Best Halogen Headlight Bulbs: Drive at Night With More Confidence

Upgrade your old, dim headlight bulbs with whiter and brighter ones.

byPeter Nelson|
These are the best halogen headlight bulbs
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If you don't want to invest your hard-earned scratch in LED headlight bulbs, replacing your burned-out factory units with quality halogen headlight bulbs is a good option. We've truly reached peak halogen lighting technology, and there are a bunch of great options on the market.

While LEDs are slowly becoming the norm, there's no denying the fact that the automotive industry has relied on halogen headlights for years because they are easy to produce and replace. Because of this, a large percentage of halogen-equipped headlights are currently on the road, lighting the way. Plus, they're brighter and often longer lasting than ever. The best-quality halogen headlight bulbs will illuminate the road properly, provide good definition, and won't blind oncoming drivers. We whipped up this buyer's guide to show you three of the best options on the market: Check 'em out!

Best Overall

Philips CrystalVision Ultra Upgrade Bright White Headlight Bulb

Summary
These 12-volt, 55-watt bulbs produce a bright white look and resemble HID lights. During the day the bulbs' unique blue cap creates a cool blue effect in the headlamp’s reflector.
Pros
  • These bulbs emit a bright white light without any harsh glare
  • Light beam is focused and bright
  • Cooler, whiter color than standard, stock halogen bulbs
Cons
  • They do not have a blue tint
  • They may burn out within a year and lose brightness within a few months
  • They don't fit on some makes and models
Best Value

Hella Standard Halogen H7 Bulbs

Summary
These 12-volt, 55-watt bulbs increase visibility and performance when compared to basic bulbs. The company guarantees optimum fit and function. The bulbs also come in yellow and +50.
Pros
  • These bulbs emit a nice, clean light
  • They are significantly cheaper than competitor products
  • Easy to install
  • Just as bright or brighter than OEM bulbs
Cons
  • Bulbs don’t have a very long lifespan and may fail within a few months or a year
  • They may also be dimmer than some competitor brands
Honorable Mention

Osram H1 Night Breaker Unlimited Halogen Bulbs

Summary
These 3400K, 12-volt, 55-watt bulbs produce a light beam up to 35 more meters longer than standard bulbs. Overall light is boosted by up to 110 percent.
Pros
  • These bulbs produce a noticeably brighter and whiter light than stock halogen bulbs
  • Color temperature is perfect for seeing far into the distance at night
Cons
  • Bulbs may not last as long as some other H1 bulbs, and they may burn out after a few months
  • Bulbs also have a slight yellow tint

Summary List

Our Methodology

To come up with this buyer's guide, we dug through reviews and utilized our own experience in the matter. Philips, HELLA, and Osram are all very reputable brands that've been in the game for a long time, and we've had a lot of success rocking their products on our own rides. Then, looking over user and professional reviews on these three top halogen options helped us not only get them on here but also sort them with their applicable titles. For more on how we select products, check this out.

Best Halogen Headlight Bulbs: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Philips CrystalVision Ultra Upgrade Bright White Headlight Bulb

Pros

Bright, crisp lighting

Pleasant blue hue

Cut through fog well

Cons

Some folks might not light the blue tint

Not the best longevity

These 12-volt, 55-watt bulbs produce a bright white look and resemble HID lights. During the day, the bulbs' unique blue cap creates a cool blue effect in the headlamp’s reflector. The CrystalVision bulbs boost the style of your vehicle while offering enhanced performance compared to standard bulbs.

These bulbs are bright and crisp, project far, and help you see a few hundred feet ahead of your vehicle. They emit bright white light without any harsh glare. The light beam is focused and bright; and they have a cooler, whiter color than standard, stock halogen bulbs. They also help you see better in foggy conditions and are easy to install.

There have been some complaints that the lights do not have a blue tint on them. They may burn out within a year and lose brightness within a few months. In addition, the bulbs don't fit on some makes and models.

Best Value: HELLA Standard Halogen H7 Bulbs

Pros

Nice, clean beam

Very inexpensive

As good as or better than stock

Cons

Not as bright as other options, for those who are particular about this

Not the best lifespan

These 12-volt, 55-watt bulbs are DOT, ECE, and INMETRO certified for the United States, Europe, and Brazil. The package includes two bulbs that increase visibility and performance when compared to basic bulbs, and HELLA guarantees optimum fit and function. The bulbs also come in yellow and +50, which provide up to 50 percent more light output than standard bulbs.

These bulbs work great, are good quality and emit a nice, clean light. The biggest selling point is that they are significantly less expensive than competitor products of the same quality. They are easy to install, are just as bright or brighter than OEM bulbs, and fit perfectly as a replacement. They're also a cost-effective solution if your vehicle's headlights burn out regularly.

