LED Vs. Incandescent Flashlights

Flashlights are useful to have on hand at home, work and in your car in case of emergencies such as power outages and car trouble. When selecting a flashlight, you have a choice between traditional, incandescent bulbs and LEDs.

Function

In an incandescent bulb, a filament is heated, producing light, while LED units produce light through electrical activity rather than heat.

Durability

If you drop an incandescent flashlight, the filament inside the bulb might break, while LED flashlights contain no filaments and are more resistant to falls.

Cost

Incandescent flashlights are generally cheaper than LED models.

Time Frame

LED lights can burn continuously for 10,000 hours, while the average life of an incandescent bulb is six hours of continuous use. Batteries from flashlights typically last around two hours, while those in LED flashlights usually last 60 hours as the light in these types of flashlights requires less energy to produce.

Color

Incandescent flashlights produces yellow light, while LED lights give off a more white-colored light.

Considerations

Whether you spend the extra money to purchase a LED flashlight depends ultimately upon your intended use of the flashlight. If you plan to only use the flashlight occasionally for emergencies, an incandescent light may be adequate, but if you camp, hike or walk at night, an investment in a LED flashlight may be best in the long run.

References

• LED and Incandescent Flashlights