LED lamps for the home: which diode bulbs are better, review of LED lamp manufacturers

The first step towards arranging energy-efficient housing is the use of economical light sources.Diode light bulbs, available for sale in a wide range, fully meet this criterion. In order not to make a mistake in your choice, you need to understand the design features of different LED devices.

We will tell you everything about how LED lamps are selected for your home, and we will introduce them to their basic characteristics and differences. Our article provides criteria that need to be taken into account to make an informed purchase. LED manufacturers that have earned a solid reputation as responsible suppliers are listed.

Design and features of diodes

Externally, an LED light bulb is not much different from its counterparts - structurally, it also consists of a glass bulb and a base. But the internal content of the soffit has changed dramatically. The role of the illuminator is not performed by a tungsten filament, but by a light emitting diode (LED).

To light an LED, a low voltage is required, so the device is supplemented with a driver - an electronic circuit that converts alternating current.

Each element performs a specific function:

• the working pair of radiator/aluminum board is responsible for cooling and removes heat from the LEDs and power supply;
• The driver, in addition to stabilizing the current, protects the lamp from short circuits and minimizes pulsation of the light flux;
• the system and the number of LEDs determines the power of the light bulb and the angle of illumination;
• The diffuser ensures uniform beam delivery.

The quality of component parts determines the lighting parameters, the durability of LED products and the safety of their operation for human health.

The standard design of a diode lamp, in addition to the diffuser bulb, LED system and base, includes a driver, a radiator and an aluminum printed circuit board

The increased interest in diodes is due to a number of significant advantages relative to incandescent lamps:

• efficiency - electricity consumption is reduced by 8-10 times;
• durability – service life increased by 20-40 times;
• maintaining brightness during voltage surges;
• slight heating of the bulb - there is no risk of getting burned by the LED lamp.

In a lamp of limited power, you can install a brighter diode than an outdated analogue with an incandescent coil.

LEDs also outperform fluorescent lamps in the following parameters: efficiency, safety and glow quality. The spectrum of LED illuminators is closer to daylight

Diode light bulbs still have disadvantages. Main disadvantages: high price and availability of low quality products for sale. In addition, the ability to change brightness is limited - dimming provided only in more expensive models.

Types of household LEDs: design differences

Lamps for the home are classified according to two main criteria: LED type and design.

Based on the first feature, there are three types of diodes:

• SMD – single LEDs;
• COB – matrix of illuminators;
• Filament – ​​diode filament.

SMD. Single LEDs are suitable for board surface mounting. Their feature is directed light emission with a scattering angle of 100-130°. Priority use: spotlights and LED strips.

Structurally, an SMD illuminator is a crystal on a heat-dissipating layer made of copper or aluminum. There are varieties with and without a diverging lens

SMD diodes are durable, as their design ensures good heat dissipation, preventing the device elements from overheating even during continuous operation.

COB. The abbreviation is interpreted as Chip on Bord, translated as a chip on a board. LEDs are a housing of different configurations with SMD crystals integrated into it.

Designations in the photo: 1 – SMD 5050 module, 2 – COB matrix for 36 chips. The luminous flux of COB diodes is significantly higher than single SMDs

Lamps with “matrix” LEDs are not suitable for narrowly focused lighting, but they are also not able to cover the entire surrounding space - their light dispersion angle is less than 180°.

Filament. The innovative LED is designed using the COB principle, but here many mini-crystals are placed on one elongated cylindrical substrate.

Features of Filament LED lamps: a light spectrum that is comfortable for the eyes, the presence of a transparent bulb, and the absence of a cooling radiator. Scattering angle – 360°

Based on their design, diode lamps for household use can be divided into three groups:

• standard models with matte or transparent bulb;
• “corn” with SMD or COD LEDs.

Standard. Traditional lamps available in different shapes: classic, candle, pear, elongated ball, ellipsoid, etc. The type of bulb depends on the LED used.Matte housing is typical for models with SMD or COD crystals, and transparent glass is typical for Filament lamps.

"Corn". Initially, all lighting equipment of this type was manufactured without a bulb. Open SMD diodes were placed on the cylindrical tube, which eliminated the risk of overheating. Later, single LEDs began to be replaced by more powerful COB matrices.

