× LOGIN OLD CARS OLD TRUCKS PRICING GUIDE READER WHEELS ROLLIN' WITH OLD CARS PODCAST NEWS FEATURES BLOGS RESOURCES OLD CAR ERAS CAR OF THE WEEK EVENTS SUBSCRIBE MARKETPLACE CLUBS MUSEUMS SHOP OLD CARS FACEBOOK TWITTER
ABOUT US CONTACT ACTIVE INTEREST MEDIA CONTACT OLD CARS ADVERTISE SUBMIT YOUR CAR TO READER WHEELS GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS: PRICE GUIDE PRICE GUIDE SUBSCRIPTIONS QUESTIONS MILITARY TRADER ANTIQUE TRADER FREE ENEWSLETTER REVIEWS PRIVACY POLICY TERMS OF SERVICE
Search icon

FIND YOUR CLASSIC CAR

Can't find your car? Contact us here
Want to view an example car? View a Sample

Get A Good Road View At Night With The Best Headlight Bulbs

Our content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.

Last Updated:

If you want to travel from one location to another or even walk from one room to another, you’ll need significant help from your eyes to help you avoid hindrances that come along the way. The same is the case with your vehicle. To help it avoid uneven road bumps or any animals in the middle of the road, you need to provide it with impressive eyes. Hence, headlight bulbs are what you and your car desperately need. A headlight bulb is fixed at the front of your vehicle and used to illuminate the road so that you can see while driving. They are essential, and you should get them replaced or repaired at the earliest if they have burned out. Without them, you are far less likely to see a deer, object, or vehicle coming up to you. We’ve reviewed some of the leading headlight bulbs of 2023 only for you.

Headlight Bulbs Buying Guide

As you drive in the evening, natural lighting is scarce and you rely on headlights and streetlights in order to see. You can improve your car lights through a quick restoration kit or new headlight bulbs. Learn more about why these light bulbs can be crucial in this buying guide.

What to Know While Buying Headlight Bulbs

Wattage

The wattage should ideally be as close to the stock wattage as possible. The bulb should provide you with adequate illumination while on the road. If the wattage is lower, you will be able to see less on the road. If it is higher, the stock wiring might not be able to handle the additional power, and it can cause a dangerous short circuit. 

Color temperature

The color temperature is another factor that you cannot take for granted. It is measured by kelvin. The color temperature of 6000K provides that perfect color for the road. It helps you see everything on the road. 

Beam angle

The other important factor is the beam angle. The headlight bulb should be able to illuminate things in your peripheral vision. 

How to Install Headlight Bulbs

As a car owner, you should be able to check your car's headlight bulbs. You do not have to go to the mechanic for this; it is a simple task, and you can do it yourself. The headlight bulbs can be accessed through the hood, and you can change them by yourself. 
  1. Clean the hood, which will help you see better. 
  2. You have to disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. 
  3. You have to open the headlight assembly from the vehicle. You can unscrew the screws and bolts and open the headlight assembly. 
  4. Now, you can access the bulb using a socket and socket wrench. 
  5. Turn the bulb counterclockwise, disconnect it and remove it.
  6. Install the new bulb and turn it clockwise. 
  7. You can secure the headlight assembly and connect the battery cable.

Types of Headlight Bulbs

Headlight bulbs have two major types based on their light sources.

Halogen headlight bulbs

Halogen bulbs are incandescent bulbs with a tungsten filament enclosed in a glass bulb. These are the traditional bulbs that have been used for decades. They are not efficient compared to the LED bulbs, therefore consuming more power and producing more heat, but they are suitable for vehicles and have a more extended life period. They're relatively inefficient, and however, halogen bulbs work better in cold weather. 

LED headlight bulbs

LED bulbs use semiconductor technology to convert electrical current into light. This makes them more efficient than halogen bulbs. These lights are the latest innovation in headlight bulbs. They are brighter, produce more light per watt, are more relaxed, and have a longer lifespan. Since you can use much less power, you can make more power from the car battery. Though they are much more expensive, they last longer than halogen bulbs.

Top Picks

  • Best Overall: Philips Headlight Bulb
  • Runner Up: Fahren Headlight Bulb
  • Honorable Mention: Sealight Headlight Bulb
  • Also Consider: Auxito Headlight Bulb

Reviews

Best Overall
None

Philips Headlight Bulb

Pros Cons
  • Produce a bright white light
  • Comes with the quality seal
  • Works perfectly fine in fog
  • Requires more energy to function
Runner Up
None

Fahren Headlight Bulb

Pros Cons
  • Easy to install
  • Works well with most of the vehicles
  • Have a waterproof design
  • A bit more expensive than other bulbs
Honorable Mention
None

Sealight Headlight Bulb

Pros Cons
  • Has 650 ft high visibility
  • Comes with 6000K eye-protection color
  • It takes only 10 minutes to install
  • Doesn't fit on 5th Gen 4Runner
Also Consider
None

Auxito Headlight Bulb

Pros Cons
  • It has a 1:1 halogen beam mechanism
  • It has a long life span
  • It comes with a waterproof design
  • A bit difficult to install

FAQs

How long do headlight bulbs last?
Headlight bulbs last between 1000 and 2000 hours. This is a rough estimate because the lifespan of a headlight bulb depends on several factors, such as the quality of the bulb and the amount of use it is getting. 
Are headlight bulbs waterproof?
On whether headlight bulbs are waterproof or not, we need to understand the concept of water resistance. First, water resistance is the ability of a bulb to be submerged in water and still function. On the other hand, waterproof means the bulb can function even when completely submerged in water. The fact is all headlight bulbs are not waterproof. However, they are water-resistant to a great extent.
What are the perks of using headlight bulbs?
Headlight bulbs are like compasses in a vehicle. Without it, you won't be able to drive in the right direction. If you are driving a vehicle with weak headlights, you are taking many risks of an accident. In addition, it may also cause the vehicle to get pulled over by the police. Efficient headlights help avoid this mess.