Indoor light bulbs were introduced several years ago, and they are more popular and mainstream than any other type of lightbulb available. They can be used in photography, for growing plants indoors, to illuminate a room, and much more. In the following article, we will be going over the best indoor light bulbs as well as offer a comprehensive buying guide.
In a hurry? There are the best we picked for you:
Helps Plant Growth – VIPARSPECTRA Full Spectrum COB Lamp
For Dark Room – Sunco Lighting LED Dimmable Bulb
For Smart Homes – TECKIN LED RGB Bulb
Benefits You Can Get from Indoor LED Light Bulbs
Choosing to use LED light bulbs is a great choice, as they are more energy-efficient to use and will save you money overall.
Generally, they will offer the same amount of lumens as traditional and halogen light bulbs but operate at a fraction of the wattage, which translates to savings in your pocket.
#1. Full Spectrum Lighting
They are smaller, lightweight, more durable, and will last longer per bulb compared to any other type of indoor lighting.
Additionally, the light that they produce is higher quality, even offering full-spectrum lighting; which is as close to natural light that we can have.
#2. No Heat
While traditional lights will end up wasting a lot of energy due to producing heat (which will also raise your cooling costs), LED lights produce little to no radiant heat.
This equates to lower costs in both lighting and cooling each month, which can add up in no time at all.
#3. Longer Lifespan
LED lights will also have a much higher lifespan than traditional lightbulbs, lasing forty to fifty times longer for each bulb used.
Unlike fluorescent lighting that does not operate well in cold temperatures, LED lights can thrive in these conditions.
They may even perform better when the air around them is colder; instead of needing to work harder and costing more money.
#4. Dimmer Compatibility
Growing up, we were told not to turn the lights on and off, as this could lower the average lifespan of each bulb; however, with LED lights, this does not have any effect.
While other lightbulbs may even not be capable of dimming (or in the case of fluorescents, will cost more) LED lights will always be able to be placed on a dimmer switch.
#5. Smart Home Compatibility
Finally, some LED lights are also compatible with smart home devices; giving you more control and function as we move towards the future. These lights are incredibly durable, cost-effective, and multi-functional for any use.
Who Should Buy an LED Indoor Light?
LED lights were introduced several years ago, and they have changed the way that indoor lighting is viewed. They last longer than traditional or halogen light bulbs, cost less to run, and are better for the environment overall.
There are certain individuals or circumstances wherein you will benefit more from LED lights, however.
The following methods are great instances in which LED lights make great options for indoor lighting.
#1. For Plants
If you are growing plants indoors, the main concern and obstacle that you will run into are allowing them to get natural sunlight. They require natural light to grow, bloom, and thrive. The good news, however, is that there are growing lights that utilize LED bulbs and are specifically designed for plant growth.
They work by using several smaller LED lightbulbs that offer a lot of light without heat or UV rays. LED lights offer full-spectrum lighting, which is the closest to natural sunlight in artificial lighting that we can have currently.
#2. For Photography
If you are a photographer or even just wanting to take some nice photos in your home, choosing the right kind of light is important. You will want to have a type of light that offers a lot of lumens, does not heat up during the shoot, and one that is versatile.
For these reasons, LED lights make perfect additions to any type of photoshoot or photography session.
There are a lot of different choices on the market for you to choose one that will fit in with the amount of light required.
They offer the same type of color temperature as natural light, meaning they can work together to get the perfect photo for you.
#3. For Illumination
This is a basic usage. LED indoor lights offer a lot of lumens per bulb, making them great options for lighting in any room. They last longer than any type of other lightbulbs, don’t need any time to warm up before use and are more energy-efficient.
These days they are more mainstream, which allows you to utilize them in various ways and most lighting fixtures will not only be compatible with them but will encourage use.
#4. For SAD
If you suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), you will want to choose LED lights that are full spectrum. The reason behind this is that they feature a color temperature that is as close to sunlight that we can currently receive.
This is especially important if you have SAD as your body will be needing the natural light that you are deficient in.
For this reason, doctors and medical practitioners recommend utilizing light therapy to treat SAD disorder. While SAD lamps are recommended, full-spectrum LED lights can help with this as well.
