When choosing a light bulb for the bathroom, there are a few key factors to consider:
Brightness – Bathrooms tend to have less natural light than other rooms, so you’ll want a bulb that provides sufficient illumination for tasks like shaving, applying makeup, and cleaning. Look for a bulb with a high lumen rating, usually between 800-1000+ lumens for a standard sized bathroom.
Color Temperature – Color temperature measures how warm or cool a light appears. Warm white bulbs (2700K-3000K) give off a soft, yellowish light that many find relaxing for bathrooms. Cool white (3500K-4100K) casts a brighter, bluer-toned light that’s more energizing. Daylight (5000K-6500K) bulbs provide a crisp, natural white light.
CRI Rating – The color rendering index (CRI) refers to a bulb’s ability to accurately display colors. Bulbs with a CRI of 80 or above render colors most accurately. High CRI is important for putting on makeup and seeing yourself clearly in the mirror.
Type of Fixture – Consider the kind of fixture the bulb will go into – vanity strips, recessed lights, or table/floor lamps. Choose the right bulb shape and base to match the fixture. Common types include A19, BR30, and GU10.
Smart vs Standard – Smart bulbs let you control lighting via smartphone, on voice command, and set schedules. If you want these features, LED is your best option. Standard bulbs keep costs down for basic operation.
With those tips in mind, let’s compare some top light bulb options for bathrooms:
CFL
CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs are energy efficient and inexpensive. They have a spiral shape and provide bright, omnidirectional lighting. However, CFLs do contain a small amount of mercury and take 1-2 minutes to reach full brightness. They can also produce a harsher light and lower CRI than LEDs.
Pros:
– Energy efficient – use up to 75% less energy than incandescents
– Inexpensive – starting around $1 per bulb
– Long lifespan – lasts 6,000 to 15,000 hours
Cons:
– Contains mercury – requires special disposal
– Slow to reach full brightness
– Low CRI (70-80)
– Harsher white light than LEDs
Some good CFL options include:
– Philips 13W Spiral CFL: 800 lumens, 6500K daylight white, 8000 hour lifespan
– GE Bright from the Start 32W CFL: 1500 lumens, 2700K soft white, 10000 hour lifespan
– EcoSmart 42W CFL Floodlight: 1600 lumens, 5000K daylight white, 13000 hour lifespan
While affordable, CFLs present some downsides. The mercury content makes disposal difficult. The long warm-up time and lower quality light make CFLs less ideal for bathrooms compared to LEDs. We recommend them mainly for secondary fixtures that don’t get used as frequently.
Halogen
Halogen bulbs produce light by heating a tungsten filament in a compact transparent envelope filled with halogen gas. They offer bright, full spectrum light comparable to incandescents. However, halogens are very inefficient – producing lots of heat and using much more energy.
Pros:
– Bright, full spectrum light similar to incandescents
– Great for accent lighting
– Dimmable
– Affordable cost
Cons:
– Very inefficient – use 30-40% more energy than CFLs
– High operating temperatures
– Short lifespan – lasts 2,000 to 4,000 hours typically
– Can produce a harsh, glaring light
Good halogen bathroom bulb options include:
– Philips 50W Halogen Mini Globe: 620 lumens, 3000K warm white, 4000 hour lifespan
– Sylvania Ultra 50W BR Halogen Flood: 500 lumens, 3000K warm white, 4000 hour lifespan
– Philips 90W Halogen PAR38 Flood: 1350 lumens, 3000K warm white, 3000 hour lifespan
While less expensive upfront than LEDs, the high energy use, heat output, frequent bulb replacement, and subpar light quality make halogens a poor choice for primary bathroom lighting today. They’re best reserved for small accents and supplemental fixtures instead.
LED
LED bulbs are the most energy efficient option and offer excellent brightness and light quality – making them the best choice for bathrooms today. LEDs use durable solid-state technology that emits light in a highly focused direction.
Pros:
– Extremely energy efficient – uses up to 90% less energy than incandescent
– Long lifespan – lasts 15,000 to 25,000 hours typically
– Great brightness and light quality
– Dimmable
– Durable and shock resistant
– Instant full brightness
– Wide range of color temperatures
– Cool operating temperatures
Cons:
– Higher upfront cost (though prices keep dropping)
Here are some top-rated LED bathroom bulbs:
| Bulb | Lumens | Color Temp | Lifespan (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips 800 Lumen A19 LED | 800 | 2700K | 15,000 |
| Cree 4Flow LED BR30 | 850 | 5000K | 18,000 |
| GE Relax LED A19 | 800 | 2700K | 15,000 |
| Philips Warm Glow BR30 LED | 650 | 2700-2200K* | 25,000 |
*Philips Warm Glow dims down to a warmer 2200K color, simulating incandescent.
LED bulbs also come in “smart” versions that let you control lighting remotely through smartphone apps, voice control, and smart home systems. Here are some good smart LED options:
| Smart LED Bulb | Compatible Systems |
|---|---|
| Philips Hue White Ambiance | Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Cree Connected Max BR30 | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Sengled Element Classic | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| LIFX Color | Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
In summary, LED bulbs deliver the perfect mix of efficiency, long life, excellent light quality, and smart connectivity for bathrooms. We recommend choosing Energy Star certified LED bulbs with a CRI of 80+ wherever possible. Payback period on the higher initial cost is usually under a year.
Lighting Tips for Bathrooms
Beyond just the bulb type, also consider these lighting tips for your bathroom:
– Layer light sources – Use multiple kinds of fixtures like recessed ceiling lights, vanity strip lighting, and accent lamps for a well-lit space. Mix and match different bulb types as needed.
– Light the shower/tub area – Install recessed cans or moisture-resistant fixtures over the tub/shower for safety and function.
– Illuminate the mirror – Wall sconces or recessed lighting on both sides of the mirror provide ideal even lighting.
– Accent with lamps – Strategic table lamps can provide task lighting or accent lighting. Go for smart bulbs to control color and brightness.
– Install dimmers – Dimmers allow you to adjust bathroom lighting for different activities and moods. Many LEDs and smart bulbs are dimmable.
– Follow wattage guidelines – Check fixture labels for max wattage ratings. Going over can be a fire hazard. Most LEDs use far less watts than old bulbs.
– Place lights carefully – Position fixtures to avoid glare and harsh shadows on faces. Side lighting is ideal for vanities.
Conclusion
When selecting light bulbs for your bathroom, LED bulbs are hands-down the best option thanks to impressive longevity, efficiency, light quality, and the availability of smart features like tunable color temperature and app control.
To recap, look for the following in your bathroom LED bulbs:
– 800+ lumens for adequate brightness
– Color temperature from warm white (2700K) up to cool/daylight (5000K)
– CRI of 80+ for accurate color rendering
– Dimmable if using with a dimmer switch
– Energy Star certified for guaranteed performance
Install bulbs in multiple fixtures like recessed ceiling lights, vanity strips, and accent lamps to get the full layer of light your bathroom needs. Position and adjust brightness carefully to avoid glare. With LED bulbs and smart lighting, you can create the perfect ambiance for any bathroom task or activity.