With so many types of light bulbs available, it can feel overwhelming to know which one belongs in which fixture. This guide covers every bulb type you're likely to encounter, why LED has become the default for almost every household application, and what actually matters when you're choosing one.
The short answer
For nearly every residential fixture, an LED is now the right choice. The real question isn't which technology — it's which color temperature, how well the bulb renders color, and whether it plays nicely with your dimmer. We'll get to all three below.
The bulb types
LED bulbs
LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs produce light when a current passes through a semiconductor — electroluminescence, or light generated without heat. Quality LEDs are typically rated for 25,000 to 50,000 hours, roughly 25 to 50 times the life of a traditional incandescent bulb. At average household usage, that's somewhere between six and twelve years before replacement.
They also use dramatically less energy for the same light output: a 5-watt LED can produce roughly what a 60-watt incandescent once did. Across a whole house, that difference shows up on the energy bill, and the higher purchase price generally pays for itself well within the bulb's life.
Incandescent bulbs
The oldest category. Incandescent bulbs emit light when electricity heats a tungsten filament to the point of illumination. They produce a warm light across the full spectrum of colors, which is why they were prized for so long — but they are far less efficient and far shorter-lived than LEDs, converting over 90% of their energy into heat rather than light.
General-service incandescent bulbs have been phased out of the US market under federal efficiency standards that took effect in 2023, so they are no longer a practical choice for most household fixtures. Today's high-CRI and warm-dimming LEDs reproduce that same flattering quality without the energy cost.
Halogen bulbs
A type of incandescent in which a halogen gas, such as iodine or bromine, mixes with tungsten vapor from the filament and redeposits the tungsten back onto the filament rather than on the inside of the bulb. This prevents the soot build-up that darkens standard incandescents over time and extends the bulb's life.
Halogens still appear in some specialty, display and automotive applications, but most general-purpose household halogen bulbs fall under the same efficiency standards that phased out incandescents, and LED equivalents have replaced them for everyday use.
CFL bulbs
CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs were, for a time, the popular middle ground — more efficient than incandescent, cheaper than early LEDs. They aren't well suited to outdoor settings, as they need shielding from the elements, and they contain small amounts of mercury that can be harmful if released, which also complicates disposal. As LED prices have fallen, CFLs have largely been superseded and most manufacturers have wound down production.
Fluorescent tubes
Fluorescent tubes work the same way as CFLs but in a linear form, which suits commercial and industrial spaces. They carry the same mercury drawback, and LED tube replacements are now widely available as direct swaps.
Why LED took over
Lifespan and cost. Fewer replacements, lower energy draw. The savings compound across a whole house, and they're most dramatic in fixtures that run for hours a day — kitchen and living room lighting especially.
Durability. Traditional bulbs depend on a fine filament and thin glass; knock the filament out of place and the bulb is finished. LEDs have no filament and are built of sturdier stuff. They aren't unbreakable, but they survive handling far better.
No infrared or ultraviolet output, and very little heat. LEDs are safe to touch after running for hours, which makes them easier to change and safe in spaces where heat is a problem. They also perform well in cold conditions, unlike fluorescents. Some people are sensitive to IR and UV emissions and find LED lighting easier on the eyes.
Control. LEDs dim to as little as 10% of their output, well below what traditional bulbs manage, and they're the basis for every smart lighting system — app control, scheduling, tunable color temperature.
Environmental impact. Lower energy consumption means a smaller carbon footprint, and a bulb that lasts ten years means far fewer bulbs manufactured and discarded.
What to actually look for
Color temperature, measured in Kelvin, determines whether the light reads warm or cool. For living spaces, bedrooms and dining rooms, 2700K reads warm and inviting. Kitchens and bathrooms often suit 3000K. Anything above 4000K starts to feel clinical in a home.
CRI (Color Rendering Index) measures how faithfully a bulb renders color, on a scale to 100. Look for 90 or above anywhere people, food or artwork are on display — vanities, dining rooms, kitchens. A low-CRI bulb makes skin tones and finishes look flat and grey, and it's the single most common reason a room lit to the right brightness still looks wrong.
Dimmer compatibility. If you're replacing incandescents with LEDs on an existing dimmer, the dimmer may need replacing too — older units were designed for a much higher electrical load and can cause flicker or buzz with LEDs. Look for a dimmer rated for LED loads.
Integrated vs. replaceable. Many modern fixtures come with the LED built in rather than taking a separate bulb. Integrated fixtures are sleeker and often better engineered thermally, but the light source isn't user-replaceable — worth knowing before you buy.
Shop the range
Browse our selection of light bulbs, or explore our full lighting collection for fixtures with integrated LED. If you're working out what size fixture a room needs before you get to bulbs, our sizing guides cover chandeliers, kitchen island pendants, bathroom vanity lighting and ceiling fans.
Questions about a specific fixture or bulb? Contact us — our design team is happy to help.