The story of halogen bulbs starts way back in the 1950s when engineers were trying to improve on the efficiency of traditional incandescent bulbs. By infusing halogen gas into the bulb element, it was found that the light output was increased and that these new bulbs lasted longer. And here we are in the world of car headlight bulbs.
This development was a turning point in lighting technology, beckoning a new age of brighter and more energy-efficient lighting. By the late 1960s and early 70s, the automotive industry in the UK began to take advantage of the new technology for motor vehicle bulbs, leading to halogen bulbs becoming the industry standard.
Halogen bulbs became the mainstay of automotive lighting, making a substantial impact due to their ability to produce intense, focussed beams, which were ideal for safe driving at night or in poor weather conditions. That, along with their reliability, relatively low cost and compatibility with existing lights, ensured their popularity and made them the standard choice for headlights.
Best halogen bulbs at a glance:
Editor's choice: Philips Racing Vision GT200 - Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for value: Bosch Pure Light - Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for extra light: HELLA H7 2.0TB High-Performance Bulb - Buy now from AmazonUK
Of course, technology keeps moving on, and several alternatives have challenged the dominance of halogen bulbs in the UK market. Xenon (otherwise known as HID) and LED units are the two main contenders, as these have significantly longer lifespans and consume less energy. Halogen bulbs aren't going to be wiped out anytime soon, and they still have a significant role to play in keeping our roads illuminated, so let's take a look at the best halogen headlight bulbs available.
Best halogen bulbs
Editor's choice
These Philips Racing Vision GT200s are a great replacement for standard halogen bulbs. They offer that stylish, whiter appearance, a stronger light, along with a wider beam, making them the ideal solution to improve your headlight output without spending too much money or having to upgrade to HID or LED alternatives. Due to the higher output, they may not last as long as traditional halogen bulbs, and this may be exacerbated if your vehicle has daytime running lights.
Pros
- Sharp image
- More light
Cons
- Shorter lifespan
Best performance
With the Osram Night Breaker, you get a road beam of up to 150m long with some decent additional side vision. They do provide a more contemporary, whiter light than standard halogen bulbs. Once again, the brighter output may come at the expense of longevity, which could be an issue if the headlamp bulbs in your vehicle are difficult to replace; however, if you have easy access, you may be willing to make that call.
Pros
- Long beam
- Whiter light
Cons
- Shorter lifespan
Best for value
If you mainly drive in an urban environment, the brightness and power of your headlights may not be your top priority, and street lighting is often quite effective. These bulbs from Bosch do offer improved brightness as well as reliability, all at a great budget price.
Pros
- Great value
- Reliable
Cons
- None, really, at the price
Best for reliability
If you're looking for a good mix of performance and reliability, the Hella Standard Halogen Bulb is a pretty good contender. It gives a standard yellow light and the power output is in line with original equipment quality. This is the Hella standard bulb; they also manufacture higher-performance bulbs, which will be covered shortly.
Pros
- Good lifespan
- OEM standard
Cons
- Not really an upgrade
Best for long life
www.halfords.com
Another basic pair of headlight bulbs from Halfords which will happily replace any factory-fitted original, and Halfords say it should last 25% longer than a basic bulb. We all know that fitting headlight bulbs can be a bit tricky, so if you want to spare yourself some frustration and skint knuckles, remember you can take advantage of Halfords fitting service for an additional fee.
Pros
- Longer lifespan
- Reliable
Cons
- No additional performance features over OEM
Best for extra light
The Hella high-performance series offers up to 100% more light than Hella standard bulbs while giving a brighter and whiter contemporary light. The colour temperature is not quite in the Xenon category, as there is still a bit of yellow, but it is whiter than standard factory-fitted halogen lamps. If your commute takes you along darker, poorly lit routes, these bulbs might just be for you.
Pros
- More light output
- Less yellow than factory standard bulbs
Cons
- Could be whiter
Best for budget
This is another great, high-quality, no-fuss pair of bulbs at an attractive price, suitable as a direct replacement for any factory-fitted halogen bulbs. These won't give your car's headlamps that blue-white contemporary look, but they will quietly do the job they are meant to, reliably and with a decent lifespan. And at the price, you could always buy one extra to put in the glovebox as a spare.
Pros
- Good value
- Reliable
Cons
- Basic performance
Halogen bulbs FAQs
What are the main types of halogen bulbs commonly used in the UK?
The most common halogen vehicle bulbs include:
H1 Bulbs: These are often used in main beam headlights and some fog lights.
H4 Bulbs: Also known as "dual-beam" bulbs, they have both high and low-beam filaments and are commonly used in many vehicles for both functions.
H7 Bulbs: Commonly found in newer vehicles, used for low beams and high beams.
H11 Bulbs: Typically used in fog lights and some vehicles for low beams.
9005 (HB3) Bulbs: Primarily used for high beams.
9006 (HB4) Bulbs: Often used for low beams.
What is the average lifespan of a halogen bulb?
Halogen bulbs will generally last for between 500 and 1,000 hours, depending on the type of bulb and its use. The more frequently the headlights are used, the shorter the lifespan. Higher-quality bulbs tend to last longer than cheaper alternatives, and extreme temperatures, vibrations, and rough driving conditions can affect the bulb's lifespan, too.
Will halogen bulbs be replaced by newer technology?
It's almost inevitable that in the course of time, they will be gradually phased out and superseded by improved solutions. LED technology appears to be the frontrunner as these bulbs consume less power, have a longer lifespan and offer versatility in colour temperature and design.
_Alex Boyd _is a Commercial Content Writer at CAR and Parkers and loves travel, gardening, DIY and music.__