There have been some complaints that the bulb doesn't have a very long lifespan and may fail within a few months or a year. Also, they may not be as bright as you expect and may be dimmer than some competitor brands.

Honorable Mention: Osram H1 Night Breaker Unlimited Halogen Bulbs

Pros

Great temperature

Brighter than stock

Good price for the optical clarity

Cons

Some point out they turn a little yellow after a while

These 3400K, 12-volt, 55-watt bulbs increase visibility by producing a light beam up to 35 meters longer when compared to standard bulbs. Overall light is boosted by up to 110 percent, and the partial cobalt coating of the glass body contributes to up to 20 percent whiter light. In addition, the patented blue ring coating helps to reduce back glare.

These bulbs are great quality and produce a noticeably brighter light than stock halogen bulbs. The color temperature is perfect for seeing far into the distance at night. While they may not appear brighter when you look at them, you can see the difference when you're driving in the dark. They are also whiter than standard headlights with just a hint of yellow.

One problem is these bulbs may not last as long as some other H1 bulbs, and they may burn out after a few months. The OSRAM packaging even notes that the lifespan is shorter than standard bulbs. Also, there have been some complaints about the yellowish tint that the bulbs emit.

Our Verdict on the Best Halogen Headlight Bulbs

Our pick for the best halogen headlight bulb is the Philips 9006 CrystalVision Ultra Upgrade Bright White Headlight Bulb. The bulbs produce a bright white look similar to HID lights. The light beam is focused and bright; and they have a cooler, whiter color than standard, stock halogen bulbs. They also help you see better in the fog. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Hella Standard-55W Standard Halogen H7 Bulbs.

Features to Consider When Selecting the Best Halogen Headlight Bulbs

Compatibility. Not all halogen bulbs will fit all vehicles. You need to check your vehicle's make, model, and year to make sure it lines up with a product's part number. This will ensure that the best halogen light bulbs will properly fit in your car, truck, or van's headlight assembly.

Range. The best halogen headlight bulbs should give you a long field of vision and down road visibility at night. The further you can see on the highway or on a rural road, the safer you will be. Even just a few extra feet of light can make a big difference.

Color Temperature. The brighter and whiter a bulb is the higher the color temperature is. In the past, halogen bulbs were yellow. These days you can find bright white halogen headlight bulbs for your car. In addition to producing excellent visibility, they also give your vehicle a stylized look. Bulbs with a temperature less than 3000K (Kelvin) will produce yellow light. If it's higher than 3000K, the bulb will be white. Bulbs over 4000K will produce bright white light.

But here's why there's a difference and what you should know about it.

Ease of Installation. It's usually not too difficult to replace a halogen headlight bulb. Check your vehicle's owners manual as well as the product's instructions to do it properly. Just make sure you have the proper connections. For example, you may require the best H1 headlight bulb or you may need the best H7 halogen bulb.

Single vs. Two Pack. Replacement halogen bulbs are usually available in a twin pack or single pack. Make sure you know the quantity you need when you’re selecting the best headlight bulb brand. Likewise, if you decide to upgrade to a brighter bulb, it's a good idea to replace both bulbs at the same time. The brightest halogen light bulbs can be significantly brighter than standard halogens, and you don't want to produce an uneven light beam.

DOT Legal. When you're looking for replacement halogen headlights, make sure to choose ones that are street legal. Check that they are certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT). If they're not, review your state's regulations to make sure they won't cause you any legal problems.

Pricing

Pricing ranges between $20 and $60, depending on the brand, longevity, color temperature, and features.

FAQs

You've got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q: When do I need to replace my halogen bulbs?

A. Bulbs get old and deteriorate over time. If the bulb stops working, you need to replace it. A bulb also needs to be swapped out if it no longer shines light very far or is not as bright as it used to be. 

Q: How long do halogen headlight bulbs last? 

A. As we mentioned previously, halogen bulbs have a shorter lifespan than some other types of bulbs. Typically, a halogen bulb will last 2,000 hours or two years.

Q: Are halogen headlight bulbs safe?

A. Halogen light bulbs can get very hot. When the bulbs age, they can produce even more heat and can take a while to cool off. Like any other type of light, the glass can be dangerous if the bulb breaks.

Q: What is the best and brightest halogen headlight bulb?

A. There are several excellent halogen headlight bulbs available online and in stores. We include many options in this buying guide, so you’re sure to find one that suits your needs. 

Q: Can you put LED bulbs in halogen headlights?

A. No, it's illegal to replace halogens with LED bulbs unless you get sealed complete headlight assemblies, not just the bulb. Just replacing the bulb is illegal. Don't do it. 

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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