Light Bulb Review

Comparing types of light bulbs

This report covers light bulbs that fit into medium-base Edison sockets, the type used in most household lamps and fixtures. The emphasis is on energy-saving choices, which is especially important in light of the December 2007 federal energy law that mandates phasing out most incandescent light bulbs by 2012. (Many other countries are phasing them out even earlier.)

Reviews and lighting experts say that energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (also called compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs) are much better now than they were just a few years ago, and most fit standard sockets. Prices are lower, too. New energy-saving halogen lights are also available, and they are a good choice for use with a dimmer switch. Finally, LED light bulbs save the most energy of all, and halogen bulbs are also gaining ground for their pleasing light quality.

Experts say the best compact fluorescent light bulbs use about 75 percent less electricity than incandescent light bulbs that put out the same amount of light. Although fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury (a neurotoxin), they can be safely recycled; experts say that even if fluorescent light bulbs are disposed of improperly, they create less mercury pollution than coal-burning power plants. Newer CFL bulbs are being manufactured with even less mercury: Some models use only 1 milligram, compared with the 5 milligrams that are considered an acceptable standard in the industry.

We found the best reviews of compact fluorescent light bulbs at ConsumerReports.org, The New York Times and Popular Mechanics, which run bulbs through both objective and subjective tests. Consumer Reports compares five major brands and covers several types of bulbs in addition to standard household lighting. This review rates light bulbs for warm-up time and actual brightness in lumens, and it tests their durability for up to 3,000 hours in its initial report. An update a year later reports on how the bulbs are holding up after 5,000 and even 10,000 hours of use.

Consumer Reports doesn't rank the light bulbs or rate their quality of light, but Popular Mechanics does -- and it tests more brands. More than 80 readers weigh in with additional comments on warranty fulfillment and durability. The New York Times uses a panel to rate 21 brands of light bulbs, mainly compact fluorescent and halogen bulbs. The panel rates the bulbs on the major consumer complaints that surround most alternative light bulbs, including whiteness, brightness, buzzing sounds, flickering and run-up time.