10 Best Light Bulb Brands for Your Home Lighting Needs (2024)

10 Best Light Bulb Brands For Your Business

There are hundreds of light bulb brands in the world today. Choosing the right brand can be daunting for both newcomers and veterans.

We have worked hard for you and identified the ten best light bulb brands to brighten your space.

1. TRILUX

TRILUX is one of the oldest German lighting brands. Its founder, Wilhelm Lenze, saw the invention of the incandescent light bulb as a turning point in society. For the first time in history, humans could control illumination.

In 1912, Wilhelm started his own luminaire manufacturing and supply company, TRILUX Leuchten (German for “Shine”). Initially, the company only manufactured gas and electricity-operated wall-mounted luminaires.

By the 1950s, TRILUX expanded its operations into France and started shipping fluorescent tube lights. After nearly a hundred years of manufacturing traditional bulbs, TRILUX began to shift its business to LED (Light Emitting Diode) Technology.

In 2004, TRILUX produced the world’s first LED downlight, the Athenik. The Athenik’s initial success convinced TRILUX management that LEDs were the future. By 2009, the company was selling several energy-efficient indoor and outdoor LED bulbs.

Today, the company exclusively sells LED lighting products. In fact, TRILUX’s website lists over 5,700 lighting products. The website has a handy product filter interface to help buyers easily navigate the extensive product catalog. Customers can sort lighting products by brightness, color temperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI), IP rating, and mounting type.

TRILUX is another German-based LED lighting manufacturer. It has been developing lighting technology since 1912 and sells products in over 50 countries worldwide.

Key Products & Services

• LED Track Lighting
• Surface-Mounted LED Bulbs
• High Bay Luminaires
• Outdoor Spot & Flood Lighting
• Smart Lighting Control Systems

2. GE Lighting

GE Lighting is one of the biggest names in the lighting industry. The company was formed by consolidating three electrical companies, one of which was Thomas Edison’s General Electric Company. During the early 1900s, the General Electric Lighting name was shortened to GE Lighting.

GE was home to constant innovation. Almost every major lighting invention has its origins intertwined with this historic company.

• In 1938, GE invented the first white light fluorescent lamp.
• In 1959, GE invented the halogen lamp technology that became a film industry standard.
• GE was researching LED technology during the 1960s.
• In 1974, GE produced the first energy-saving fluorescent light bulb.

Despite being an industry leader, GE’s adoption of LED light bulbs was quite late compared to the competition. This critical misstep allowed other light bulb brands to quickly establish their presence in the US lighting market.

By the mid-2010s, GE Lighting was more interested in smart bulbs and home automation solutions. Eventually, the company was acquired by Savant System Inc. and rebranded its business to a smart lighting solutions provider.

Today, GE primarily sells smart LED light bulbs with color-changing capabilities and smartphone app integration.

Key Products & Services

• LED Bulbs and Strips
• Indoor Decorative Lighting
• Ceiling Fans
• Color Changing LED Light Bulbs
• Home Automation Solutions

3. Philips Hue

Philips Hue is the residential lighting-focused sub-brand of Philips Lighting. It is primarily known for its smartphone-controlled color-changing LED light bulbs and home automation solutions.

The Philips company dates back to 1981 in the Netherlands. Like most light bulb brands, it started as a simple incandescent bulb manufacturer and quickly rose to fame for its exceptional quality and reliability.

After leading the lighting industry for nearly a hundred years, Philips diversified its product catalog. Today, the Philips logo is on everything from kitchen toasters to hair dryers. However, the company never let go of its roots. Philips still has a strong presence in the lighting space due to its adoption of LED technology.

In the early 2000s, Philips decided to shift to LED-powered light bulbs, and by the 2010s, the company was already considered a pioneer in wireless home lighting solutions. In 2012, Philips Hue produced the world’s first addressable RGB light bulb with wireless connectivity.

Today, everyone is following the path paved by Philips Hue. While there are many imitators and competitors in the lighting industry, the company has managed to maintain its dominant position. Part of its success could be attributed to smart business decisions. However, there is no denying that Phillips still has the best LED light bulbs.

Key Products & Services

• Addressable LED Starter Kits
• Recessed Indoor Lighting
• Dimmable Accent Lighting
• Table Lamps
• Smart Lighting Controls

4. RC Lighting

RC Lighting is a leading architectural lighting manufacturer based out of China. The company has achieved huge success in relatively short years of operation. The secret to its success can be broken down into three elements.

• Large manufacturing facilities with quick turnaround times.
• Commitment to consistent product quality.
• Extensive customization options for customers.

Speaking of customization, RC Lighting also offers OEM and ODM services that emphasize customer choice and decision-making. Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) means customers bring their design to RC Lighting, and the company manufactures it to the desired specifications.

Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) means RC Lighting designs and manufactures LED bulbs at the customer’s request.

RC Lighting has one of the most jam-packed product catalogs on the market. All of its products are subject to strict quality and safety standards. Its LED light fixtures have ISO9001 approval and CE/RoHS certification by default.

Buyers can and should request additional certifications for imports. ETL/UL-listed LED light bulbs are recommended for North American homes and businesses.

Key Products & Services

• Architectural Lighting
• Landscape Lights
• LED Fountain & In-Ground Lights
• Path Lights
• OEM & ODM Services

5. Feit Electric

Feit Electric is an indoor lighting manufacturer with nearly half a century of experience. The company’s humble origins started in 1978 when a small blue-collar family decided to enter the luminaire manufacturing space.

46 years later, Feit is still that family-owned business, just with many more members. Simplicity is at the heart of its business. The company wants to offer the same simple and easy customer experience today as people had back in the day.

You simply go and buy light bulbs that are of superior quality and at competitive pricing. What started as a small business in the US is now a global entity forged by its commitment to quality lighting.

Feit has a diverse product catalog. It mostly sells LED bulbs with smart connectivity options. However, what makes these products special is their variety. As part of its commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices, Feit has completely phased out traditional bulbs in favor of LED ones.

Still, you simply cannot deny the comfort generated by the warm glow of an incandescent bulb. To address this gap in the market, Feit has produced warm-light LED bulbs that mimic incandescent bulbs. These bulbs are fine-tuned to produce light that is soft, warm, and comforting.

All Feit products are Energy Star Rated, ensuring bulbs have the highest energy efficiency.

Key Products & Services

• LED Light Bulbs
• Addressable Smart Bulbs
• String Lights
• Downlights
• Grow Lights

6. Cree Lighting

Cree Inc. is renowned for its expertise in LED (Light-Emitting Diode) research and manufacturing. The company was formed in 1987 when the semiconductor industry was still in its infancy. At that time, every major semiconductor company was in close competition for developing optimum LED manufacturing techniques.

The passionate team at Cree Inc. was quickly making strides in the semiconductor space. However, the turning point for their success was the elusive Blue LED. For many years, manufacturing a blue LED was thought to be impossible.

After years of research, Cree produced the first commercially viable blue light-emitting diode. The product was far from perfect, as the LED had a purple hue and poor brightness levels. Nonetheless, it was a huge achievement that cemented Cree as a top-tier LED manufacturer.

A few years later, the Nichia Corporation would build on Cree’s success and produce the first true blue LED.

The original Cree Inc. was split into three companies.

• Wolfspeed, the semiconductor company.
• Cree LED, the SMD manufacturing company.
• Cree Lighting, the luminaire company

Cree Lighting is well known for its extensive catalog of indoor and outdoor LED lights. Recently, the company has prioritized intelligent monitoring systems for building and lighting control.

Key Products & Services

• Retrofit Downlights
• Exit & Emergency Signs
• Track Lighting
• Area Lighting
• Intelligent Control Systems

7. Greenlite

Greenlite is an electronics company focused on home renovation products. Since its humble origins in 1994, the company has steadily made a name for itself in the lighting space. It is one of the smaller consumer electronics companies on this list.

As a small company, Greenlite has two major shortcomings. It is unable to offer those low prices like its competitors and will struggle with larger orders. However, Greenlite doesn’t see its smaller team as a challenge. It is one of its greatest strengths.

The smaller handpicked team of experts at Greenlite are passionate individuals dedicated to energy conservation. On the business end, the company offers a more personalized buying experience, ensuring ultimate customer satisfaction.

Greenlite’s catalog offers a wide range of energy-efficient products, including LED bulbs, air conditioners, smart home devices, and refrigerators.

Greenlite has headquarters in California (US) and Quebec (Canada). Buyers outside of these regions should consider other brands.

Key Products & Services

• LED Bulbs
• Smart Home Devices
• Energy Efficient Home Appliances
• Occupancy Sensors

8. Sunco Lighting

Sunco is an innovative lighting and electrical solutions provider based in the United States. The company is well known for its commitment to quality and fast service.

A key element of Sunco’s excellent customer service is its US-based customer care team. Sunco representatives are professionals with extensive training and insights into the lighting industry. A skilled customer support agent can help buyers identify the right product for their application.

Sunco also has one of the most diverse product portfolios in the industry. It sells 75 different types of LED bulbs in various shapes, sizes, and brightness configurations. Like many of its competitors, Sunco has also started selling traditional bulbs that mimic the warm glow of natural light.

These LED light bulbs are specially designed with retrofit capabilities and can quickly replace your old incandescent or halogen bulbs. Each Sunco light bulb is Energy Star compliant, UL-Listed, ETL-certified, and DLC approved.

