LED lights have slowly occupied their space in every home. They emerged as an energy-saving alternative to traditional bulbs.
LED light bulbs are available in wide varieties. Each type has its own significance and benefits. To choose the right light fixtures for your home, you need to be aware of the different types of LED lights.
Here we are with this article to help you with finding the best LED for your home. This guide will explore the different types, their significant features, and their benefits.
By the end of this write-up, you will have a complete understanding of what type of LED light to use for your home, office, etc.
Let us try to find some light through this discussion.
Different Types of LED Lights
LED bulbs come in a wide array of options that satisfy the need of every user. They are energy efficient and also eco-friendly. Let us have a look at the different types of LED lights available:
- LED Tubes
- LED Panel Lights
- Miniature LEDs
- Application Specific LED (AS-LED)
- LED Strips
- Directional – Reflector Led Lamps
- LED Downlights
- LED Spots
- LED Candle Bulbs
- LED Corn Bulbs
- LED-G (Globe) Bulbs
- R7S LED Lamp
- LED Track Lights
- LED Flat-Tubes
- LED Industrial High Bay Lights
- LED Stage Lights
- LED Flood Light
- Decorative Lights
- LED Street Light
- SMD LED
- COB LED
Let us Discuss About Each Type in Detail Below:
1. LED Tubes
LED tubes are similar to regular tubes. However, they are slimmer and shorter than their counterparts. You can use these LED tubes in residential and commercial units.
Ideal For
The LED tube lights are ideal for spaces having a high ceiling.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of these lights is that they light every corner of your home or office when installed. And the best part, these lights do not emit any UV rays.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED tube lights are as below:
- The LED tubes are easy to install.
- These lights produce less heat.
- The LED tube lights are environmental-friendly.
- They have a longer life span than fluorescent tube lights.
2. LED Panel Lights
The other type of the LED light is the LED panel lights that are a thin architectural masterpiece.
Ideal For
The LED panel lights are best suitable for offices or homes.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of the LED panel lights is that they can change the look of the space by giving a stylish look and feel. You can install the panel lights on walls or surfaces to provide optimal lighting at any time.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED panel lights are as below:
- These lights are energy-efficient.
- LED panel lights are environment-friendly.
- The panel lights produce less heat.
- These lights do not require any maintenance.
- They are highly durable and can serve for several years.
- The LED panel lights come in a wide variety of colours, sizes, and models.
- These lights are also available in many variants like warm white, cool white, and cool daylight.
- During their lifespan, these panel lights maintain consistent light and do not dim.
- These lights are brighter than the CFL bulbs. They even consume less energy than the latter.
3. Miniature LEDs
Miniature LEDs are one the most common types of LED lights available today. Some of these models are chip, nano, and pico LEDs. These lights come in a single colour and shape.
Ideal For
These miniature lights are best suitable for use in remote controls, mobile phones, calculators, etc.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of these lights is that you can easily place them on a circuit board without using a heat-controlling device.
The miniature LEDs are basically of three types and they are:
- Standard
- Low-current
- Ultra-high output
Advantages
The benefits of using miniature LED lights are as below:
- They are extremely small in size, i.e., minuscule.
- The miniature LEDs are less complex in design.
- These lights are a perfect option for technologically advanced industries across the globe.
- The different types of miniature LEDs have different voltage, current, and total wattage.
4. Application Specific LED (AS-LED)
Application specific LED is yet another type of LED light. As the name says, these lights are specific for certain applications. That means you can customize these lights based on your specific needs.
Ideal For
These application specific LED lights are ideal for use in billboards, public displays, and similar kinds of huge displays.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of the application specific LED is that they come in a LED combination of bi-colour or tri-colour.
You can categorize these LED lights into the below types:
- Lighting
- Alphanumeric
- RGB or Red Green Blue
- Bi-Colour and Tri-Colour
- Flashing
Advantages
The benefits of using application specific LED lights are as below:
- You can use the application specific LED lights for commercial establishments.
- These lights offer greater efficiency.
- The AS-LED lights produce more brightness.
- They have a longer operating lifetime.
- The application specific LED lights have high durability.
5. LED Strips
LED strip Light is nothing but a thin circuit board that has a series of LEDs mounted on the surface.
Ideal For
These strips are ideal for cove lighting, cabinet lighting, and other decorative lightings. You can even use them for your vehicle decoration, kitchen, or garden to highlight specific areas.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of LED strips is that they are flexible and adjustable.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED strip lights are as below:
- The LED strip lights are available in a variety of colours.
- These strips are super thin and you can easily hide them from a plain view.
- The strips are easy to install.
- The LED strip lights offer dimmable lighting, further allowing the user to set a perfect mood.
- These strips are budget-friendly.
- The strip models are dust and water-resistant.
