The best low consumption bulbs in the UK 2023

The use of a low-energy bulb contributes to the protection of the environment. It also reduces consumption by 10 times and saves 20% on electricity bills. But with several models available on the market, it is difficult to choose one. This guide will help you find the right model for you.

Pack of 10 LED G4 Tailcas Bulbs 1
9/10

Best value for money

Pack of 10 LED G4 Tailcas Bulbs

The best low-energy light bulb in 2021

These 10 G4 Tailcas LED bulbs will create a warm and bright atmosphere with pleasant brightness. In addition, they do not produce any humming or flickering.

10,38 £ on Amazon

Tailcas G4 LED bulbs are manufactured according to European energy saving standards. They are ideal for replacing old halogen lamps and can emit the equivalent light of a normal 20W halogen capsule. In addition, these low-energy bulbs are inexpensive and use only 1.5 W of electricity. Their lifespan of 20,000 hours accentuates this energy saving.

Unlike halogen bulbs, Tailcas bulbs emit a much cleaner light. Their color never varies and does not fade. With this set of 10 bulbs, you will save up to 90% on your electricity bill. Moreover, they are very easy to install, you will not need the help of an electrician. So, you know what you have to do to light your home differently.

Set of 2 LED bulbs E27 10 W Expertline 2
8/10

Best value for money

Set of 2 LED bulbs E27 10 W Expertline

The best entry-level low-energy light bulb

Enjoy a higher luminous efficiency than other energy saving bulbs with these 2 x 10W LED bulbs from Expertline. You will love their white color.

4,80 £ on Cdiscount

Expertline offers us these 2 bulbs with a luminous flux of 800 lumens, with a unit power of 10 W. These low energy bulbs each have a lifespan of 20,000 hours, 10 times longer than conventional incandescent lamps. Thanks to the all-purpose look, you can use them in a wide variety of rooms, especially those where compact and efficient lamps are needed. Note the good light quality and instant start time.

Beyond the price, the brightness is the big advantage of this set of 2 Expertline bulbs. Indeed, each bulb proposed in this set has a power of 10 W, but the brightness is equivalent to that of a 60 W warm white bulb, not to mention the light temperature equivalent to 3000 kelvins. In addition, these LED bulbs can replace halogen and incandescent lamps in an environmentally friendly way.

Set of 2 low-energy bulbs Cold White Sansi 3
9/10

A great choice

Set of 2 low-energy bulbs Cold White Sansi

The best high-end low-energy light bulb

Very bright, these Sansi low-energy bulbs have a cool white color and a 270° beam angle for a light temperature of 4000 lumens.

25,59 £ on Amazon

Light up your home or office space with low energy bulbs. These are 27W E27 LED screw-in bulbs. Each one emits 4,000 lumens of bright light equivalent to a 250W incandescent bulb, all with a cool white tint! With a life of up to 25,000 hours, they provide consistent lighting performance with no drop-off over time. Also note the 270° beam angle.

Versatile, the 2 Sansi low-energy bulbs are perfect for the kitchen, bedroom or living room. In addition, they offer over 80 bright color effects, making them excellent indoor lighting for hobbies, photography and more. Finally, they save up to 90% of electricity. However, you will have to pay the price.

Ampoule Philips FluoCompacte 23 W 4
8/10

Spiral bulb

Ampoule Philips FluoCompacte 23 W

A great spiral low-energy light bulb

The Philips FluoCompact energy saving bulb is very popular with French households. Not surprising when you know that it saves up to 80% of energy and lasts 10 years.

8,39 £ on Amazon
Buying guide • November 2023

Best low consumption bulb

Any specific needs?

