A Guide to Finding the Best Car Lights (& Different Types of Car Lights)

When it comes to driving your vehicle safely, nothing is more important than making sure that you have a clear line of visibility. In order to maintain high visibility, you need to have a pair of clear and functioning headlights installed on your vehicle.

While you may have bought a new vehicle or an even a used vehicle a few years ago, over time your headlights will begin to dim and discolor causing your overall visibility to decrease.

When your headlights begin to fade or lose their clarity, you will notice a significant decrease in how well you’re able to see while out on the road driving. If you’re a driver who is dealing with fading headlights or low visibility in your vehicle, you need to get a new pair of headlights as soon as possible.

When it comes to finding the right pair of headlights for your vehicle, there are several different options out on the market for you to choose from which can make finding the right pair quite difficult.

XtremeVision 8G 72W 12,000LM LED Bulb | Amazon

Our top car light recommendation is the XtremeVision 8G 72W 12,000LM LED Bulb. They are 3 times brighter but use 35% less power than most lights!

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We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Before you decide to buy a new pair of headlights for your vehicle, you need to consider several different factors that will play a huge role in how clearly you will be able to see once the new headlights are installed.

The most important factor to consider when selecting the right headlights for your vehicle will be their compatibility with your vehicle. There are a lot of different headlight styles and options out on the market for you to choose from which is why you need to educate yourself about these different options before making a final decision.

You should also take into consideration the longevity of the headlights that you choose to install on your vehicle because when you buy a new set of headlights you want to make sure that they will last a long time before going out.

Trying to sort through all of these various factors can be quite difficult if you don’t know what to look for or how to begin looking which is why it’s important for you to do the proper amount of research before going out to buy your selected pair of headlights.

If you’re someone who has been looking for the right pair of car lights for your vehicle but hasn’t been able to find the right solution, today is your lucky day.

In this guide, we’re going to go over all of the most important aspects and features that you need to look for when choosing which pair of headlights are right for your vehicle so that you can avoid buying a pair of car lights that either aren’t compatible with your car or simply don’t provide the level of visibility that you expect.

Make sure that you read through each section of this guide in full to ensure that you’re choosing the right pair of car lights which will enhance the overall visibility and depth of vision you’re able to achieve when our driving under virtually any type of weather conditions.

To begin, we’re going to look at the main type of headlights that you can choose from out on the market today in order to help you make the right decision about which headlights will provide you with the best visibility and brightness while out on the road.

Summary: Best Car Lights

  1. Xtremevision 8G 72W LED Headlight Conversion Kit: Best Overall
  2. SNGL Super Bright LED Headlight Bulbs: Great Life Expectancy   
  3. Philips D2R Standard Authentic Xenon HID Headlight Bulb: With Xenon HID Technology
  4. SYLVANIA – 9004 SilverStar Ultra: Ultra Bright
  5. Philips Automotive Lighting 9003 VisionPlus: Great Performance  

Our Top Recommend Car Lights Recommendation

XtremeVision 8G 72W 12,000LM LED Bulb – 9005 LED Headlight Kit

The XtremeVision Headlight Kit comes with two separate 72 watts LED headlights that are capable of producing lumens at levels of up to 12,000. The kit uses Pure Bright White LEDs that use 6063 aircraft quality aluminum body designs in order to facilitate heat dissipation to keep your headlights cool and running at extended intervals of time.

The Xtreme Kit comes with LED lights that are about 3 times brighter than other headlight options like halogen lights giving you unparalleled visibility under all conditions and these particular headlights use 35% less power than most other headlight options out on the market today so that you can run your headlights at extended intervals of time without having to worry about replacing them anytime soon.

This set comes with air flux and heat sinks integrated into the design of the lights giving you the ability to avoid overheating under all operating conditions. The XtremeVision Kit uses LED headlights that are 100% shockproof and waterproof so that you’re never without visibility regardless of how messy the road conditions are.

Check out how 9005 Automotive Bulbs compare to 9007 models in our full comparison.

