Which car LED lamps to choose in 2022

Previously, halogen lamps on the market were considered the best, but when LED lamps were created, they quickly began to conquer the market in various fields. This happened with the automobile market.

Experts, along with the advantages of LED lamps, also find disadvantages in them, which, if used incorrectly, can lead to disastrous consequences in the car. Let's figure out how to choose LED lamps for a car and find out which LED lamps are best for cars to purchase for your car.

Types of LEDs for cars

Low beam lamps

Low beam LEDs provide higher quality lighting than their halogen counterparts. Instead of a weak, watery yellow light, they produce a cleaner light.

High beam lamps

LEDs are an excellent option for long-range electric lighting. They consist of a miniature LED panel that easily fits into the high beam reflectors of modern models.

Warning lamps and side lights

Signal lights and markers with LED offer lower consumption and greater light energy efficiency. The lights are more noticeable during the dark and daylight hours.

Fog lamps

Fog lights are much more energy efficient than halogen headlights, using less energy while providing a cleaner quality of light.

Diodes in the salon

LED strips are suitable for interior decoration, as they emit light from the entire RGB color spectrum. Buy lighting that comes with color remotes.

Legality of LEDs

LED lighting can only be used if it has been installed at the factory. Traffic police inspectors are well aware of the design features of a particular vehicle. If halogen headlights were previously installed on the car, then reinstalling them is permitted.

What actions are illegal? Installation that will change the design features of the vehicle cannot be carried out. Violations may relate to the color, quantity, type of lamps. In this case, sanctions are imposed in accordance with 12.5 of the Administrative Code.

It is strictly forbidden to install red light fixtures. In this case, rights may be deprived for up to 12 months.

CARCAM H4 — 2990 ₽

An affordable option in the lower price segment of the Russian market. CARCAM H4 is a simple H4 40W/2pcs kit with 4000 lumens, which will be significantly better than any of the most expensive halogen bulbs.

One element consists of six CREE LEDs, which produce a luminous flux of 4000 Lumens, which guarantees high-quality lighting in any conditions. An aluminum radiator and fan built into the device provide reliable cooling.

• More than 30,000 hours of operation
• Protection class ip68
• Cree LEDs

PROS:

1. Low price, availability on the Russian market.

MINUSES:

1. The brand is not focused on producing automotive lighting, like Philips.

Base H9

Dled Smart2

Its luminous flux is 2500 lm. The glow temperature can be from 3500 to 5000 K in various versions of white light: just white, natural white, warm white. The lamp contains six Philips Luxeon LEDs. Power – 25 W. Smart 2 differs from the first generation lamps in increased brightness, smaller driver size, compactness and an improved radiator. It is an excellent option for headlights with a lens or reflector.

Dled Smart2

Advantages:

• Durable, works from 50 to 100 thousand hours;
• Low power consumption;
• Flexible cooling radiator.

Flaws:

• Not identified.

The average cost is 2200 rubles.

G9X ZES

It uses a Philips ZES chip. The manufacturer is located in China - NSSC. Color temperature – 4000 K. Luminous flux – 4000 Lm Power – 22 W.

G9X ZES

Advantages:

• Ideal for fog, low and high beam;
• The guarantee reaches 7 years;
• High quality.

Flaws:

• Not identified.

The average cost is 5,700 rubles.

Nova Bright 47471

Super bright LED lamp. It is equipped with Samsung LEDs with the function of completely filling the optical element of the headlight with light. Consequently, a dense light beam is created. Visibility will be good, without blind spots.

She has the following characteristics:

• Color temperature – 4500 K;
• Luminous flux – 4400 Lm;
• Power – 12 W.

Nova Bright 47471

Advantages:

• Long service life of LEDs;
• Vibration resistance.

Flaws:

• Not identified.

The average cost is 3300 rubles.

4Drive LumpLED H4 – 1990 ₽

The 4drive kit is similar in price to previous LEDs and includes two units in a durable package. The kit produces a bright high beam of 3800 lumens and is easy to install. In addition to the aluminum body, you get a ventilation system to keep the lights in working order. They are shock resistant and you won't have to worry about them being exposed to all the damage.

• Brightness is 3 times higher than standard halogen!
• Lamp service life is more than 5 years!
• Self-installation in just 5 minutes
• Dense white beam of light at 500 METERS
• Phillips Luxeon Z ES Series LEDs
• Don't blind oncoming cars
• Cools quickly

PROS:

1. Service life, self-installation.

MINUSES:

1. The lights will be too bright for oncoming traffic, but at the default setting their output closely resembles the brightness of a standard headlight system.

Base H1

Xenite 1009432 9-30V

Automotive fog lamp for low and high beam. Its color temperature is 5000 K and its luminous flux is 1200 lm. Power – 6 W. The service life is quite high, it is 50,000 hours.

Xenite 1009432 9-30V

Advantages:

• High service life;
• Good quality.

