Best value light bulbs

JimmyTheWig

Hi,

Our stash of spare light bulbs is getting a little low. So we need to buy some. Various types - bayonet, ES, SES, GU10.
Obviously (being on MSE) we're looking for cheap ones, but don't mind spending a bit extra if we end up with something significantly better.

So, does anyone know where to get light bulbs at a good price?
And how do we tell from looking at a box (or online) whether a light bulb is any good or not? We find GU10s, particularly, don't last very long so this is an issue as well as, to some extent, the quality of the light produced.


Thanks,

Jim

MX5huggy

I assume you want LED and CFL lamps to save money.

JimmyTheWig

Yes, the lower the energy for the same light output the better!

Cornucopia

I'd start with poundshops - I have found 3xGU10 in them before, and also single spiral CFLs.

Asda and Tesco sometimes clear out old stock of bulbs at good prices.

Lidl & Aldi have some bulbs at reasonable prices all the time.

Ikea is good for everything except CFLs. They have good prices on LEDs - just need to check that the output is high enough.

JimmyTheWig

Cornucopia wrote: »

I'd start with poundshops - I have found 3xGU10 in them before, and also single spiral CFLs.

And is the quality any good? Or do they blow after a few weeks like some GU10s we've had do?
That's a good benchmark to aim for price-wise, though, so thanks for that.

Ikea is good for everything except CFLs

We're nearly 2 hours away from our nearest Ikea

Cornucopia

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

And is the quality any good? Or do they blow after a few weeks like some GU10s we've had do?
That's a good benchmark to aim for price-wise, though, so thanks for that.

I'm afraid I don't know - they are sitting spare at the moment.

teddysmum

A few years ago, I wanted golf ball shaped bulbs for two light fittings (taking a total of 7 bulbs), so Googled for the company offering the best deal on multiple buys, remembering to factor in postage.


I can't remember which company I used but they didn't have enough stock, so sent part, then made up by sending some dearer ones at the same price. The bulbs were Crompton's and much cheaper than the originals (same make) that I bought from the lighting shop, along with the fittings.

muckybutt

In all honesty you would be better off paying the price for brand named lamps like osram - philips etc, buying cheap lamps is in my honest opinion false economy.

Many of the cheap branded lamps are very inferior quality and have been imported from the likes of China some of which bear fake brand names.

In my job I replace / swap lamps day in day out, having used cheap option lamps from wholesalers and branded lamps the overall consensus was that the cheap ones lasted no where near the same length of time that the branded ones do.

zax47

muckybutt wrote: »

In all honesty you would be better off paying the price for brand named lamps like osram - philips etc, buying cheap lamps is in my honest opinion false economy.

Many of the cheap branded lamps are very inferior quality and have been imported from the likes of China some of which bear fake brand names.

In my job I replace / swap lamps day in day out, having used cheap option lamps from wholesalers and branded lamps the overall consensus was that the cheap ones lasted no where near the same length of time that the branded ones do.

What he said - me too! The brand name GU10s are usually internally fused too, which the cheap Chinese tat isn't - tripping your MCB when they pop. Look for Osram, Philips, Sylvania, Crompton.

Cheap = good? NO. Cost per bulb per year working="value".

JimmyTheWig

zax47 wrote: »

Look for Osram, Philips, Sylvania, Crompton.

Thanks, that's a useful list.
Any suggestions where to buy them from? [Obviously I can google them now I know what to aim for, but if you already knew it would save me a job!]

almillar

IKEA is rubbish for LEDs. They're not bright, and they're not cheap. Avoid.
For GU10s, I don't think CFL is any good. They're too cramped and take a long time to warm up - that's compared to normal (ES27) CFL!
LED is just about there for GU10. Instant full brightness, and 1/10th the energy used of a halogen. Not quite as bright as 50w halogens yet (you don't say what wattage you're replacing) but good enough depending on what you want.
If you are trying to replace a 50w halogen, try this:
http://www.energysavingled.com/product/dimmable-led/7w-dimmable-led-spot/
For the normal shaped bulbs, again depending on wattage you're replacing, and whether you want to go brighter, I still think CFL is better value AS LONG AS they're lights that are left on for a long time (they don't like starting up and take a while to warm to full brightness). For places where lights are on and off a lot, like hallways, if you think you'll use it enough, you can just about invest in a 60W equivalent LED. You must pay attention to the lumens! Try this:
http://www.energysavingled.com/product/led-bulbs/9w-led-bulb/