The best low-energy light bulb in 2021

The best entry-level low-energy light bulb

The best high-end low-energy light bulb

A great spiral low-energy light bulb

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best low consumption bulbs

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP EXCELLENT EXCELLENT
Pack of 10 LED G4 Tailcas Bulbs 5
9/10
Set of 2 LED bulbs E27 10 W Expertline 6
8/10
Set of 2 low-energy bulbs Cold White Sansi 7
9/10
Ampoule Philips FluoCompacte 23 W 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Pack of 10 LED G4 Tailcas Bulbs
Set of 2 LED bulbs E27 10 W Expertline
Set of 2 low-energy bulbs Cold White Sansi
Ampoule Philips FluoCompacte 23 W
These 10 G4 Tailcas LED bulbs will create a warm and bright atmosphere with pleasant brightness. In addition, they do not produce any humming or flickering.
Enjoy a higher luminous efficiency than other energy saving bulbs with these 2 x 10W LED bulbs from Expertline. You will love their white color.
Very bright, these Sansi low-energy bulbs have a cool white color and a 270° beam angle for a light temperature of 4000 lumens.
The Philips FluoCompact energy saving bulb is very popular with French households. Not surprising when you know that it saves up to 80% of energy and lasts 10 years.
Number of bulbs supplied
10
2
2
1
Cap type
G4
E27
E27
E27
Wattage
1.5 W
10 W
27 W
23 W
Color temperature
3,000 kelvin
3,000 kelvins
6500 kelvins
6,500 kelvins
Life span
20,000 h
20,000 h
25 000 h
10 years

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Buying guide - low consumption bulb

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How to choose your low consumption bulb

Consider the following criteria if you want to have the best low-energy bulb.

#1 - The main characteristics

The main characteristics to consider when choosing a low-energy light bulb are: the shape, the type of base and the energy efficiency.

-The shape: you can choose a stick, globe, reflector, flame and many others. The shape of the bulb defines the visual comfort. It also allows you to better define the lighting effects you want. For example, a spotlight bulb is best suited to concentrate light rays in a single point.

-The type of base: it is essential to choose the right type of base of bulb as well as its size to ensure the compatibility with a luminaire. There are two main types of bulb bases: pin base and screw base. A pin base is presented under the letter G, followed by a number that expresses the distance in millimeters between the two pins. It is also presented under the letter GU if it is composed of two pins that allow the bulb to be fixed by making a quarter turn in the grooves of the socket.

-Energy efficiency: in terms of energy savings, the performance of a bulb informed on the label is rated from A +++ to D. The better the rating, the better the energy savings.

#2 - The level of brightness

The level of brightness is expressed in watts and lumens. Watts describe the power consumption of the bulb. While, lumens measure the luminous flux produced. The more lumens a bulb produces, the brighter the light. Because of this, when you choose a low-energy bulb, it's looking at lumens rather than watts.

#3 - The color rendering index

Known by the acronym IRC, color rendering describes how well a light source makes the color of an object appear to the human eye. Following a scale of 0 to 100, CRI also indicates the color rendering of a "given" light source compared to a "reference" light source. However, light sources with a CRI between 85 and 90 have a good color rendering. On the other hand, if you need to determine the colors more precisely, light sources with a CRI from 90 are excellent.

#4 - The voltage

The voltage of the electric charges that circulate in the low-energy bulb is expressed in volts (V). Generally, it works with an electrical voltage of 12 or 24 V, so it is lower, compared to other types of bulbs that work on 230 V.

It is important to specify that a low voltage bulb does not mean that it is low consumption. For maximum efficiency, the voltage of the bulb should match the power supply voltage of your appliance. However, keep in mind that a low voltage consumes more current and a high voltage may reduce the life of your low voltage bulb.

How to increase the life of a low-energy bulb?

Even if the types of low-energy light bulbs do not have the same lifespan, the means to extend their lifespan will be generalized. Indeed, it is possible that their duration is shorter or longer than what is mentioned on their packaging. In order to make your bulbs last longer, apply the following methods.

Avoid moving hot bulbs
It is more than obvious that moving hot bulbs can reduce their life span. Indeed, a heated bulb is much more fragile and may break easily. This is not only due to its, but also to its location. A low-energy bulb installed in a place that moves like the ceiling fan or the slamming of a refrigerator door can affect its lifespan. That's why other low-energy bulbs are marketed as "ceiling fan bulbs" or "appliance bulbs".

Leave your light bulb on longer
This may sound contradictory, but it is not, as many research and experiments have proven. Every time you flip the switch, you are giving energy to your light bulb. Its temperature can change in a fraction of a second, the cathodes of fluorescent tubes are subjected to 600 V every time you flip the switch. If you do this too often, the low-wattage bulb will easily fail.

