Types of Lightbulbs for Bathrooms

Different types of lighting can change the atmosphere of your bathroom – dim lights may make it seem dark and creepy while overly bright lights can be painful, especially if you get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. In addition to this, you have to consider how close to natural light you want the light to be, which can be affected by factors such as whether you apply makeup at your bathroom vanity.

In a Hurry? Here are the Best Types of Lightbulbs for Bathrooms

With choices such as halogen lightbulbs and LED lightbulbs on the table, it can be hard to know exactly what to choose.

The 4 Best Types of Lightbulbs for Bathrooms

In this article, we’ve narrowed down the best types of lightbulbs for bathrooms so that you can make the right decision based on your needs.

1. Hudson Lighting Vintage Incandescent Edison Lightbulb

These vintage Edison-style bulbs aren’t just functional, they’re also aesthetically pleasing. In addition to providing light, they can also serve as décor – a win-win situation. These lightbulbs don’t just look pretty – they’re also functional. Although bright lights may be preferable during the day, many prefer a dim setting at night, especially if they’re going back to sleep after using the bathroom. These lightbulbs are dimmer compatible, and users can change the brightness settings as per their wishes.

Because of the standard E26 base of each lightbulb, users will find it suitable for most fixtures. Since a portion of revenue from each purchase is donated to charity, opting for these lightbulbs will also include contributing to a worthy cause.

Pros:

• Dimmable
• Warm glow
• 3000-hour lifespan
• 2-year coverage plan
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Charitable donation

Cons:

• Inefficient

2. Philips EcoVantage A19 Halogen Lightbulb

This 43-Watt lightbulb replaces a 60-Watt incandescent lightbulb and saves up to 28% in energy costs. Like the previous option, this lightbulb is also dimmable and so, users can control the brightness and tailor it to their specific needs. Additionally, the soft, white light emitted is similar to daylight, which eliminates the problem of a harsh, unflattering light shining on you as you’re trying to get ready for the day. The average-sized base of the lightbulb also ensures that it will fit the majority of existing fixtures.

Pros:

• Saves energy (up to 28%)
• Dimmable
• Provides full brightness
• Similar to daylight
• No mercury

Cons:

• Burns at a high temperature

3. LEDVANCE Sylvania Non-Dimmable LED Lightbulb

One of the reasons these lightbulbs are on the list for the best types of lightbulbs for bathrooms is because of how long-lasting they are. The lifespan of the bulbs is 11000 hours, which ensures that you won’t have to keep changing out bulbs regularly (as is the case with incandescent bulbs).

They also save energy, with claims of up to 85% savings on energy bills. The light emitted is similar to daylight and is therefore suitable for task lighting. It also ensures that your home shows true-to-color, with 80+ CRI resulting in better color rendition. These lightbulbs also ensure that you and your home are not exposed to UV or IR radiation. Since they’re also environmentally friendly, this is a great deal all around.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable
• Long-lasting with a lifespan of 11000 hours
• Save energy (up to 85%)
• No UV or IR radiation
• No mercury

Cons:

• Not dimmable

4. SleekLighting GU24 CFL Bulb

This lightbulb is one of our favorites since it is both, long-lasting (with a lifespan of 10000 hours) and energy-saving (with up to 85% less energy used). Additionally, because of the brightness of these lightbulbs, there’s no need to worry about straining your eyes. The lightbulbs work well regardless of voltage and don’t emit a lot of heat, making them an excellent choice if you’re looking to make your home more efficient.

Pros:

• 6-month replacement period
• Long lifespan (10000 hours)
• Less heat emission
• Works on all voltages
• Saves energy (up to 85%)

Cons:

None.

Types of Lightbulbs to Consider

There are many different types of lightbulbs to choose from, and all have their own advantages and disadvantages. In order to make an informed decision, we have summarized each type of lightbulb below.

Incandescent Bulbs

These are the type of the bulbs that people are most familiar with – they are traditional lightbulbs that emit a warm, glowing light. Although they provide a cozier feel to a space, they have to be replaced often and are the least efficient of all the types of lightbulbs discussed in this article.

Halogen Bulbs

Halogen bulbs are one of the best types of lightbulbs for bathrooms since they are great for task lighting and emit a bright, white light. This is similar to daylight, which is why halogen bulbs are preferred in spaces like offices. While this similarity to daylight may help with makeup application, it may be jarring at other times. Halogen bulbs are also much more efficient than incandescent bulbs since they provide up to 30% more light while using the same amount of energy. Additionally, because they burn at a high temperature, they can be dangerous if touched.

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs

CFL bulbs are one of the most efficient lightbulbs and are used by many. They last for a long period of time and don’t have to be replaced – they also use less electricity than their counterparts. They emit a bright, white light like halogen bulbs, and thus, may not be suitable for all areas. These can also be dangerous since they contain mercury.

LED Bulbs

LED bulbs are as efficient as CFL bulbs but can last for a longer period of time, making them even more efficient. Like incandescent bulbs, they emit a warm light. However, one disadvantage of LED lightbulbs is that they can be more expensive than other types of lightbulbs.

Our Final Thoughts

While all lights have their advantages, our top picks for the best types of lightbulbs for bathrooms are LED and CFL lightbulbs. Our recommendations for products are the LEDVANCE Sylvania Non-Dimmable LED Lightbulb and the SleekLighting GU24 CFL Bulb. Both of these options are long-lasting and save energy. Additionally, both provide a cool, white light. Although a warm light may be cozier, bathroom lighting has to be efficient and thus, task lighting is preferable. Additionally, since both lightbulbs are bright and cool, they provide plenty of light for both, safety and utility reasons.