Both options have the following advantages:

• the absence of a bulb increases the brightness of the glow by 25-40%;
• comprehensive coverage;
• maintainability;
• do not need a radiator, which reduces the cost.

The main disadvantage is the danger of contact with open live contacts.

The photo shows: 1 – “corn” with large SMD diodes, 2 – COB LEDs, 3 – small light bulb with bulb

The last option is the least successful. The glass case hides the contacts but blocks heat from escaping. Such a defect leads to rapid burnout of the lamp.

Guidelines for choosing LED light bulbs

Determining a suitable LED spotlight is not as straightforward as choosing an incandescent lamp. The power of the illuminator is far from the only parameter that needs to be taken into account when purchasing.

Luminous flux characteristics

The traditional power indicator, measured in watts, is not so relevant when choosing an LED lamp. It is incorrect to talk about the brightness of an LED illuminator based on its energy consumption. Light bulbs made using different technologies consume different amounts of electricity with the same brightness.

It is more correct to evaluate the equivalent power, as well as the luminous flux.

For the convenience of consumers, many manufacturing companies indicate on the packaging what incandescent lamp power corresponds to the glow of the LED product.For example, a 12 W LED light produces approximately the same amount of light as a regular 100 W lamp

If this information is not displayed, then you can focus on the average indicator - lighting from LEDs is 5 times higher than an incandescent lamp with equal power consumption.

A more accurate idea of ​​the quality of light is given by the luminous flux value. The parameter characterizes the brightness of the lamp and is displayed in lumens. The choice of illumination depends on the purpose of the room.

Recommended standards according to SNiP 23-05-95 per 1 sq.m:

• kitchen, bedroom, living room – 150 lm;
• children's room, office - 200 lm;
• bathroom, corridor – 50 lm.

Knowing the area of ​​the room, it is easy to calculate the required amount of luminous flux. The brightness value of the diode lamp, as well as the power, is indicated on the packaging. However, it is better to take a device with a small margin of illumination, since manufacturers often overestimate this characteristic.

The graph clearly shows the correspondence between the luminous flux of different types of light bulbs and the power consumed. The brightness index is a universal parameter that allows you to compare and evaluate the quality of illumination of spotlights

Color spectrum - glow temperature

The emission spectrum of the LED lamp varies from warm yellowish to cool blue. The hue is determined by the color temperature, which is in the range of 1800-6600°K.

The choice of glow tone depends on personal preferences, the purpose of the lighting and the surrounding interior. It is worth considering that all colors of light are perceived differently by humans:

• 2700 K – warm white – promotes relaxation, rest, applicable in a cozy environment, for example, a bedroom;
• 3000 K – yellow-white – slightly cooler than the previous one, recommended for the living room and children’s room;
• 3500 K – daytime white – increases performance; such lamps are suitable for cabinets and local illumination of mirrors;
• 4000-4800 K - neutral white - perfectly complements interiors in the high-tech style, minimalism, but somewhat suppresses the feeling of comfort; spotlights are installed in public spaces and offices.

Lighters with a glow temperature of more than 5000 K are not recommended for home use. Their purpose is to illuminate streets, industrial and warehouse facilities.

The temperature indicator is indicated among other characteristics on the packaging or housing of the LED light bulb. Some manufacturers give a short description of the shade of the glow, for example, “warm yellow light”

Color rendering index value

Lamps of the same glow temperature can convey the colors of surrounding objects differently. Unlike incandescent light bulbs, diode light bulbs have a limited spectrum, which can lead to distortion of the real picture.

The correctness of shade perception depends on the color rendering coefficient. The index is designated as CRI or Ra.

CRI is a relative value within 100 that indicates how well different colors are visible when illuminated by a lamp. The standard is sunlight, its CRI=100. Incandescent light bulbs also have a high color rendering index – 97-98.

White LEDs typically have a color rendering index of 70-90. For residential lighting, it is better to choose products with CRI>80

Details about color temperature LED light bulbs are described in the following article, the contents of which we recommend that you familiarize yourself with.

Light ripple factor

When thinking about how to choose a high-quality LED lamp for your home, many people forget about such an important parameter as flicker.But it is the pulsation of light that often causes eye fatigue and a deterioration in general well-being.

