Compact fluorescent light bulbs

CFL bulbs are best for most

Comparison reviews are useful in identifying the best compact fluorescent light bulbs for standard medium-base light fixtures. Reviews favor the soft white (2,700K) versions overall. Owners say the light is relaxing and pleasant, much like the warm light from incandescent bulbs. It seems counterintuitive, but reviewers often don't like so-called daylight or bright white bulbs. In The New York Times review of 21 light bulbs, testers preferred soft white versions.

ConsumerReports.org doesn't rank the compact fluorescent light bulbs it tests, but Popular Mechanics gives each light bulb an overall grade as well as ratings for specific factors. Top ranking there goes to the N:Vision Soft White compact fluorescent light bulb (*Est. $6 for four), with top scores for reading use, perceived brightness and the natural way faces look in the light. Grist.org likes the quality of the light for reading and how the light shines through a lamp shade, definitely preferring the soft white version to the cooler bright white. The New York Times review panel describes the N:Vision Soft White as "a warm pleasant light." Lastly, in one long-term test, seven of nine of the tested bulbs are still going strong after 10,300 hours -- longer than the 10,000 hours of bulb life claimed by the manufacturer.

The N:Vision Soft White light bulb has two other advantages. It's spiral is smaller than many, so it fits most light fixtures without getting in the way of the lamp's shade. It also carries a nine-year warranty with an outstanding fulfillment policy: Replacements for defective light bulbs are sent after a phone call to a toll-free number. Many CFL bulbs contain up to 5 milligrams of mercury. The N:Vision bulbs use less, between 2.5 and 3.5 milligrams per bulb.

Popular Mechanics likes the MaxLite MicroMax (*Est. $2 to $3). However, it's not as good for reading, and testers there find that faces don't look quite as attractive under this light. Another MaxLite product, the SpiraMax (*Est. $6 each), was rated favorably by The New York Times panel. Both the MicroMax and SpiraMax bulbs will fit in a standard socket. Though rated for 10,000 hours like the Philips and N:Vision bulbs, the MaxLite bulbs carry only a one-year guarantee.

Prices for compact fluorescent light bulbs can vary a lot, depending on the retailer and on special deals or even giveaways. Store-brand CFL bulbs are also popping up, and these are usually inexpensive. Reviews suggest starting with soft white or warm white compact fluorescent light bulbs that carry Energy Star certification.

Low-mercury CFL bulbs

The most recent Energy Star standards permit a compact fluorescent light bulb to contain up to 5 milligrams of mercury (still a tiny fraction of the mercury in many thermometers). We found information about several low-mercury compact fluorescent light bulbs that contain half that amount or even less. Low-mercury fluorescents minimize the health risks from broken bulbs. With increased pressure on the CFL industry due to the phasing out of incandescent bulbs and increased competition from LEDs and halogens, it's likely that we'll see more CFL brands reducing the mercury content. The N:Vision Soft White light bulbs contain 2.5 to 3.5 milligrams of mercury.

Litetronics makes two brands of low-mercury compact fluorescent light bulbs that limit mercury content to 1 milligram and use lead-free glass and solder. Owners praise Litetronics for packaging light bulbs in cardboard for recycling. (We confirmed this with a phone call to the company.) The Litetronics Neolite Ultra Low Mercury T2 light bulb (*Est. $4 each) is also on the small side. This is true even for a 23-watt, 1,660-lumen, 82 CRI compact fluorescent that can replace a 100-watt incandescent bulb. One owner-written review at Amazon.com gives it a perfect five-star rating, partly because it's "truly compact" and fits most light fixtures. The Neolite T2 bulbs come in various wattages and in three color temperatures: warm white (2,700K), cool white (4,100K) and full spectrum (5,000K).

Designed for the most environmentally conscious consumers, the EarthMate compact fluorescent light bulbs (also made by Litetronics) use 100 percent post-consumer-waste cardboard and soy-based ink in the packaging. The light bulbs come in two color temperatures: soft white and full spectrum. The EarthMate Super-Mini light bulbs (*Est. $20 for six) also claim to limit mercury to 1 milligram, but we didn't find any reviews of these.

Feit makes the least expensive low-mercury CFL -- the 13-watt Ecobulb Plus (*Est. $8 for two), which is designed to replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb. But at 2.5 milligrams, the mercury content is a bit higher than that of the Neolite T2 and EarthMate Super-Mini light bulbs. The Ecobulb Plus has a longer warranty (nine years compared with seven for Litetronics bulbs) but the same 10,000-hour rating. In one long-term test, the Feit Ecobulb lights were going strong -- all 10 of the test samples were still working after 5,300 hours.

Other brands are beginning to adopt the lower mercury standards. The Sylvania Micro Mini Twist CFL (*Est. $10 for two) contains only 1.5 milligrams, and most other brands have been boasting lower mercury content. A review on the Five Percent blog, discussing the various concerns with CFLs, addresses the mercury issue, stating that a broken CFL bulb would expose a person to approximately the same amount of mercury as two cans of tuna. Most areas are now recognizing the more widespread use of CFLs and are providing recycling opportunities to safely dispose of used bulbs. Most Home Depot locations accept unbroken CFL bulbs for recycling, even if you didn't buy them there.