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Bright headlights are an essential (and legally required) tool for driving at night and effectively illuminating wildlife, debris and oncoming traffic, as well as navigating in inclement weather and storms. With LED headlights on your vehicle, you can ensure that the road ahead is well lit. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) heavily includes headlights in their safety ratings.
There are three types of headlights. Halogens are the basic system (the headlight reflects light onto a mirror behind the bulb) and are standard on most vehicles. The color is warmer, yellower and less luminous than blue or white light. The lifespan is close to 1000 hours, so they need to be replaced more often, but they are relatively inexpensive.
High Intensity Discharge lamps, or HID lamps, have beams of white light that are more spread out and last longer than halogens, but they are expensive and less durable. These emit a gas to create lighting.
The third style is LED, which stands for Light Emitting Diode. The LED headlights are bright white and greatly improve visibility at night. They are the most efficient, operate at the lowest temperatures, and typically last 20,000 hours or 2.3 years. LEDs are also the most expensive option. For cars not equipped with LED lights or for older vehicles, there are aftermarket conversions that require careful installation and adjustment to ensure there are no reflections on oncoming traffic.
Here are some of the best do-it-yourself LED headlights specifically aimed at LED high and low beams and fog lights for a variety of vehicles and price points.
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- H11/H9/H8 LED headlight bulbs: Better budget performance for headlights or fog lights
- HONCS H11/H8/H9 LED headlight bulbs: The best budget option for low beam
- Aukee LED headlight bulbs: Best LED Fog Light
- Bombilla LED BEAMTECH H13: In general, better LED headlights
featured products
To perceive
BLACK ANZO LED HEADLIGHTS
in the real truck
- Ready-to-use wiring
- Brighter than factory halogen bulbs.
- Well defined beam patterns
- Impact resistant casing
- 1 year warranty
RIGID INDUSTRY LED HEADLIGHTS
in the real truck
- 2 different sizes 7" and 5" x 7"
- Hard-coated, impact-resistant polycarbonate lens
- 12-24 volts
- DOT and TC compliant
- 3 years limited warranty
ANZO CHROME LED HEADLIGHTS
in the real truck
- No drilling, cutting or special tools required
- clear lenses
- Impact resistant casing
- Ready-to-use wiring
- 1 year limited warranty
editorial tips
Best budget performance ratio for headlights or fog lights
why did we choose it
These white LED bulbs deliver powerful power: 60 watts and 10,000 lumens per kit. The standard headlamp has a laser-focused 1.2mm beam that allows the light to travel farther (200 meters) than standard halogen. They also have a super white color temperature of 6500K. These bulbs work as headlights (dipped or high beam) or fog lights as long as the size fits: H11, H8 or H9. A hollow sculpted heatsink and 12,000 rpm turbofan are integrated into the design for efficient cooling.
for and against
- easy installation
- Impresses in all weather and light conditions.
- Works with most vehicles as headlights (high/low) or fog lights
- Some models may require an additional decoder
- Excessive lifespan (almost six years)
- Considered too bright by some oncoming drivers
Best budget option for low beam
Best budget option for low beam
why did we choose it
While one of the more affordable options, these bright, clear headlamps have a whiteness of 6,000K to 6,500K. The cone of light pattern extends throughout the headlights along the road ahead of the vehicle. The design is fanless to ensure long service life and eliminate noise. Instead, the headlamps have an aluminum heatsink for cooling. Water resistance is IP67: at least 30 minutes of operation when immersed in 5.9 inches to 3 feet of water depth. These lights are 50 watts.
for and against
- Cool light distribution for the safety of oncoming drivers
- Compatible with a variety of vehicles.
- Easy installation and the kit comes with a pair of white gloves.
- Recommended for low beam only
- Not the most durable - be careful when installing
- May be felt by some to be too dark
why did we choose it
These 50 watt bulbs provide 10,000 lumens per pair. The design's high-speed fan dissipates heat from the LED chips and is inaudible. 6000K headlights produce bright, cool white. These headlights have the highest waterproof rating available - IP68, which means the device can withstand pressure for a long time and these headlights can withstand storms. The setup also includes an aluminum adapter for the H7 LED bulb to fit into the headlamp housing.
for and against
- Fits most original dust covers.
- Resistant to rain and snowstorms
- Built-in Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) to prevent radio interference
- Does not integrate with all vehicle headlight brackets; Drivers may need to make a separate purchase
- Only compatible with H7 headlamp size
- A little awkward to mount on some vehicles.
Best overall LED headlights
Best overall LED headlights
why did we choose it
These 50 watt bulbs provide 10,000 lumens per pair. The design's high-speed fan dissipates heat from the LED chips and is inaudible. 6000K headlights produce bright, cool white. These headlights have the highest waterproof rating available - IP68, which means the device can withstand pressure for a long time and these headlights can withstand storms. The setup also includes an aluminum adapter for the H7 LED bulb to fit into the headlamp housing.
for and against
- Those bright white lights don't look blue.