Flaws:

• Not found.

The average cost is 1500 rubles.

12 SMD 5050

Its luminous flux is 180 lm and its power is 3 W. It has 12 LEDs. It can be used in various climatic conditions. There is no filament, which has its drawback - high sensitivity to shock. The light of its glow can be selected. Options are from 4300 K if it is warm white and up to 6000 K if it is cool white.

Diode lamp AVTO VINS P21W SMD5050 12V-2.2W

Advantages:

• High luminous flux due to multilateral placement of LEDs;
• Doesn't blind;
• Strength;
• Long service life.

Flaws:

• Not found.

The average cost is 400 rubles.

Dled Sparkle

Brightness is 3600 lm. Power – 36 W. Color temperature is 3600 K. Its design is such that after installation it does not dazzle oncoming traffic and illuminates the path well. There is overheating protection and an intelligent control chip.

Dled Sparkle

Advantages:

• No outdoor fan needed;
• The lamp does not need ballast, it is built-in;
• High quality.

Flaws:

• Not identified.

The average cost is 2000 rubles.

INTERPOWER H4 LUMILEDS — 4550 ₽

This kit is very bright and emits rich light without leaving any blind spots that can be a problem when driving at night. You get great lamp life. The service life of each diode is 50,000 hours. You get a weatherproof design and a sophisticated cooling system that ensures you don't experience wear and tear.

PROS:

1. Great brightness, universal use.

MINUSES:

1. Difficult to repair, but wear-resistant kits do not often break down.

Philips H4 Philips X-Treme Ultinon — 8200 ₽

LED lights from Philips are much more expensive than previous models, but "you get what you pay for." Philips X-treme achieves a brightness ratio that is twice that of competing devices. The 23W luminaires create a projection pattern that simply cannot be replicated on the market with less lumen quality. The blur-free projection is fully customizable.

PROS:

1. Abundance of settings, high lighting brightness.

MINUSES:

1. High price, limited compatibility. Although these LED elements technically work with most vehicles, the instrument headlight housing does not fit these bulbs.

The best models with H7 base

Installation locations for LED lamps in a car

As mentioned above, it is possible to install diodes to provide headlights only in factory conditions (if the car enthusiast will operate the car on public highways). In all other cases, independent installation of lamps is possible. In general, the installation location will depend on the base of the LED source:

• Headlights are often equipped with bulbs with an H7/H4 socket (although in the factory it is possible to install HB3, H3, H11, HB4);
• H11, 10, 8 sockets are suitable for fog lights;
• For direction indicators and side lights, W5, 14HP, P21W and P21 are intended;
• For the main turn signals, T4W, W5W and T10 are used;
• Reversing lights use T20 and W21W sockets;
• Rear brake lights use 5W, P21;
• It is possible to install a T5 base in the cabin.

If the low-beam headlights of a car are equipped with diode light sources with a power of 12 W and having a luminous flux of over a thousand lm, then such a circuit must be provided with a radiator. If these headlights use diodes in the H4 base, then two bulbs with a total power of 17 W are installed at once, one with 1000 lm for low beam, and one with 1500 lm for high beam.

Possible errors when installing LED lamps

The main problems that arise when installing such lamps may be their compatibility with the vehicle's control unit. For example, it may constantly require a connection check. The reason lies in the fact that the car’s computer monitors the presence of a lighting source based on its electricity consumption, and diodes consume little of it, so the control unit may simply not “see” them. The problem can be solved in two ways. Firstly, you can contact a car service center, where at the software level they will “write” into the car’s control unit the presence of an installed LED lamp (an expensive method). Secondly, install a ballast or “fake” yourself, which artificially forces the control unit to consider the LED lamp installed (cheap way). You can purchase such a ballast at any auto store; it is called “LED can-bus”. The price of the device is from 200 to 300 rubles.

H7 Dled Sparkle 2 — 2150 RUR

These are moderately priced and bright LED light bulbs. The Dled Sparkl kit has been optimized for easy assembly and installation. Products with increased service life. The kit is also designed to maintain a color temperature sufficient for normal and pleasant lighting of the track.

PROS:

1. Complete set, value for money.

MINUSES:

1. Average power.

Best LED Car Headlight Bulbs in 2021

Now you can go directly to the rating among LED lamps for cars and determine the best options among the offered range.

This is not to say that making a choice is easy. After all, there is now a huge range of LED lamp kits on the market. They differ not only in brand. They also have different purposes, prices and technical characteristics.

Based on the automaker's instructions, as well as the specific parameters of his car, the owner will be able to understand which lamps would be best to buy specifically for his car and whether it is possible to switch to LED devices there at all. In some cases, this is technically or structurally impossible to do.

The rating itself among LED lamps for cars of different classes and segments was compiled according to a simple principle. 10 types of bases were taken, such as H1, H7 and so on. And for each type, we selected the best LED set based on reviews, comments, ratings and tests.

