LED lights buying guide: brightness, colour and safety
Lumens, colour temperature, plug and voltage types, LED strips and outdoor ratings explained before you buy.
LED bulbs and light strips are cheap and efficient, but the specifications on listings can be confusing. Use these basics to pick lights that suit your room.
Brightness is in lumens
Watts show how much power a light uses, not how bright it is. Look at lumens instead: roughly 800 lumens replaces an old 60 W bulb. Be sceptical of listings that give a very high 'equivalent' wattage without lumens.
Colour temperature
Warm white (around 2700 K) gives a cosy yellow light for living rooms and bedrooms. Neutral white (around 4000 K) suits kitchens and offices. Cool white or daylight (5000 to 6500 K) is bluish and suits workshops and garages.
Colour quality
The colour rendering index (CRI) shows how natural colours look. A CRI of 80 is acceptable and 90 or more is better for kitchens, makeup and displays.
Base type and voltage
Check the bulb base (for example E27, E14 or GU10) and the mains voltage. Mains bulbs must match your country's voltage, and plug-in lights need the right plug. Never fit a bulb rated for a different voltage.
LED strips
Most strips run on 12 V or 24 V and need a matching power supply. On long runs the far end gets dimmer, so powering both ends or using a higher voltage helps. Check that the strip's adhesive suits the surface, and use a dimmer made for LED strips.
Dimming and flicker
Not every LED bulb works with every dimmer. Choose bulbs marked dimmable and use a compatible dimmer. Cheap drivers can flicker, which some people find tiring.
Outdoor and bathroom use
For damp areas look for an IP rating such as IP44 for splashes and IP65 for outdoor use. Always follow the instructions for installation, and have mains wiring done by a qualified person.
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