still an unbeatable value with their crisp, clear light, perfect for any task where color accuracy is essential. So go ahead and upgrade your bathroom’s lighting with these fantastic LEDs!
Pricing
Key Benefits
- Come in packs of eight
- 840 lumens of brightness
Pros
- Good quality lighting
Cons
- Shorter lifespan compared to the competition by about half at 11,000 hours
- It could be too bright
3. TP-Link A19 Kasa Smart
Best Smart Light Bulb
If you want to adjust the lighting in your bathroom (or any room in your home!), a smart light bulb is a great option. Kasa’s 60-watt-equivalent bulb is super customizable, allowing you to set the perfect color spectrum for your mood or activities with crystal-clear light. It’s perfect for powder rooms! Whether enjoying a relaxing bubble bath or getting ready for the day, this bulb has got you covered.
To start with the app controls, ensure you have a good Wi-Fi connection and go through a quick setup process. One of the best things about the Kasa Smart Light Bulb is that it’s straightforward, even if you’re new to smart home tech. You don’t need additional hubs or equipment to get it up and running! And if you have Amazon Alexa or Google Home, you can even use voice commands to control your lights. With up to 800 lumens of brightness, this bulb is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to add smart lighting to their home.
Pricing
Key Benefits
- 800 lumens of brightness
Pros
- Great brightness range
- No Hub required
Cons
- Wi-Fi connection required
- Need to setup the app
4. Philips G25 Halogen Clear Decorative
Best For Vanities
If you want a light bulb that can give you a clear and unobstructed view while applying makeup in your bathroom, you might want to check out Philips G25 Halogen bulbs. These bulbs have a globe-like shape that emits a bright, clear light that’s perfect for doing your makeup or shaving. With a soft white glow, the three-pack of bulbs emit 790 lumens each, using 40 watts of energy. Although less long-lasting than LED bulbs, they’re still dimmable and perform excellently. These warm bulbs can last for almost three years and don’t have any product or brand information stamped on them, so they’re perfect for all light fixtures, especially bathroom vanities.
Pricing
Key Benefits
- 790 lumens
- Dimmable
Pros
- Soft white glow for shaving or applying makeup
- Sleek design because there’s no branding on the bulb
Cons
- Not as energy-efficient
5. Feit Electric A19 Bright White Dimmable
Best Dimmable
These LED bulbs from Feit Electric are an excellent option for dimmable bathroom light bulbs. At full power, they offer 800 lumens and are on par with a 60-watt light bulb while only using 8.8 watts of energy. The daylight bulbs have a CRI of 90+, ensuring that colors appear realistic and vibrant. When used with a dimmer switch, these dimmable bulbs have full-range dimming capabilities while producing even light distribution. Plus, there’s no annoying flickering or audible buzzing, as some do because of the light intensity.
In addition, these bulbs are RoHS-compliant and 100 percent mercury-free. They also comply with Title 20 of the California Energy Commission. However, there’s writing on these light bulbs, which means they may not be the best option for decorative lighting. On the plus side, you can expect years of reliable use, as the average life is 25,000 hours of use or about 22 years.
Pricing
Key Benefits
- 800 lumens
- CRI of 90+
Pros
- Bright lighting that’s perfect for bathroom
Cons
- Lifespan can be way shorter than listed
- Writing on bulb
6. GE Incandescent Light Bulbs, A21
Best CFL Lights
Are you looking for some great light bulbs? Check out this six-pack of Sylvania CFL bulbs! They’re perfect replacements for 60-watt bulbs but use only 13 watts of energy to save money on your electric bill. These bulbs give off a soft white light at 2,700K, perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere, all while saving energy. I would say that they deliver a sunlight-like quality on my favorite days. They’re also super bright, with 850 lumens lasting 10,000 hours. Remember that they’re not dimmable and come in a T2 spiral shape. I would argue that this would be less for vanity lights and more for providing adequate illumination at low energy costs.
Pricing
Price at the time of Publish: $34.06
Key Benefits
- Long lifespan of 10,000 hours
- 850 lumens
Pros
- An excellent middle ground for brightness on the list
Cons
- Can’t dim
What is a lightbulb for the bathroom?
When lighting up a bathroom, a standard lightbulb may not be the best choice due to the unique conditions in this space. High humidity and fluctuating temperatures characterize bathrooms, so you need a lighting solution to withstand these conditions. That’s where bathroom lightbulbs come in. These specialized lightbulbs are designed to offer the right balance of functionality, safety, energy efficiency, and aesthetics.