As a result, the best automotive LED lamps were selected, which can be the best choice for your car.

Philips ZES H1-G9TB

It is clear that we are talking about the H1 base here. An excellent set of lamps consisting of 2 elements. Each lamp contains 6 Lumileds Luxeon LEDs. There is no doubt about the quality and efficiency of Philips devices. This is one of the recognized world leaders in this field.

Auto lamps are used for high and low beam operation. They can also be installed as anti-fog optics. When installed in a headlight, an excellent light border is provided.

The total power is 18 W, and the light flux is 1000 Lm. A flexible radiator is provided. The current price is about 4 thousand rubles.

Maximum brightness, with a radiator and good, effective heat dissipation. You just need to take into account that when installing in old cars, certain difficulties may arise. This is due to the lack of installation space on some car models.

Vizant J1 base H3 Seoul

Inexpensive lamps from a South Korean company that have good light output. The design of each light bulb includes a matrix with 6 CSP LEDs from Vizant.

The kit can be an excellent replacement for halogen headlights for low and high beam operation. The device is based on a unique technology that ensures effective light dispersion.

The power, as in the previous case, is 18 W, and the light flux is 1800 Lm. But there is no radiator. The current price is approximately 2 thousand rubles.

If you do not take into account the presence of polarity, there are no other significant drawbacks. But the lamps accurately imitate the operation of an incandescent filament, like conventional halogen lamps, have high brightness, and are also equipped with current stabilizers.

Philips Luxeon MZ H4-55W

When choosing objectively the best and highest quality LED lamps for cars, it is quite expected to see Philips products among the leaders. In the category of lamps with H4 base, its representative also wins.

This set consists of two LED lamps. Moreover, the most powerful LEDs developed by Philips in Germany are used here.

The kit is only suitable for installation in high beam headlights. Here it is worth noting the increased brightness levels, as well as the use of 4 LEDs.

The device uses an external driver and does not have a heatsink. The light flux varies from 2000 to 4500 lm. Total power from 30 to 55 W. You can purchase such a kit for 8 thousand rubles as of spring 2022.

No obvious shortcomings were found here. In this case, the LEDs are arranged in a unique way, being approximately at the level of the spirals of conventional lamps. The design allows you to adjust the base according to the thread using a special key. Plus, an active cooling system is implemented here, which can also be considered a significant advantage.

H7-S1 6 CSP LED Seoul

If you are looking for the best LED and most efficient bulbs for your car and need to choose a kit for H7 socket, take a look at this kit.

Here the manufacturer has implemented a new light diffusion system. During operation, it feels as if a regular halogen lamp is being used.

The devices can be installed in high and low beam. The kit includes polar lamps. If one does not work when connected, you will need to remove the second one, unfold it, and then connect it again.

An external driver is used and no heatsink is provided. The total power is 18 W, and the light flux is 1600 Lm.

The price is approximately 1700 rubles.

The advantages include the creation of white and soft light, the use of a built-in stabilizer, as well as the flange design of the lamp.

But there is a problem in the form of polarity. This can potentially be solved using deception. Only this decoy is not included in the kit.

Osram H8 LED LEDriving FOG Lamp

If we talk about which headlights are better to install as foglights for a car, and at the same time LED devices are required, then a product from Osram can be an excellent option with an H8 socket. One of the world leaders in the field of lighting devices and LED technologies.

It is important to note that these lamps are used only in the design of fog lights.

LED devices are characterized by high reliability and excellent light dispersion. In terms of color temperature, we managed to significantly improve the performance. Users note excellent reliability and long service life.

The driver, as in previous cases, is external. The radiator is also present. The power indicators are 55 W, and the light flux is 1350 Lm. You can buy a set for about 6 thousand rubles.

The disadvantages include only a limited area of ​​application. Otherwise, these are LED lamps that have a very reliable assembly, without polarity and with a good price-quality ratio.

IPF V303HLB

Leader in the category of LED lamps for H9 base.

Already a kind of long-liver in the LED device market. Produced in Japan. Production began back in 2015. But it still remains relevant and very popular.

Diodes have an incredible safety margin and service life. The kit is capable of operating over 50 thousand hours.

Experts note that the engineers created the correct geometry of the light beam. Due to this, oncoming cars will never be blinded.

The design uses an external driver and has a heatsink. The light flux is 3600 Lm, and the total power is 12 W. You can buy it for about 6 thousand rubles.

Some motorists who bought such a kit note certain problems with detecting devices from the on-board computer. The problem is solved by installing ballast.

Otherwise, these are excellent LED lamps, which have their own cooling system. The manufacturer provides a solid warranty period. Connection is possible to all existing standard connectors.

BraveWay H11 9005 9006 Turbo

In the H11 base this is a decent option. Although it is produced in China and sold for relatively little money.