XtremeVision 8G 72W 12,000LM LED Bulb | Amazon

Our top car light recommendation is the XtremeVision 8G 72W 12,000LM LED Bulb. They are 3 times brighter but use 35% less power than most lights!

Buy at Amazon.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

What Are the Different Types of Lights on A Car?

There are several different types of car lights out on the market today all of which provide differing levels of visibility and performance. Before deciding on which headlights are best for your car, it’s important for you to understand and know which headlight types are compatible with your vehicle to ensure that you’re making the right decision.

When it comes to choosing which headlights are right for your car or vehicle, there are three main types of headlight configurations out on the market for you to choose from. You need to understand all of these various car light types before making a final decision about which car lights are right for you in order to ensure that they will be compatible with your vehicle and last a long time.

In the following section, we’re going to go over the main types of car light options that you can choose from out on the market today so that you can decide on which headlight option is best for you. Before choosing any type of headlights for your vehicle, make sure that you confirm it’s compatibility with your car to ensure that you are pleased with your decision.

HID

HID car lights go by many different names including Arc and Xenon, the term or abbreviation HID stands for high-intensity discharge which basically means that you’ll be able to see very clearly when using these specific types of lights.

HID car headlights do not use metal filament in order to create the reflective light that shines through the glass of your vehicle while out on the road. HID headlights work by using two separate electrodes in order to create bright lights and high visibility under all types of conditions.

The high voltage arc created between the two electrodes in HID lights give you high visibility and extended periods of performance so that you don’t have to worry about replacing your car lights on a regular basis.

HID headlights are also filled with Xenon gas which ignites in order to produce the bluish/white light that is seen emitted from HID headlights. HID lights produce far less heat than other headlight options out on the market right now.

One interesting thing to note about HID headlights is that some countries have deemed them as too bright in order to be legally used on the road. HID headlights are capable of producing light around 3,000 lumens and they have a total estimated life cycle of about 2,000 hours.

Halogen

Halogen car lights are an advancement on incandescent lights which are also known as sealed beam lights. Halogen lights use a combination of bromine and iodine in order to produce the type of light that you expect from your car lights.

Halogens in themselves are monovalent elements which are known to create negative ions when combined or when they interact with each other, this chemical reaction is at the core of what makes halogen lights operate and function at the capacity of which they do and is the main reason why most classic cars use halogen headlights in order to provide you with the visibility you need under any circumstances.

Due to the use of bromine and iodine in halogen headlights, the filament made from tungsten is immune from leaking or breaking. Bromine and Iodine will also reduce the onset of blackening in your headlights which will provide you with extended periods of visibility and life expectancy overall without having to change your car lights on a regular basis.

Halogen lights produce a very high amount of heat due to the electrical nature and function of the lights which can make handling the lights to replace them quite difficult. When using halogen car lights, it’s important to keep moisture out of the lights as even small amounts of moisture can diminish the overall quality of your headlights quite quickly.

Halogen lights only produce light around 1,500 lumens so they are not the best option or high visibility. One of the main benefits of using halogen lights is that they are very affordable due to the relatively low cost of manufacturing for many companies who produce halogen headlights.

Check the best Halogen Lights options: 

LED

LED car lights are some of the most common types of headlights that you’ll see available on the market. LED stands for light-emitting diode which essentially means that the headlights work via electricity as opposed to combustible or reactive chemical elements like gas.

LED headlights work by converting electrical energy into light through the diodes in the design of the chosen headlights that you purchase. LED headlights work by a process known as electroluminescence which essentially means the process by which light is created through the conversion of electricity. This allows LED headlights to be more energy-efficient reducing the amount of strain put on your vehicle’s battery.

LED car lights produce little to no heat which is why they are known to last longer than other types of headlights currently out on the market. While LED headlights are known to be more expensive than other types of headlights out on the market, however, they are known to last a lot longer than other car lights that are out on the market today. LED car lights are also known to be a lot brighter than other headlight options that you can choose from.

Now that we’ve gone over all of the various types of headlights out on the market right now, it’s time to look at which headlights are best for your vehicle.

Check the best Led Lights options: 

What Headlights Are Best?

