LED optics are becoming increasingly popular every year. LED lamps for car construction are no exception. Such devices have come to replace classic halogen (xenon) lamps, and not only due to their reduced energy consumption. They do not require frequent replacement.
Which ice lamps are best for cars?
Many drivers are attracted by their resistance to shock and vibration, which is very important in Russian road conditions. They do not need additional time to warm up. Their quick activation is an important component of movement on the road. After all, the quality of road lighting will depend only on which ice lamps are best for your car. This will ensure confident, accident-free driving, clear visibility of the road and timely identification of danger.
Advantages of LED lamps:
- energy efficiency;
- long service life;
- ease of installation;
- intensive work with low energy consumption;
- high light transmission index.
Their disadvantages include the following features:
- cannot be repaired;
- higher cost;
- lack of heating of the headlight glass, which leads to the formation of ice at low temperatures;
- After some time, tarnishing may occur.
Despite these disadvantages, many thrifty car enthusiasts decide to install LEDs. Even in the absence of maintenance, the service life of high-quality lamps with diodes will be many times longer than other light sources.
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
Housing material | Aluminium alloy |
Power | 20 W low beam / 40 W high beam |
Number of LEDs | 12 (6 each) |
Degree of protection | IP68 |
Working temperature | -45°C to +105°C |
Input voltage | AC 8-48 V |
LED type | CREE (USA) |
Light flow | 4000 Lumens |
Colorful temperature | 5500K (white) |
Base | H4 |
Life time | >30000 hours |
PROS:
- Low price, availability on the Russian market.
MINUSES:
- 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
Supply voltage | 9-32V |
Colorful temperature | 6000K |
Power | 36 W |
Base | H4 |
LED lamp life | 5 years |
Diodes | PHILIPS LUXEON ZES |
Warranty period | 5 years |
Certification | PCT |
PROS:
- Service life, self-installation.
MINUSES:
- 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.
Which ice lamps are best to choose?
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.
A set of 2 pieces can be purchased on AliExpress.
Buy BULLVISION
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.
Availability of high quality LED, integrated chips. Impact resistant product with good stability.
Buy OSRAM
2X Philips Ultinon 6000K 12V H4
These are high-quality, high-performance optics from aliexpress.
2X Philips Ultinon 6000K 12V H4
Modern heat generation technology was used in production. Quick and easy installation is possible thanks to the accessible design. Suitable for many car models. Increased safety due to precise beam design.
Excellent performance with ThermalCool thermal management. Effective heat dissipation using high quality cooling material.
Options:
- brand - Philips;
- country of origin: China;
- cost - 3,611.35 rubles/set;
- color temperature - 6000 K;
- voltage - 12 V;
- power - 16/17 W;
- service life - up to 5 years.
Can be used for high and low beams, headlights and fog lights.
Buy Philips Ultinon
BraveWay 60W 10000LM/Pair
BraveWay 60W 10000LM/Pair
Optics from BraveWay from one of the world's leading brands, which was included in the rating of ice lamps for cars. Suitable for fog lights and low and high beam headlights.
Options:
- country of origin - China;
- price - 1,410.54-1,941.85 rubles;
- car models - versatility;
- power - 30 W;
- voltage - 12-32 V;
- service life - 3000 hours;
- color temperature - 6500 K;
- operating temperature - -40°-+80°
BraveWay lamps have standard connectors.
An adapter may be required for installation in some vehicles when using the H7. Buy BraveWay 60W 10000LM/Pair
Haolide CSP CHIP 12000LM
Haolide CSP CHIP 12000LM
The best LED lamps from the Chinese company Haolide. With high brightness waterproof chip, you don't have to worry about rain and fog.
Their exclusive custom chips increase the brightness by 3 times and the illumination range by more than 100m.
