The Best Edison Light Bulbs

Buying Guide for Edison Light Bulbs

Why buy Edison light bulbs?

One of the main reasons people still buy Edison light bulbs to this day is the unique, rustic style and the vintage appeal they instantly give to your space. Many people also love the comforting warm glow that they associate with Edison light bulbs, although with LED technology, they are now available in a wide variety of color temperatures. Many Edison light bulbs are also dimmable, making them an enticing option for unique light fixtures or subtle mood lighting to create an unforgettable ambiance in your space.

What should you look for in Edison light bulbs?

• LED vs. Incandescent: When shopping for Edison light bulbs, the first thing you should do is determine whether you’re looking for a modern LED Edison bulb or a vintage incandescent one. LEDs are a popular choice due to their vastly superior lifespan and great energy efficiency. However, they tend to be pricier than incandescent bulbs. On the other hand, incandescent Edison light bulbs probably won’t wow you with their longevity but are the superior mood lighting option due to their authentic warmth.
• Color Temperature: Very few people will seek out an Edison light bulb with the sterile, bluish-white color of their office building’s overhead LEDs. Instead, they look for bulbs that feature a warm amber glow that makes their favorite living spaces more inviting and relaxing. Be sure to take a note of a bulb’s color temperature when shopping to ensure that you aren’t disappointed by the color of light that it produces.
• Style and Compatibility: An Edison light bulb’s aesthetics will also come into play when looking for the perfect product. Edison light bulbs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so choosing a bulb style that matches your home is incredibly important. In addition to this, be very careful to select a bulb that will fit into the lamp or light fixture that you plan on using. Edison bulbs with an E26 base are the most common and will be great for a wide array of applications but are not suitable for every light fixture.

Are all Edison light bulbs dimmable?

While incandescent bulbs (including Edison light bulbs) are dimmable, not every LED Edison light bulb will afford you this functionality. Thus, if you’re seeking a dimmable LED Edison bulb for a subtle lighting effect, be sure to closely read the product’s description to ensure that it can be dimmed. Keep in mind that LED dimmers are different from ones that work with incandescent bulbs, so find yourself a dimmer that is appropriate for your application.

Our Picks for the Best Edison Light Bulbs

Pros: These Edison light bulbs create a vintage ambiance with their antique style. They also score points for their variety of color options, ranging from a natural lighting effect that would look great in a room or outside to warmer, cozier hues. Unlike some vintage-looking Edison bulbs, they’re dimmable and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Cons: These bulbs are a better pick for subtle accent lighting rather than illuminating a full room. Anyone shopping for Edison bulbs to light up a dark room, attach to a reading lamp, or who has poor eyesight may find these are not bright enough for their needs.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for Edison light bulbs that are a perfect match for outdoor light fixtures or chandeliers, these are an excellent choice. Their warmth and nuance make them an ideal subtle accent lighting application to set a mood or ambiance.

 

Pros: If you’re in the market for a dimmable Edison light bulb that is tailor-made for your home’s accent lighting, these Basics Hardware Edison Light Bulbs are a great choice. Featuring a warm amber color temperature and rustic design, these bulbs add the perfect touch for cozy living rooms and intimate gatherings. While not the brightest Edison bulbs on the market, this product really shows its value when used with a dimmer, making it one of the best accent lighting options around.

Cons: This product comes in both incandescent and LED styles, with the incandescent version being the far superior accent light. That being said, you will really want to use them as an occasional accent, since prolonged daily use will have these bulbs burning out fast.

Bottom Line: While these light bulbs aren’t bright enough for effective everyday lighting, they truly excel when used for occasional accent lighting. If you’re looking for a dimmable, sophisticated touch to your favorite room, give these bulbs a try.

 

Pros: Many people avoid lighting that is too warm, as well as lighting with an unnatural bluish tint. They will be pleased by these LANGREE Vintage LED Edison Bulbs, however, and the soft, natural light they produce. While these aren’t the brightest bulbs, they can effectively light a room when used in a group, such as in an overhead chandelier. They are also great for those seeking an energy-efficient LED bulb that has the character and charm of an incandescent Edison bulb but without the extra warmth.

Cons: These bulbs are definitely not the dimmest Edison bulbs around, but those looking for an exceedingly bright bulb will likely not be satisfied with the amount of light that they produce. Also, these are non-dimmable LEDs, which limits what you can do with them in terms of setting a mood in your home.

Bottom Line: Those seeking Edison light bulbs with a natural white color that’s incredibly easy on the eyes should look no further. While some may find these bulbs a little dim, they are very effective when used in tandem as part of a modern or rustic light fixture.

 

Pros: These LiteHistory Dimmable LED Candelabra Bulbs are a great choice for those with candelabra chandeliers or fixtures that could use a classic Edison light bulb touch. Featuring surprising brightness and some nice color temperature options, these bulbs are compatible with a wide array of LED dimmers. They are also more compact than many candelabra bulbs, making it less likely that there will be compatibility issues with your favorite light fixture.

Cons: While these aren’t the most expensive candelabra Edison bulbs on the market, they are fairly pricey compared to some similar products. Additionally, some have noted that these bulbs are known to flicker when used with a dimmer on low brightness.

Bottom Line: This is a really versatile bulb with plenty of options in terms of wattage and light color. They are also very reliable and should last quite a long time, even with prolonged, everyday use.

 

Pros: Featuring a subtle amber tint and sleek, vintage design, these Edison light bulbs from Brightown are an excellent choice for those seeking authentic incandescent accent lights. While these bulbs add a subtle warmth to a room, the effect is much more understated than similar incandescent Edison light bulbs, meaning they won’t dramatically change the color of your furniture. As you can see by this product’s overwhelmingly positive reviews, there’s a lot to love about these light bulbs.

Cons: These bulbs get extremely hot while in use, so they probably shouldn’t be used where children can reach them. Also, their lifespan doesn’t compare to modern LEDs in terms of longevity so they are best employed as occasional accents.

Bottom Line: This is a great product for those who like the idea of incandescent Edison light bulbs but are looking for something a little more toned down in terms of warmth. As such, they are tailor-made for tasteful accent light fixtures or even your favorite reading lamp.

 

Pros: Edison light bulbs aren’t known for brightness that can fill a room, but these Ascher Vintage LED Edison Bulbs are more than bright enough to be effective in even larger spaces. They provide beautiful daylight color temperature, a natural lighting effect that would look great in a room used for work or play. These bulbs are also extremely energy-efficient, making them an excellent choice for filling a room with adequate lighting.

Cons: These LED Edison bulbs are not dimmable and not the greatest pick for subtle accent lighting. Also, many people shopping for Edison bulbs may find these too bright if they aren’t looking for bulbs that can illuminate an entire room.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for Edison light bulbs that are a perfect match for bathroom light fixtures or chandeliers, these are an excellent choice. To effectively light a room, these do that extremely well.

Final Thoughts

Investing in great Edison light bulbs can totally transform the feel of your favorite room, so doing your research in order to make a wise choice is a no-brainer. Whether you’re aiming for authentic incandescent warmth or LED convenience and savings, check out our picks to find the right Edison light bulbs for your space.