Types of Light Bulbs: A Buying Guide

There are four main types of bulbs: Incandescent, halogen, CFL, and LED. In general, LEDs have the best combination of longevity and energy costs. Incandescent and halogen lights are being phased out in place of energy-efficient alternatives. Ever wonder why some bulbs last forever and others seem to burn out in the blink of an eye? Or maybe you’ve switched bulbs in your home and noticed your electric bills are a tad lower than they used to be? Lighting has come a long way since incandescent bulbs dominated the market. Today’s lights are energy-efficient and come in a greater variety, making it easier to find the perfect one for your needs.

Here’s a deep dive into the different types of light bulbs, what situations they’re best for, and how to dispose of them when they finally burn out.

What Are the Different Types of Light Bulbs?

Incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, and compact fluorescent lamps are just a few of the most popular bulb types. Modern bulbs use 25% to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. ^[1] Here’s a closer look at the most popular light bulb types today and how we use them.

Incandescent Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs generally consist of an air-tight glass enclosure with a tungsten wire filament inside, which produces light when an electric current passes through.

Traditional incandescent bulbs aren’t widely used anymore because of how inefficient they are. Many countries have banned or restricted their use. In the U.S., for instance, these bulbs will be phased out by 2028 because the government is setting a higher minimum efficiency standard that these bulbs aren’t capable of meeting. ^[2]

Incandescent bulbs waste around 90% of the energy they use as heat, which means they convert only 10% of that electric power into visible light. ^[3] This wasted energy leads to greenhouse gas emissions, negatively impacting the environment.  

Pros & Cons of Incandescent Bulbs

Pros

• Low upfront costs
• Can be used with dimmers
• Come in a range of sizes, voltages, and wattages

Cons

• Increasingly difficult to find
• Last an average of only one year
• Much more expensive over the long term

Where Are Incandescent Bulbs Best Used?

Incandescent bulbs are mostly used for decoration and low-light situations. You might find them in:

• Decorative light fixtures and table lamps in living rooms
• Candelabras and chandeliers in dining rooms
• Traditional table lamps and nightlights in bedrooms
• Outdoor string lighting

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How Do You Dispose of Incandescent Bulbs?

Incandescent light bulbs are made from nontoxic materials, which means it’s acceptable to dispose of them with your garbage. Although many areas won’t accept them for recycling, some do. Always check for recycling options before tossing them in the trash. When throwing bulbs away, place them inside other materials in case the glass breaks.

2. Halogen Bulbs 

Introduced in 1959, the halogen bulb, an adaptation of the incandescent bulb that uses a tungsten filament, was the first real step toward creating an energy-efficient bulb. ^[4] The bulbs, filled with halogen gas instead of inert gas, last two to three times longer than the standard incandescent light bulb.

Halogen bulbs can produce brighter white light while using less energy than their predecessors. They can be tiny, but they get quite hot.

Pros & Cons of Halogen Bulbs

Pros

• Lower upfront costs than LEDs
• Works with dimmer switches
• Produces a crisp, white light

Cons

• Gets very hot and can cause burns
• Doesn’t last as long as LEDs
• Oils from skin can shorten lifespan
• Decreasing availability in favor of more energy-efficient bulbs

Where Are Halogen Bulbs Best Used?

Halogen bulbs are commonly used in places where compact, bright lights are needed, such as car headlights. You might also see them in:

• Outdoor and indoor floodlights
• Pendant lights
• ​Track lighting
• Projectors
• Heating elements for halogen ovens
• Ellipsoidal reflector spotlights and other studio lighting fixtures

How Do You Dispose of Halogen Bulbs?

Since they use halogen gas to hold their filament, these bulbs are also nontoxic. Just like with incandescent light bulbs, if you’re unable to find a recycling program for your old halogen bulbs, it’s safe to throw them away in the trash. Just remember to put them in something padded in case the glass breaks.

3. Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) have a spiral-shaped bulb and were created to replace incandescent bulbs. It uses minimal electricity and has a softer light.

The first CFLs to hit the market were pricey, subpar in quality, and too big for many light fixtures. Today, they are one of the more energy-efficient, low-cost light bulb types on the market. Compact fluorescent lamps use 25% to 35% of the energy that standard incandescent lamps use, produce a similar amount of light, and last up to 15 times longer (6,000–15,000 hours).

Pros & Cons of CFL Bulbs

Pros

• Available in a variety of colors (warm, cool, daylight)
• High energy efficiency
• Bigger light spread than LEDs

Cons

• Contains Mercury
• Slow warm-up time
• Performs poorly in very cold temperatures

Where Are Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Best Used?

