Best Outdoor Post Light Bulbs - Outdoor Lighting Ideas

The Definitive Guide to Choosing the Best Outdoor Post Light Bulbs

Outdoor post lights are an essential part of any well-lit landscape, providing safety, security, and a touch of style. However, choosing the right bulbs for your post lights can be a daunting task with so many options available.

To help you make the best decision, we've compiled this comprehensive guide to the essential aspects of outdoor post light bulbs:

Brightness

The brightness of a light bulb is measured in lumens. The higher the lumen output, the brighter the light will be. For outdoor post lights, a brightness of 800-1200 lumens is typically sufficient. However, if you're looking for a particularly bright light, you may want to consider a bulb with a higher lumen output.

Color Temperature

Color temperature refers to the color of light emitted by the bulb. It is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Lower color temperatures (2,700-3,000K) produce a warm, inviting light, while higher color temperatures (4,000-6,500K) produce a cooler, more energizing light. For outdoor post lights, a color temperature of 3,000-4,000K is a good choice.

Bulb Type

There are several different types of light bulbs available for outdoor post lights, including LED, CFL, and incandescent. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages:

LED: LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient and longest-lasting type of light bulb. They produce a bright, consistent light and are dimmable.
CFL: CFL bulbs are less energy-efficient than LED bulbs, but they are still more efficient than incandescent bulbs. They produce a warm, diffused light and are dimmable.
Incandescent: Incandescent bulbs are the least energy-efficient type of light bulb. They produce a warm, incandescent light and are not dimmable.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a light bulb is measured in hours. The higher the lifespan, the longer the bulb will last. LED bulbs typically have the longest lifespan, lasting up to 50,000 hours. CFL bulbs have a lifespan of around 8,000-15,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs have a lifespan of around 1,000-2,000 hours.

Cost

The cost of a light bulb varies depending on the type, brightness, and lifespan. LED bulbs are typically the most expensive, but they also have the longest lifespan and are the most energy-efficient. CFL bulbs are less expensive than LED bulbs, but they have a shorter lifespan and are less energy-efficient. Incandescent bulbs are the least expensive, but they have the shortest lifespan and are the least energy-efficient.