The Best Outdoor Light Bulbs: Solid-State Lighting vs. LED Bulbs

Since the introduction of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) into the low-voltage lighting scene, manufacturers have created two distinctly different lines of products for the outdoor lighting industry. They are solid-state lighting and LED replacement lamps. 

The question remains: What are the best outdoor light bulbs for your space? Whether you’re looking to light up your home or set your hotel apart from the competitors, there’s plenty to consider for your outdoor lighting setup. 

So, let’s take a brief look at solid-state vs. LED bulbs for outdoor use.

What Is Solid-State Lighting (SSL)?

SSL, or Solid-State Lighting, is a term used to describe an LED luminaire that is a complete lighting component built for a specific application.  These systems are generally more compact than the traditional “lamp” driven lighting system due to the more compact nature of the LEDs themselves.

These systems are comprised of an LED chipset and lens that is thermally bonded to a fixture body. They are designed to pull heat away from the LED board through a series of external fins. These fins are used to increase the surface area of the fixture to the outside air for cooling purposes.  SSL types of light fixtures generally have a permanently sealed fixture body to keep moisture and air out of the inner components promoting longevity.

What Are LED Bulbs?

For more than 50 years, low-voltage lighting systems have employed miniature incandescent and halogen lamps to illuminate gardens across the world. When the LED came along, around 2005, a solution was needed to upgrade the millions of existing lighting systems out there. This challenge included potentially incurring the expense and utter waste of having to completely tear out all those systems. Enter the LED bulb.

LED bulbs are constructed in such a way that they mimic the same shape and size as their halogen and incandescent lamp counterparts. They fit in all the same light fixtures that have been used for years but at a fraction of the energy consumption.

This allows us to use the same tried-and-true brass, copper, and stainless-steel lighting fixtures we have grown to love. Only, now we have a much more energy-efficient option. 

Fact: According to the Department of Energy, LEDs use at least 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Pros and Cons of Each Outdoor Lighting System

As with anything else, there are always positives and negatives on both sides. So, let’s break down the pros and cons for each lighting system.:

Solid State LED Lighting

SSL LED lighting pros and cons include:

PROS of SSL Lighting

• Better at dispersing heat away from the heat-sensitive, electronic components
• Greater longevity and service life (5-7 years)
• They can often be slightly more compact in size

CONS of SSL Lighting

• Higher cost to purchase over lamp style fixtures
• Fixed lenses and beam spreads which cannot be changed (in most cases)
• Fixed lumen output (brightness), which cannot be changed (in most cases)
• LED failure results in having to replace the entire fixture and LED together (more waste in the landfills)
• Hard to adapt to changing landscapes over time with a fixed lumen and beam spread

LED Bulbs

Now that you know what to expect from SSL luminaires, let’s have a look at what LED bulbs have to offer.

PROS of LED Bulbs

• Low cost and easily accessible (only slightly more than a quality halogen lamp)
• Fits into existing fixtures, so upgrading is nearly as easy as simply changing out a light bulb
• Their energy efficiency is just as good as an SSL option
• Lamps can easily be swapped out to brighter versions with differing beam spreads or color to accommodate landscape changes over time, whereas an SSL cannot.
• Bulbs allow the ability to “tweak” a lighting design without replacing and re-wiring in completely new light fixtures

CONS of LED Bulbs

• Shorter lifespan than SSL systems due to the inability to disperse heat effectively (2-3 years)
• These LEDs are placed in fixtures that are slightly more susceptible to the elements, which can reduce service life

Which Bulbs Do We Prefer to Use for Your Outdoor Space?

Lighthouse Outdoor Lighting® has found that LED bulbs are the most adaptable and cost-effective option for our clients today. LEDs give us the ability to upgrade thousands of our client’s existing halogen systems without the high cost and waste of replacing the entire brass fixture.

LED bulbs also allow maximum flexibility when designing our initial lighting plan. We can still make subtle tweaks and changes very easily after the installation has been completed. LED systems are quickly becoming one of the least expensive components in our lighting setups. Efficiency in the manufacturing processes and better standards of quality control are beginning to make LED lamps nearly as affordable to replace as quality halogen lamps.

Prior to LEDs, Lighthouse used to change out all halogen lamps on an annual basis to keep the lighting looking fresh and even for our clients. With lower and continually falling costs of LED bulbs, we now recommend a complete LED bulb re-lamp every three years to keep your gardens sparkling. This is a good way to keep up with the current technology and quality of LED bulbs that are continually hitting the marketplace.

FAQs About the Best Outdoor Bulbs for Landscape Lighting

Modern outdoor lighting depends upon LED systems. That said, you may still have some questions about outdoor lighting, so let’s answer some of the most common questions.

What Lighting Is Best for Outdoor Lighting?

There are several ways to light up your outdoor space, with some of the best being: 

• Accent lighting — Ideal for creating a great atmosphere 
• Security lighting — Wall lights and floodlights help create a safe, aesthetically pleasing space.
• Path lighting — Helps set an ambient mood and ensures a safe walking environment
• Feature lighting — Great for highlighting features like a tree, path, or water feature.

How Long Do Outdoor LED Bulbs Last?

On average, LEDs tend to have a longer lifespan than standard outdoor incandescent lamps (2 to 4 thousand hours), lasting around 25 thousand hours or 2 to 3 years.

Which Light Bulb Uses the Most Power?

As per BKV Energy, Incandescent bulbs tend to use the most power. LEDs offer up to 90% more energy savings when compared to their traditional counterparts.

What Bulb Is Best for a Motion Sensor Light?

In most cases, LED bulbs are ideal for motion sensor systems.

How Does Smart Lighting Work?

Smart lights use a chip embedded within the bulb that helps them communicate wirelessly with other devices. These are generally much pricier than standard LED lights, but they do mean you can control independent lights within your larger outdoor lighting setup.

Final Thoughts on the Best LED Light Bulbs for Outdoor Fixtures

Now that you know the difference between SSL and LED light bulbs, you can start shining a brighter light on your garden space. Remember that while SSL lights tend to have a longer lifespan, LED bulbs are far more versatile and interchangeable.

Add the fact that LEDs also tend to be better for the environment, and it’s clear why Lighthouse Landscape Lighting® prefers this system.