When it comes to choosing which headlights are best for your vehicle, there are several factors that you must consider. One of the most important things to consider when choosing which car light type is best for your vehicle is the compatibility with your vehicle.

Some vehicles are only made to be compatible with certain types of headlights so it’s important for you to ensure that you’re selected headlights will work with your vehicle.

Not all vehicles are created equal and some only accept specific types of headlights, that’s why it’s so important for you to confirm the compatibility of your desired headlights before making a final decision to purchase them for installation on your vehicle.

When looking at all of the headlight types and configurations we’ve mentioned above, halogen and HID lights work by using chemical reactions and combustion in order to produce light. These various types of reactions can make the overall lifetime and functionality of your selected headlights reduced significantly which is why most vehicle owners choose to use LED lights over other common options that are readily found on the market today.

LED lights typically have a much longer run time than other headlight options out on the market right now which is why most new vehicle manufacturers choose to install LED lights on their vehicles once they come from the production line.

Some of the core factors and features to look for when deciding on which headlight option is optimal for your vehicle include the following:

  • Visibility
  • Light intensity and brightness
  • The lifetime of the headlights
  • Ease of installation
  • Vehicle compatibility
  • Energy consumption
  • Operational temperature
  • Cost

By considering all of these various factors before making your final decision about which headlights are right for you, you will be able to ensure that you’re making the right purchase. Aside from the way in which headlights function and their overall brightness, you also need to consider the color of your selected headlights before finalizing your purchase.

Headlights come in several different colors and warmth variables, in the following section, we’re going to go over all of the different type of headlight colors and the warmth of them in order to allow you to become educated about which headlight color is best for you.

Headlight Bulb Colors & Lumens Levels

Every headlight comes in different colors and warmth levels which will determine the overall visibility that you have access to when out driving.

Before you consider purchasing a specific type of headlight for your vehicle, it’s important for you to consider all of these different variables to ensure that you’re making the right decision. Below, we’re going to go over all of the different levels of colors and brightness that you’ll have access to when choosing which headlights are right for your vehicle.

Headlight Bulb Color

When you buy a new set of headlights, you want to make sure that they provide you with maximum visibility under all road conditions. That’s why it’s so important for you to consider all of the different types of lights and colors that come with headlights before making your final purchase decision so that you can ensure your selected headlights provide the level of visibility and clarity you need when out on the road.

Bright Colors

Bright colors are classified as any color with a temperature range of about 3,500-5,000 kelvin. Bright colors are not warm at all and they are very easy on the eyes.

You will find a lot of different headlights on the market which come with bright colors as their default setting because they are really good for long-distance visibility and they have a wider angle of perspective than most other colors out on the market today. Bright colors will ensure that you can maintain crystal clear visibility under all road conditions with ease.

Warm Colors

Warm-colored headlights are any headlights that have a temperature rating of about 2,700-3,500 kelvin. While warm colors are typically not integrated into most headlights as their standard setting, some manufacturers will give you the option of adjusting the color of your headlights to warm colors under certain conditions.

While warm colors may look great to the human eye, they are not usually advisable in terms of visibility and overall clarity due to the fact that they have a very limited luminary range. Warm colors also do not typically focus peripheral vision greatly so they can adversely affect your reaction time while driving significantly especially at night.

Super Bright Colors

Super bright colors are any colors that have a kelvin rating of 5,000 or above. Super bright colors are also typically called daylight white or cool because of their natural-looking appearance while out on the road.

Super bright colors are best because they have the longest distance of view and the widest range of perspective for drivers out on the road. Super bright colors will allow you to see in very dark road conditions in addition to high light daytime conditions which makes them the most versatile colors available in most headlights.

Now that we’ve gone over the different color options you’ll encounter when choosing which headlights are right for you, it’s time to look at the lumens of light produced by all of these various headlight options so that you will be able to make the best decision about which headlight options are right for you.

Lumens Levels of Headlights

Lumens is a measurement of light which determines the overall amount of visible light that is produced from any given light source. The number of lumens or the level of lumens for which a particular pair of headlights is rated will determine how bright the headlights are and the range of visibility that they provide for your vehicle.

