Switching over to energy-saving lightbulbs wherever possible is a small, quick and effective way of reducing your electric bills and carbon footprint. Modern energy-saving lightbulbs typically use about 80% less power than traditional lightbulbs and last a lot longer. So, the bulbs can save your bills and the frequency at which you buy them.
Once upon a time, picking an energy-saving lightbulb over a traditional bulb meant sacrificing brightness and ease of use. Older energy-saving bulbs were expensive, lacked powerful wattage and took an age to warm. Then things went the opposite way, and energy-efficient bulbs became overly bright and harsh.
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Thankfully, things have come a long way in recent years - while the best energy-saving lightbulbs are a little more costly than standard filament bulbs, they light instantly, cast a pleasing light and last for upwards of 10,000 hours. LED technology has also been more widely adopted, which is extremely power efficient: according to OVO Energy, LEDs convert 90% of their energy to light - a stark contrast to incandescent bulbs, which use only 10%, wasting the rest as heat energy.
The advent of smart bulbs has also added a new subsection to energy-saving lightbulbs. These LED bulbs link up with smart assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to offer greater control over home lighting. Because smart bulbs connect to a home network, several lights across multiple rooms can be controlled at once. Some brands, like Philips, even provide smart bulb control for when the user is away from home - perfect for when a teenager goes out and leaves all the lights on. Smart bulbs are also great companions for smart meters, which provide ultimate control over power consumption.
Here’s our quick buyer’s guide to the best energy-saving lightbulbs available today:
The six best energy-saving lightbulbs:
Philips Hue LED Smart Bulb
TP-Link Tapo Smart Bulb
Philips 11w Genie
Diall GLS LED
Philips 20w Tornado Compact
Diall Candle Warm White LED
The best energy-saving bulbs
1 of 6Philips Hue LED Smart Bulb (Single)
Who would've thought that bulbs could be exciting? Well, Philips has proven that it's doable. This smart bulb links up to Alexa (via devices like the Echo Dot) and can be controlled entirely by voice commands - this includes on/off and dimming commands. These controls can be access via a smartphone application, and the addition of a Philip Hue Bridge unlocks the ability to control your lights from outside of the house. All of this is great for lowering power consumption - you can dim lights on brighter days, switch off forgotten lights and set lighting schedules. The energy rating sits at A+. It's also compatible with the Google Nest.Light source wattage: 9 wattsVoltage: 240 voltsWatt bulb equivalent: 60 wattColour: Warm whiteConnection: Available in small screw (E14), screw (E27), bayonet (B22) and spot (GU10)
2 of 6TP-Link Tapo Smart Bulb
TP-Link, traditionally found bringing out some of the best WiFi extenders, has turned its hand to smart bulbs. Using Alexa or Google Assistant, the Tapo smart bulb delivers excellent functionality and power-saving credentials. Like the more expensive Philips HUE, the Tapo is dimmable and can be controlled via a smartphone app. There's no need for an extension bridge either - multiple Tapo lightbulbs can use a home WiFi router as a central hub.Light source wattage: 9 wattsVoltage: 240 voltsWatt bulb equivalent: n/aColour: WhiteConnection: Available in screw (E27) and bayonet (B22)
3 of 6Philips 11w Genie Energy Saving Light Bulb (3 Pack)
The Genie Energy Saving Bulb is a great product from a name you can trust. It's got a flicker-free start-up and can easily replace a traditional incandescent bulb. It casts a bright warm light and has a lifespan of 10,000 hours. The three-pack is a bargain and ideal for replacing several room lights. Not suitable for dimmers.Light source wattage: 11 wattsVoltage: 220-240 voltsWatt bulb equivalent: 50 wattColour: Warm whiteConnection: Bayonet (B22)
4 of 6Diall GLS LED Light Bulb (3 Pack)
Energy-saving and stylish, these bulbs from Diall are a nice choice for the fashion-conscious and power-savvy. Not only good looking, but the design also helps diffuse light over a wide area. The life length advertised is 15,000 hours, and the energy rating ranks at that all-important A++.Light source wattage: 7 wattsVoltage: 240 voltsWatt bulb equivalent: 60 wattColour: WhiteConnection: Screw (E27)
5 of 6Philips 20w Tornado Compact Florescent Spiral (Single)
The Philips Tornado 20w bulb is a compact and extremely bright light bulb, producing light equivalent to a 95w incandescent bulb, only at 80% of the power consumption. The tight swirl design means that it's a stocky bub, and the life cycle runs to 10,000 hours.Light source wattage: 20 wattsVoltage: 220 voltsWatt bulb equivalent: 95 wattColour: WhiteConnection: Bayonet (B22)
6 of 6Diall Candle Warm White Led Light Bulb (3 Pack)
Looking for a traditional candle bulb, but without the power and environmental cost? Then opt for the Diall Candle LED bulb. The creamy plastic finish to the bulb helps reduce glare, which is ideal for lamps in bedrooms and reading nooks. With an A+ energy rating, you can rest knowing that it's kind on the electricity bill. Plus, they're super affordable and promised to last up to 15,000 hours.Light source wattage: 3 wattsVoltage: 240 voltsWatt bulb equivalent: 25 wattColour: Warm whiteConnection: Small screw (E14)
Read more: The best smart bulbs