While CFLs don’t typically work with dimmer switches, they are suitable for use in spaces where you frequently read or do projects, making them a commonly used light bulb in the following locations:

• Concealed household fixtures where the lights stay on for extended periods
• Spaces needing a large area of light, such as kitchens and bathrooms
• Offices and hallways that have recessed can lighting
• Reading and table lamps
• Outdoor floodlights

For task lighting, like what you find in garages and under cabinets, a linear fluorescent bulb is a common choice. They are tubular and come in various color temperatures, diameters, lengths, and wattages.

Beautiful vintage luxury light bulb hanging decor glowing in dark. Retro filter effect style.

How Do You Dispose of CFL and Other Fluorescent Bulbs?

Many retail and hardware stores will take back these bulbs, or you can contact your local service provider to ask about their policy. A third option is a mail-back service.  CFLs and other fluorescent light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury vapor, which is a toxic metal that can damage our health, so we need to dispose of them properly for safety reasons. 

You can find out your available options with a quick search on Earth911.com. Keep these bulbs out of the garbage to keep your family and the environment safe from potential mercury leaks.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a complete guide on proper cleanup measures for a broken CFL or fluorescent light bulb. Some of the most important tips include keeping children and pets away, opening windows, and not vacuuming to avoid spreading the mercury vapor into the air.

4. Light-Emitting Diode (LED)  

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LED bulbs are another energy-efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs, except they don’t contain gasses or filaments for lighting. Instead, the current passes through a microchip before illuminating tiny light-emitting diodes. LEDs use at least 80% less electricity than incandescents and last up to 25 times longer. ^[5]

Pros & Cons of LED Bulbs

Pros

• Most energy efficient of all
• Longest lifespan
• Works with newer dimmers
• Available in various colors and temperatures
• Work with smart home systems

Cons

• Higher upfront costs
• May not work with older dimmer switches
• Cheap or poorly designed LEDs can flicker
• Contains trace amounts of arsenic or lead

What Are LEDs Best Used For?

LEDs are great in newer houses and rooms where you might want to control the brightness with a dimmer switch. Here are some additional areas where LEDs shine brightest:

• Garages and outdoor lighting, especially in cold weather
• Recessed lighting and downlight applications
• Under-cabinet fixtures
• Night lights
• Flashlights

How Do You Dispose of LEDs?

There’s no mercury in LED bulbs, although they do contain trace amounts of arsenic and lead. Still, you can follow the same disposal guidelines for incandescent and halogen bulbs, although most LED bulbs are recyclable. This means you can probably lump them in with your other recyclables, but you should give your recycling provider a quick call first to confirm that they accept them. You can also look online for LED light bulb recycling options.

What Are The Most Common Bulb Shapes?

A-series, candle, and spiral bulb shapes are some of the most common. Here is more on these bulbs and other shapes you might see at the store.

• A-Series (A15, A19, A21, A2): Classic lightbulb shape that’s standard in households.
• Globe (G25, G30, G40): Round bulbs generally used to light vanities or decorative fixtures.
• Candle (C-Series, B-Series, CA-Series): Flame-shaped bulbs typically used in chandeliers and sconces.
• Tubular (T5, T8, T12): Long, cylindrical bulbs popular in fluorescent fixtures and signage.
• Reflector (R-Series, BR-Series): Bulbs that use a reflective coating to make their light one-directional. Commonly used in recessed and track lighting.
• Parabolic Aluminized Reflector (PAR16, PAR20, PAR30, PAR38): Bright, focused bulbs often used in spotlights and floodlights.
• Edison (ST19, ST21, ST64): Vintage-style bulbs with highly visible filaments. Popular in decorative lighting.
• MR (MR11, MR16): Small, intense bulbs perfect for accent and track lighting.
• Spiral (CFL Twist): Bulbs with a tube that spirals. Designed to replace traditional A-series incandescent bulbs.

What Are the Best Light Bulbs?

LED light bulbs top the energy efficiency charts and are the best kinds of bulbs overall. Typical incandescent bulbs last an average of 1,000 hours, and CFLs 8,000 to 10,000 hours. ^[6] But the average LED lifespan blows the competition away with an estimated lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 hours. This lifespan results in enormous savings for bulb replacements and less waste.

Here’s what else makes them so great:

• These bright lights are dimmable.
• ​LED lamps are durable, shatterproof, and shock-resistant.
• Unlike their strongest competitor, CFLs, LEDs don’t contain dangerous metals or chemicals.
• LED bulbs rated for outdoor use perform incredibly well in cold and moist environments.
• These bulbs don’t create heat, which means they aren’t battling against your air conditioner.

