How do I choose LED spotlights?

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In recent years, you may have found that the halogen bulb you've been buying for years is no longer available at your local hardware store. That's because LED spotlights are quickly being introduced to the market as a more energy efficient alternative.

With the transition to LED technology, a lot of the metrics and points to consider are now different. If this is your first time purchase of LED spotlights, you might be worried, confused or frustrated.

Not to worry! After reading our 4-point guide below, you'll be able to make a confident and educated LED spotlight purchase in no time.

 

Consideration #1: Size & form factor

First and foremost, you will want to narrow down your LED spotlight search by determining what mechanical size and shape of bulb you will need.

Generally speaking, there are three types of LED spotlights: MR, BR and PAR. The type name is typically followed by a two digit number, which indicates the bulb diameter in 1/8ths of an inch.

MR16

MR16 bulbs are the smallest type of spotlight with a 2 inch diameter. These bulbs are typically used for lower brightness applications. LED spotlights of this size are typically 5-8 Watts.

MR16 bulbs come in two variants that differ in base type (how the bulb is mounted into the socket).

If you see a narrow, two-pin connector without rounded bottoms as shown in the photo below, you have a GU 5.3 version. These are almost always very low voltage (12V AC or DC).

If you see a broader 2-prong connector with rounded bottoms as shown in the photo below, you have a GU 10 version. These are almost always mains voltage (120/240V AC).

!Protip: you may sometimes find that certain manufacturers refer to MR16 bulbs with GU 5.3 bases as simply [MR16] (without the base designation) and MR16 GU10 bulbs as [GU10] bulbs. This is not technically correct but you may want to be aware of this when you are reviewing product specifications.

PAR20

The next size up is a PAR20 bulb, which is 2.5 inches in diameter. PAR20 bulbs are common in residential applications in smaller homes or where ceilings are not as tall. LED spotlights of this size are typically 13 Watts.

The vast majority of PAR20 bulbs use the same E26 Edison screw base that standard A19 bulbs use, and operate on mains voltage (120/240V AC).

PAR30

PAR30 bulbs are similar in shape and function to PAR20 bulbs, but are quite a bit larger at 3.75 inches in diameter. These are commonly used in higher ceiling applications. LED spotlights of this size are typically 15 Watts.

PAR38

The largest of the commonly used residential spotlight sizes is the PAR38. At 4.13 inches in diameter, these are large and bright, rated at upwards of 100W for halogen bulbs. LED spotlights of this size are typically 18 Watts.

Now that we've gone over the bulb types, how do you know which one to choose? The short answer is: follow the directions on the lampholder.

If you take a look at any reputable lamp fixture, you should see a sticker or imprint noting the type of bulb size that is compatible.

In this example, the lampholder says "USE PAR20 TYPE" so we know for certain that this is the type of LED spotlight that is needed.

Consideration #2: Color - CCT and CRI

With halogen spotlights, color was never an option - pretty much all products from all manufacturers had the same color temperature and color quality.

With LED spotlights, however, many color temperature and CRI options exist, making it more difficult to ensure that you pick the right one for your needs.

Color temperature: pick K LED spotlights

Color temperature is a number that describes how "yellow" or "blue" a light's color is.

• K is considered the same color as the classic incandescent light bulb


• K is slightly bluer and is similar to halogen bulb light color, but still has a warm, inviting yellow color to it.


• K is often called "neutral white" because it is neither blue nor yellow - and is the middle of the color temperature scale.


• Anything over K will appear blue-ish and would not be recommended for standard residential applications.

 

Lighting for your home is ultimately a personal choice, but we recommend starting with K LED spotlights to test. If you think it's too yellow, you can switch to K or K. If you think it's too blue, you can switch to K.

Most of these color temperatures are readily available from most manufacturers.

CRI: pick 80 or above

CRI is a bit tricky to understand because it is not immediately visible from just simply looking at an LED spotlight.

CRI is score ranging from 0 to 100 which measures how accurate objects appear under a light. The higher the score, the more accurate.

What does accurate really mean, anyway?

Let's say you are trying to light up a painting. An perfectly accurate LED spotlight would make the painting look exactly the same as it does under a halogen bulb.

An inaccurate (low CRI) LED spotlight, however, would make the painting look "off" - the colors might appear mismatched, washed out, or indistinguishable.

This is not limited to paintings or artwork. The appearance of furniture or food can also appear to be lacking in color and dull, if the LED spotlight has insufficient CRI.

Well, what is a sufficient CRI number?

• We recommend purchasing LED spotlights with a minimum of 80 CRI.


• For enhanced appearance, we recommend 90 CRI or above.

