Compact fluorescent light bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs

With these caveats in mind, the comparison reviews are useful in identifying the best compact fluorescent light bulbs for standard medium-base light fixtures. Reviews rank two brands at the top: N:Vision (made by TCP Inc. for The Home Depot) and Philips (another huge manufacturer of compact fluorescent light bulbs).

Reviews favor the "soft white" (2700K) versions in both brands -- and indeed, over all brands. Owners say the light is relaxing and pleasant, much like the warm light from incandescent bulbs. A few owners say that liking cooler "full spectrum" 5000K compact fluorescent light bulbs is just a matter of getting used to them -- but most owners and testers find it too blue or harsh. Experts say they're not true full spectrum bulbs, either, just giving that appearance by combining specific spikes in the light spectrum. Though both N:Vision and Philips make both spiral and "A-shaped" light bulbs (shaped more like typical incandescent bulbs), reviews say spiral compact fluorescent light bulbs are brighter and more efficient.

Consumer Reports doesn't rank the compact fluorescent light bulbs they test, 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. $7 for four), with top scores for reading use, perceived brightness and the natural way faces look in the light. The Grist magazine review likes the quality of the light for reading and through a lamp shade, definitely preferring the soft white version to the cooler bright white.

The N:Vision Soft White light bulb has two other advantages. It's smaller than many, so it fits most light fixtures. It also carries a nine-year warranty with an outstanding fulfillment policy, sending replacements for defective light bulbs after a phone call to a toll-free number. We talked with an N:Vision representative to check the warranty policy, confirming that most complaints are handled with a quick exchange. This is the best return policy we found -- worth noting since we read many complaints from owners about difficulty getting satisfaction from companies.

The Philips Marathon Soft White compact fluorescent light bulbs (*est. $11 for eight) are less expensive, but take a few seconds longer to warm up to full light. Tests at Popular Mechanics find them dimmer than the N:Vision equivalent -- hence, not as good for reading. (This is typical of compact fluorescent light bulbs shaped more like an incandescent; spiral light bulbs are more efficient.) However, testers there like the appearance of the light, with "a nice warm glow," and several reviews find the bulbs cooler to the touch compared with other brands. The warranty is for seven years.

For judging colors, Popular Mechanics likes the MaxLite MicroMax (*est. $4 to $5) with a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 84. However, it's not as good for reading, and testers there find that faces don't look quite as attractive under this light. 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 wildly, depending on the retailer and on special deals or even giveaways. Bright Effects (sold at Lowe’s), Commercial Electric (sold at The Home Depot), Feit Electric, GE, Osram Sylvania and TCP compact fluorescent light bulbs also do reasonably well in reviews, so you may find that it's well worth trying one of these brands. Reviews suggest starting with "soft white" or "warm white" compact fluorescent light bulbs that carry ENERGY STAR certification.

Reviews also recommend starting slow, trying just a few of one brand till you find what pleases you. Check return policies and procedures, and keep your receipts -- so you can return any compact fluorescent bulb that flickers, hums or buzzes. These are signs of a defective electronic ballast, or of a bulb that uses a magnetic ballast. There's no reason to put up with these annoyances now. You may want to check the electromagnetic field a bulb radiates too -- see the "health concerns" section below.

Low-mercury compact fluorescent light bulbs

The most recent ENERGY STAR standards permit a compact fluorescent light bulb to contain up to 6 mg of mercury (still a tiny fraction of the mercury in most thermometers). We found information about several low-mercury compact fluorescent light bulbs that contain half that amount or even less. When you multiply the number of light bulbs by the billions projected to be bought in the next few years, this can make a big difference in eventual mercury-pollution problems. Low-mercury fluorescents also minimize personal health risks from broken bulbs.

Litetronics makes two brands of low-mercury compact fluorescent light bulbs that limit mercury content to 1 mg and also 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. $4.50) is also on the small side. This is true even for a 23-watt 1660-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 (2700K), cool white (4100K) and full spectrum (5000K).

Designed for the most environmentally-conscious consumers, the EarthMate compact fluorescent light bulbs (also made by Litetronics) use 100 percent post-consumer-waste cardboard packaging. Printing uses only soy-based ink. The light bulbs come in only two color temperatures: soft white and "full spectrum" color temperatures.

Only the EarthMate Super-Mini light bulbs (*est. $4 to $5) claim to limit mercury to 1 mg. However, the series also includes 3-way and dimmable compact fluorescent light bulbs as well as higher 30-watt and 40-watt light bulbs especially good for reading and craft work. The "full-spectrum" light bulbs use five phosphors to represent the light spectrum better, compared with the three phosphors usually used. New in the fall of 2007, EarthMate light bulbs are gradually spreading across the United States in retail outlets, so they may be hard to find for a while.

Feit makes the least expensive low-mercury CFL -- the 13-watt Ecobulb Plus (*est. $10 for four), which is designed to replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb. But, the mercury content is a bit higher than that of the Neolite T2 and EarthMate Super-Mini light bulbs. Still, Feit claims the Ecobulb Plus uses 50 percent less mercury than the industry standard -- so it's probably about 2.5 mg. The Ecobulb Plus has a longer warranty (nine years compared with seven for Litetronics bulbs), but the same 10,000-hour rating.

Philips also makes a low-mercury compact fluorescent light bulb, the Philips ALTO (*est. $12). It's shaped more like a regular incandescent light bulb -- in the "A bulb" shape -- but uses 16 watts to emit just 800 lumens, to replace only a 50- to 60-watt incandescent. So it's not only more expensive than the low-mercury light bulbs discussed above, but less efficient as well. However, Philips ALTO bulbs also come in wider globes, useful for vanities and decorative use.

Odor-eliminating compact fluorescent light bulbs

We found several reviews confirming the efficacy of the odor-eliminating TCP Inc. Fresh2 compact fluorescent (*est. $20 for two). These light bulbs use a titanium dioxide coating that's activated when the fluorescent light is on, producing oxidizers that break down odors. It takes about ten minutes for the light bulb to start eliminating odors, and about five hours for strong odors to be eliminated. So the light needs to be on much of the time.

Although initially skeptical, reviewers say the Fresh2 light bulbs are useful for bathrooms, basements, kennels and rooms with cat litter boxes. Independent laboratory tests show that the odor-eliminating effect lasts about two years, though the light bulbs themselves are rated for 10,000 hours or nine years -- typical for a compact fluorescent light bulb. The 23-watt bulbs can replace a 100-watt incandescent.

The Fresh2 light bulbs carry an excellent 90-day return policy, with return shipping paid if you're not satisfied. The total warranty isn't as good, however. The light bulbs are rated for 10,000 hours or nine years-- typical for compact fluorescent light bulbs -- but warrantied for only one. After the 90-day trial period, the owner has to pay shipping to return defective light bulbs.

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