How To Choose the Right Model of Light Bulb

Buying light bulbs is a bit more complicated than it was in the past. As technology has advanced, many shapes, sizes, voltages, wattages, and wide varieties of light bulbs have appeared. When trying to figure out how to choose the right model of light bulb for the fixtures in your home or office space, you should keep some of these helpful tips in mind.

Size and Shape

When picking out a lightbulb, one of the first things to consider is ensuring that it fits your fixture's sockets. When you examine a bulb, you may see letters and numbers like A19 or E26. E26 means it’s an Edison screw base with a diameter of 26 mm, the standard bulb size in America. Thus this bulb base indicator can give you an idea of how it’ll fit.

There’s also a letter that lets you know the bulb shape, such as C for Candle or BR for Bulged Reflector. It's a good idea to figure out what size and shape of bulb and screw you need for your fixture before going shopping.

The Type of Bulb

When figuring out how to choose the right model of light bulb for your home or workspace, you should consider the different types of lights. For example, many classic light bulbs are incandescent lights, while you may find halogen lights in the same shape and size. Many homeowners gravitate toward LED bulbs, but it's worth knowing the differences between LED and incandescent lightbulbs to figure out what works better with your setup.

Overall Whiteness

Have you ever changed a lightbulb, then noticed the light suddenly seems much whiter than it used to be? Or perhaps what was once bright and easy to see now feels more yellow and faded? The box your light bulbs come in may not directly tell you how white or yellow the lighting is, but there’s one way to check that before you buy.

To determine the whiteness of your light, look for a number on the box that has the letter K after it. This K represents the color temperature in Kelvins. A lower number, such as 2700K, offers warmer yellow lighting, while a much higher number, such as 3500K, offers a bright white. This information helps determine what level of color is ideal for your fixtures.