Believe it or not, the type of headlights you have on your car or truck can have a major impact on your safety. It’s not enough to just have functioning headlights—you need to ensure that you’re using the best possible headlight bulbs for maximum efficiency and reliability when you hit the road.
For starters, let’s review the difference between HID (High-Intensity Discharge) low-beam headlight bulbs, also commonly referred to as Xenon gas lights, and LED (Light-Emitting Diode) low-beam headlights.
Once you’re up-to-speed on the key differences, you’ll be able to make the right choice for upgrading your vehicle’s headlight lighting system.
What Are Low-Beam Headlights?
Before you can compare LED and HID low-beam headlight bulbs with one another, you should understand what low-beam headlights are, and how they differ from high-beam headlight picks.
- Low-beam bulbs serve as the primary source of light used by your vehicle.
- They are the most frequently used lighting function.
- Essentially, low-beams are used in most everyday driving scenarios.
- Low-beam lights are angled towards the road, while high-beams are angled upwards.
- Low-beam lights should always be used in low-light settings.
- In comparison, high-beam bulbs are the secondary light source used by your car or truck.
- High-beam headlights are used very rarely—typically only in very dark settings and on roads that are completely dark or unlit.
- Examples of settings in which high-beam lights would be used include backroads, rural country roads, and streets with very little to no other light sources.
- Another important factor to keep in mind with high-beam headlights is that they should only be used when necessary and in short increments.
- Why? Because their brightness has the potential to temporarily blind oncoming traffic, posing a safety risk for all involved.
Difference Between HID Low-Beam and LED Low-Beam Headlights
Both LED and HID low-beam headlights come in a variety of models.
Here are some key differences between the two:
- LED headlight bulbs use electricity in their functionality, while HID headlight bulbs use Xenon gas.
- While both LED and HID headlights are far superior to older, stock halogen bulbs, LED bulbs lead the pack when it comes to energy efficiency.
- LED and HID bulbs are more energy efficient when compared to halogen bulbs, but LED is slightly more efficient than both HID and halogen models.
- When it comes to color choices, both HID and LED bulbs come in a variety of options—not just white.
- The two more modern headlight bulb versions differ somewhat when it comes to bulb shape.
- For example, LED bulbs usually have diodes, locking tabs, and heat sinks as part of their makeup.
- HID bulbs can include parts such as outer bulbs, inner chambers, electrodes, and locking tabs.
- Due to their different components, the bulb shape can vary from model to model.
- As far as startup time Is concerned, LED lights start instantly, while HID headlights typically take a bit longer.
- The reason for the delay? The heating element in HID headlight bulbs.
- Now, let’s talk lifespan. This is a crucial element to drivers comparing headlight bulb products in order to choose the right pick for their car or truck.
- When it comes to longer-lasting bulbs, LED lights come out on top.
- LED lights can last up to an approximate 45,000 hours, while HID bulbs can last up to around 15,000 hours.
- While LED lights last considerably longer than HID lights, HID lights do produce a brighter shine for penetrating the darkness and increasing visibility.
- Both LED and HID bulbs still last much longer than factory-grade halogen bulbs.
Which One Should You Choose?
Now that you know the difference between low-beam HID and LED headlights, you can make an informed decision about which will work best for your ride.
- Compatibility is the first factor you’ll want to consider. Underground Lighting has a very convenient, user-friendly search feature that allows you to enter your car’s make, model, and year information for customized compatibility results.
- You’ll be able to use these results to see exactly which LED or HID low-beam lights (in addition to other auto lighting products) will work seamlessly with your car or truck.
- In addition to offering an array of HID and LED low-beam headlight bulb models to choose from, UGL also offers conversion kits, helping you make the switch as easy and efficient as possible.
For unbeatable, best-in-class brightness and superior customer service, look no further than Underground Lighting for all of your auto lighting needs. Call or live chat to find exactly what you need today!
