How to find the right Light Bulbs AI guide

Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.

What the AI looks for in Light Bulbs

Base and shape code: Match the base code exactly (E26 medium and E12 candelabra in North America, E27/E14 in Europe, GU10, GU5.3/MR16, G9) and the shape code (A19, BR30, PAR38, etc.) The base decides whether it fits at all; the shape decides beam spread and whether it fits the fixture or shade.
Lumens, not watts: About 800 lumens replaces a 60 W incandescent and about 1600 lumens replaces a 100 W Wattage only measures power draw, and LEDs reach the same brightness with far fewer watts.
Color temperature: 2700K is warm white, 3000K soft white, 4000K neutral, 5000K and up daylight Mixing color temperatures in one room looks mismatched, so it matters more than small brightness differences.
Color rendering: CRI 90 or higher for living spaces, kitchens and bathrooms Low-CRI bulbs make skin, food and wood look dull or greenish.
Dimmer and enclosure compatibility: Check that the bulb is labelled dimmable and works with your dimmer type, and that it is rated for enclosed fixtures if the fixture is sealed Mismatches cause flicker and buzzing, and trapped heat shortens LED life.

Philips (Signify): Broad range from standard LED to Hue smart bulbs and fluorescent tubes.
GE: Wide household range including appliance bulbs and Cync smart bulbs.
Sylvania (Ledvance): Strong in fluorescent, halogen and specialty lamps.
Feit Electric: Large consumer LED and specialty bulb catalogue.
Satco: Deep specialty and replacement lamp catalogue.
Ushio: Specialist in halogen, projector and HID lamps.
Bulbrite: Decorative, specialty and miniature bulbs.

The letters give the bulb shape and the number gives the diameter in eighths of an inch, so an A19 is a standard bulb about 19/8 inch wide.

Efficiency rules in the US and EU have removed most general-service incandescent and halogen bulbs. Specialty types such as appliance bulbs remain.