Run your low-wattage bulb
When you reduce the intensity of a low-wattage bulb, you reduce the voltage supplied, which puts less stress on it. This principle applies especially to a fluorescent bulb. An LED bulb that is already programmed to turn on instantly provides a much lower starting voltage and heat to a bulb. Running a low power bulb at low voltage will extend the life by more than 30%.

The different types of low consumption bulbs

There are 3 types of energy saving bulbs: compact fluorescent bulbs, LED bulbs and halogen bulbs. Knowing their advantages and disadvantages will help you decide which are the best bulbs to use in your home.

Compact fluorescent bulbs or fluorescent bulbs

These are the most economical types of bulbs. They come in several models such as the white or yellow light model, the quick start model.

Advantages:

  • They consume about 60% less energy: a 100-watt incandescent bulb is like a 22-watt compact fluorescent bulb
  • Versatile
  • Protects the environment: they help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Disadvantages:

  • Contain mercury: dangerous for the environment
  • Not all models can be used with dimmers.
  • If you turn them on and off too frequently, their life span will be considerably reduced.

LED bulbs

The LED bulbs
Among the 3 types of low energy bulbs, LEDs are the most advantageous. They have a beautiful lighting quality, longer life than other bulbs.

Advantages:

  • LEDs can emit light of a certain color without using color filters.
  • Instant on
  • It is very easy to dim LEDs.

Disadvantages :

  • LEDs are much more attractive to insects.
  • They can fail due to heat
  • They can also emit a buzzing sound

Halogen bulbs

We all know that the old halogen bulbs are energy consuming. But we are talking about the low-energy halogen bulbs which have less qualities than the compact fluorescent and LED, but more efficient than the incandescent bulbs.

Advantages:

  • Give a light that resembles that of incandescent bulbs
  • Have a higher quality light output.
  • Can produce the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs less

Disadvantages :

  • Short operational life
  • Only heat up at high temperatures
  • Sensitive to vibrations

Low-energy fluorescent bulb or LED?

Low consumption fluorescent bulb

A fluorescent or compact fluorescent bulb consists of a fluorescent tube wound 3 times or more with a base that includes an electronic ballast. Intended for a domestic use, this type of bulb has a white or cold color. Its particularity is that it lasts up to 10 years or more, with an ignition time of 1 second. Moreover, it consumes four times less electricity than a simple incandescent bulb. But it has some disadvantages: its electronic system does not support the humidity nor the very high heats, and its components (fluorescent powders, mercury) are dangerous for the environment.

LED Light Bulb

This type of bulb is the most commonly used in French households. A LED light bulb is composed of a semiconductor chip and it works with a movement of electrons that gives off light. One of the main reasons why many consumers choose LED bulbs is its bluish-white color rendering and instant on time. In addition to that, LEDs are much more environmentally friendly due to its low energy consumption and can last up to 15 years. But even though LED bulbs consume less electricity, their manufacturing process is still energy consuming. In addition, this type of bulb does not yet support high power lighting.

Verdict

In fact, there is no such thing as a low-energy bulb of poor quality. You can choose any model according to your taste. You just have to know if their specificities correspond to the results you are looking for. For a good general lighting, a fluorescent bulb will perfectly meet your expectations. If you want good energy efficiency, an LED bulb will be much more suitable.

Tips

Clean your low-energy bulb regularly.

Regular cleaning optimizes the energy efficiency of a bulb. To do this, simply use a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Use a dimmer switch to make a low-energy bulb less bright.

The use of a dimmer switch is recommended to darken your low-energy bulb, if necessary. That way, you can always adjust the brightness. A dimmer for a low-energy bulb is to be installed in place of the light switch or plugged into an outlet.

Avoid putting too much voltage on your bulbs so they don't burn out.

An average voltage in a house is between 220 to 230 volts, to make sure you don't exceed 230 volts, a check by an electrician is necessary.

Idetect a burned-out low-energy bulb easily.

To find out if a bulb is burned out, you just need to use a multimeter on its terminals and put it in the "test diode" position. If it displays values, the bulb is still working. If it doesn't, it doesn't show anything; it means your bulb is no longer working.

The following simple actions can help you keep your low-energy bulb.

