LED VS Halogen Downlights: 6 Ways To Choose

Lighting aficionados everywhere are pondering the question day and night: what is better, halogen or LED downlights? After all, while the rest of us just want our homes and business spaces to be functional and aesthetically perfect, halogen and LED are the two most modern lighting technologies that are now competing for space in a highly competitive market. Some say it’s purely a matter of personal preference – but in this blog, we try to settle the LED versus halogen downlights question once and for all.

The big downlight types debate: LED or halogen?

When LED hit the commercial space in the 90s, it was initially limited to small applications like indicator lights and electronic displays. But the benefits were already clear:

• Radically improved energy efficiency
• Incredible longevity
• Extreme versatility
• Unprecedented safety
• Next-level environmental friendliness.

Then, as the technology took bold steps forward, LEDs only became brighter, more efficient, and – to some – the no-brainer choice for today’s popular downlight solutions for homes and businesses over more traditional incandescent or the more recent halogen bulbs.

Halogen, however, has its advantages too, with a technology that uses a special gas rather than the ultra-modern semiconductor device known as the Light Emitting Diode (LED), including:

• Superior colour rendering for natural, true-to-life colours and a warm, inviting glow
• Instant brightness
• More versatile dimmable qualities.

Having trouble making up your mind as you browse today’s extensive range of halogen vs LED downlights? As you make your personal selection for your downlight types, make sure you bear these 6 factors in mind:

1. Energy efficiency

There’s no doubt about it, LED wins the energy efficiency debate hands-down. According to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, LED downlights use up to 80% less energy to produce the same amount of light as a halogen bulb – and that’s an awful lot! To put it into perspective, a typical 50-watt halogen bulb can be replaced by a 7-watt LED bulb to produce the same amount of light.

2. Lifespan

When we’re talking about LED vs halogen downlights in the longevity context, LED is the clear winner again. Specifically, LED downlights last up to 25 times longer than their halogen counterparts – and that’s an awful lot of savings when you think about how many times you’ll need to buy new ones, isn’t it?

3. Brightness

But if we’re analysing LED vs halogen downlights by considering brightness and colour, now we have a true contest. That’s because while LED downlights keep getting better and better, halogen still tends to produce a brighter and more vibrant light for both home and business spaces – and that’s a pretty big deal. That’s not to say that LED downlights aren’t bright and consistent, because they are. But the natural halogen colour is warm, natural and yellowish – like the beautiful sun. Sure, LED can simulate the same light quite well, but there’s no denying it: on the colour rendering index (CRI), halogen comes out at a maximum of 100, while LED’s CRI result really does depend on the quality of the specific manufacturer’s product.

4. Heat output

If safety’s your big concern, go for an LED downlight – because they produce almost no heat at all. That’s in total contrast to your typical halogen downlight, which is notorious for getting quite hot indeed and an obvious fire hazard when installed close to insulation or something else that’s flammable.

5. Cost

But in terms of cost as we explore LED downlights vs halogen, we have a contest again – because halogen tends to be a little cheaper. Just don’t forget to factor in the durability and energy efficiency quotients, because while cheaper at the till, LED may well end up costing you a lot less in the long term.

6. Compatibility

And while we’re exploring the advantages of halogen downlights vs LED, here’s another doozy: if you go for halogen, there’s no need to upgrade your existing light fixtures. That’s important for both convenience and cost, even though it’s true that some of the latest LED downlights are fully compatible with traditional light fittings – so make sure you look into that before heading to the cash register.

Halogen versus LED downlights: It’s your call

So while the light from halogen downlights may be warmer and cosier, LED downlights win the day in terms of energy efficiency, longevity and environmental impact. Which way are you going to go? If you have any questions or you’re ready to make your decision, the friendly team at Static Electrics is standing by 24/7!

We’re a locally-owned and operated business covering the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Moreton Bay and surrounding regions, and we offer 100% customer satisfaction on every single job – big or small! To book in or speak to a member of our fully-licensed team, drop us a message, email or call today right here at Static Electrics.