Manufacturers often do not indicate the degree of flicker of a light bulb. Significant pulsation is perceived as a stroboscopic effect - when you sharply turn your head or shift your gaze.

The presence of flicker can be determined experimentally. Point a pencil at the glowing lamp and quickly twirl it in a semicircle. The absence of extraneous contours indicates safe lighting; if there are “several pencils,” it means the light is pulsating.

An alternative method is viewing through a smartphone camera. If there are stripes on the screen (Fig. 1), then the light from the LED lamp is pulsating. Image without distortion (Fig. 2) - no flicker, dangerous to the eyes

SNiP standards establish that the permissible light pulsation coefficient for a workplace is 10-20%, for a living space - 30%. Requirements are made for pulsations with a frequency within 300 Hz. The retina does not respond to flickering above 300 Hz.

High-quality diode light sources have a flicker degree of up to 5%, incandescent lamps - 8-32%.

Base type and operating voltage

LED bulbs are produced for different types of lamps, which allows you to choose a diode for any need. In everyday life, the most popular illuminators are those with the following bases:

• E14, E27 – used mainly for floor lamps, chandeliers, wall sconces;
• GU 10, G4 – designed to replace a halogen bulb of the appropriate size and spot lighting.

Most LED lights are powered by a voltage of 220 W. If you have a high-quality driver, the lamp may not be afraid of surges on the electrification line. Some manufacturers preset a wide voltage range - 110-220 W.

A number of modifications are designed for 12 W. To connect them, a pulse converter is required that provides a stabilized voltage.

You can determine the type of power supply by the base. Lamps E27, E14, GU10, G9 operate on alternating current, soffits G4, MR16, MR11, G53 are low-voltage and require DC power

In the light bulb marking, the letter symbol indicates base type, and the number is its diameter or the distance between the contacts.

Dependence of the scattering angle on the shape of the bulb

Due to their design features, LEDs emit light in a small angular range. In the absence of optical elements, the diode illuminates the front hemisphere. To expand the range of action, secondary optics are used: diverging, focusing lenses and polycarbonate matte bulbs.

The angular range of illumination depends on the shape of the lamp itself. Convex bulbs scatter light over a larger space.

An example of the light pattern of light bulbs with different frosted bulbs: 1 – A60, glow angle – 120-180°, 2 – A67, illumination coverage – up to 300°

The first type of lamps is mainly used in lamps where the shade is directed downwards - table lighting. The second type is similar to the effect of incandescent lamps and is used to organize the main light.

Lighting angle diagrams: 1 – “candle” with E14 base, 2 – Filament lamps with a transparent bulb, 3 – spherical bulb, 4 – “corn”

Of the above modifications, each has a specific spectrum of action and purpose:

• "candle" – the light flux is emitted in different directions, the front hemisphere is poorly illuminated; light bulbs are suitable for chandeliers where the bulb is aimed at the ceiling;
• Filament – suitable for general lighting, but not used to illuminate the workplace;
• spherical flask – operating range – 200-270°, similar to incandescent lamps;
• “corn” - a glow angle of 270° allows you to use the light bulb as the main lighting.

LED luminaires with GU10 and MR16 sockets operate in the range of 15-135°. Conventionally, they can be classified into accent and general lighting.

Light range diagrams: 1 – accent lamp, 2 – bulb with a diffuse lens, 3 – “candle with petals”, 4 – cone lens

Bulbs with a cone lens have unusual light dispersion. Unlike models with frosted bulbs, uneven dispersion is observed here. These LEDs are suitable for lamps with shades and shades.

Attention to the quality of the radiator

The heat sink function in LED lamps is performed by radiators. Coolers differ in material, manufacturing and design.

The following options are possible:

• aluminum (ribbed and smooth);
• ceramic;
• composite;
• plastic.

Aluminum radiator. The metal cooler has high thermal conductivity and is lightweight.

Aluminum radiators come in two types: ribbed and smooth. The former are considered more efficient, the latter are used in small and inexpensive light bulbs

Plastic. An inexpensive option for diode illuminators with average efficiency. The radiator is made of thermo-dissipating polymer. To increase the thermal conductivity, additional ventilation holes are made in the housing.

Composite The radiator is made of aluminum and enclosed in a thin plastic shell. Lamps with composite radiators are in demand due to the optimal price/quality tandem.