Is the Color Temperature of a Light Bulb Important?  

Light bulb color temperature is important because you want to use certain temperatures for specific rooms or tasks. Color temperature is indicated by Kelvin ratings, which range from 2,700 to 6,500 and are further described with color temperature names.

• Soft white types of bulbs range from 2,700 to 3,000 Kelvins. The color temperature will be warm and yellow. These bulbs give off a cozy vibe, which is best for bedrooms, dens, and living rooms.
• Warm white types of bulbs range from 3,000 to 4,000 Kelvins. The color temperature of warm white appears yellowish-white. You’ll be happiest with this color temperature in your bathroom and kitchen.
• Bright white types of bulbs range from 4,000 to 5,000 Kelvins. The color temperature falls between white and blue and gives off an energetic vibe that is best in kitchens, offices, and other workspaces.
• Daylight types of bulbs range from 5,000 to 6,500 Kelvins. The color temperature has a blue tone. The best places to use this color temperature are your vanity and where you read and work.

What Are Smart Bulbs?

Smart bulbs are Wi-Fi-enabled light bulbs that you control remotely, from anywhere. This lighting technology allows you to save money on your electric bills and even increase your home’s security. Here are a few fun features of smart bulbs:

• Some smart bulbs have location-based controls that can automatically turn your lights on or off based on your smart device’s location. This feature is called geo-fencing.
• You can pair them with other smart devices, such as security systems and thermostats, to coordinate modes and minimize your energy use while away.
• Some smart bulbs are dimmable or color-changing.

What Is a Motion-Activated Light Bulb? 

As its name suggests, a motion-activated light bulb has sensors that can detect motion triggered by someone (or something) near the light. While you don’t need to purchase a motion-activated light bulb for your motion-sensor lights to work, you can turn some regular lights into motion-sensor lights with smart bulbs that have motion-detection capabilities.

How Do You Get a Broken Light Bulb Out? 

All you need to remove a broken bulb from its socket are needle-nose pliers or a raw potato, safety glasses, and work gloves. Then, follow these easy steps and watch the video for guidance:

1. Turn off the electrical power.
2. Put on safety glasses and work gloves.
3. Use needle-nose pliers or a raw potato to unscrew the broken bulb.
4. Safely discard the broken bulb according to the recycling or trash guidelines above.
5. Put in a new light bulb.
6. Turn the electricity back on, and you’re good to go.

Working with electrical systems can be dangerous. If you’re uncomfortable, consider contacting an electrician for assistance.

If you have high ceilings and are concerned about using a tall ladder to change your bulbs, several devices can safely assist you. Here are a few different styles you can check out:

• DocaPole Light Bulb Changer Pole
• BAYCO Bulb Changer
• EVERSPROUT Light Bulb Changer and Extension Pole Combo

Make The Switch to Energy-Saving Light Bulbs!

LEDs blow most other bulbs out of the water, thanks to their long lifespan and low energy costs. Incandescent and halogen bulbs are also being phased out in favor of more energy-efficient alternatives. Switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the easiest ways to reduce electricity bills and environmental impact.

Brought to you by justenergy.com
All images licensed from Adobe Stock.

Sources

1. U.S. Department of Energy. “Lighting Standards.” Accessed March 4, 2025. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/new-lighting-standards-began

2. U.S. Department of Energy. “Debunking Myths about Phasing Out the Incandescent Lightbulb.” Accessed March 4, 2025. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/lighting-standards

3. U.S. Department of Energy. “When to Turn Off Your Lights.” Accessed March 4, 2025. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/when-turn-your-lights

4. National Museum of American History Behring Center. “20th Century Inventors: Tungsten Halogen Lamp.” Accessed March 4, 2025. https://americanhistory.si.edu/lighting/bios/frid.htm

5. U.S. Department of Energy. “LED Lighting.” Accessed March 4, 2025. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting

       6. U.S. Department of Energy. “LED Basics.” Accessed March 4, 2025. https://www.energy.gov/eere/ssl/led-basics

Brought to you by justenergy.com

All images licensed from Adobe Stock.
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Spaces needing a large area of light, such as kitchens and bathrooms
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Globe (G25, G30, G40): Round bulbs generally used to light vanities or decorative fixtures.
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Parabolic Aluminized Reflector (PAR16, PAR20, PAR30, PAR38): Bright, focused bulbs often used in spotlights and floodlights.
Edison (ST19, ST21, ST64): Vintage-style bulbs with highly visible filaments. Popular in decorative lighting.
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