Which LED Light Bulbs Work Best?

The incandescent bulb's days are numbered; by Jan. 1, 2014, most will have been phased out. You sure won't miss their influence on your utility bill since a typical 60-watt bulb costs more than three times as much per year to run as a similar LED bulb. But you might cringe when you see how much it costs to replace an incandescent with an LED. You can save money by looking for a utility rebate coupon before you head to the store. When shopping for LED bulbs, keep in mind: Lumens indicate brightness Kelvin number tells you what color light the bulb gives off. The Best LED Bulbs for Different Fixtures Don't assume the most expensive LED bulb is the best. Consumer Reports says these less expensive, LED options shined brightly compared to the competition: For lamps and ceiling fixtures: For 60-watt replacements, Wal-Mart's Great Value Soft White LED ($10),the least expensive of the new bulbs in Consumer Reports' preliminary tests gives off a warm yellow light similar to an incandescent bulb. They also liked Cree's 9.5-Watt (60W) Warm White ($13) and the Philips 11W 60W Soft White 424382 ($14). The fully-tested, top-rated Samsung 60-Watt Warm White LED ($30) provides a bright, warm yellow light. For light that's warm but brighter, and is meant to replace 75-watt bulbs, the Eco-Smart 14-Watt (75W) Soft White 726558 ($35) is an alternate choice. For recessed and track lights: In preliminary tests, Wal-Mart's Great Value Soft White BR30 is bright and dimmable, and is the least expensive ($160. The fully-tested Feit Electric BR30 Dimmable LED ($18) replaces a 65-watt bulb and casts a warm yellow light. For outdoor lights: The Max-Lite 20Watt PAR38 100W ($40) offers bright white light in Consumer Reports' preliminary tests and can be used with some electronic timers, photocells and motion sensors. The fully-tested TCP 17W PAR38 Flood LED ($40) claims to last about 46 years when used 3 hours a day. The full report on LED light bulbs, including additional recommendations, is in Consumer Reports' January 2014 issue.