The device is positioned as a multifunctional kit suitable for the operation of high and low beam car lights. Has increased light transmission rates. The declared working life is 30 thousand hours. All this allows us to enter the top 10 among the best LED lamps for cars.

The design includes 6 LEDs. The driver is external, but there is no radiator. The light flux is estimated at 12,000 lm, and the power is 12 W. You can buy a set for literally 2.5 thousand rubles.

According to experts, in approximately 15% of cases additional ballast will have to be installed. These lamps are definitely not suitable for Volvo cars. In some cases you have to buy an additional adapter.

But for little money, the buyer receives a wide range of characteristics of LED lamps. They are universal, have built-in moisture protection and dust protection. Versatility means that installation is possible in cars, trucks and even motorcycles.

Kafolee 9003 HB12 16000LM

If you are interested in the HB2 base, then take a closer look at these LED lamps.

Another product from the Middle Kingdom. But the quality is good. They are advertised as a complete replacement for halogen optics. Installed in low and high beam headlights on a car.

The manufacturer claims that the light brightness is 200% higher, and the dispersion indicators are increased by 150% compared to the halogen counterpart. There is a full lighting angle of 360 degrees.

The driver is external, but there is no radiator. Total power 80 W with a light flux of 16,000 lm. The price is more than affordable and amounts to 1.7 thousand rubles.

The manufacturer honestly states that when installed on European cars, ballast will be required. Therefore, this cannot be considered a clear disadvantage.

At the same time, the manufacturer provides a 2-year warranty and has support in the form of a hotline with operators speaking Russian. The case is protected from dust and moisture.

DLED Sparkle HB3 9005

Russian design in HB3 base. The design uses a new generation high power diode.

The case is as compact as possible. This allows you to comfortably install LED devices, as well as operate them on your car without any problems.

There is built-in protection against possible overheating. Therefore, there is no need to use additional external coolers. It is possible to focus light beams if the need arises.

The driver is external, there is a radiator. The light flux is estimated at 13,000 lm, and the total power is 12 W. The manufacturer provides a 12-month warranty. The current price for spring 2022 is 3.5 thousand rubles.

There are no obvious shortcomings here. But among the advantages we can highlight the use of an adjustable stand, moisture protection and ultra-bright LEDs.

Solarzen HB4 38S35

The manufacturer is part of the LG group, which already indicates the potentially good performance and high quality of LED devices.

The current version of the lamps is used for installation in car fog lights. The lamp includes 38 LEDs. The body is made of high quality solid aluminum. There are extremely low energy consumption rates here.

An external driver is used and there is a heatsink. Each diode has a light flux of 900 lm. The total power is 13.5 W. The current cost is about 2.5 thousand rubles.

The only drawback that can be highlighted is the lack of a built-in voltage stabilizer. At the same time, this is an extremely powerful LED device for cars for frankly little money. Installation does not require the use of adapters, and therefore takes a minimum of time. The LED lamp is equally suitable for foreign and domestic cars.

Having made your choice, all that remains is to purchase the kit and deal with the issues of its installation.

Do not forget about the importance of design and technical compliance of LED lamps with the vehicle on which you plan to install them.

What do you think about LED lamps? To what extent do they justify themselves? Who managed to switch to LED optics? Are LEDs really better than halogens and xenons?

Subscribe, leave comments, ask questions and tell your friends about the project!

Philips H7 X-treme Ultinon 6000K — 9000 ₽

The Philips 6000K kit offers the best reliability and strongest build on the market. Philips SafeBeam helps concentrate light for improved visibility. The lighting intensity corresponds to the premium class segment, which is confirmed by the high price. Luminous flux up to 1760 lm, vibration and shock resistant, cool white light, +200%* more light.

PROS:

1. More precise control of electric lighting improves visibility, which helps you drive better and more safely at night.

MINUSES:

1. High price. No cheating.

Types of LED car lamps

All lamps are classified according to the following parameters:

• type of base;
• Areas of use;
• LED type;
• class (premium and economy).

LEDs halogen and xenon lamps

These are the two main varieties. each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Halogen lamps are affordable. You get an inexpensive light source. Such lamps are quite easy to replace. As for the minuses, we can highlight the increased energy consumption; no one makes adaptive lighting.

As for xenon lamps, they are capable of providing excellent light; the lamps can be replaced. The disadvantages are exactly the same: increased energy consumption, adaptive light is difficult to implement.

Which LED lamps are best for a car?

It is quite difficult to decide between these two types. It all depends on what exactly you need. If your budget is limited, then you should take a closer look at halogen lamps. Need brighter light? Then you need to choose xenon lamps.

CARCAM H7 – 2490 ₽

The CARCAM H7 35 LED kit will really appeal to budget buyers. This kit is a little more expensive than the company's previous kit we reviewed, but it also comes with some upgrades. Cooling system with fan in aluminum housing. You also get 50,000 hours of battery life.

