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The best LED light bulb EVER made is $3.50. Excellent CRI, No Flicker, Even Dimming.

The Hook Up

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The Phillips Ultra Definition LED Light Bulbs are the best lightbulbs on the market, and it's not even close. High CRI, low blue spike, low flicker, exceptional dimming and a reasonable cost. These are the bulbs you should be using: https://amzn.to/3K3EjvT

Best Overall - Philips Ultra Definition (3.50/ea)
https://amzn.to/3K3EjvT

Top Performer - Waveform LED ($22.16/ea)
Direct: https://store.waveformlighting.com/co...

Good Value Bulbs:
High CRI - DiCuno ($2.00/ea): https://amzn.to/3XVlT6l
Low Flicker - Partphoner Dimmable ($1.33/ea): https://amzn.to/3rCcRiB
Long Lasting - Great Eagle 800L (1.33/ea): https://amzn.to/3Dl2GkT

All other bulbs tested (in order of total score):
GE Relax Traditional: https://amzn.to/3Q2LlEQ
GE Relax HD Light: https://amzn.to/3rzU3jT
GE LED Classic Shape: https://amzn.to/46TN05H
Linkind: https://amzn.to/3pWVW9Q
Sunlite: https://amzn.to/3pSxKW9
Energetic Dimmable: https://amzn.to/3Y2yt3M
PARTPHONER: https://amzn.to/3Q4XlFY
Sunco: https://amzn.to/44Mo2UB
SYLVANIA LED: https://amzn.to/3Dna1R8
Amazon Basics: https://amzn.to/3OkuBaO
Energetic Smarter: https://amzn.to/3Y5HfOs
Satco: https://amzn.to/44Ahl7Y
Mastery Mart: https://amzn.to/44uArfJ
TCP: https://amzn.to/3Y0q14L
GREAT EAGLE 750: https://amzn.to/3Q3iVdO
SYLVANIA LED 4pk: https://amzn.to/3Y0RCTA
Regal: https://amzn.to/3K7coem
GE LED 60w: https://amzn.to/44ytc6r
Bioluz: https://amzn.to/3Q7hNpF
Sylvania ECO LED: https://amzn.to/44VTcbH
UNITEXLUX: https://amzn.to/3rI0Jw8

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00:00 Introduction
01:01 Energy Efficiency
01:53 Color Temperature
02:29 Blue Spike
03:29 Color Rendering Index (CRI)
04:54 Flicker
06:35 Dimming Performance
07:55 Bulb Lifespan
10:07 Conclusions

20 Comments

@abo3abid1 3 years ago

The fact you respected your audience enough to tell them the result from the beginning, is enough to deserve a thumbs up

@peterpandetimmerman 2 years ago

sharing your conclusion within the first 20 seconds earned you a like within the first 20 seconds

@FlyingShotsman 3 years ago

The LED filaments like in the Phillips bulb are not individual LEDs. They're a series string of about a dozen emitters mounted on a rigid substrate, then coated with phosphor. So, the Phillips bulb doesn't have 4 LEDs, it has something like 48. If you remove one of the filaments from a bulb and slowly increase the voltage across it with an adjustable power supply, you'll be able to see the individual emitters when they begin to light up.

@gracenotes5379 1 year ago

I'm disappointed to see how many Amazon reviewers experienced early failure with the recommended Philips Ultra Definition bulbs. As I write this, 16% of 1049 customer ratings were 1-star, with almost all of the customer-documented discontent relating to failed bulbs. Just a word to the wise that besides even the best of expert reviews, the wisdom of crowds should also be taken into account.

@todivetoday 3 years ago

Man, you nailed it, and I mean that you know what viewers want right from the get-go. It was so refreshing to see the final conclusion and test result at the beginning of your video. You are awesome, keep it up.

@MNpale 3 years ago

I paid ~$60 for a single Phillips Endura over ten years ago when LEDs were brand new and squiggly bulbs were popular. Actually I bought six. They’re still working with moderate use. Most of the other no-name models, and even Sylvanias, made between 2010-2020 have been replaced and never lived up to their long life claims.

@valramos2003 3 years ago (edited)

This is the most extensive and up-to-date comparison I've watched. Rob tests the essential features and provides measurements that matters to me, an average consumer. It's also a great plus that he explains his methodologies in an understandable manner. I also appreciate that Rob starts of with the conclusion, but I continue to watch the rest of the video for the comprehensive comparisons.

