Seeking LED bulbs as good as the Philips L-prize models
March 14, 2021 4:52 PM Subscribe
I've had terrible luck with all LED bulbs except for the sadly discontinued Philips L-prize bulbs. I've tried bulbs from Cree, Feit, newer Philips models- they fail ridiculously early and/ or the color temperature is whack. (The Philips bulbs are not rated to be used in enclosed fixtures, yet last longer in enclosed fixtures than newer bulbs which ARE rated to be used in enclosed fixtures.) I used to buy old stock or used L-Prize bulbs on e-bay, but they seem to be gone. Is there anything on the market today that's as good?
The Wirecutter recommends Cree bulbs, but then goes on to mention that they have received some reports of premature failures but "hopefully the newer versions are improved and the bulbs have a warranty anyway." That doesn't exactly inspire confidence. I would actively not prefer "smart bulbs." I'm looking for regular, "Edison" base A19 style bulbs. What's good out there, MeFites?
The Wirecutter recommends Cree bulbs, but then goes on to mention that they have received some reports of premature failures but "hopefully the newer versions are improved and the bulbs have a warranty anyway." That doesn't exactly inspire confidence. I would actively not prefer "smart bulbs." I'm looking for regular, "Edison" base A19 style bulbs. What's good out there, MeFites?
We've had great success with mid-tier Crees (not the "basic" ones). Most of their bulbs come in three color temperatures, fairly decent CRIs, are rated for enclosed fixtures (except the 100 W equivalent), and the important point: they appear to take their 10-year warranty seriously. We've only had one bulb fail but based on their behavior I'm guessing the power electronics are fairly solid or they'd be losing their shirt.
posted by introp at 6:19 PM on March 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by introp at 6:19 PM on March 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
I have two houses basically filled with Cree bulbs and they have good CRI (distinct from color temperature — you just have to buy the temperature you want) and I've had exactly zero failures over five plus years (different bulbs added at different times). Obviously that's just anecdata, but I'm surprised you are having so many failures. I wonder if there's some other factor. Are they overheating, or is the power source unreliable (lots of surges or something)?
Beyond Cree, I have a few Feit and a handful of Halo. They are ok too, and I haven't had any significant failure rates.
Sorry to be kind of unhelpful, but I do think it's worth looking at what other factors might be contributing. No brand is perfect, but if you're having extensive failures with the top brands, it might be worth looking at other issues....
posted by primethyme at 6:21 PM on March 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
Beyond Cree, I have a few Feit and a handful of Halo. They are ok too, and I haven't had any significant failure rates.
Sorry to be kind of unhelpful, but I do think it's worth looking at what other factors might be contributing. No brand is perfect, but if you're having extensive failures with the top brands, it might be worth looking at other issues....
posted by primethyme at 6:21 PM on March 14, 2021 [3 favorites]
I've enjoyed the Ikea Ledare 60W.
The GE Reveals are nice, but not as high a CRI.
I have numerous warm Cree bulbs behave well and have a good color profile.
The L-prize bulbs used an external phosphor impregnating the plastic diffuser. That kept the heat of the driver and the blue LED itself apart. But increased the unit cost dramatically.
posted by nickggully at 6:55 PM on March 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
The GE Reveals are nice, but not as high a CRI.
I have numerous warm Cree bulbs behave well and have a good color profile.
The L-prize bulbs used an external phosphor impregnating the plastic diffuser. That kept the heat of the driver and the blue LED itself apart. But increased the unit cost dramatically.
posted by nickggully at 6:55 PM on March 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
I started switching my lighting from CFL/fluorescent tube to LED seven years ago. The downside to LED bulbs is that the power electronics at the base of these bulbs is sensitive to heat. So at the time I decided that when an old CFL/fluorescent bulb needed replacing I would either replace all the bulbs in that fixture with LED bulbs, or, alternatively, if the fixture was a totally enclosed fixture with the bulb base facing upward or a large tube-style fluorescent I would instead replace the fixture with an integrated LED fixture. All of my LED bulbs and LED fixtures are still working.