#5. Misc
LED lights also make great options for task lighting. They offer a lot of lumens per lamp, and can easily be directed to a specific location to receive a lot of illumination.
They are easily dimmable and can make tasks such as reading, writing, working, and studying easier.
Additionally, they are great for hobbies where you need to see what you are doing clearly.
Reviews of the 6 Best Indoor Light Bulbs
#1. For Plants – Vogek LED Plant Growing Light with 3 Heads
Pros
- The strong and durable clamp
- The automatic timer is easy to adjust and use
- A good product that comes in at a reasonable price
- Fully adjustable with 10 brightness settings to choose from
Cons
- small lighting radius
If you are looking for a grow light that is great for plants to promote growth indoors, this LED light from Vogek is a great option. It features a bright light that is beneficial to plants with the option to set a timer for convenience. You can set the timer and let the grow light take care of the rest.
There are 3 modes to choose from with 10 brightness settings that are easy to change between. This features a strong clip that allows you clamp to a variety of surfaces, with an adjustable gooseneck. Each of the three heads has a separate gooseneck giving you more versatility and function.
For the timer, you can choose either 3, 6, or 12 hours depending on your specific needs without worrying about the light being on too long during the day or at night.
#2. With Full Spectrum – Viparspectra LED Grow Light with Veg and Bloom Switches for Indoor Plants
Pros
- Full-spectrum lighting is close to natural sunlight
- Safety features in place allow you to set the light and leave it
- Features two lighting modes for different stages of plant growth
Cons
- The LED bulbs are not replaceable
For a full-spectrum grow light that is more professional-grade, this option from Viparspectra is worth looking into. While it does run a little higher in cost, it is well worth it.
It provides full-spectrum lighting, which is the closest to natural sunlight that we currently can receive from artificial lighting. This provides plants with the natural benefits that they would get from the sun to grow and thrive indoors.
There are two lighting modes to choose from depending on the needs of your indoor plants; either veg or bloom. This is easy to switch between and utilizes 240 LEDs for efficiency and longevity. There is a wide range of coverage with one lamp, and you won’t use a lot of electricity when operating.
#3. Perfect for Indoor Home – Sunco 10 Pack Dimmable Indoor Flood Light Bulbs
Pros
- 4 color temperature options
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
- With a wide beam for illuminating rooms
- Fully dimmable for the perfect amount of light
Cons
- It can’t be used outdoors
For indoor lighting, these dimmable canned lights make a great option. They are available in either 2700, 3000, 4000, or 5000K. This enables you to choose the perfect color temperature for your home, all at the same budget-friendly price. These are fully dimmable, allowing you to get the perfect amount of light depending on your needs and mood.
Because they are LED lights, you will save money on your electric bill and they will last a long time. Additionally, these include a 5-year warranty should you have any issues with them during that period. They have a lifespan of 25,000 hours and feature a wider flood beam angle of 90 degrees.
These lights are a great choice for any room in your home, and because they are recessed they will make any room look bigger and brighter. Because of utilizing energy-efficient bulbs, these will save you over $200 in saving yearly, making them more cost-effective than halogen and traditional light bulbs.
#4. For Ambiance – Mirrea 6 Pack LED Track Light and Indoor Spotlights
Pros
- A budget-friendly option that will last
- Easily adjustable to fit in with your specific needs
- LED lights are more eco-friendly and cost less to run
Cons
- Not dimmable
If you are looking to add some more ambiance or mood lighting to a room, this 6-pack LED track lighting kit is a great option. It features 500 lumens per light; which is equivalent to a 50 wattage halogen bulb. While it is not dimmable, the amount of light provided is great for setting the tone and providing a nice amount of ambiance.
Because these are track lights, they are easy to adjust and allow you to change the angle of the light. Each purchase includes a pack of 6 lights total, which makes this a budget-friendly option for adding mood lighting and ambiance to any room. They come in white which is a good neutral color for light fixtures, and these will not heat up like traditional track lighting has been known to do in the past.