If you find value in his videos, please consider tapping the $Thanks button.

@mburknoe 2 years ago (edited)

Look man, Immediately gave me the answer, and THEN proceeded to explain things that I have been wondering my whole life, even as a complete LED lightbulb fanatic. absolutely incredible!

@G6JPG 2 years ago

This blew me away: you tested everything I would have thought of and some I wouldn't; you didn't insult your audience; and, best of all, you didn't waste time, which so many YouTube technical presenters do. (If anything it was slightly too fast, but then I can always pause - that's easier than skipping through waffle.)
From a UK (50 Hz mains!) reader. (I probably can't get most of the bulbs you mention, and would need a 230-240 volt version anyway, but you showed me the sort of things to look for. Though I don't think most of the bulbs available here have anything like the amount of information you found - I think they'd mostly only have watts, lumens, and maybe colour temperature.)

@thegoondockswarcouncil9543 3 years ago

You are becoming like the project farms of digital and smart devices (and if you’ve ever watched project farms, you know that’s a compliment).

@Mario1vsSonic1 2 years ago

I thought it was gonna be clickbait. But the fact you told the result at the start had me watch everything and thumbs up.

Thanks for this, I am angery at the LEDs due to shit dimming and flicker and all

@puertadelaestrella 2 years ago

Geez, I’m an experienced 10:47 electrical engineer and I’m not sure I could have been as thorough as this video was. Very well done!

@trailmuffins 2 years ago

I found this video recommended on the migraine subreddit talking about how amazing these Phillips bulbs are for people like us. Bought a pair to use in my bedside lamps and WOW. No migraines. Truly flicker-free, even plugged into dimmer switches. Life-changing. Thank you so much!!!

@Not4Troll 2 years ago

Adding a comment to boost engagement because you gave me the answer in the first 10 seconds

@Nefville 2 years ago

You did something I've always wanted to see in a review: the answer in the first 20 seconds with a follow-on to see why that one was the top pick. What's surprising is how well it worked and even more surprising is the reaction to it. Respect. I've had that idea floating around in my head for years and its great to see it in practice and also nice to see it didn't run people off - you have nearly 300,000 views on this. Well done sir!

@MartianMoon 3 years ago

Respect for giving us the conclusion right off the bat. Legend.

@arvidholm 3 years ago

Would've loved to see the Ikea bulbs, otherwise great video

@macemoneta 3 years ago

Phillips was my conclusion as well. The others, even if they're fine when purchased, will eventually flicker. I initially chased my tail checking for wiring issues with a digital scope, but realized it was the bulbs. Forums indicated that manufacturers use cheap regulators, even on high-end bulbs, and they degrade over time. They all recommended Phillips as having a quality regulator. We switched to those LED bulbs, and haven't had a flicker since.

@ABaumstumpf 2 years ago

For the lifetime of those lamps i can only say i don't think they last nearly as long as they claim.
The early LED lamps were heavy and bulky, had cost a lot but still work. But many of the bulbs i bought 5 years ago have already been replaced - some of them were Philips, and originally none were the cheap ones. Now i am only using the cheap ones.

On the other hand - i still did not have a single halogen lamp fail on me. Granted i don't have many, but my old desk-lamp is now nearly 30 years up and running. it is used daily, switched on/off a few times a day, and is running for a couple of hours each day. no clue why that one decided to become immortal.

@lukematheny4380 2 years ago

This is probably the most useful video I've seen this year. Incredible work, and thank you so much for testing the 5000k version.
I recently got some Waveform bulbs to test before biting the bullet and upgrading my whole house. They really do have incredible quality light. But one advantage you didn't mention that the Philips has over the Waveform is that the light is better diffused. My current bulbs are ~6 yr. old Philips Glass LEDs, and it turns out that the full glass bulb actually changes the light output significantly. The plastic enclosure on the waveform means the light is overly directional - not great in, say, a chandelier. Even in bathroom lights, this reduces the ambient light going up toward the ceiling, making the room feel darker at the same lumen output. I've been on the fence due to the expense, but these FAR cheaper bulbs look like the way to go!
FYI waveform does actually sell dimmable bulbs, but only in extra warm soft white. They are excellent.