How do you know what an LED spotlight's CCT or CRI is? Virtually all manufacturers will be able to providethis to you on the product specification sheet or packaging.

Consideration #3: power and brightness

You are likely used to thinking of bulb brightness in terms of watts - a 60 watt bulb is brighter than a 40 watt bulb.

But don't forget that watts are a measure of electrical energy in, not necessarily the total light output.

This was an acceptable way to estimate brightness because most halogen bulbs have the same amount of efficiency.

LED spotlights are far more efficient than halogen bulbs. What this means is that watts is no longer a useful measure of brightness.

...use much more energy (in watts) than...

to generate the same amount of light output.

Instead of focusing on watts in, you will need to focus on the light output, which is measured using the lumens metric.

Not sure how many lumens you need? You can estimate what you need based on what you had installed before switching to LEDs.

This can be calculated using a simple formula:

Lumens = [watts in halogen] x 15

For example, if you had a 40W halogen bulb, you can can estimate the number of lumens by multiplying 40 by 15 = 600 lumens.

You will find the number of lumens listed alongside the product specifications.

 

Consideration #4: beam angle

Finally, you will want to consider the shape of light that comes out of the LED spotlight.

The shape is described as beam angle. Beam angle is defined as the angle in which 50% or more of the light is distributed.

If you have a narrow beam angle, you will be concentrating the light into a smaller area, thereby increasing the amount of light that shines in that area.

If you have a wide beam angle, the light will be more dispersed. You will be able to illuminate a wider area, but you will be "diluting" the light across a larger area, effectively reducing the amount of illumination on that surface.

Also keep in mind the cone shaped light distribution of LED spotlights. As you increase the distance from the lamp, the dispersion increases as well.

This means that if you have high ceilings, you will want to make sure you select a narrow beam angle LED spotlight to ensure that the light can "reach" before dispersing.

Other considerations

We hope you found our recommendations helpful. Ultimately, lighting is oftentimes a personal and aesthetic choice, and the best test is a visual test.

If you have a relatively large project, it is probably a good idea to purchase one or two LED spotlights first to test and make sure that the color and brightness are what you expect.

If it looks okay, then you can proceed with purchasing the rest!