#5. With Warm White Light – Torchstar 3-In LED Dimmable Recessed Can Light Bulbs 6 Pack
Pros
- 4 color temperatures available and CRI 90+
- Eco-friendly lightbulbs that are easy to install and use
- Compatible with most dimmer switches on the market
- Offers a 5-year warranty with energy star certification
Cons
- It is non-rechargeable
If you are looking for more of a warm light tone, these lights are a great option that comes in a pack of 6. They are recessed lighting and are available in either white, rubbed bronze, or satin nickel. The 3-in-1 design of these recessed lights allows you to replace the existing light fixture for easy installation with warm lighting.
They are made from high-quality durable materials and will last a long time with a good durability rating overall. These are highly energy efficient because they utilize LED technology while having the same lumen level of a 50 watt traditional light bulb. Compatible with most dimmer switches, you will be able to dim these lights to fit into your mood and desired level of lighting.
Perfect for any room in your home, these lights are energy star certified and come with a 5-year warranty should any issues arise with use.
#6. Highly Compatible – Teckin Indoor Smart Light Bulb 4 Pack
Pros
- Full spectrum lighting
- Can connect to home WIFI
- Uses for any weather and any time
- Can be used with modern smart home devices to change color and dim
Cons
- Pricier than the regular bulbs
If you have a smart home or are transitioning into one, these LED lights that are compatible with smart home devices are a great option to look into. One of the best parts of having a smart home is being able to change the color of lightbulbs. With these, you can use the remote control of your smart home device.
You can even use these when you are not at home, allowing you to be welcomed home to a peaceful shade of your favorite color. They come in at a decent price, and you receive a pack of 4 upon placing an order.
Perfect for recessed lighting, these can light will be flush with the ceiling and give off the perfect amount of ambiance and mood lighting.
What Are the Different Types of Light Bulbs for Indoors?
As you now know, LED lights are great choices for lighting that are versatile, durable, and very energy/cost-efficient.
There are a lot of different options out there as relates to your home and LED lighting, and in the following section, we will be going over the main type of LED lights.
By reading this, you should be able to fully understand the benefits of each type of light and how to utilize them fully.
#1. Flood Light
These types of lights are well-suited for outdoor areas that you would want to have a lot of light on, such as your entryways and backyard.
Flood lights are especially useful if you are concerned about safety at night or when you are away, as they are generally programmable to turn on with a movement sensor.
Because each floodlight will produce a lot of lumens, they are also well-suited for workspaces such as garages and shops.
#2. Spotlight
Another great lighting option that offers a lot of lumens (not as widespread as a floodlight), spotlights will offer light in more of a concentrated area.
This makes them great choices for reading nooks, areas that you need light on a specific area to accent art or architecture, and task lighting. Generally, with this type of lighting, you will be able to pivot or rotate the light depending on what you need maybe, and they are great for providing light in a general area.
#3. Recessed Light
Recessed lighting, as the name implies, is recessed into the ceiling. They provide more space as opposed to other types of lighting, and can also provide a lot more light. For this reason, they are favored in kitchen and dining rooms, although they can be installed easily into any room that is desired.
Instead of having a cluster of lights like in a chandelier, these types of lights will be spaced out in a symmetrical pattern across the whole ceiling usually.
Another great thing about recessed lighting is they can create a nice ambiance and mood, especially when dimmed.
#4. Can Light
Although these techniques can fall into the recessed lighting category, they are named for their can-like appearance. Generally, you will see these types of lighting when there isn’t space for another type of light fixture, or if the homeowners want to highlight a specific area of the home.
They are flush with the ceiling due to their design, easy to change, and will provide a wide-spread illumination pattern. You will generally see these in kitchens as they provide a lot of light while saving space, but they can go in any room in the home.
#5. Misc
Because LED lights are more streamlined these days, you can use them in practically any type of light fixture.
They make great choices for chandeliers, ceiling lights, and traditional dome lights.
In recent years, you may even notice mirrors that feature a border of lights in them; which are of course LED. They are highly versatile and offer a lot in the world of home lighting and interior design.
Conclusion
We hope this article was helpful, and that you will be able to utilize it in your next indoor lighting purchase. All of the products listed above are made from high-quality materials and will last a long time while saving you money.