  • Do not screw the bulb in too tightly.
  • Reduce the heat around the light fixture.
  • Reduce the amount of vibration around the fixture.

FAQ

Why is it more advantageous to use a low voltage light bulb?

The first obvious reason is that it reduces the electricity bill. Secondly, its use saves a lot of energy in general, if all consumers use it. And the last more important reason is that a low energy bulb is very much involved in environmental protection.

What is the average energy consumption of a low voltage light bulb for a household?

LED bulbs consume the least amount of energy and they also have an unmatched lifespan. In addition, this type of bulb saves energy and is environmentally friendly, as it does not contain mercury or lead. LEDs also work much better than other types of energy-saving bulbs, if you use a dimmer switch.

How to know if a low voltage light bulb is the best choice?

For a household with 25 light sources in general. The daily lighting counts about 7 h, or 2,464 h for a year. So a household consumes an average of 450 kWh to 729 kWh to light up for a year.

You can easily recognize a low-energy bulb. Read the energy efficiency on its label carefully. Most of them display a class A or B efficiency. The B means that its quality is lower, but it is more efficient than a conventional incandescent bulb.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. Choosing your light bulbs to save energy, jardinage.lemonde.fr
  2. Energy saving: which light bulb to choose?, dossierfamilial.com
  3. Which light bulb to choose?, deco.journaldesfemmes.fr
  4. Our tips for increasing the life of your low energy bulbs, led-flash.fr
  5. Our tips for increasing the life of your low energy bulbs, quelleenergie.fr
  6. Lighting Choices to Save You Money, energy.gov
  7. Choosing Energy Saving Light BulbsPicking A Lightbulb Made Easy, ryness.co.uk
  8. The low-energy bulb revolutionLow Energy Lighting, npr.org
  9. The best low-energy bulbs, cse.org.uk
  10. The best low-energy bulbs, simpleenergyadvice.org.uk
  11. Low-energy bulb - Dossier - UFC-Que Choisir, quechoisir.org
  12. All about the low-energy bulb, particuliers.engie.fr
  13. Low-energy led bulb at the best price | Leroy Merlin, leroymerlin.fr
  14. Low-energy bulb : Everything about the compact fluorescent bulb, luminaire.ooreka.fr
  15. E27 low-energy bulbs | LampesDirect, lampesdirect.fr
  16. LED bulbs - Buying guide - UFC-Que Choisir, quechoisir.org
  17. LED bulb or low-energy bulb? |, quelleenergie.fr
  18. Amazon.co.uk : low-energy light bulb, amazon.co.uk
  19. Low-energy light bulb or LED light bulb : what to choose ..., totalenergies.fr
  20. Equivalence between low-energy light bulbs and LED light bulbs ..., lampe-de-luminotherapie.com
  21. Low-energy light bulbs | LampsDirect, lampesdirect.fr
  22. Low-energy light bulbs : our advices | The good ..., lesbonstuyaux.homeserve.fr
  23. Low-energy light bulbs Black Friday : find the ..., idealo.fr
  24. Low-energy light bulbs - Dangers for the health and the ..., sante-medecine.journaldesfemmes.fr
  25. Low energy light bulb - precautions ..., univers-nature.com
  26. Low energy light bulb e27 100w at the best price ..., leroymerlin.fr
  27. Low energy light bulbs - BudgetLight, budgetlight.fr
  28. Low energy light bulb (compact fluorescent) - ManoMano, manomano.fr
  29. Low energy light bulbs : what energy savings, voltalis.com
  30. Amazon.co.uk : low energy light bulb led, amazon.co.uk
  31. Low energy light bulb | Castorama, castorama.fr
  32. Low energy light bulb - Definition, actu-environnement.com
  33. Low energy light bulb E27 - C | Lumimania, lumimania.fr
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Pack of 10 LED G4 Tailcas Bulbs 9
Pack of 10 LED G4 Tailcas Bulbs
Set of 2 LED bulbs E27 10 W Expertline 10
Set of 2 LED bulbs E27 10 W Expertline
Set of 2 low-energy bulbs Cold White Sansi 11
Set of 2 low-energy bulbs Cold White Sansi
Ampoule Philips FluoCompacte 23 W 12
Ampoule Philips FluoCompacte 23 W

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