Sunco products have a standard five-year warranty period and a possible two-year extended warranty for select products.

Key Products & Services

• High Bay Lights
• Panel Lights
• Smart LED Light Bulbs
• Dimmer Switches
• Electrical Supplies

9. Panasonic

Panasonic is one of the biggest electronics companies in the world. It’s a well-known Japanese brand famous for its high-quality and long-lasting electrical products. In the US, the company has established itself as one of the best manufacturers of digital cameras. However, outside North America, it is known for its diverse product catalog.

Before World War II, Panasonic was a small family business selling bicycle lamps. The company started manufacturing electrical devices that would aid the armed forces during the war. It started producing full-fledged outdoor light fixtures, wireless equipment, vacuum tubes, motors, and more.

After the war, the company saw a need for infrastructure rebuilding and job security. Thus, it repurposed its industrial facilities to produce home appliances and other products for daily use.

Today, Panasonic sells LED light bulbs as part of its Life Solutions product line. Although its product catalog leaves much to be desired, Panasonic has remained competitive in the industry due to its brand recognition.

Key Products & Services

• LED Light Bulb
• Strip Lights
• Electrical Supplies
• Dimmer Switches

10. LIFX

LIFX is a popular LED light brand that specializes in decorative and mood lighting products. The Australian company saw the rise of smart devices as an opportunity to elevate home lighting solutions.

It has a dedicated smartphone app that connects to its smart light bulbs, enabling users to remotely control, manage, and monitor their light fixtures. Additional features include an FX Library with several dynamic mood lighting presets.

The app is at the center of LIFX’s business model. Everything is smartphone-controlled, and the company encourages its users to customize and create personalized lighting designs that speak to their aesthetic sense.

While the idea may seem simple today, it was revolutionary in the early 2010s. LIFX has been perfecting its LED light bulb controls for the last decade to deliver the best customer experience.

The company has a strong presence in the US, Canada, and Australia. Customers outside of those regions will have to look at alternative brands.

Key Products & Services

• Decorative LED Bulbs
• Down Lights
• LED Light Strips
• Smart App Controls
• Smart Switches

Comparing the Features of the Best Light Bulb Brands

A quick look at the various light bulb brands reveals some interesting information about the lighting industry as a whole. Every brand has embraced LED technology and has phased out traditional bulbs.

Since all of the competitors are selling the same energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures, brands have turned to home automation and smart lighting controls as a differentiating factor.

5 Elements of Understanding Light Bulbs

Light bulbs may seem simple at first glance, but these tiny sources of illumination are very complex. You may have already noticed that light bulb packaging has many numbers and metrics mentioned on the sides, such as CRI, Watts, Kelvins, etc.

Understanding these basic elements of a light bulb will help you better understand the capabilities of luminaires and their contribution to your indoor ambiance.

1. Color Rendering Index

CRI stands for Color Rendering Index. It is a relative scale that compares the look of objects in artificial lighting against their look in natural sunlight. The colors of an object under direct sunlight are given an arbitrary CRI rating of 100. If the object has exactly the same appearance under artificial lighting, then we rate that light bulb at 100 CRI as well.

A high color rendering index is difficult to achieve. So, high CRI bulbs are more expansive and thus less common in residential lighting.

• High CRI Ratings: Light bulbs with a CRI of 90 or above are ideal for tasks that require color accuracy, such as art studios, photography, or detailed work.
• Moderate CRI Ratings: Bulbs with CRI ratings between 80 and 90 offer decent color rendering and are suitable for general home lighting and workspaces where color precision is not critical.
• Low CRI Ratings: Bulbs with CRI below 80 may distort colors and are typically used when color perception is less important, such as in warehouses or utility spaces.

2. Lumens and Lux

Lumen is a measure of the total amount of visible light emitted by a light bulb. Unlike wattage, which only measures energy consumption, lumens indicate the brightness of the bulb. Lux is the brightness of a light bulb measured at a particular distance.

• Choosing the Right Lumen Output: For general indoor lighting, aim for around 800 to 1200 lumens for a standard bulb. For task lighting, such as in kitchens or work areas, 1000 to 1500 lumens is often recommended to ensure adequate brightness.
• Comparative Brightness: LED bulbs are more efficient and can provide the same amount of lumens as an incandescent bulb while using fewer watts. For instance, a 10-watt LED bulb has the same brightness as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

3. Color Temperature

Color Temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and describes the hue of light emitted by a bulb. A warm color temperature means the light bulb has a yellowish light, and a blue color temperature means the bulb has a bluish light.

