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How to Read Light Bulb Product Labels
Today, lighting manufactures are required to list product labels on their item package for showing details about per light bulb, such as their base types, bulbs shapes, brightness, wattage, voltage, color temperature, lifespan and more.
Then, if you want to quickly find the right bulb from the dazzling array of items, knowing how to read light bulb product labels is the key. That's because, the bulb labels allow you to easily compare the pertinent details of a single bulb to see which one delivers what you need in terms of brightness, wattage, and potential energy savings.
Base Type
Bulb base refers to the part of a light bulb that joints to the light fixture socket to provide illumination when power-on. And in order to fit various household fixtures, light bulbs are now come with diverse bulb base type, like screw bases, bayonet caps and pin bases, and among them, screw base is the most popular one used in North America and Europe.
Each base type has a specific base code composed of a letter and number, which indicates the type of base or cap, such as B for Bayonet, E for Edison or P for Pin, and the diameter or the distance between the pins in millimeter. To take e26 bulb base for example, it stands for the bulb has an Edison screw base and the diameter of the base is 26 millimeters. Plus, if you’d like more information about base type, you can check LED Bulb Base Guide.
 e26 color changing light bulb |
 e26 dusk to dawn light bulb |
 e26 yellow led bulb |
 e12 color changing light bulb |
 e12 smart bulb |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $21.99/2 Pack | $25.99/4 Pack | $19.99/4 Pack | $26.99/2 Pack | $29.99/2 Pack |
| Lumen | 450LM | 500LM | 450LM | 450LM | 810LM |
| Watt (Replacement Watt) |
8W (60W Equivalent) |
6W (40W Equivalent) |
5W (40W Equivalent) |
5W (40W Equivalent) |
9W (60W Equivalent) |
| Light Color | RGB & Cool White |
Daylight White | Orange Yellow | RGB & Tunable White |
RGB & Tunable White |
| Color Temperature | 2700K-6000K | 5000K | 2000K | 2700K-6000K | 2700K-9000K |
| Shape | a19 bulb | a19 bulb | a15 bulb | candle | candle |
| Key Functions | Controlled by Voice and APP | Auto Turn ON or OFF | Provide sufficient illumination without attracting bugs |
Controlled by Voice and APP | Controlled by Voice and APP |
| Dimmable | √ | × | × | √ | √ |
Bulb Shape
When it comes to the bulb shape, the most widespread one today is known as A shape, especially the a19 bulb. As the similar name rules mentioned above, the initials "A" means the bulb has a pear-like shape and the number followed refers to the width of the lampshade in one-eight inch units or in millimeters. Then, as the ideal choice for smaller light fittings or decorative lighting to enhance the beauty of any exterior home decor, the candle bulbs (i.e. e12 bulb) have become widely used in home lighting.
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Brightness
Brightness means the light that is perceived by people's eyes while lumen shows the exact quantity of light emitted from a single bulb. The more lumens they have, the brighter the light produced. In this case, most people tend to purchase dimmable light bulbs, as they can adjust brightness levels of the bulb to create various ambience for different applications, such as reading, relaxing, watching TV, sleeping, and more. Previously, the brightness of the light depended on its wattage, but with the upgraded lighting technology today, these two factors now have no direct relation. That’s to say, we can choose an energy saving bulb with high brightness and no worry about burning our energy cost.
Light Appearance (Color Temperature)
CCT, color temperature and light appearance all share the same concept that indicates the warmth or coolness of a light, which is emitted in degrees of Kelvin(K) on a scale from 1000 to 10000. In most residential or commercial lighting applications, color temperatures are typically in the 2000K-6500K range. The higher the number is, the bluer and cooler the light will be. To say a little bit more specific, 3000K and below are defined as the warm light that equals to amber color, while 4000K and above are cool light with bright white illumination. Recently, tunable white light bulbs are welcomed by most families, as they perfectly complement to home decor and can cast a more comfortable and pleasant atmosphere.
Lifetime Hours
Life expectancy is also one of the important elements that we will consider when buying a bulb. It displays the number of hours or years a bulb is estimated to work properly based on the average of 3 hours of operation per day. The operating life of LED bulbs is a distinct advantage over a traditional incandescent bulb.
Estimated Energy Cost
Apart from considering the cost of a bulb itself or a set of bulbs, the incurred cost of the bulb when electrified also needs to be taken into account. The higher of the wattage your bulb has, the more money you should pay for the electric bill at the end of the month. So we’d better measure the amount of energy this bulb produces and estimate whether it fits our budget and lifestyle. For that, checking out the Estimated Energy Cost is quite important, as it reveals the estimated annual energy cost of the bulb. The cost is based upon:
• Average initial wattage
• A usage rate of three hours per day
• Amount per KWh [example: 11 cents($0.11) per KWh]
Sharing a comprehensive guide on how to read light bulb product labels here, now that you may make clear their specific meaning and can find the most suitable bulb more quickly. Share this post with your friend if you find it helpful.