#Hid vs halogen power consumption install#
#Hid vs halogen power consumption upgrade#

Improved visibility should be much further up on your priority list. You’re very limited when it comes to colors with HIDs due to the way they are made.ĭespite this, color choice shouldn’t be a major factor when deciding on which lights to buy. They’re brighter when compared to LEDs, but also less energy-efficient due to this slow start time.

Depending on the type of HID headlight bulbs you get, they can take up to 30 seconds to heat up and reach their brightness peak. There is a delay in the maximum amount of brightness that they produce. This can also be a problem when you’re driving behind another vehicle, although they can alter their rearview mirror to compensate. They are so bright that they can cause strong glare, which in turn may cause problems for any oncoming traffic. When comparing LED vs HID headlights, keep in mind the following potential shortcomings associated with using HIDs: Glare Potential They have a low running consumption, and the only time they need a lot of energy is when you’re starting them up. Reduced Energy Consumptionįinally, the energy HIDs use is minimal. This also makes HID lights ideal for driving in foggy conditions. This reduces the risk factor of driving at night, especially if your eyesight isn’t as good in the dark. Since they emit such bright light, you can see much further while driving. This gives you a natural increase in visibility while driving at night, which is, of course, a serious boon for safety. You can be sure that your car is equipped with the brightest, most intense, and whitest light if you choose an HID bulb. However, it’s with noting that the gradual decrease in the price of LEDs means that the cost of upgrading to either type will likely be very similar in just a few years’ time.

#Hid vs halogen power consumption upgrade#

If you upgrade your car from halogen to HID, you won’t be spending too much money.

When comparing LED vs HID headlights, keep in mind the following list of the most notable benefits you’ll get if you choose to use HIDs on your car: Affordable Upgrade This means that xenon headlights are more than twice as powerful as the factory lights used by most car manufacturers. However, with HID bulbs you’re able to get 3,000 lumens. They work by making a current pass between two electrodes, sealed inside the bulb that’s filled with xenon.Īlthough they’ve been on the market for almost 20 years, they were first made popular thanks to the “Fast and Furious” movies.Ī halogen bulb is able to produce 1,400 lumens. The term HID stands for “high-intensity discharge.” HID headlights can also be labeled as xenon headlights because, instead of halogen, they’re filled with xenon gas. When doing so, you need to be careful, because they’re very sensitive to the oils that are produced by your hands. However, the main disadvantage is that they don’t last very long, so you’ll have to replace them more often. The advantage of traditional halogen bulbs is they tend to be the cheapest option. The wire is surrounded by a halogen gas, which makes it a bit brighter. Traditional halogen lights have a wire filament that heats up to produce light emitted when there’s electricity passing through it. If you aren’t familiar with what these are, they’re similar to the incandescent bulbs that you may have at home. Most modern vehicles use halogen bulbs, as these are usually a factory default. Let’s start out with the basic headlights that most cars have.

#Hid vs halogen power consumption install#

Consider a Conversion Kit – If you don’t want to buy and install entirely new headlights, LED and HID conversion kits are a good alternative.

Opt for LED… – …if your top priorities are durability, energy efficiency, and/or reduced glare.

Choose HID… – …if beam range and increasing visibility are your foremost concern.

In this article, we’re going to be breaking down the key differences between these two types of car headlights, the advantages and disadvantages associated with each type, and the reasons why you may want to opt for one type over the other. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks that you should know about before choosing which one to go with. Both choices improve visibility compared to halogen lights, which means that they lower the risk of accidents when driving at night. The two most popular of these options are Xenon HID or LED headlights. In recent years, there’s been an increase in the options available – options that offer something that, for many car owners, represent a significant upgrade on standard halogen headlights. When it comes to headlights, the industry standard used to be halogen lights, but that’s no longer the case. There’s one easy, effective, and inexpensive upgrade that can make a big difference to your car’s appearance and your driving experience: new headlights. However, it doesn’t always have to be something major to be worthwhile. When you’re thinking about upgrading your car, you’re likely thinking about all the bigger upgrades you can do.