Options:
- power - 50 W;
- voltage - 12/24 V;
- color temperature - 6500 K;
- manufacturing material - aviation aluminum;
- use - high/low beam;
- operating temperature - -40°-+85°C;
- cost - 1,145-1,472.72 rubles.
Adapters are required for installation in some vehicle models.
Buy Haolide CSP CHIP 12000LM
Afarnova LED H7
Afarnova LED H7
The Afarnova company offers high-quality optics, included in the rating of LED lamps for cars.
Its characteristic features:
- imported high brightness;
- long service life;
- versatility;
- stepped design;
- presence of a turbine fan;
- original plug.
The lamp will ensure complete safety in all weather conditions.
Options:
- country of origin: China;
- price - 2327.54 rubles (per set);
- color temperature - 6000 K;
- voltage - 120 V;
- power - 60 W;
- service life - 50,000 hours.
Anti-interference decoration with built-in intelligent drive. Once installed, you can adjust the focus of the lamp by rotating it 360°.
Buy Afarnova LED H7
12V H4 80W 6000K
12V H4 80W 6000K
Inexpensive LED lamp 12V H4 80W 6000K, included in top, is intended for use in headlights and fog lights. Thanks to the use of a new LED indicator, energy consumption is reduced from 40% to 80%.
A convex lens is installed in the upper part, which performs the function of focusing light.
Characteristic:
- country of origin: China;
- price - 254 rubles;
- connector type - H4;
- color temperature - 6000K;
- voltage - 12 V;
- power - 80W;
- LED color - white;
- manufacturing material - aviation aluminum;
- body color - silver;
- service life - 60,000 hours.
The LED chip consists of 16 microcircuits, 4 of them are located in front, 12 around.
Buy 12V H4 80W 6000K
COB LED 90W 12000LM
COB LED 90 W 12000LM
This product is considered universal and fits almost all vehicles: car, ATV, bus, SUV. It is rightfully included in the rating of LED car lamps.
No additional drivers are required, everything is included in one package. High precision DC chip protects the product from low voltage.
The built-in current regulator protects the LEDs from damage due to voltage changes and regulates power consumption.
Instant full brightness without a start relay thanks to the built-in DC processor.
The appropriate operating temperature is maintained by the high-speed silent fan system and thermal conductivity.
Characteristic:
- country of origin: China;
- price - 239.29-877.65 rubles;
- power - 200 W;
- voltage - 9-32 V;
- color temperature - 6000K;
- base type - H11;
- manufacturing material - aviation aluminum profile;
- Usage life: 5000 hours.
Suitable for headlights and fog lights.
Buy COB LED 90W 12000LM
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.
Number of diodes | 16 |
Voltage | 9-32V |
Base | H4 |
LED type | PHILIPS LUXEON ZES |
Brightness | 4800lm |
Power | 40w |
Glow color | White |
PROS:
- Great brightness, universal use.
MINUSES:
- Difficult to repair, but wear-resistant kits do not often break down.
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.
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.
Base | H4 |
Glow temperature | 6200K |
Life time | 5000 hours |
Voltage | 12V |
Power | 23W |
Operating mode | Near/Far |
PROS:
- Abundance of settings, high lighting brightness.
MINUSES:
- 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
Why choose LEDs
LED lamps are powerful designs with wide potential. They are semiconductor light sources for automotive lighting. They are used for electric lighting inside the cabin and for head optics.
Main technical features of automotive ice lighting:
- Voltage - there are two types of optics on the market - 12W (for passenger cars) and 24W (for trucks).
- Light flux/power - indicators are closely related. The brighter the light, the stronger the power.
- Color temperature affects the shade of white. The higher the color temperature level, the cooler the lighting will be.
- The dispersion angle is in the range of 30–360 C.
- Light pulsation is an indicator of flow vibration; it should be no more than 10–15%.
- The base is a device that serves to secure and transmit electricity. The purpose of the lamp depends on the type.