• More than 30,000 hours of operation
• Protection class ip68
• Cree LEDs.

PROS:

1. Rich functionality, high power.

MINUSES:

1. After prolonged use, these lights may flicker slightly.

Why do many people prefer LEDs?

LEDs for car headlights have become widespread because they have low power consumption and, along with this, a powerful luminous flux. Perhaps these two factors are fundamental when choosing light sources for a vehicle. After all, what driver doesn’t dream of saving battery energy and at the same time getting high-quality lighting.

Lamps with diodes are capable of maximally illuminating the road in front of the car, since they contain many small emitters. Plus, the color temperature allows you to get comfortable shades of white, as close as possible to natural tones. This fact will help not only improve the quality of lighting, but also improve the visibility of the vehicle for other road users.

Ice lamps for headlights also have disadvantages, but the advantages still successfully cover them. Even if the diodes are not maintained and require complete replacement, this can be solved due to their impressive service life. Even if they have a high cost, it pays off again in terms of work duration and quality.

It is important to remember when choosing lighting sources that they must be provided for by the standard design of the car. Otherwise, the driver will be issued a fine, since this action is considered an administrative offense. If the installation of ice lamps in the design of the car requires changes, then after making them the vehicle must undergo a safety test and receive a certificate.

Clearlight Flex H7 3000 lm 2 – 3500 RUR

The Flex line is a reasonable price and high performance. These LEDs also produce a very precise, focused beam pattern that any driver will appreciate. Please make sure your vehicle is compatible with the lights before purchasing. Compatibility information can be found on the manufacturer's website.

PROS:

1. Value for money.

MINUSES:

1. Not compatible with all car brands.

The best models with H11 base

Main characteristics of LED car lamps and types of bases

More than 20 types of bases can be distinguished. The main ones will be listed below:

• H4 and H7 are the most common;
• T10, T4W ​​- used for dimensions and direction indicators;
• H8, H11 - used for fog lights.

It is quite rare to find the 7440 base on sale, despite the fact that it is very popular among buyers. Now we need to touch on the topic of the main characteristics of automotive LED lamps. Among the main ones are:

• power;
• the amount of luminous flux;
• presence of a radiator (if it is not there, the power will be low).

Philips X-Treme Ultinon H11 — 6700 ₽

These intense light beam diodes increase lighting power by 200%. They come with a temperature rating of 6500K and take advantage of LUXEON technology. This helps generate a white light beam that is close to daylight.

PROS:

1. By reducing eye strain, brighter lighting makes your night driving more enjoyable.

MINUSES:

1. High price.

Popular LED manufacturers

Many manufacturers are already producing LED lamps for headlights, but it is better to opt for time-tested ones. You shouldn’t save money and buy cheap fakes; it’s better to buy a high-quality lamp from a reputable manufacturer that guarantees both a bright glow and a long service life.

Among the popular manufacturers of ice lamps for headlights, the following are clearly in the lead:

1. NIGHTEYE company . One of its latest products is H4 LED lamps for NIGHTEYE H4 headlights. The price in this case is justified by the quality one hundred percent. The kit initially comes with two light bulbs, each with a brightness of 4000 lumens. And the use of lighting sources is possible on headlights of any configuration. Also a huge plus is the nominal operating time, which is equal to 100,000 hours. In fact, it was not possible to achieve this mark, but in practice the performance indicators are close to nominal.
2. hlxg company . Users respond positively to the entire line of diode car headlights. The most common LED lamp from this company is H4 50 W. The fact is that the design of the lamp itself matches a huge number of car headlights and installation is quite simple. But you need to take into account that you should not install these ice bulbs on headlights with lensless deflectors, since the illumination level will not be able to achieve the effect of 6000 K. But with lenses, the effect will be completely opposite - on the most unlit track with these diodes, any driver will feel confident. Rated for 30,000 hours.
3. DXZ also managed to establish itself on the positive side. For example, a set of DXZ BrightLux H4 ice lamps is distinguished by decent brightness: with a power of 45 Watts, the real brightness reaches 6000 Lumens and the color temperature reaches 6500 K. The lamp body is made of aircraft aluminum, which can provide maximum protection from moisture and dust. Service life is rated for 50,000 hours.
4. Auxmart has long been a favorite of many drivers . For example, Auxmart H7 headlight lamps are designed to solve all problems with poor road lighting. Each element is capable of producing 4000 lm and has good focusing on the road surface. When switching from high beam to near beam, the directional beam is perfectly scattered and collected, and the boundaries are clearly distinguished. And according to many drivers, the quality of the headlights does not affect the brightness of the lamps. But in the case of these headlights, special attention must be paid to brightness due to the fact that the color temperature of 6500 K can blind drivers, which often requires additional adjustment.
5. ZDATT company . Particular attention should be paid to the ZDATT H7 COB headlight kit. In this case, a great advantage is given to increasing operating temperatures. The lower limit remained -40, but the upper limit was increased from 80 to 150 degrees. This fact allows us to state with absolute certainty that overheating is not possible when the cooling fans are running. The power of the set is 80 watts, with each lamp producing 4000 lm with a temperature of 6000 K. Designed for 30,000 hours.