The overall intensity of the headlights that you choose will also be measured in lumens so it’s important for you to understand the different variable rates before making your final decision about which headlights are right for your vehicle.

Lumens Levels

8,000 Lumens

Headlights rated to be at about 8,000 lumens are considered to be medium intensity headlights and they have an illuminating range of about 600-700 meters which is more than enough to maintain clear sight of what’s in front of you regardless of road conditions. 8,000 lumens rated headlights are more powerful than most standard headlight options that are out on the market today.

10,000 Lumens

Headlights rated for around 10,000 lumens are considered very high-intensity headlights and they will provide you with the most visibility in terms of range and width. Headlights rated for about 10,000 lumens are capable of lighting the roadways as if it were daytime, which is why they are commonly used in most high visibility headlight configurations out on the market today.

6,000-6,400 Lumens

Headlights rated for about 6,000-6,400 lumens are considered to be low-intensity headlights and they are oftentimes used in combination with super bright colors or other bright colors in order to increase the overall visibility that they provide while you’re out on the road.

Lights with lumens ratings of about 6,000-6,400 have a range of about 500m which is why they are commonly used in recreational vehicles and not commercially produced cars that you’ll find on the road readily.

Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of your selected headlights is very important to consider because it will determine how long your headlights stay in operation. Before making a final purchase decision about which headlights are right for you, you need to make sure that you look at the life expectancy of desired headlights because they will allow you to drive for prolonged periods of time without having to change your headlights anytime soon.

There are two main life expectancies for headlights currently on the market ranging from 30,000-50,000 hours. Below, we’re going to detail the life expectancy and length of each headlight option that you choose so that you can determine which headlight option is right for you.

50,000 Hours

Headlights with a life expectancy of about 50,000 hours often times come with an integrated computer chip and cooling fan in order to reduce the chances of overheating resulting in longer run times for the headlights in general.

Headlights rated to last about 50,000 hours can last for about 6 years before they start showing signs of wearing or going out which is why they are the most highly sought-after headlights currently on the market.

Headlights with a life expectancy of about 50,000 hours also tend to be more powerful and produce more RPM when in use than other options out on the market right now. Headlights with a life expectancy of about 50,000 hours also tend to have integrated heat dissipation mechanisms which make the LED inside of the bulb protected in the event of overheating and other adverse operating conditions.

30,000 Hours

Headlights that are rated for about 30,000 hours of use can last about 3 years before going out and they are the most common type of headlights used in newly produced vehicles out on the market. Headlights rated for around 30,000 hours of use also have integrated cooling fans and are oftentimes constructed with an aluminum casing which helps speed up the process of heat dissipation.

Now that we’ve gone over all of the essential features and components that you need to consider when choosing which headlights are right for your vehicle, it’s time to look at some of our top recommended headlight options that you can choose from on the market today.

Before deciding on which one of these headlight recommendations is best for your vehicle, consider all of the factors we’ve mentioned above to ensure that you’re making the right decision about which headlights are right for you.

Top Car Light Recommendations

SNGL Super Bright LED Headlight Conversion Kit

The SNGL Super Bright LED Headlight Conversion Kit produces up to 6,000 K of light which is more than enough to illuminate your pathway under any and all road conditions.

The set’s headlights have a life expectancy of about 50,000 hours so you’ll be able to drive as long as you want without having to worry about replacing your headlights anytime soon. In addition, the headlights use a rain-resistant LED bulb that provides crystal clear visibility even under extreme rain conditions.

This set’s headlights use adjustable beam technology which allows you to adjust the visibility rate and brightness of your headlights anytime you want to. The SNGL Super Bright LED Kit also comes with an extended warranty in addition to an SNGL intelligent cooling that provides constant cooling to your headlights in order to prolong their overall operational life expectancy.

SNGL Super Bright LED Headlight Conversion Kit | Amazon

Over 50,000 hours long lifetime! SNGL Intelligent Constant Cooling System. It enables constant cooling of the LEDs, ensuring the highest light quality and color and Consistent brightness output.