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In recent years, you may have found that the halogen bulb you've been buying for years is no longer available at your local hardware store. That's because LED spotlights are quickly being introduced to the market as a more energy efficient alternative.With the transition to LED technology, a lot of the metrics and points to consider are now different. If this is your first time purchase of LED spotlights, you might be worried, confused or frustrated.Not to worry! After reading our 4-point guide below, you'll be able to make a confident and educated LED spotlight purchase in no time.First and foremost, you will want to narrow down your LED spotlight search by determining what mechanical size and shape of bulb you will need.Generally speaking, there are three types of LED spotlights: MR, BR and PAR. The type name is typically followed by a two digit number, which indicates the bulb diameter in 1/8ths of an inch.MR16 bulbs are the smallest type of spotlight with a 2 inch diameter. These bulbs are typically used for lower brightness applications. LED spotlights of this size are typically 5-8 Watts.MR16 bulbs come in two variants that differ in base type (how the bulb is mounted into the socket).If you see a narrow, two-pin connector without rounded bottoms as shown in the photo below, you have a GU 5.3 version. These are almost always very low voltage (12V AC or DC).If you see a broader 2-prong connector with rounded bottoms as shown in the photo below, you have a GU 10 version. These are almost always mains voltage (120/240V AC).!Protip: you may sometimes find that certain manufacturers refer to MR16 bulbs with GU 5.3 bases as simply [MR16] (without the base designation) and MR16 GU10 bulbs as [GU10] bulbs. This is not technically correct but you may want to be aware of this when you are reviewing product specifications.The next size up is a PAR20 bulb, which is 2.5 inches in diameter. PAR20 bulbs are common in residential applications in smaller homes or where ceilings are not as tall. LED spotlights of this size are typically 13 Watts.The vast majority of PAR20 bulbs use the same E26 Edison screw base that standard A19 bulbs use, and operate on mains voltage (120/240V AC).PAR30 bulbs are similar in shape and function to PAR20 bulbs, but are quite a bit larger at 3.75 inches in diameter. These are commonly used in higher ceiling applications. LED spotlights of this size are typically 15 Watts.The largest of the commonly used residential spotlight sizes is the PAR38. At 4.13 inches in diameter, these are large and bright, rated at upwards of 100W for halogen bulbs. LED spotlights of this size are typically 18 Watts.Now that we've gone over the bulb types, how do you know which one to choose? The short answer is: follow the directions on the lampholder.If you take a look at any reputable lamp fixture, you should see a sticker or imprint noting the type of bulb size that is compatible.In this example, the lampholder says "USE PAR20 TYPE" so we know for certain that this is the type of LED spotlight that is needed.With halogen spotlights, color was never an option - pretty much all products from all manufacturers had the same color temperature and color quality.With LED spotlights, however, many color temperature and CRI options exist, making it more difficult to ensure that you pick the right one for your needs.Color temperature is a number that describes how "yellow" or "blue" a light's color is.Lighting for your home is ultimately a personal choice, but wto test. If you think it's too yellow, you can switch to K or K. If you think it's too blue, you can switch to K.Most of these color temperatures are readily available from most manufacturers.CRI is a bit tricky to understand because it is not immediately visible from just simply looking at an LED spotlight.CRI is score ranging from 0 to 100 which measures how accurate objects appear under a light. The higher the score, the more accurate.What does accurate really mean, anyway?Let's say you are trying to light up a painting. An perfectly accurate LED spotlight would make the painting look exactly the same as it does under a halogen bulb.An inaccurate (low CRI) LED spotlight, however, would make the painting look "off" - the colors might appear mismatched, washed out, or indistinguishable.This is not limited to paintings or artwork. The appearance of furniture or food can also appear to be lacking in color and dull, if the LED spotlight has insufficient CRI.Well, what is a sufficient CRI number?How do you know what an LED spotlight's CCT or CRI is? Virtually all manufacturers will be able to providethis to you on the product specification sheet or packaging.You are likely used to thinking of bulb brightness in terms of watts - a 60 watt bulb is brighter than a 40 watt bulb.But don't forget that watts are a measure of electrical energy in, not necessarily the total light output.This was an acceptable way to estimate brightness because most halogen bulbs have the same amount of efficiency.LED spotlights are far more efficient than halogen bulbs. What this means is that watts is no longer a useful measure of brightness....use much more energy (in watts) than...to generate the same amount of light output.Instead of focusing on watts in, you will need to focus on the light output, which is measured using themetric.Not sure how many lumens you need? You can estimate what you need based on what you had installed before switching to LEDs.This can be calculated using a simple formula:Lumens = [watts in halogen] x 15For example, if you had a 40W halogen bulb, you can can estimate the number of lumens by multiplying 40 by 15 = 600 lumens.You will find the number of lumens listed alongside the product specifications.Finally, you will want to consider the shape of light that comes out of the LED spotlight.The shape is described as beam angle. Beam angle is defined as the angle in which 50% or more of the light is distributed.If you have a narrow beam angle, you will be concentrating the light into a smaller area, thereby increasing the amount of light that shines in that area.If you have a wide beam angle, the light will be more dispersed. You will be able to illuminate a wider area, but you will be "diluting" the light across a larger area, effectively reducing the amount of illumination on that surface.Also keep in mind the cone shaped light distribution of LED spotlights. As you increase the distance from the lamp, the dispersion increases as well.This means that if you have high ceilings, you will want to make sure you select a narrow beam angle LED spotlight to ensure that the light can "reach" before dispersing.We hope you found our recommendations helpful. Ultimately, lighting is oftentimes a personal and aesthetic choice, and the best test is a visual test.If you have a relatively large project, it is probably a good idea to purchase one or two LED spotlights first to test and make sure that the color and brightness are what you expect.If it looks okay, then you can proceed with purchasing the rest!

Look inside any kitchen, bedroom, hallway or living room, and it&#;s highly likely that you&#;ll be presented with at least one &#; if not a cluster &#; of tiny spotlights nestled neatly in the ceiling.

LED spotlights have enjoyed a monumental surge in popularity in recent years, and with good reason. They&#;re modern, easy to replace and above all, versatile.

The key to an LED spotlight&#;s versatility lies in its colour and beam angle. Wider beam angles and warmer colours are great for ambient lighting, where the light is dispersed over a wider area. Cooler colours and narrower angles are ideal for highlighting specific fixtures or areas of a room, which is particularly useful in commercial or public settings.

What are LED spotlights?

Since its rise to prominence, LED technology has rapidly permeated almost every rung of the lighting industry, and LED alternatives to nearly every light bulb design are now widely available. Spotlights are no exception.

Put simply, LED spotlights look and work in exactly the same way as your old halogen or incandescent spotlights, but use modern LED technology as their primary light source. This carries with it a whole slew of benefits, from reduced running and replacement costs to withered energy bills and the rewarding feeling of contributing to a cleaner planet.

Why should I switch to LED Spotlights?

To many, the main barrier to switching to LED light bulbs is both a lack of information and the false impression that LED is more expensive and ultimately inferior to older technologies.