- These lights use 50% less energy than traditional lights.
- They have a life span of about 5-10 years.
6. Directional – Reflector LED Lamps
As the name says, the LED reflector lamps reflect light in a certain direction.
Ideal For
They are best suitable for using them on stage, for vehicles, and also like recessed lighting, etc.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of LED reflector lights is that they offer directional light. In other words, they emit light in only one direction.
Advantages
The benefits of using Directional – Reflector LED Lamps are as below:
- These lights consume less energy.
- The LED reflector lights are available in dimmable options.
- These lights deliver the same amount of light as incandescent lamps.
- These lights last longer than incandescent lights.
- The LED reflector lamps have a longer lifespan of over 20 years.
- These lights are small and compact in design.
- They emit a very low amount of heat.
- They do not have any UV radiation in the light beam.
- They are robust against vibrations.
- These lamps can generate white light or colour-changing light.
7. LED Downlights
LED downlights are those light fixtures that come embedded in the ceiling. You can use them for homes, offices, staircases, hallways, etc., as spotlights to highlight the attention of certain things that you want to exhibit.
Ideal For
The LED downlights are ideal for workplaces.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of LED downlights is that they are multi-functional or all-purpose light fixtures.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED downlights are as below:
- These lights are easy to install.
- The LED downlights consume less energy than the halogen globes.
- They are sleek and professional in design.
- You can easily fit the downlights of convertible sizes on the wall.
- The LED downlights have a longer lifespan.
- These lights are available in different light colours.
- They have resistance to voltage spikes.
- You can turn on or off the downlights whenever needed. This will not affect the lifespan of the lights.
- The LED downlights are environmental-friendly.
8. LED Spots
These are lighting solutions for decorative spot lighting or general lighting.
Ideal For
The LED spot lighting fixtures are ideal for showrooms to spot the products and attract customers. You can also use them in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and also under cabinet lighting.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of LED spot lights is that they are a perfect replacement for compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED spot lights are as below:
- The LED spotlights are environmental-friendly.
- These lights are excellent energy-saving products.
- They are available in different colours.
- The LED spotlights are very lightweight.
- They are easy to install and easy to handle.
- The LED spotlights have a longer lifespan than CFL and incandescent bulbs.
- LED spotlights are free of mercury.
- These lights are cost-effective.
9. LED Candle Bulbs
LED candle bulb is yet another popular type of LED bulb. These have the typical candle shape and look like the flame of a candle. Hence the name, candle bulbs.
Ideal For
The LED candle bulbs are most suitable for decorative purposes. You can install them in desk lamps, chandeliers, wall lights, etc.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of a candle bulb is that you can it in a variety of fittings. And the best part, it mimics the real candle, giving a vintage look to the lamp in that area.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED candle bulbs are as below:
- The LED candle bulbs are a perfect replacement for traditional incandescent bulbs.
- These lights are energy-saving bulbs.
- The LED candle bulbs are available in different colours and shapes.
- They come in a variety of models to choose from.
- They are available in dimmable options.
- The candle bulbs are easy to install.
- These bulbs create a warm and inviting ambiance to your space.
- The LED candle bulbs have a longer lifespan of about 10 years.
- They provide great eye comfort.
10. LED Corn Bulbs
As the name says, the structure of these LED bulbs looks similar to the corn cob. They contain about 80-180 tiny LED chips attached vertically to the metal body. This makes them look like an ear of corn.
Ideal For
The LED corn bulbs are ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. They are best suitable for bright task lighting or wide covering in general lighting. You can see the applications of these lights in car parks, streets, roads, football stadiums, factories, warehouses, etc.
Significant Feature
The LED corn bulbs provide a large amount of light efficiently. However, they do it while retaining a wide colour spectrum.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED corn bulbs are as below:
- The LED corn bulbs are more energy-efficient than any other bulbs.
- These bulbs have a low replacement cost.
- They require less maintenance.
- The LED corn bulbs are incredibly easy to install.
- They brighten up the room more than the incandescent bulbs.
- They are available in different shapes and sizes.
- The LED corn bulbs have a longer lifespan, which is 25 years. This is almost 5 times more than a normal lamp.
11. LED-G (Globe) Bulbs
LED globe bulb is yet another type of LED bulb that is generally used for decorative purposes.
Ideal For
These bulbs are ideal for larger light fixtures like chandeliers, bathroom vanity, lanterns, etc.
Significant FeatureÂ
The characteristic feature of the LED globe bulb is that it offers the same look and feel like a traditional bulb, but with a host of benefits than the other.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED globe light bulbs are as below:
- The LED globe light bulbs are energy efficient.
- They are long-lasting.
- They are available in a wide range of designs.
- They come in different colour temperatures.