• Warm White (2700K – 3000K)
• Neutral White (3500K – 4100K)
• Cool White (5000K – 6500K)

Warm lights create a cozy, relaxed environment, neutral white is the best at mimicking natural daylight, and cool white lights help people stay alert.

4. Beam Angle

Beam Angle measures the spread of light emitted by a bulb and determines the coverage area of the fixture.

• Narrow Beam Angles (10° – 30°)
• Medium Beam Angles (30° – 60°)
• Wide Beam Angles (60° – 120°)

Narrow beams concentrate the light to a smaller size, creating more brightness while using less power. Wide beam angles help evenly spread light to all corners of a room and combat sharp shadows and glares.

5. Wattage & Brightness Levels

Watts (W) is the measure of electrical power consumed by the bulb. More watts usually means more brightness. However, not all wattage numbers are equal.

A 60W incandescent bulb will be brighter than a 20W bulb. However, most of the power is wasted as heat energy. Thus, a 20W LED light bulb will be brighter than a 60W incandescent bulb.

Wattage comparison is only valid when comparing the same light bulb technologies.

Choosing the Right Light Bulb for Your Application

So, now that you have a firm understanding of the various aspects that contribute to the effectiveness of a light bulb. Let’s move on to lighting technology.

Do you even need an LED light bulb at your house? Continue reading to find out.

1. Traditional Light Bulbs

Traditional light bulbs typically refer to incandescent or halogen bulbs, although some may refer to CLF technology as part of the traditional lighting era. These bulbs generate light through heat. As the filament or gas (in the case of CFL) is exposed to a high electric current, it generates heat and light.

Characteristics of Traditional Light Bulbs

• Warm Light: Incandescent bulbs produce a warm, yellowish light.
• Lower Initial Cost: These bulbs are produced using cost-effective materials and simpler manufacturing processes.
• High Wattage: Incandescent bulbs require more wattage to illuminate a room.
• Color Quality: Excellent color rendering with a CRI close to 100.
• Glass Exterior: Incandescent bulbs are vacuum sealed in a glass dome to prevent the internal filaments from burning.

2. LED Bulbs

LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs produce light by exciting a piece of semiconductor. Semiconductors naturally glow when exposed to a small amount of electrical current.

Characteristics of LED Light Bulbs

• Energy Efficiency: LED bulbs consume significantly less power (wattage) than incandescent bulbs, offering the same brightness with lower wattage.
• Higher Initial Cost: Semiconductors are manufactured using expensive materials and complicated precision manufacturing processes.

• Cost Savings: Though the initial cost is higher, the long-term savings on energy bills and fewer replacements make them cost-effective.
• Plastic Body: LEDs generally have a plastic body to reduce cost.
• Light Quality: Low-cost LED bulbs have a harsh blue hue that may irritate sensitive eyes.
• DC Power: LEDs run exclusively on DC power, and standard LED bulbs have a small internal rectifier that converts wall AC power to low-voltage DC.

3. Smart Light Bulbs

Smart light bulbs are a subgroup of LED lights with internal integrated circuits that enable wireless connectivity.

Characteristics of Smart Light Bulbs

• Colorful Output: Modern smart bulbs use RGB (Red/Green/Blue) diodes that can produce a variety of colors.
• Remote Control: These lights can be controlled through smartphone apps, voice assistants, or dedicated remote controls.
• Customization: Smart bulbs offer adjustable brightness, color temperature, and even color-changing options.
• Automation: Some smart bulbs allow users to automate the turn-on and turn-off durations.
• Very High Cost: Smart lighting is incredibly expensive compared to regular light bulbs.

Conclusion

Light bulbs are a lot more complicated than we might think. You need to be familiar with various lighting technologies and applications to choose the best one. While traditional incandescent bulbs are still manufactured and sold today, they have become a rare breed. 

Almost every light bulb brand has switched to LED bulbs. Since every brand sells the same type of light bulb, buyers can only differentiate the good from the bad based on customer service, price competitiveness, regional availability, and warranty periods.

Many lighting brands have focused on smart light bulbs and home automation to set themselves apart from the competition. At the same time, others emphasize their energy efficiency and reliability certifications. 

By considering factors such as color rendering, brightness, color temperature, and each brand’s specific features, consumers can make more informed decisions and get the best products.

Light Up Your Room with RC Lighting!

RC Lighting is a leader in energy-efficient LED manufacturing. We are committed to delivering the highest quality fixtures at the best prices and in the shortest time. Take a look at our extensive collection of Indoor LED Bulbs and fixtures for your home.

All RC products comply with international safety and quality standards such as ISO9001, ETL/UL-Listed, CE, and RoHS Certifications. Our team of experts is always happy to guide customers and offer insights into lighting design.

So get the best LED bulbs today. Contact us Now!