This may have been true a several years ago, but today LED light bulbs successfully mimic the warm glow and brightness of your older filament light bulbs flawlessly while also shaving up to 90% off your lighting bill.

Despite a moderately higher initial cost, LED spotlights can pay for themselves by way of reduced energy costs within a year or less, so when you consider that LED light bulbs are designed to last 20-50x longer than traditional incandescent lamps, the potential savings associated with them can be massive.

As a general rule, LED light bulbs use around 10% of the energy of incandescent light bulbs, as indicated by their equivalent wattages.

What is Colour Temperature, and why does it matter?

An incandescent light bulb&#;s warm glow is dictated entirely by its technology. Incandescent &#; as the name implies &#; work by forcing heat through a metal (normally tungsten) filament that then heats up and glows. This consequently generates light, while also lending the light bulb its unmistakable warm colour. Even though halogen light bulbs work differently, they also possess a similarly warm glow.

However, one of the many virtues of LED is that it can recreate a whole host of colours, from the warm white of traditional light bulbs to brighter, whiter, modern equivalents and beyond.

As you can see in the diagram above, the colour temperature is measured in Kelvin, with the relevant value denoted by a number, followed by a &#;k&#;. The lower the number, the &#;warmer&#; temperature, simple.

To successfully mimic the glow of an incandescent filament light bulb, it&#;s best to go for a warm white light bulb that sits between k and k. This works especially well in homely, traditional environments where cosiness is key. The &#;cooler&#; temperatures look whiter and most often used in places such as kitchens and bathrooms where a clean white or cool white light is preferred. The daylight bluer options are most often found in retail environments, public areas and workplaces where natural light may otherwise be restricted.

Can I dim my LED spotlights?

Of course! Dimming LED light bulbs is not as straightforward as dimming any incandescent or halogen light bulb. LED technology requires a different set of circumstances to dim correctly. For a full explanation of what this involves, from how to calculate load levels to which type of dimmer switch to use, please see our extensive dimming guide.

I&#;m switching to LED light bulbs: do I need to rewire my fitting?

So, you&#;ve decided to make the switch to LED spotlights. Congratulations!

So, what happens now? Do you need to rewire your fittings or hire an electrician?

This would depend entirely on which kind of spotlights you currently have, and what you want to replace them with.

GU10 spotlight bulbs are a mains voltage spotlight and therefore much easier to replace; simply remove your old light bulb and replace it with an LED equivalent. Comparing the equivalent wattages or lumen values of both light bulbs will ensure that the newly installed LED looks the same as the old light bulb in terms of its brightness and quality.

Aside from this, there really is nothing else to worry about when replacing a GU10 spotlight bulb. Simply remove the old one, twist the LED into the fitting, lock it into place and then stand back and marvel as your lighting bill begins to plummet.

MR16 light bulbs aren&#;t quite as straightforward. As a low voltage light bulb, these require a transformer to step down the mains voltage to a more comfortable 12V that the light bulb can deal with. If you&#;re replacing halogen MR16 spotlights with LED equivalents, you&#;ll probably also need to purchase a modern, electronic LED driver that is designed to deal with the lower wattages of LED.

An old-school magnetic transformer will work just fine with LED light bulbs, but transformers are similar to dimmer systems in that they normally have a predetermined wattage range that they expect their light bulb(s) to sit within. Replacing your MR16 light bulbs with LED equivalents is going to obliterate your cumulative wattage (which is a good thing) but it does also mean that you&#;re probably going to drop below your transformer&#;s minimum wattage requirements. This can result in flickering light bulbs, strobing or outright failure of the circuit.

Purchasing an electronic driver is the best way to avoid this. However, this in itself poses its own set of unique issues from ensuring that the driver itself is LED ready (some were designed before the days of LED and therefore don&#;t play ball too well) to then making sure that it delivers the correct current and voltage (normally 12V Direct Current in the case of LED MR16 spotlight bulbs).

Ultimately with the extra effort involved, we would normally advise simply returning your circuit to mains voltage and using GU10s instead. This obviates the need for a transformer completely and eradicates any potential compatibility issues. Think of it as cutting out the middleman and giving yourself a nice, clean circuit with no unnecessary tinkering going on in the background. However, if you do find yourself in a situation where MR16 spotlight bulbs are the only option, a full range of LED drivers can be found on Lightbulbs Direct.

The advent of LED has brought with it a tranche of new benefits. The fact that you can still revel in a spotlight&#;s sexy aesthetics while also cutting your lighting bill by up 90% sounds almost too good to be true, but I can assure you it&#;s not.

LED spotlights may be relatively new, but they&#;re certainly not new-fangled; so go on, tuck in, because having your cake and eating it has never tasted so good.

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