One of the critical considerations when selecting a bathroom lightbulb is the type of lighting you need. For instance, task lighting is essential for areas around the mirror where grooming tasks are performed. This type of lighting should be bright enough to allow you to see yourself clearly but not so bright that it causes glare or harsh shadows. Ambient lighting, on the other hand, is more suitable for the overall space. This type of lighting provides a soft, diffused light that helps create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.
Apart from the type of lighting, there are other factors that you need to consider when selecting a bathroom lightbulb. For instance, you must ensure the lightbulb is safe to use in a potentially damp environment. It would help if you also considered the energy efficiency of the bulb, as well as its aesthetic qualities. Considering all these factors, you can find the perfect bathroom lightbulb that meets your needs and preferences.
What Is Important When Looking into Light Bulbs for the Bathroom?
Remember a few crucial factors when finding the best light bulbs for your bathroom. First and foremost, the bulb must provide ample illumination. To ensure this, look for bulbs with a high lumens-per-watt ratio, which measures the amount of light produced concerning the energy consumed. Additionally, the color temperature of the bulbs plays a critical role in setting the room’s overall mood. Higher temperature bulbs (measured in Kelvin) emit bluer light and provide more energy, while lower temperature ones create a warmer, more relaxing atmosphere.
Apart from these practical considerations, it’s also essential to select a bulb that complements the style and decor of your bathroom. LED bulbs come in various shapes and sizes, CFLs are available in different colors and wattages, and halogen bulbs come in multiple styles and finishes. It’s worth noting that other bath lighting fixtures require specific bulbs, so check what kind of bulb your institution needs before making a purchase.
Lastly, choosing light bulbs with long lifespans is wise to save on replacement costs over time. LED bulbs, mainly, are known for their durability, with lifespans of up to 25 years. CFLs typically last for 8-10 years, while halogen bulbs have a lifespan of about two years. Following these fundamental considerations, you can confidently choose the best light bulbs for your bathroom.
Buyers Guide: How We Conducted Our Research
When doing our research to find the best product, we determined using these factors:
- Pricing: How much did each product cost?
- Features: What were the best features of each product?
- Negatives: What was missing from each product?
- Support or refund: Do they offer a community, support, or refund policy?
Conclusion/Wrapping Up
When picking light bulbs for your bathroom, it’s essential to consider factors like the lumens-per-watt ratio, color temperature, lifespan, and style. LED lights offer long lifespans of up to 25 years, CFLs last around 8-10 years, and halogens last about two. Your lighting fixtures should be functional and aesthetically pleasing for maximum benefits in terms of illumination and decor. By carefully considering these factors when shopping for light bulbs, you can ensure your bathroom is stylishly lit with the most efficient bulb possible.
Regardless of the type of light bulb you choose, safety is crucial. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow the installation guidelines for your specific light bulb. Also, use bulbs with the correct wattage for your fixture and never exceed the maximum wattage recommended by the manufacturer, as it can be a fire hazard. Finally, consider where you’ll place your bathroom lighting fixtures and install them in areas out of reach from water sources like baths or showers. By following these precautions, you can ensure that your bathroom is safely lit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are CFL lights?
CFL stands for compact fluorescent light bulbs. Here’s what you need to know if you’re looking for more information.
Why use CFL lights?
Did you know that by switching to ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs, households in America can save up to 75% of energy compared to traditional light bulbs? That’s amazing! If every home in the country replaces just one incandescent bulb with a CFL, we could light up to 3 million homes annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to nearly 800,000 cars. Some people worry about the small amount of mercury in CFLs, but the environmental impact is significantly less than the amount saved through energy conservation. It’s a win-win situation!
What is color temperature?
The color temperature of light measures its hue, expressed in Kelvin. It significantly impacts the surrounding colors and the overall ambiance of a space. For a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, it’s best to go for a low-temperature range of 2000K to 3000K, which gives off a warm orange/yellow light. A mid-range of 3100K to 4500K is ideal for general lighting. On the other hand, high temperatures ranging from 4600K to 6500K produce a blue light that is perfect for energizing and boosting productivity. Choosing high CRI bulbs and the right temperature for the desired atmosphere is essential to ensure accurate colors. Lastly, ensuring that your bathroom lights are moisture-sealed is crucial to prevent damage.