4Drive H11 – 1990 RUR

4Drive is suitable for buyers with a moderate budget. For little money you get: brightness, settings, which are not often found on devices at this price. 4Drive are equipped with cooling, waterproof surface, easy to install interface.

PROS:

1. Average price, average characteristics.

MINUSES:

1. The kit has compatibility issues. Light bulbs flickering after intensive use.

Rating of the best LED lamps for cars

After studying the characteristics of the models and customer reviews, a rating of the best LED lamps for cars was compiled.

Bullvision H11 H4 H7 Led 12V Mini 9005 9006

Bullvision H11 H4 H7 Led 12V Mini 9005 9006
The top includes an LED lamp for head and fog lights.

Basic properties:

• Brand: Bullvision;
• country of origin: China;
• price - 744.63-10121.66 rubles;
• power - 120 W;
• color temperature - 6000K;
• LED Chip - CSP chip;
• input voltage - 12 V;
• Warranty period - 2 years.

OSRAM 9012 HIR2 HB2 H11 H7

OSRAM 9012 HIR2 HB2 H11 H7
Osram optics are suitable for any vehicle: car, truck, motorcycle. Its products are included in the top LED lamps for cars. They are used as high and low beams.

Characteristics:

• brand - Osram;
• country of origin: China;
• price - 4,013.57 rubles/set;
• power - 19 W;
• color temperature - 6000 K;
• voltage - 12 V.

Optima Premium Fog H11 — 3500 ₽

Producing 5100K of pure white light, these LEDs do not heat up. Thanks to cooling radiators, they are able to work without problems (20,000 hours of continuous operation). Also, in 2 minutes they can be installed on any type of vehicle. The lamp components are made in Japan, the lenses are made of fiber optics, and are available in two luminance options - 4200k and 5100k.

PROS:

1. Thoughtful installation, high power, affordable price.

MINUSES:

1. After prolonged use, these lights flicker and the overall brightness decreases.

Advantages of diodes and their disadvantages

LED lamps are endowed with a large number of advantages that need to be considered in more detail. It’s also important to pay attention to the disadvantages of ice light sources, because without them you can’t do anything.

Advantages of LEDs

So, speaking about the advantages of LEDs, it is worth mentioning the following points:

• lamps with LEDs are characterized by a low level of heating, and this fact can guarantee their excellent operation even in conditions where humidity is high, for example, during a rainstorm, you don’t have to worry that they will suddenly burst;
• LEDs enhance distance visibility as they produce a lot of light;
• the body of such lamps is made of durable, moisture-proof material that is resistant to minor damage and various vibrations;
• headlights equipped with ice lamps improve the performance of brake lights on a car due to the fact that the working glow will occur faster than with other lighting sources. Thus, you can speed up the reaction of your vehicle and even avoid an accident;
• ice bulbs for cars are able to illuminate the space in front of the car to the maximum, as they contain dozens of small light sources;
• LED headlights always have an interesting design, which makes the car stand out from the crowd.

Disadvantages of LEDs

Regarding the negative side of ice lamps, it is worth noting the following points:

• Such light sources are maintenance-free, that is, at the end of their service life, if they burn out, the headlamp assembly will need to be replaced. But this fact is counterbalanced by a decent service life;
• ice bulbs have a higher price;
• such light sources will not heat the glass of the headlight itself and therefore ice will form in frosty weather. In this case, you will need to scrape the ice off more often, but there are special headlight cleaners for this case;
• Over time they may fade a little, but this happens very slowly and completely unnoticed;
• diode lamps in headlights will not be suitable for reflectors instead of halogen, since such a reflector will not be able to provide the necessary focusing for the flow of light from ice bulbs. This fact will reduce the illumination of the road, and an incorrectly set angle of light can blind the oncoming driver.

Despite these disadvantages, installing LED lamps in headlights can be a good solution for a budget-conscious car enthusiast. After all, high-quality lamps with diodes will last many times longer than other sources of light radiation without maintenance or replacement.

Legal points

Many experienced drivers have a completely logical question: is it always possible to install ice lamps on a car? In order to have a complete understanding of the operation of such headlights, it would be appropriate to mention the fact that not all cars can legally install LED light sources.

Installing a lamp with diodes on a car is permitted by law in the following cases:

• if a specific car model comes with such lamps in its original form from the factory;
• if the car was produced with halogen lighting, but its functionality allows you to install LED lighting elements. In this case, you can reinstall the lamps yourself, the main thing is that the car model, its class, power and reflector type allow installation.