- The LED globe light bulbs are easy on the eyes.
- These lights are available in dimmable options.
- You can use these bulbs if you do not want to go for an LED candle bulb.
12. R7S LED Lamp
R7S LED lamps are nothing but linear-shaped lamps. These are also known as linear halogen lamps.
Ideal For
These lights are specifically designed for floodlighting. You can also use them to light up buildings, sports stadiums, and industrial site spotlights.
Significant Feature
These are the perfect alternative to halogen bulbs and compatible with almost every existing luminaire.
Advantages
The benefits of using R7S LED lamps are as below:
- The R7S LED lamps are energy efficient and help you save a lot on electricity costs.
- They have a longer service life than the conventional R7S halogen bulb.
- These lights offer a higher colour rendering.
- They are available in different sizes like 78mm, 118mm, 189mm, 254mm, 333mm.
- The R7S LED lamps are available in different materials.
- These lights are available in dimmable options.
- They are easy to maintain and require fewer maintenance costs.
13. LED Track Lights
LED track lights are those types of LED lights that have a track holding multiple LED light bulbs.
You can find them in commercial and residential lighting projects.
Ideal For
The LED track lights are ideal for directional lighting. You can use these lights to focus light on a particular artwork in your room. You can also use them for task lighting.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of LED tack lights is that the power gets supplied to all the bulbs in the track through the wires that run inside.
AdvantagesÂ
The benefits of using LED track lights are as below:
- These track lights look very modern and stylish that is just perfect for your space.
- The LED track lights are versatile and flexible.
- You can customize these lights as per your installation requirements.
- The LED track lights are available in different sizes, shapes, and colours.
- These are quicker and easier to install.
- These lights are easier to replace.
14. LED Flat-Tubes
LED flat-tube is nothing but a single aluminium plate containing a series of miniature LEDs fixed on it.
Ideal For
The LED flat tubes are best suitable for display cases and are mostly used in showcases.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of these lights is that they produce instant light without any delay.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED flat-tubes are as below:
- The LED flat tubes are energy efficient and help you save a lot on electricity costs.
- They are sleek and simple in look and design.
- These lights are easier to install.
- They are available in different sizes like 30 cm and 50 cm.
- They have a longer lifespan.
- These lights deliver high brightness.
- The LED flat tubes are eco-friendly.
- These lights generate less heat.
- They do not contain mercury.
15. LED Industrial High Bay Lights
As the name says, the LED industrial high bay lights are for illuminating spaces with high ceilings.
Ideal For
These lights are most suitable for industrial and commercial uses. They are ideal for brightening larger areas.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of industrial high bay lights is that they provide clear and uniform lighting without any glare.
Advantages
The benefits of using high bay lights are as below:
- The industrial high bay lights maximize energy efficiency.
- These lights are more durable and long-lasting.
- These lights are easier to install.
- They are available in different shapes and sizes.
- These lights decrease maintenance requirements.
- The high bay lights improve lighting quality.
- These lights have an extremely long life.
16. LED Stage Lights
As the name suggests, these LED lightings are exclusively for stage and theatrical use.
Ideal For
These lights are ideal for stages, theatre shows, live music, and other corporate shows.
Significant Feature
These lights help in creating a perfect lighting setup that enhances the performance and attracts the attention of the audience. They deliver different colours and motions further creating a nice ambiance.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED stage lights are as below:
- These lights consume less power.
- They produce low heat radiation.
- These lights are very lightweight and portable.
- The LED stage lights are small and compact in design.
- These lights deliver high brightness.
- LED stage lights are available in different variants like PAR cans, strip lights, and moving head types.
17. LED Flood light
LED flood lights are those lighting fixtures that emit a broad beam of high-intensity light.
Ideal For
They are ideal for large areas like manufacturing plants, shipyards, construction sites, stadiums, architectural buildings, and monuments.
Significant Feature
They brighten your outdoor area with high-intensity and artificial light.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED flood lights are as below:
- The LED flood lights are very energy efficient.
- They require low maintenance.
- These lights are environmental-friendly.
- They produce less heat.
- They have a longer life span.
- These lights come with a motion sensor.
- LED flood lights are available in dimmable options.
- They offer high performance.
- These lights do not leave any carbon footprint.
- They offer brighter light than the CFL or halogen lights.
- The LED flood lights are very cost-effective.
- These are very reliable.
18. Decorative Lights
These lights are basically for decorating your home and interiors. They provide illumination and additional ambiance to your space.
Ideal For
The decorative lights are ideal for use in chandeliers and pendant light fixtures and sconces. You can add these lights to add sparkle and focus on small areas of the room.
Significant Feature
These lights highlight various objects and areas in the room by providing a beautiful ambiance.