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Philips D2R Standard Authentic Xenon HID Headlight Bulb

The Philips D2R Standard Authentic Xenon HID Headlight Bulb uses Xenon HID technology which gives you ultimate lighting ability and depth of field view under any road conditions. This bulb is complied with all DOT regulations and standards so you never have to worry about getting a subpar product when using these specific headlights on your vehicle. 

This Philips Headlight Bulb has a very high output rating which gives you a steady beam of light regardless of how dark or convoluted the road may be.

Philips D2R Standard Authentic Xenon HID Headlight Bulb | Amazon

Every authentic Philips Xenon HID headlight bulb features a Certificate of Authentication (CoA) on its packaging. 

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SYLVANIA – 9004 SilverStar Ultra-High-Performance Halogen Headlight Bulb

The SYLVANIA SilverStar Ultra-High-Performance Halogen Headlight Bulb is capable of producing very bright lights so that you can maintain pristine visibility under all conditions.

This headlight bulb provides ultra-night vision which ensures that you’ll be able to see under virtually all conditions. The SYLVANIA SilverStar Ultra-High-Performance Halogen Headlight Bulb uses patented tri-band technology which emits more powerful light that most common headlights out on the market right now.

In addition, this headlight bulb is the perfect car light for anyone that needs ultra-visibility and lighting under virtually all conditions.

SYLVANIA 9004 SilverStar Ultra Headlight Bulb | Advance Auto Parts

The SYLVANIA SilverStar Ultra High Performance Headlight is our brightest downroad and whiter light. The combination of our farthest downroad, more sideroad, and whiter light helps the driver achieve more clarity helping to make night driving a less stressful, more comfortable experience.

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Philips 9003 VisionPlus Upgrade Headlight Bulb

philips 9003 bulb

The Philips 9003 VisionPlus Upgrade Headlight Bulb is compliant with all DOT regulations to ensure that your chosen headlights will provide you with safe and consistent performance. This headlight bulb provides upwards of 60% more visibility than most other headlight options that are currently out on the market.

Philips’ Headlight Bulb is made with superior build quality so that you can experience enhanced visibility under virtually all types of road conditions, and it is the perfect choice for those who need increased visibility while driving.

Philips 9003 VisionPlus Upgrade Headlight Bulb | Amazon
£24.90 (£12.45 / count)

Get up to 60% more vision on the road compared to a standard minimum legal requirements in low beam headlamp test results.

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02/19/2024 07:20 pm GMT

FAQ’s About Car Lights

What color is best for headlights?

While some of the older car models had yellow headlights, in many countries there are new regulations that state that every car owner should place white headlights on his vehicle because they are unfiltered unlike the yellow lights and also provide a brighter hue.

Every country has its own regulations but in most countries, lights have to be turned on while driving (even day time), and they should be at least 22 inches above the ground. Even though there are different colors of lights, it’s forbidden for the drivers to have yellow or amber lights and instead, it’s allowed for them to have white lights that are visible at least 1000 feet in front of the vehicle.

Conclusion

We’ve covered all of the most important information that you’ll need to know when going out to look for the right replacement headlights for your vehicle. Before making your final purchase decision, make sure that you read this entire guide in full to make sure that you understand all of the different elements and variables you’ll need to pay attention to before selecting the headlights that you feel are right for your vehicle.

Take into consideration the type of vehicle that you have, the level of brightness you expect, and the ease of installation to ensure that the headlights you choose will provide you with the visibility and life expectancy you desire.

As long as you use all of these tips, you will be able to find the right pair of headlights for your vehicle in no time. Not all headlights are compatible with certain vehicle types so it’s always best for you to consider the type of vehicle that you have before making the final decision about which headlights are right for you.

If you’re looking for enhanced visibility, reliability, and performance, LED lights are the right option for you and your vehicle. LED headlights are also the most commonly used and sold types of headlights out on the market right now so it’s really important for you to consider the types of headlights that are out on the market right now before installing them in your vehicle.

As long as you take all of these factors into consideration before making your final purchase decision, you will be able to choose the right headlights in no time.

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