Ceramic cooler. It looks like plastic, but the material is heavier and smoother to the touch. F17

The ceramic radiator does not conduct current - this allows LED modules to be placed on the cooler, which leads to more intense heat dissipation

You should not rely on a ceramic radiator in cheap products. However, there is no point in avoiding plastic coolers - they last a long time and will definitely “work out” the money spent.

Lamps with a corrugated aluminum or ceramic radiator can be installed where heat dissipation is critical. A striking example is lamps built into furniture or the under-ceiling space of a stretch fabric.

Additional features of diode spotlights

LED light bulbs are rightfully considered a smart device; some of them, in addition to performing the main task, have additional functionality. The most popular option is the ability to adjust the brightness of the light.

This feature is not available on all LED lamps LED, but only in models with a built-in dimmer.

Diode light bulbs do not change the shade of lighting when the brightness decreases; the minimum degree of dimming is about 5-20%. Products that support luminous flux adjustment are marked - Dimmable

Some modifications are equipped with RGB LEDs that emit a full range of rainbow colors. For off-line operation, LED lamps are complemented by a built-in power supply battery.

High-tech devices are equipped with pulse drivers with microcircuits that allow you to control the lighting in the room remotely or via Wi-Fi

Working life and warranty period

The average operating period of diode products is 10-40 thousand hours. This means working normally for about 3-4 years in a residential environment. In practice, the service life of light bulbs may exceed this value.

Recent developments by European and Japanese manufacturers allow us to talk about increasing the performance of lamps up to 100 thousand hours. And even after this period, the illuminator continues to function, but with a decrease in brightness by 30-40%.

However, there are products that fail within the first three to four months of operation. Quick breakdown is typical for cheap Chinese products.

The quality of an LED lamp is largely determined by the manufacturing company - in this regard, savings are not justified. Reliable manufacturers provide a product warranty of up to five years

After purchasing a light bulb, you need to take a photo of the receipt. If the lamp fails ahead of schedule, you can exchange it under warranty by presenting a photo if the receipt fades or is lost.

Review of popular brands of LED products

The ranking of the most popular LED products is headed by the company's light bulbs Philips And Osram. European manufacturers strictly control the quality of their products. Of course, this approach affects the cost, but given the durability, their price is quite justified. The operating parameters of German lamps correspond to the declared characteristics.

A worthy and more affordable alternative is the products of Bioledex (Germany), FKK (Japan), Nichia (Japan).

The companies have a reputation as reliable manufacturers and have been setting a high bar for the quality of diode lamps for several years now.

Among transnational and domestic projects, the products of the following companies received a worthy assessment:

• Newera (Russia/China) – a trademark of the SVeto-Led brand on the diode technology market for about 10 years, the main advantage is the price/quality balance;
• Ecola (Russia/China) – has a developed retail sales network;
• Gauss (Russia) – the company actively implements the latest technologies, experiments with design and controls quality;
• A.S.D. (Russia) – the level and safety of products are confirmed by the “Russian nanotechnological products” mark;
• Uniel (Russia) – a variety of series of LED lamps, the main advantages of the products: no flicker, high color rendering index, reasonable price, stylish design; warranty – 2 years.

Separately, it is necessary to mention Chinese-made diode lamps. You definitely shouldn’t buy products from nameless manufacturers. Bulbs from non-name manufacturers do not meet safety standards and declared characteristics. At best, the soffit will shine a little and stop working; at worst, it will harm others.

There are also certified Chinese LED lamps on the market. Products from the following companies received good reviews: Brawex, Selecta, Camelion and Estares

With landmarks dimmer selection For LED lighting devices, you will find an article devoted to this interesting issue.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Detailed instructions on determining a high-quality diode light bulb, checking for flicker:

Testing products of popular brands. Advantages and disadvantages of lamps produced by Philips, Canyon and Osram:

Replacing old incandescent light bulbs with technically advanced LED lighting has many positive aspects. In order for LEDs to realize their maximum efficiency and fully recoup the money spent, you should wisely approach the issue of their choice - evaluate a number of parameters and check their performance.

Tell us about how you selected LED light bulbs for installation in your home/dacha/office. Share the criteria that helped you decide on a purchase.Please leave comments, ask questions and post photos related to the topic of the article in the block below.