Traditional incandescent light bulbs are no longer available in Australia as the government started phasing them out in 2009. This is because while incandescent bulbs are cheap to produce, they're incredibly inefficient compared to bulbs with newer technology and waste about 90% of the energy they use.
You can still find incandescent bulbs in Australia for specialty use, but general-use incandescent bulbs have now been replaced by LEDs, CFLs and halogen bulbs.
LEDs
LEDs or light-emitting diodes are generally considered to be the most energy-efficient light bulb option. They're designed to last longer and run more efficiently than older incandescent models.
While they have a higher upfront cost than other bulb types, they also last longer making the lifelong cost of LEDs lower. They also use up the least electricity while producing the most light and are a common component of circuitry such as TVs, traffic lights and smartphone camera flashes.
Pros
Lower lifetime cost and longer life span
Up to 90% more energy-efficient than incandescents
More environmentally friendly
Many are recyclable
Emit less heat than other bulbs
Durable and less prone to breakage
Not made with hazardous chemicals
Cons
Higher initial price per bulb
Limited colour options
Some white LED bulbs can look bluish
Not all models are dimmable
May malfunction when exposed to heat
Many LEDs will not function when installed sideways
CFLs
CFLs or compact fluorescent lamps work the same as traditional tubular fluorescents bulbs, but they are more compact and more efficient. They are also more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs, though not as efficient as LEDs.
CFLs are almost as cheap to run as LEDs and typically have a lower upfront cost. However, they have a shorter lifespan of about half the lifespan of LEDs. CFLs take time to warm up to full brightness and produce less light as they age.
Pros
More energy-efficient than incandescents
Not as hot as incandescents
Lower upfront cost than LEDs
Cons
Not as energy-efficient as LEDs
Shorter lifespan than LEDs
Fade over time
Not usually dimmable
Need to be disposed of carefully as they contain mercury
May not turn on in cold weather
Halogens
Also known as "tungsten halogen lamps", halogens work similarly to incandescent bulbs, but they use less electricity and emit more light. However, halogens are not as efficient as either LEDs or CFLs.
Halogen bulbs are cheap to buy, but they cost more than other bulbs to run and have a shorter lifespan. This results in a higher lifetime cost than LEDs or CFLs.
Pros
More energy-efficient than incandescents
Low upfront cost
Can operate in hot environments
Cons
Less energy-efficient than LEDs and CFLs
High cost to run
High lifetime cost
How to compare light bulbs
To find the best light bulb for your household, consider the following factors:
LEDs, CFLs and halogens are all considered to be more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs are typically the most energy-efficient option, followed by CFLs.
While LED bulbs have the highest upfront cost, they have a lower lifetime cost than CFL or halogen bulbs. This is because LEDs cost less to run and have longer lifespans.
Bulbs used to be measured by the amount of power they used in watts. New bulbs use significantly less power but produce just as much (or more) light. As a result, bulbs are now measured by the amount of light they produce in lumens.
When comparing bulbs, use the following watt-to-lumen translations as a general guideline:
Watts
Lumens
25W
250
40W
500
60W
800
75W
1,100
100W
1,600
Consider what kind of light you prefer using the following table:
Colour temperature
Degrees Kelvin
Description
Best for
Soft or warm white
2,700K
Soft yellow
Cozy areas such as bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.
Cool or bright white
4,100K
Bright white
Kitchens, garages, workspaces and bathrooms.
Daylight
5,000K
Blueish white
Accent lighting and reading areas.
If you want to be able to control your lights with a smart device, you'll need to buy an LED bulb.
If you need a specialty light, for example, a bulb to replace your oven light, you won't have as many options. Many specialty bulbs are only available as halogens or incandescents.
Learn more about energy
Our energy guides can help you compare and understand what plan is best for you.
Best energy plans:
5 plans selected by our experts, assessed and updated regularly
Sarah Brandon was an editor at Finder specialising in technology and reviews. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from New York University and loves learning about why people do what they do. Sarah has researched and written about a wide range of topics, from air purifiers to AirPods. But no matter the subject, her number one priority is figuring out what information our readers need to make the best decisions. See full bio
Most Western Australia residents can't switch electricity providers but have a few options when it comes to gas. Find out if you can switch energy retailers.
You have the power to switch energy plans in Adelaide and the rest of South Australia. Luckily it only takes minutes to hunt down the cheapest options with us.
Residents of the ACT have several electricity and gas providers to choose from.
How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.