Many people switch to ice lighting due to low energy consumption, reduced fuel consumption and at the same time powerful luminous flux. These are the main indicators in favor of LED lamps for cars. They contain many small emitters that allow maximum illumination of the road. In addition, shades of white are as close as possible to natural light. Long service life, quality of lighting and payback are characteristics that encourage many car owners to purchase these lamps.
Interesting video on the topic:
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.
Overall brightness | 3600 lumen |
Number of LEDs | 2 pcs, HP 18 watt |
Angle of light | 180 degrees |
Base | H7 |
Connector | PX26d |
Marking according to GOST 12 Volt | AKG12-55 |
Marking according to GOST 24 Volt | AKG24-75 |
Extensions from other manufacturers | 12972PRC, 12972PRB1 |
dimensions | length 85mm, diameter 45mm |
Power | 36 W |
Nutrition | 12/24V DC |
Color palette | White (5500k) |
PROS:
- Complete set, value for money.
MINUSES:
- Average power.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
LED type | CREE |
Brand | Philips |
Packaged | 2 pcs. |
Base type | H7 |
Shade of light | Cold white |
Temperature | 6000°K |
Voltage | 12V |
Bypassing the on-board computer (trick) | No |
PROS:
- More precise control of electric lighting improves visibility, which helps you drive better and more safely at night.
MINUSES:
- High price. No cheating.
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.
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.
Housing material | Aluminium alloy |
Power | 35 W (each) |
Number of LEDs | 8 (4 each) |
Degree of protection | IP68 |
Working temperature | -45°C to +105°C |
Input voltage | AC 8-48 V |
LED type | CREE (USA) |
Light flow | 3500 Lumens |
Colorful temperature | 5500K (white) |
Base | H7 |
Life time | >30000 hours |
PROS:
- Rich functionality, high power.
MINUSES:
- After prolonged use, these lights may flicker slightly.
Types of diode lamps for cars
LED matrices are extremely popular today, since they help to significantly reduce the cost of the finished structure. And the cost is reduced due to the fact that several diodes are combined into one crystal. Thus, production becomes cheaper and at the same time the quality and characteristics of the finished lamp increase.
The type of design of ice lamps is determined by the use of a certain type of matrix, it may be.
- Regular matrix. It contains exclusively the usual blue diodes. And the lens is coated with phosphor - a special substance that converts the original blue color into the desired shades of white and yellow.
- RGB matrix. It already houses different types of diodes, namely red, green and blue. It is precisely each letter of the abbreviation that implies an abbreviation for the color of the LEDs in English: Red, Green and, accordingly, Blue. The bottom line is that mixing colors determines the tone of white or yellow in the output. But the shades of the resulting white are regulated by decreasing or increasing the intensity of the glow of a particular color in the matrix. In this case, it is possible to obtain a wider spectrum of white, but less energy efficiency is observed. With aging, the color may become somewhat distorted, since the wear of different colors of diodes will occur unevenly.
But the diodes themselves can be manufactured using technologies such as:
- SMD - this technology is the most popular at present; it means that the diodes are fixed to the surface of the lamp. It is easy to install and has low energy consumption. In this category, special attention should be paid to powerful LEDs, which, when consuming 10 W or more, have a very bright glow and do not require additional diffuse lenses;
- COB - using this technology, diodes are installed on the board itself. Thus, the volume is reduced, greater uniformity of the luminous flux is ensured and cooling is improved.
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.
Model | Flex H7 3000 lm |
Voltage | 12 V |
Glow color | White |
Quantity | 2 |
Power | 30 W |
Base type | H7 |
Colorful temperature | 5000K |
Light flow | 3000 lumens |
Country of origin | China |
PROS:
- Value for money.
MINUSES:
- Not compatible with all car brands.
The best models with H11 base
Characteristics of LED lamps
Characteristics of LED lamps An LED lamp for a car is a structure made of a monocrystal mounted in a small reflective bowl, and wire connections connected to it, power contacts, a radiator, a distributing lens and a plastic case.
