Proper lighting is important for increased visibility, comfort, and accessibility to make your master or guest bathroom easier to use.
Choosing the right lighting fixture can be dire and challenging, given the endless options available today.
To make your search easier, we scoured the web for the best light bulbs for bathrooms and examined their features, benefits, and disadvantages.
We also included a buying guide section that discusses the five critical factors to consider when shopping for light bulbs.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks Best Light Bulbs For Bathroom
Best Light Bulbs for Bathroom: A Review
1. GE Reveal LED Light Bulbs
The GE Reveal LED Light Bulbs is an excellent choice for energy-conscious shoppers looking for superior-quality LED light.
Review
It uses only nine watts of power and is an excellent replacement for a 60-Watt incandescent bulb.
With 650 lumens, the GE Reveal LED Light Bulbs are exceptionally bright and offer a rich, warm light with impressive color contrast and boldness.
It filters dull yellow light and gives you a nice color contrast to create the clean and clear light you need when getting your makeup done, styling your hair, or shaving.
Plus, it has a dimmable function, so if you have a dimmer switch installed, you can adjust the brightness whenever necessary or set the mood for a relaxing shower.
Lastly, the package includes two high-quality bulbs with an estimated lifespan of 13 years.
Pros:
- Energy-efficient
- Great contrast
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- The dimmer feature can be improved
2. GIOVAR 8-Pack G25 LED Vanity Light Bulbs
The G25 light bulb mimics the light of dusk, so it isn’t too bright or too dim. Thereby, it creates a perfect transition in your day and night activities.
Review
Unlike incandescent bulbs that get hot and defective easily, the GIOVAR 8-Pack G25 LED Vanity Light Bulbs is long-lasting.
The bulbs have a lifespan of over 30,000 hours or more than ten years. That means you won’t have to replace your lights frequently.
Each bulb runs on five watts, which is equivalent to the brightness of a 40-watt incandescent bulb.
This feature helps you significantly cut down your electricity consumption.
In addition, GIOVAR 8-Pack G25 LED Vanity light bulbs have a high color rendering index (CRI).
As such, they are ideal not just for the bathroom but also for your makeup or dressing room.
Bulbs with low CRI won’t portray colors accurately, so selecting a foundation shade that matches your skin tone or lipstick that complements your outfit will be more challenging.
Moreover, GIOVAR light bulbs don’t flicker, so they won’t strain your eyes. They also don’t make annoying buzzing sounds like incandescent bulbs.
Even better, the package includes eight bulbs, so you can make a bathroom light bar or set them up for your vanity mirror.
Lastly, each bulb features a globe shape and has a brightness of 500 Lumens.
Pros:
- Super bright
- Zero flicker
- Energy-saving
Cons:
- It might be too bright for a small bathroom
3. Hansang G25 LED Globe Light Bulbs
The Hansang Vanity Globe Light Bulb is a non-dimmable, no-flicker option for your bathroom.
It can replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb, so you can cut your lighting electricity cost by at least 90%.
Review
Hansang has been manufacturing lighting products for more than ten years, and it’s one of the most sought-after brands for home lighting.
That said, when you choose this brand, you can be confident that you’re getting a high-quality bulb for your bathroom.
Hansang bulbs are manufactured with strict quality controls and don’t contain environmental materials. Thus, these bulbs are durable and safe to use.
The G25 bulb also features a standard E26 Base that you can easily install into a medium screw base or fixture.
With no complicated sockets, the bulb is less likely to get stuck or break in the socket.
Another feature you’ll love is that the G25 has a high CRI.
It brings out the true color of the objects around you, so it’s ideal for use as a task light.
Additionally, the package contains four shock-proof and vibration-proof LED bulbs that boast 30,000 hours of lifespan.
They illuminate a daylight white color with a brightness of 500 Lumens.
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Energy-saving
- Perfect for vanity makeup mirror
- Good price
Cons:
- Non-dimmable
4. SYLVANIA ECO LED Light Bulb
For less than ten dollars for a set of three bulbs, the Sylvania ECO LED Light Bulb is one of the most affordable options in the market today.
Additionally, the bulbs have a lifespan of 7,700 hours and are backed with a one-year guarantee.
Review
Sylvania is another trusted manufacturer of LED lights and has been in the industry for over 100 years.
They make a wide range of lighting fixtures for home use.
The Sylvania LED light bulb is a frosted bulb that creates a softer, diffused light, so it’s nice and bright but not irritating to the eyes.
It emits a soft white color (2,700 Kelvin) which is more on the warm and yellow side, similar to the light you get from incandescent bulbs.