With regards to the specific bulbs I have used, seven years ago I installed Cree TW series 60W equivalent bulbs in a pair of adjustable desk lamps. A year later I installed the odd-looking Philips "slim style" 60W equivalent bulbs in a pair of reading lamps. A couple years later I put Philips non-dimmable 100W equivalent bulbs in a multi-bulb "torchiere" floor lamp and a table lamp. Three years ago I installed Cree 60W equivalent bulbs in a fully enclosed fixture (the bulb mounts with the base to the side) and in a bathroom vanity.
posted by RichardP at 7:58 PM on March 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
With regards to the specific bulbs I have used, seven years ago I installed Cree TW series 60W equivalent bulbs in a pair of adjustable desk lamps. A year later I installed the odd-looking Philips "slim style" 60W equivalent bulbs in a pair of reading lamps. A couple years later I put Philips non-dimmable 100W equivalent bulbs in a multi-bulb "torchiere" floor lamp and a table lamp. Three years ago I installed Cree 60W equivalent bulbs in a fully enclosed fixture (the bulb mounts with the base to the side) and in a bathroom vanity.
posted by RichardP at 7:58 PM on March 14, 2021 [1 favorite]
Have you tried the Philips WarmGlow Clear Glass 60W? Specifically the "Clear Glass" ones, not the WarmGlows with the frosted bulb; the Clear Glass ones have a visible wire-like filament. The WarmGlows are made differently than the usual frosted Philips 60W (which I don't like, either; they're too pinkish).
I've observed & compared the colour temperature of many of the well-known brands (including Cree, Feit, GE, Globe, and Ecosmart) side-by-side, and I find that the Philips WarmGlow Clear Glass most closely resembles an old-fashioned incandescent, if you're looking in the 60W/2700K category. It also works perfectly on a dimmer switch, and gets warmer (in colour temp) as it dims down, like an incandescent bulb would.
If you prefer a cooler colour temp than the "incandescent"-equivalent 2700K, the Feit 60W 3000K is great. Its colour temperature and quality is almost indistinguishable from halogen lightbulbs, to my eye. I haven't found any other 3000K lightbulb that comes close.
Oh, and another vote for the Ikea Ledare 60W. I was pleasantly surprised by how good this one is. They're similar to the Philips WarmGlow, but the colour is very slightly yellower (in a pleasant candlelit way) and when they dim, they buzz slightly. If you have them in a non-dimmable socket, there aren't any issues.
I can't vouch for whether or not these will fail prematurely, my apologies, since I bought most of my bulbs just a year or two ago.
posted by fire, water, earth, air at 10:12 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
I've observed & compared the colour temperature of many of the well-known brands (including Cree, Feit, GE, Globe, and Ecosmart) side-by-side, and I find that the Philips WarmGlow Clear Glass most closely resembles an old-fashioned incandescent, if you're looking in the 60W/2700K category. It also works perfectly on a dimmer switch, and gets warmer (in colour temp) as it dims down, like an incandescent bulb would.
If you prefer a cooler colour temp than the "incandescent"-equivalent 2700K, the Feit 60W 3000K is great. Its colour temperature and quality is almost indistinguishable from halogen lightbulbs, to my eye. I haven't found any other 3000K lightbulb that comes close.
Oh, and another vote for the Ikea Ledare 60W. I was pleasantly surprised by how good this one is. They're similar to the Philips WarmGlow, but the colour is very slightly yellower (in a pleasant candlelit way) and when they dim, they buzz slightly. If you have them in a non-dimmable socket, there aren't any issues.
I can't vouch for whether or not these will fail prematurely, my apologies, since I bought most of my bulbs just a year or two ago.
posted by fire, water, earth, air at 10:12 AM on March 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I ended up doing an end run around bulb selection by buying a new fixture with LEDs built in. (well, two fixtures- didn't like the color temp of fixture #1.) My theory is that the durability of a fixture will be better because the packaging constraints of having to cram the electronics in to a sealed, traditionally shaped bulb don't apply so the heatsinking can be better. We'll see!
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 4:41 PM on March 28, 2021
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 4:41 PM on March 28, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
As far as color temp, I find the ones around 3000K pretty nice, most resembling traditional incandescent bulbs. I avoid anything above 4000K. But that is a matter of taste. These specs are commonly shown on the packaging these days.
posted by 2N2222 at 5:48 PM on March 14, 2021 [1 favorite]