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  • LED Edison Bulb Buying Guide

    2 min read 6 Comments

    Edison LED Buying Guide

    You must read this before buying any Edison Vintage LED bulb.

    The most misleading information given on LED vintage bulbs is the wattage equivalent.  Every web site out there which sells LED vintage bulbs and all the manufacturers making those bulbs have this piece of information listed on their bulbs.  What they don't tell you is whether it is equivalent to Vintage Edison Incandescent bulb or a standard incandescent bulb.  There is a big difference between the two.

    Here is the deal:

    Vintage Edison incandescent bulbs like we sell here produce far less light (lumens) per watt.  This means that a 60-watt vintage bulb will give you about 300 lumens when a standard incandescent 60-watt bulb will give you 800 lumens.  

    Do you see what I'm getting at here?

    So, when you read the description of LED vintage bulbs and it states that this bulb is 60 watts equal or 40 watts equal you really don't know what are they comparing it to.  One thing I can tell you for sure is that every manufacturer or web site does it differently.  This is the reason you should only look at the lumens and know lumens equivalence.  Here at nostalgicbulbs.com, we show wattage equivalence to the standard incandescent bulbs and not Edison vintage incandescent bulbs.

    Below is the wattage equivalent chart for replacing standard incandescent bulbs.   

  • To replace a 75W bulb, choose a bulb with about 1100 lumens.
  • To replace a 60W bulb, choose a bulb with about 800 lumens.
  • To replace a 40W bulb, choose a bulb with about 450 lumens.
  • To replace a 25W bulb, choose a bulb with about 200 lumens.
  • To replace a 15W bulb, choose a bulb with about 100 lumens.
  • To replace a 10W bulb, choose a bulb with about 50 lumens.
  •  

     LED Vintage bulb color

    When choosing an LED vintage bulb you now have different options on the color temperature.  This is the color of light the light bulb will emit.

    This chart shows you the different color temperature range. 

    LED Bulb Color Temperature Chart

     Keep in mind that the LED Vintage Edison bulbs currently are available in a range from 1800K to 3000K.  As you can see in the chart if you want your LED bulb to look like the incandescent Edison bulb you will choose a color temp of 2200K -2400K.  If you don't want the light to be as warm or yellow as the Edison bulbs then you should choose 2700K - 3000K.  

     

    Using LED Edison bulbs in enclosed fixtures:

    To use Edison LED bulbs in enclosed fixtures you need the bulb to be rated or approved for enclosed fixtures.  Many of them are not and most consumers do not know that they should be looking for a feature. Using the wrong LED bulb will unquestionably shorten the life span and increase the likelihood of premature dimming of the LED bulb.

    When shopping for LED bulbs for enclosed fixtures make sure to read all the bulbs' features. If it does not state listed or approved for enclosed fixtures then it is not. View our collection of Enclosed Fixtures Approved LED Bulbs.

     

    6 Responses

    Darrell
    Darrell

    August 18, 2021

    Thanks for the very clear, succinct explanations!

    Amber
    Amber

    August 01, 2019

    If I am using in a bathroom vanity situation (2 pendants on either side of mirror). What color is best? Cool/Warm/daylight? Any thoughts or direction would be IMMENSELY appreciated. Thanks!

    Gabi
    Gabi

    March 31, 2019

    Response to Philip Parker’s question:
    Yes, it depends on which type of bulbs are you comparing. Edison vintage style incandescent to Edison LED vintage style or a standard general purpose incandescent bulb to a vintage style Edison LED. Like you said there is a big difference in the light output. What I’m trying to say is that you should not pay attention to the watts when dealing with LED bulbs. Just look at the Lumens! Know that 800 Lumens is what you were getting from a standard general purpose 60-watt incandescent bulb.

    Philip Parker
    Philip Parker

    March 31, 2019

    Then why are you billing a bulb to be a 60 watt replacement when it only puts out half the lumens! Most edison bulbs put out less than a 40 watt bulb!

    Andrea Weisinger
    Andrea Weisinger

    July 19, 2019

    I’m looking for an LED equivalent of a 40W, ST38 Edison bulb. Does such a thing exist, and do you carry it?

    The bulb is for a decorative wax warmer that I received as a gift. I don’t really intend to use it as a wax warmer, and at 40W, the bulb is pulling a lot of electricity, so I’m looking for a more economical and longer lasting alternative.

    Alison Bush
    Alison Bush

    March 31, 2019

    Great article and explanation. Thank you!

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