The formation of a powerful, bright glow occurs during the chaotic collision of electrons, which are affected by an electric current through a semiconductor.
Types of LED lamp matrix
Type | Type of diodes |
Regular | Blue |
RGB | Red, green, blue |
SMD | Connected to the surface of the light bulb |
COB | Attached to the board. |
Characteristic features of LED optics:
Voltage | 12 V or 24 V |
Colorful temperature | 2700-6000 K |
Ripple | 5-15% |
Minimum operating time | 10,000 hours |
Beam angle | 30-300° |
Type of ice lamp base and location of its installation:
Installation location | Required type of base |
Headlights | H4, H7, H3, H11, HB3, HB4 |
Fog lights | H8, H10, H11 |
Direction indicators and dimensions | P21W, W5, P21, 14HP |
Basic turn signal signals | W5W, T10, T4W |
Reversing lights | W21W, T20 |
Rear brake lights | P21, 5W |
Salon | T5 |
For high beam headlights, optics with a power of 17-20 W are used with a luminous flux of 1500 lm, for low beam - with a power of 12 W with a luminous flux of 1000 lm and with the obligatory presence of a radiator.
LED lamps are installed in non-lensed optics. The quality of the selected device directly affects the lighting performance. Taking into account the technical characteristics, you can determine which diode bulbs are better for cars.
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.
Ruler | X-treme Ultinon |
Applicability | Passenger car |
Type | H11/H8/H16 |
Voltage, V | 12 |
Power, W | 9,3 |
Glow temperature | 6000K |
Applications | Head lighting (high/low/additional high) |
Color | Cold white |
PROS:
- By reducing eye strain, brighter lighting makes your night driving more enjoyable.
MINUSES:
- High price.
Results
LED ice lamps for cars are the future of auto optics. Quite a bit of time will pass and the bulk of vehicles from major manufacturers will be equipped with precisely these high and low beam lighting devices. At the same time, many cheap cars with such auto lighting will appear. It should also be noted that many LED lamps do not meet established standards. Lighting devices from well-known manufacturers are as close to them as possible, but their cost is quite high.
So we answered the question - which LED lamps are better for car headlights.
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.
Supply voltage | 9-32V |
Colorful temperature | 6000K |
Power | 36 W |
Base | H11 |
Life time | 5 years |
Diodes | PHILIPS LUXEON ZES |
Warranty period | 5 years |
Certification | PCT |
PROS:
- Average price, average characteristics.
MINUSES:
- The kit has compatibility issues. Light bulbs flickering after intensive use.
Car and headlight compatibility
This point is especially important before purchasing. Be sure to check whether certain headlights will fit your car model.
Problems with the on-board computer
Quite often, after installing LED lamps, the on-board computer begins to generate an error. There can be 3 reasons. The most common is that the lamp has burned out. The next problem is incorrect operation in various modes. The on-board computer recognizes the problem and refuses to work normally. The last common problem is that the lamp has failed. Just change it to a standard one and check how the on-board computer works.
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.
Base | H11/H9/H8/H16 |
Life time | 20,000 hours |
Guarantee | 1 year |
Manufacturer country | China |
Colorful temperature | 4200k; 5100k |
Power | 10 Watt |
Brightness | 1350 lumens |
Number of diodes | 1 |
Diode type | Latest generation CREE-XM-L2 |
Operating voltage | 9-36 volts |
Moisture protection | IP65 |
PROS:
- Thoughtful installation, high power, affordable price.
MINUSES:
- After prolonged use, these lights flicker and the overall brightness decreases.
Types of socles
There is a fairly wide variety of bases that are used for installing LED lighting and lighting devices. But not all of them are universal.
To understand the scope of application of LED car lamps, you should definitely understand the types of bases and understand in what situations each of them is used.