If you want to install diodes in the headlights and avoid legal punishment in the form of a fine, but you do not comply with these two points, then after installation a safety check is required. After such a check and after receiving a certificate of safety compliance in connection with changes in the design, you will need to re-register the car with the traffic police.

Tips for choosing

How to choose the right LED lamps - The nuances of choice:

What is the SECRET of the right LED lamps? In simple words:

Before you decide to switch from halogen lighting to LEDs, it's best to be aware of a few selection factors.

Legality of LEDs

You can't just replace the bulbs in your halogen headlights with LEDs. Instead, it is better to upgrade the entire headlight and ensure that it has the characteristics that prove it meets transportation safety standards.

Car and headlight compatibility

The priority when purchasing headlights is the compatibility of the LEDs of interest with the car. It is important to carefully research the size and type of plinth before purchasing. The user manual for most vehicles contains this information. Please check your model number before purchasing.

Problems with the on-board computer

In later models produced since 2014, the defects are caused by incompatibility between the LEDs and the machine's computer system. This is commonly found in luxury cars such as Mercedes, Audi and BMW. To correct such defects, connect capacitors between the LED plug and the power supply.

Legal points

Why are there laws regarding lighting retrofits?

• The beam should not be blinding to an approaching driver.
• The beam must reach far enough so that the driver is aware of upcoming road hazards when driving at elevated speeds.
• The color of the beam should correctly highlight colored road markings.

Note:

The legislation of the Russian Federation provides for punishment in the form of deprivation of rights for a period of 6 to 12 months for the installation of lighting devices that do not correspond to the type of headlights and their reflector. If the headlights were originally designed for halogen lighting, installing diodes would be illegal. Most people install LEDs inside the reflector designed for halogen electric lighting. This spoils the beam pattern that the reflector is supposed to emit, resulting in unnecessary beam spread and becoming a nuisance to approaching drivers.

What to look for when choosing LED lamps?

If you have never used LED headlights before, but have only used halogen ones, then pay attention to the following selection criteria:

1. Before purchasing, check the originality of the LED lamp (to do this, just ask the store for a quality certificate).
2. Check the lamp you have chosen to see if it can be screwed into the structure (base) of the headlight. All lamp instructions indicate the size of the base and the shape of the lamp itself.
3. Check for a built-in cooling system in the lamp design to avoid overheating.
4. The lamp may or may not blind the approaching driver. It is better to choose an LED lamp that does not blind an oncoming car at close range.
5. Check the compatibility of LED lighting with the on-board computer of foreign cars (often found in Audi, BMW and Mercedes).
6. Use only white light bulbs.
7. If you do not want to change the LED lamp often, but once every 5-10 years, then you will have to fork out money and it is better to choose an expensive original Model LED lamp.

Why do motorists buy LED lamps?

LED light bulbs have light elements that produce energy-efficient, bright light because they do not emit the heat that is a byproduct of other types of lighting. The energy consumed by the diode is used for light, unlike HID and halogen applications, which convert most of the energy into heat.

Accordingly, these headlights require less fuel to emit light compared to other lighting technologies. This greatly affects the car’s consumption at night and in the evening.

Design of LED lamps

They are also called LED lamps (from the English “light-emitting diode” - “light-emitting diode”). This lighting source does not contain gases, unlike halogen ones. The design itself is quite simple - the light is produced by a single crystal, which is mounted in a small reflective bowl, and to which power contacts, wire connections, a radiator and a distribution lens are connected. The body of the LED lamp is mainly made of plastic.

An LED lamp is always equipped with a matrix of one of 4 types:

• Regular blue LEDs;
• Diodes according to the RGB standard (red, green, blue - red, blue, green);
• Diodes that are attached to the surface of the light bulb (SMD);
• Diodes that are fixed on the board (COB).

According to the base used in the design (in other words, by type), diode lamps can be marked with various Latin letters and numbers, for example, H11 or W5W. The exact gradation is presented in the ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) - “Document on Consumer Safety of the Economic Commission for Europe”.

Main differences from halogen light sources

The design of the halogen source consists of a tungsten filament, which is enclosed in a sealed glass bulb filled with an inert gas and halogen. Due to the gas, the brightness of the glow increases, so it allows you to increase the heating temperature of the filament. However, the resource of such devices is not durable - only 5,000 hours, while the LED lamp has about 30,000 hours. Moreover, “halogen” lamps have a high heating temperature - approximately 150 degrees Celsius and are absolutely not tolerant of surge voltage. LED sources are much more tolerant in this regard.

Main differences from xenon light sources

With xenon it is still much worse: to light up at full power such a lamp will take up to 3 seconds, and the LED will light up within 0.1 second. The brightness of the xenon lights is also low - approximately 70 MegaCandelas (candles) per 1 square meter. For diodes, this indicator starts from 100 units. There’s nothing to even mention about the service life of xenon – only 3,000 hours.