- No fan noise when vehicle is started
- easy installation
- You can hear the headlight fans running (less than a minute) with the engine off
- Some configurations require cable ties to secure the plug adapter to the wire harness
- Adjustment may need to be done after installation to achieve maximum brightness
featured products
To perceive
BLACK ANZO LED HEADLIGHTS
in the real truck
- Ready-to-use wiring
- Brighter than factory halogen bulbs.
- Well defined beam patterns
- Impact resistant casing
- 1 year warranty
RIGID INDUSTRY LED HEADLIGHTS
in the real truck
- 2 different sizes 7" and 5" x 7"
- Hard-coated, impact-resistant polycarbonate lens
- 12-24 volts
- DOT and TC compliant
- 3 years limited warranty
ANZO CHROME LED HEADLIGHTS
in the real truck
- No drilling, cutting or special tools required
- clear lenses
- Impact resistant casing
- Ready-to-use wiring
- 1 year limited warranty
methodology
There are three main headlight options (halogen, HID, gas discharge and LED), with LED (light emitting diode) being the most durable. Therefore, we specifically focus on LED headlights for high beam, low beam and fog light for a wide range of vehicles and price ranges. We've taken a look at the top-rated and most popular low beam, high beam and fog light assemblies. We ranked LED headlamp models on ease of use and installation, brightness and light output, durability, and light color. We consider overall compatibility with a wide range of vehicles and a price point for both budget and high-end options. We also looked at a wide range of end-user reviews.
We rank all LED headlamps against these weighted metrics:
- Preis (25%)
- Manufacturer's reputation (15%)
- Durability (15%)
- Perceived brightness and clarity (15%)
- Easy installation (10%)
- Color options (5%)
- Vehicle compatibility (5%)
- Style (5%)
- Guarantee/Right of return (5%)
common questions
What are the brightest LED headlights on the market?
The brightest LED headlights on the market typically provide 5,000 to 6,000 lumens per bulb, or 10,000 to 12,000 lumens total for a pair.
How to choose LED headlights?
When choosing LED headlights, consider color preference. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). The lower the rating, the warmer and more yellowish the white light. The higher the number, the cooler or bluer the white light. Many LED headlights have 6000K or 6500K, which is about the same as daylight. Use your car's owner's manual or current bulb to determine the headlight size you need. Confirm the manufacturer's recommended use (fog, low beam or high beam) before purchase.
Which is brighter: 6000K or 8000K?
None is brighter. The Kelvin (K) scale classifies light as color temperature, not brightness. Both 6000K and 8000K are bright, but their hue is different. The headlights on 6000K cars are a shade whiter; 8000K headlights have a more blue tint.
Are 8000K LED headlights legal?
Find out about the motor vehicle laws in the state or states in which you drive. For example, in the state of Colorado, it is illegal to put green, blue, and red headlights on a civilian motor vehicle. LED headlights rated at 8000K have a blue tint.
Which is brighter: LED or HID?
HID headlights are brighter and cover a larger area than LED headlights. HIDs are the brightest option on the market. However, the lifespan of HIDs is only a quarter of that of LED headlights and they are not as durable.
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Emily Pruitt contributor
I've been writing about automobiles for a year now, from electric and hybrid cars to fully autonomous vehicles. My introduction to all things automotive started at a young age, surrounded by Detroit gears, but also when I read about Nancy Drew's blue convertible Mustang, now my dream car.
Sascha Lekach Deputy Editor-in-Chief
A native of San Francisco, Sasha Lekach started covering the latest news in the Bay Area. Prior to joining Forbes Wheels, she was a transportation reporter for Mashable, covering electric and autonomous vehicles. With a master's degree in journalism from UC Berkeley and a BA from UC Davis, she is as obsessed with California as she is with the news. You can usually find her reading, browsing, eating and traveling, or on Twitter at @sashajol.
FAQs
What is the brightest LED headlight on the market? ›
As the brightest LED headlights on our list, the Hikari Ultra LED headlights (US$89.99, Amazon) have 18,000 lumens in a set and a very long luminosity range, but for a light that is almost as bright and at a great value, the Fahren LED headlight bulbs (US$45.99, Amazon) are also an excellent option.
What LED headlights should I get? ›Lumens. The higher the lumen count, the higher the brightness intensity. The best LED headlights generally come in the 6,000- to 10,000-lumen range, with 6,000 to 6,400 classified as low intensity, 8,000 lumens classified as medium intensity, and 10,000 lumens classified as high intensity.
What are the brightest headlights on the market? ›Xenon headlights are probably the brightest bulbs you can get for your car that are actually street legal and can, in fact, often be confused for high-beam lights.
What color LED headlight is best? ›White light is preferred for many reasons. A whiter light mimics the appearance of sunlight and improves visibility. Additionally, the filters used to create selective yellow light dim the brightness of headlights. White light is unfiltered, making it brighter.
Are expensive LED headlights worth it? ›The short answer is yes. As with many products, you get what you pay for when it comes to LED lighting. The difference in quality can be quite noticeable. An initial investment for high quality LED lights can actually cost less in the long run when you factor in maintenance, light quality and energy savings.