Advantages
The benefits of using decorative lights are as below:
- The decorative lights are very energy efficient.
- They require low maintenance.
- These lights are environmental-friendly.
- The decorative lights are available in different sizes and shapes.
- These lights come in a variety of lighting effects and functions.
- The decorative lights are very cost-effective.
19. LED Street light
As the name says, these lights are specially designed for lightening the streets or roads.
Ideal For
These lights are ideal for use on roads, pathways, and national highways.
Significant Feature
The significant feature of these LED street lights is that you can maintain, manage and monitor them with ease.
Advantages
The benefits of using LED street lights are as below:
- The LED street lights are very energy efficient.
- They are easy to install.
- They have a longer life span of more than 12 years.
- The LED street lights come in different sizes and shapes.
- The LED street lights are environmental-friendly.
- They do not give UV rays.
- These lights produce a more accurate rendering of light.
- They produce less glare.
- The LED street lights are dustproof, waterproof, and can withstand all temperatures.
- These lights are very cost-effective.
20. SMD LED
SMD or Surface Mounted Devices are the new generation LED lights. They contain chip diodes.
Ideal For
The SMD LEDs are most suitable for domestic and industrial lighting systems, vehicles, electronic devices, etc.
Significant Feature
These are a special type of high-power LED lights that integrate red, blue, and green colour lights in a single system. Moreover, they do not have wires.
Advantages
The benefits of using SME LEDs are as below:
- The surface mount device LEDs are compact in size.
- They are lightweight.
- They are more energy-efficient.
- The SME LEDs are available in different sizes.
- They come in both square and rectangle shapes.
- The surface mount device LEDs provide a superior lighting experience.
21. COB LED
COB LEDs or Chip on board LEDs are another new generation LED lights that basically contain multiple chips. These chips come tightly packed together.
Ideal For
The COB LEDs are ideal for higher output general lighting
Significant Feature
COB LED is a single circuit design with two contacts for the entire chip used.
Advantages
The benefits of using COB LEDs are as below:
- The chip on board LED is lightweight.
- The COB LED consumes less energy.
- These lights are compact in size and design.
- They provide uniform lighting.
- These lights greatly reduce the carbon footprint and are eco-friendly.
- The chip-on-board LEDs are reliable.
- They deliver high-intensity lighting than the SMD LED. They have a longer lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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LEDs have earned increased recognition for their many benefits. Their application possibilities have a wide range. Below are the common applications of the LEDs:
*Commercial and Industrial
*Kitchen Lighting
*Standard Bulbs Around the House
*Holiday Lights
*Vehicles and Bicycles
The answer to this question is yes. The LED lights work in almost all fixtures. However, there can be some limitations to it. You need to ensure whether the sockets are E26 and E12 or not. Moreover, you need to ensure whether these fixtures can handle the power and advanced technology of LED lighting. After confirming the same, you can switch from regular bulbs to the LED ones.
One of the advantages of using LED lights is that they are long-lasting. Most of the LED lights have longevity of more than 20,000 hours! There are some models that have a lifespan of 90,000 hours. Moreover, using the LED light to the right fixture may increase its shelf life. That means, they will have a longer operating lifetime. As a result, you don’t have to replace them often and save on your electricity bills.
Well, most people are under a misconception that all LED lights are brighter. However, this is not true. The brightness of any LED is essentially dependent on two things. They are, the wattage the light fixture can handle and the number of lumens it can produce. Hence, it is all in the wattage that makes these lights deliver the brightness.
LED lights are known for not containing any mercury. Unlike these lights, the compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and the fluorescent lights have mercury in them. This is the reason why one needs to be careful when disposing of them properly. You can rest assured that there is no mercury in the LED lights and need not worry about the disposal process.
We all know that LEDs have a longer lifespan and are highly durable. However, there are chances that these devices may fail. Although this is a rare phenomenon, it might still happen because of the heat. The only way you can prevent overheating of the lights is by placing them in a good location and choosing one with a good design. This will increase the lifespan of the lights.
There is no doubt both compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LEDs have high energy efficiency. However, there are a few significant differences between the duo. Below are those:
While the LED lights produce instant light without any delay, the CFLs may take about a minutes time to warm up and turn on.
Turning the lights on and off every now and then may decrease the lifespan of the CFLs. However, it is not the case with the LED lights.
Most important of all, the LED lights are free from mercury. Contrary to them, the CFLs have a small amount of mercury in them.
There are some significant features that distinguish LED lights from the others. They are the light source, direction emitted by the lights, and the amount of heat generated by them.
Conclusion
I hope this article shed some light on the different types of LED lights, their significant features, and their benefits. Now that you are aware of the various types of lighting, choose the right one that perfectly fits your needs, preferences, and requirements. Let us know your choice by posting your answers in the comments.
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