Advantages of LED lamps

• Reduced energy consumption - compared to halogen or xenon, it is several times lower. Standard consumption of up to 30 W allows you to save fuel. Of course, it cannot be called very noticeable - for every 100 km approximately 0.2 liters of gasoline will be saved. However, with reduced consumption, the load on the battery and, in general, on the entire power system of the machine is reduced.
• Increased light flow - the light temperature of modern diodes varies between 6 thousand - 6.5 thousand Kelvin, which corresponds to a bright sunny day. Imitating natural daylight, rather than bright artificial light, makes driving at night easier. With such light, the eyes become less tired and the road surface is better illuminated.
• Legality of installation - some LEDs can be installed independently at will; such an operation is not prohibited by law (at one time the legality of installing xenon and halogen lamps was in question). Installation is possible on brake lights, turn signals, and working lights in the interior. It is also possible to install head lighting (H7 and H4) without special permits, but only if the car will be operated outside the public road network.
• Extended service life - subject to proper use of LED lamps, they can last up to 10 years.
• Low susceptibility to shocks and vibrations - due to the fact that the design of the diodes does not contain fragile filaments and a glass case, then, in fact, there is nothing there to break when impacted. The thin wires themselves and the semiconductor element are securely fastened and protected by a plastic lens. Keeping in mind the rough Russian roads, this factor will be important.
• Speed ​​of operation - LED lamps turn on to full power 200 milliseconds faster than classic lamps. Thus, installing them in brake lights will allow the car driving behind to react more quickly to the stop of the one in front.

Disadvantages of LED lamps

Their main disadvantage is that during operation they emit a considerable amount of heat in the direction opposite to the flow of light. Thus, their effective service life will directly depend on the quality of the heat removal system. If the heat is not completely removed, this will shorten the life of the lamp by an order of magnitude.

In addition, LED lamps are much more expensive than traditional lamps and are often sold in sets (it is not always possible to find one copy on sale). The price may exceed the cost of conventional ones by 50-60 times, however, this circumstance is more than compensated by the extremely long service life.

LEDs require a rated current to operate, so resistors or additional power sources will have to be used in the vehicle's power system.

Counterfeits and bad models

If you visit most Chinese websites and stores that do not have a license, you will encounter low quality products. LED lighting should be purchased only from trusted brands, as it has become more affordable and there is no longer any point in purchasing cheaper Chinese analogues. By purchasing cheap fakes, you will pay 300 rubles less, but you will sacrifice the quality of lighting and durability.

Chinese counterfeits sold by unscrupulous stores most often do not have markings or other international quality marks. Such products do not guarantee reduced power consumption, but will most likely exhibit flickering and overheating problems.

Some properties of LED lamps from different manufacturers

• It is no secret that it is better to purchase equipment such as diode light bulbs from well-known brands. Although Asian manufacturers are widely represented in this market segment today. The following are specific features for different manufacturers:
• Chinese manufacturers often use cheap components, which reduces the service life of the lamp;
• In the same set from a Chinese manufacturer, diodes may have different light temperatures, which will affect the quality of lighting (for example, one diode will shine with white light, the second with yellow);
• In Chinese samples you can often find a poorly designed heat removal system, which again will affect the duration of their use;
• Western models are permanently equipped with ceramic insulators that cannot be melted, even if problems arise with heat dissipation;
• LED lamps from European manufacturers have complete reflection from the lamp, which provides bright and uniform light, they do not blind drivers driving in the oncoming lane and are completely acceptable even for tired eyes;
• As a rule, the declared technical characteristics for LED lamps by Western manufacturers are completely true. If the operating period is indicated at 30,000 hours, then there is no need to doubt it.

conclusions

Most LEDs have become illumination superior to other types of automotive lighting, with output power two or three times that of halogens. When purchasing ice lamps, you need to consider a number of factors that will guarantee your satisfaction with your purchase, which we discussed in this article.

Let us briefly conclude:

1. When purchasing lamps, take into account the compatibility of the model (base, design, dimensions).
2. It's better to make sure that the headlights are legal and not Chinese knockoffs.
3. Because LEDs are much more energy efficient than halogen and other headlights, they use less energy while emitting clean light. This has the effect of improving your fuel consumption, which will save you money.
4. When comparing the life cycle costs of LED car headlights, you find that the money saved goes some way to offsetting the cost of the headlight kit itself.
5. When choosing samples, be guided by the recommended list of manufacturers and models provided in the articles.
6. Although CREE LED lamps are affordable, it is still better to choose CSP.

LEDs

Remember that reputable manufacturers, in order to protect themselves from prosecution, are forced to place on the packaging labels such as “For off-road use and for interior lighting.”
In other words, you act at your own peril and risk. You decide! Remember that reputable manufacturers, in order to protect themselves from prosecution, are forced to place on the packaging labels such as “For off-road use and for interior lighting.” In other words, you act at your own peril and risk. You decide!