Choosing a light bulb is no longer simply about selecting the right wattage. Today, several factors determine the quality and performance of your lighting, including lumens, kelvins, watts, the type of bulb base, dimmability and even the bulb shape.
In this guide, you’ll learn what these terms mean and how to choose the ideal LED bulb for every room in your home.
Kelvin (K) is the unit used to measure the colour temperature of a light source. It does not indicate brightness, but rather the colour of the light emitted.
Colour temperatures generally range from 1,800 K to 16,000 K.
The lower the Kelvin value (below 3,000 K), the warmer and more yellow the light appears, creating a cosy and relaxing atmosphere.
Conversely, the higher the Kelvin value (above 5,000 K), the cooler and whiter the light becomes, making it ideal for workspaces and areas requiring maximum visibility.
Choosing the right colour temperature allows you to create the perfect atmosphere for every room.
Colour Temperature | Light Colour | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|
1800–2700 K | Very warm white | Living room, bedroom, restaurants |
2700–3000 K | Warm white | Living spaces, dining room |
4000 K | Neutral white | Kitchen, office |
5000–6500 K | Cool white | Workshop, garage, technical spaces |
• Light type: Very warm white
• Recommended for: Living room, bedroom, restaurant.
• Light type: Warm white
• Recommended for: Living room, dining room.
• Light type: Neutral white
• Recommended for: Kitchen, office.
• Light type: Cool white
• Recommended for: Workshop, garage, technical workspace.
Watts (W) indicate the amount of electrical energy consumed by a light bulb.
In the past, wattage was used to estimate the brightness of incandescent bulbs. With modern LED technology, this is no longer the case.
An 8-watt LED bulb can now produce the same amount of light as a traditional 60-watt halogen bulb, while using significantly less electricity.
Today, watts are mainly used to measure a bulb’s energy consumption rather than its brightness.
A lumen (lm) is the unit used to measure the luminous flux, or the total amount of light emitted by a bulb or luminaire.
The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light.
A lux (lx) measures the amount of light actually received on a surface.
1 lux = 1 lumen per square metre.
Different activities require different lighting levels.
Activity | Recommended Illuminance |
|---|---|
Hallway | 100–150 lux |
Living room | 150–300 lux |
Kitchen | 300–500 lux |
Office | 500 lux |
Workshop | 750–1000 lux |
To summarise:
Looking to reduce your energy consumption? Choose an LED light bulb.
Compared to halogen bulbs, LED bulbs consume up to ten times less electricity while offering an impressive lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, depending on the model.
When selecting an LED bulb, several important criteria should be considered.
LED bulbs are available with various types of bases.
The base is identified by a letter followed by a number indicating its diameter or fitting type.
The most common bases are:
Base | Typical Applications |
|---|---|
E27 | Pendant lights, ceiling lights, floor lamps |
E14 | Table lamps, wall lights |
GU10 | Spotlights |
G9 | Decorative designer lighting |
G24 | Commercial lighting |
E39 / E40 | Industrial and public lighting |
Always check your luminaire’s required base type before purchasing a replacement bulb.
The brightness of an LED bulb should be selected according to the size of the room, ceiling height and the desired lighting effect.
Today, it is recommended to compare bulbs using their lumen output rather than their wattage.
For a cosy atmosphere, choose a bulb with fewer lumens.
For workspaces or larger rooms, select a bulb with a higher lumen output.
Light bulbs are generally available in three main colour temperatures:
These are expressed in Kelvin (K).
For living rooms and bedrooms, 2700 K to 3000 K provides a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
For kitchens, offices and workspaces, 4000 K offers excellent visual comfort.
Above 5000 K, the light becomes cooler and is particularly suitable for workshops and technical environments.
Dimmable LED bulbs allow you to adjust the light intensity using a compatible dimmer switch.
This enables you to create the perfect atmosphere while helping to optimise your energy consumption.
Please note that not all LED bulbs are dimmable, so always check the product specifications before purchasing.
LED bulbs are available in many different shapes, including:
The ideal shape depends on the design of your luminaire, the desired aesthetic and the intended application.
RGB LED bulbs are equipped with infrared, wireless or Bluetooth receivers, allowing you to change the light colour using a remote control or smartphone app.
RGB stands for:
By combining these three primary colours, millions of different shades can be created.
Many advanced RGB bulbs also allow you to adjust the colour temperature, brightness and create customised lighting scenes to suit every mood and occasion.
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