- W3W. A fairly common base for cars. It is used for installing LED auto lamps in the dashboard illumination and for illuminating control buttons. Offered in a wide range of colors, they are in high demand. Lamps with such a base are compact in size. Most often, this base comes with SMD LEDs.
- T10 or W5W. This base is used for installation in side lights, turn signal indicators, interior lighting, luggage compartment lighting, license plate lights, etc. The lamps are distinguished by the presence of two contacts for connection and are made on the basis of various LEDs, including mixed ones. Fiston lamps also belong to the T10 type base. These LEDs are widely used in providing vehicle interior lighting. Each fist-type lamp has a connector to which any 31, 36 or 41 mm fist can be connected.
- 1156 and 1157. Another couple of common sockets for LED lamps. Most often they are used when installing diodes in parking lights, turn signals and brake lights. For socket 1156, automotive single-contact lamps P21W are used. Devices may differ in the different arrangement of protrusions for fixation. P21 and 5W lamps are suitable for 1157 sockets. They are already two-contact; all their series are analogues of single-contact devices. Used in rear brake lights. SMD type diodes and ultra-bright devices are used as a light source.
- H1, H3, H4, HB3, HB4, H7, H11, etc. Such sockets are actively used when equipping LED headlights. Each base has its own distinctive features and may differ depending on the specific vehicle. Therefore, when replacing such devices, the motorist must know which base is relevant for his vehicle. You should also take into account the need for a decoy.
Modern LED lamps are also usually divided into single-beam and double-beam.
The first category includes sockets such as H1, H3, H7, H9, H11, etc. Devices with two beams or double-beams have sockets H4, H13, and others.
To make it easier for a motorist to understand the choice and appropriate LED for his car, it is recommended to look at the technical documentation and study the operating manual. If necessary, you can always contact car service specialists or consult with a representative of an official dealer.
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:
- Before purchasing, check the originality of the LED lamp (to do this, just ask the store for a quality certificate).
- 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.
- Check for a built-in cooling system in the lamp design to avoid overheating.
- 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.
- Check the compatibility of LED lighting with the on-board computer of foreign cars (often found in Audi, BMW and Mercedes).
- Use only white light bulbs.
- 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.
What is the advantage of Ice lamps for car headlights?
Ice car light bulbs emit light that is reminiscent of daylight in color, which is in its way superior to halogen and xenon lamps.
The main features of LED lamps are:
- Depending on the manufacturer, lamps have a long service life from 3 to 10 years or more.
- Installation does not require professional help, as even an amateur can handle it.
- They consume a small amount of electricity.
- The brightness of the lamps can be increased by 150-300%.
- Doesn't put a lot of stress on the battery.
- Create maximum visibility of the road.
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.
Instead of an epilogue
The market analysis showed that the majority of Russian car enthusiasts prefer to buy Western-made LED lamps. Indeed, even despite their inflated price, you can be more confident in a Western product than in an Asian one. Moreover, you should not buy very cheap counterfeits from online platforms for consumer goods, for example, from AliExpress.
The world famous one receives the most praise for this product category from Russian users. Their light bulbs are made using the highest quality components and, in general, they were one of the first in the world to use this technology and supply similar products for retail sale.
In addition, most consumers note the fact that in Chinese online stores, products have inflated technical characteristics, while domestic or Western sites do not sin with this, providing real information. Thus, we can draw a definite conclusion that when buying LED lamps, focusing solely on price is by no means the best option. It is better to opt for a well-known brand.
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:
- When purchasing lamps, take into account the compatibility of the model (base, design, dimensions).
- It's better to make sure that the headlights are legal and not Chinese knockoffs.
- 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.
- 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.
- When choosing samples, be guided by the recommended list of manufacturers and models provided in the articles.
- Although CREE LED lamps are affordable, it is still better to choose CSP.
LED lamps h4
Conventional head lamps with an h4 socket combine low and high beams, working alternately. The low beam spiral is separated by a reflector, limiting the light flow to the other part.
