Headlights are an essential part of your car. They are what guide drivers in the deep of the night as they travel towards their local McDonalds, or work during the night. A high-quality headlight can make a big difference, too, and may even avoid accidents. My father used to be into them because of how often he had to drive at night, being a Taxi driver and all.
Now, when it comes to headlights, you have your standard halogen bulbs, too. They are known for having a yellowish brightness and are the ones most cars have. Thing is, halogen bulbs are well known for consuming way more energy than your standard LED and HID light bulbs. They also have a shorter lifetime.
LED and HID bulbs consume less electricity, produce a higher intensity of light, cover way more area than halogen bulbs, and last much longer. Of course, they can be more expensive, but the investment is pretty much worth it.
But between LED and HID headlights, which one is recommended? Well, they both work differently and have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. And we are going to talk about them to help you decide which one fits your needs the most.
HID Light Bulbs
Just in case you didn’t know, HID stands for high-intensity discharge. This type of light bulb works with an electrical current traveling through a tube with electrodes on both ends. This current creates a reaction between several compounds found inside the bulb, and light is created. This process is sustained by your car’s electricity.
If you want to go into details, check this website: High-intensity discharge lamp
This whole process can be considered a drawback because HID bulbs require some time to start up. During an emergency where immediate light is needed, an HID headlight may not be as useful as an LED or Halogen one. Another thing to consider is that replacing this type of light bulb can be a little pricey, but since they last longer and work better, its performance may overweight this inconvenience.
The appearance of HID headlights is somewhat similar to LED, providing an intense bluish brightness. This type of bulb is also well known for having a lifetime of at least 2,000 hours, while your regular halogen bulb can last up to 800 hours. The best ones may even last up to 8,000 hours. If you are like my father, who spent most of his driving time at night, these ones are an especially good choice for you. On the other hand, if you don’t drive at night at all, they are probably not worth the expense.
The biggest complaint about this type of headlight may not come from you, but from other drivers. They may be way too bright and can blind other drivers as you travel around during the night. Also, HID headlights need to be installed by a professional, and in some places, conversion kits are illegal due to how dangerous they can be.
LED Light Bulbs
They are known for being really bright and having a bluish or white color. They work through a process known as electroluminescence, where negative electrons travel towards holes in a semiconductor, creating a light-emitting diode (LED), then releasing a photon. Check this one for more detailed information.
A good thing about LED bulbs is that they require less electricity than halogen and HID ones, consuming up to 85% less electricity. Also, they can last way longer than your standard halogen bulb. A great LED light bulb can have a lifetime of 50,000 hours. This is insane, right?
In contrast to HID headlights, this one functions the moment you decide to turn them on. Also, in comparison to them, this type of bulb does not get too hot. It can get hot around it, though, so some models bring a fan for cooling purposes.
You won’t have to worry about having to hire someone to install them to your vehicle, too. You can find conversion kits to install them on your own. If you know how to install a headlight, the installation process will probably be easy for you. If you don’t, you can always check a guide online.
And, something to consider is that LED headlights are often more good looking. If you get yourself a pair of LED Light Street Headlights, your car will surely turn way cooler.
Which one is better?
The short answer, and my personal opinion, is LED headlights.
LED headlights to have a way more effective longevity over HID headlights. The light output is a little more clean, too, and won’t be blinding other people as you drive. They can more expensive, yes, but if you are someone that drives a lot during the night, they are the best choice for you.
And, if you think about how much money you’ll be saving from hiring someone to install your headlights every time you need to change them, and also, how less often you will have to do it, it makes them the best choice, period.