This color gives a warm and cozy feeling and complements a bathroom with more earthy tones.
The bulb also gives off 325 Lumens of light which is good enough for a small bathroom.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Well-made
- Long lifespan
Cons:
- A little too dim for a big bathroom
5. Cotanic G25 LED Globe Light Bulbs
This set of four G25 LED globe light bulbs has a high light transmission design.
That’s why it can emit a balanced and sufficient light that mimics natural daylight.
Review
Each Cotanic G25 LED bulb is made of flame-retardant material and a safety fuse that automatically cuts off power during an abnormally high current.
Plus, the bulb has a firm connected structure designed to prevent water and dust from entering the insides.
The bulb also uses aluminum material for the base to help dissipate heat and extend its lifespan.
In terms of color and brightness, the bulb emits a more neutral white light range that balances warm and cool light.
It also has a high CRI rating, allowing the objects in your surroundings to look more natural.
Plus, it boasts 4,000K daylight which is ideal not just for the bathroom but also for the kitchen and dining room.
Pros:
- High safety features
- Energy-efficient
- A perfect blend of brightness and warmth
Cons:
- Might be too bright for a small bathroom
How to Choose Best Light Bulbs for Bathrooms
Good bathroom lighting doesn’t only beautify the room, but it also improves your ability to concentrate on your task and keeps you safe.
The bathroom is usually the first place you go upon waking up and the last before going to bed.
Therefore, choosing the right light bulb is essential to feeling good and ready for the rest of the day and winding down for the night.
Don’t be intimated by the hundreds of choices you have.
Here are the most important features to consider when shopping for the best light bulbs for bathrooms:
Bulb Type
Incandescent light bulbs are no longer the ambassador for bathroom lighting.
More and more homeowners are switching to LED bulbs.
Even though they cost more than traditional incandescent light, LED light is more energy-efficient.
On average, LED bulbs can save you up to 90% of energy compared to a traditional light bulb with the same output.
Also, they have a longer lifespan ranging from seven to 20 years.
Brightness
Many newer bulbs are rated in lumens, which refers to the amount of light they emit.
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommends between 20 and 50 lumens per square foot in the bathroom.
For task areas where you need the most light, aim for 40 to 50 lumens per square foot.
Wattage
Another factor that determines how bright a light bulb will be is the wattage.
Generally, bulbs that operate on 75 to 100 watts are great for guest and master bathrooms, while 45 to 60 watts are suited for half-baths or powder rooms.
However, if you have seniors at home, opting for 100-watt bulbs will aid with vision and safety.
Color Rendering Index (CFI)
Another factor to consider when buying bathroom light bulbs is their CFI.
This number can indicate how accurate colors look under the light source.
CFI ratings range from 0 to 100. The higher the CFI, the more accurate the colors will be.
Aim for at least 80 CRI in your bathroom lights.
Warmth
Modern bathroom bulbs come in a variety of color warmth or light appearance, measured in degrees of Kelvin (K) on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000.
Bulbs with a color temperature of 3 100K to 4500K fall under the cool white spectrum with a tinge of blue.
They are often used for bathrooms, vanities, and dressing rooms.
For bright, crisp light ideal for tasks like styling hair, applying makeup, or shaving, opt for a bulb with a rating of 3,000-3,200 Kelvins.
You can add a warmer light with around 2,700 Kelvins for a better ambiance.
FAQ
Which wattage lightbulb is best for a bathroom?
Using either 12-watt LED bulbs or 60-watt incandescent bulbs is the best wattage for a bathroom. 75-watt bulbs are an option if your bathroom is large or you want it brighter. If you want to change the illumination at different times of the day and night, you can use dimmable lights.
Which type of light bulbs are used in vanities?
You can use a G25 light bulb to illuminate a vanity. Although some individuals still prefer the pleasing look of incandescent light, switching to energy-efficient LED lights over time makes more financial and environmental sense.
Which color of light bulb is best for a bathroom?
It is up to you to decide what color light bulb is best for a bathroom. Cool white light is not the most pleasing option, but some people enjoy it since it makes the bathroom appear bright and well-lit. Some people find that warm, yellow or orange lighting is more attractive, although it might not be ideal for tasks like makeup application.
Which Among the Bulbs Should You Choose?
Overall, we chose the GE Reveal LED Light Bulbs as the best bathroom lighting.
Aside from being energy-efficient, it delivers a rich, bright light that’s perfect for varying tasks.
Plus, it’s the only bulb with a dimming feature which is very helpful in controlling the lighting system in the bathroom and setting the mood for relaxation.
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