Drivers are not always satisfied with the light of car headlights; often the standard model is not enough at night. In this case, you can install ice lamps that have lower power consumption and higher brightness.
The main thing is to choose the right high-quality model that will fully satisfy the needs of the car owner and at the same time will not blind oncoming traffic. To make the right choice, you first need to familiarize yourself with the features and types of h4 LED optics.
Design
on the location of the light source in the structure. With incorrect distribution, which is found in low-quality cheap samples, blinding of the oncoming flow occurs, which is unacceptable.
Consequently, one of the main design features of non-standard automotive LED lamps is the correct location of the light source, strictly at the same points as the standard halogen lamps. Otherwise, the headlight becomes unusable.
The light source in any LED car lamp is the LED itself - the main design element. The power and brightness of the lamp depends on it
LEDs vary in shape: there are square, rectangular and round samples , as well as in size.
Each LED has its own luminous flux value , measured in lumens (lm). Several LEDs can be used to achieve specified brightness parameters.
The size and power of the lamp depends on the shape, dimensions and number of LED elements.
To operate the LED, a special chip, a driver, which heats up during operation. To cool it, the design necessarily includes a cooling system. She may be:
- passive - is a flexible radiator consisting of many fins resembling a “bundle”. This option is suitable for designs with a small driver.
- active – is a special fan built into the design. It is used for more powerful options with a large driver that gets very hot during operation, for which a passive system is not enough. This cooling system significantly increases the size and power of the lamp.
Tips for choosing
When purchasing h4 diode models for cars, you should be based on such parameters as:
- LED placement. The arrangement of elements in the structure should, as much as possible, replicate the filament in a conventional lamp. Such options provide the most accurate distribution of light, and, as a result, good visibility and safety for oncoming cars. You can even assess the location of the LEDs by eye. To do this, you need to take a diode lamp and a regular sample, and then compare them, looking at the light.
- Sample size. Many examples of h4 diode models have much larger dimensions than the classic halogen version. Such options may simply not fit into the headlight, and then you will have to make special holes in the cover or buy an additional enlarged headlight cover. It is better to avoid such unnecessary painstaking work and unnecessary expenses and choose a lamp of the appropriate size.
- The amount of luminous flux. It is necessary to adhere to the values recommended by the manufacturer. Since insufficient light will not provide adequate visibility, and too much light will interfere with oncoming motorists.
Normally, an ordinary h4 lamp has a brightness of no more than 1000 lm when the low beam is turned on and no more than 1500 lm when the high beam is turned on. When choosing an h4 diode lamp, you should buy models no more than one and a half times brighter than usual.
- Color. Today you can find cold or warm bright white light. Color with blue, blue and lilac shades. Light that resembles sunlight is most comfortable for the human eye; accordingly, it is better to choose white daylight (warm) light. It is with this shade that a person sees surrounding objects as clearly as possible.
- Lamp brand. It is better to choose models from well-known, trusted manufacturers in the mid-price or premium class.
Today, the best lamps are considered to be those with LEDs from Philips and based on CREE elements, although their cost starts from 8,500 rubles, which is beyond the means of many buyers.
In stores you can find a more affordable alternative - lamps from Chinese manufacturers, developed on the basis of Philips or CREE diode elements. They cost significantly less, but are decent quality options.
Remember! Good LED samples cannot be cheap. Cheap LED lamps on sale are, as a rule, low-quality Chinese samples, the parameters of which often do not even closely correspond to the declared ones. It is better to refrain from purchasing such models.
Installation
Installing LED optics is not particularly difficult and can be done independently. Initially, you should install the base ring (on all models it is removable) and secure it with a special clamp . Then install the lamp itself .
If there is a problem with the location of the cooling system - the lid will not close , you can install another larger lid or make holes in the standard one and bring the flexible tapes of the system out.
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!