Rating of the best halogen lamps for cars

Best Standard H4 Halogen Bulbs

In the first category we will look at the simplest halogen lamps. In these models, manufacturers did not strive for increased brightness, increased service life or higher color temperature, thanks to which they managed to keep the price at a fairly low level. In addition, standard indicators of power, brightness and service life make such lamps the most versatile for any conditions of use.

In terms of technology, halogen lamps are not far removed from the good old incandescent lamps. There is still the same filament in the bulb. But instead of vacuum, the cavity is filled with inert gases with Br or Cl. It is also worth noting that H4 lamps contain two filaments at once. One of them is responsible for the low beam, the second for the high beam. Moreover, the parameters of illumination and even the temperature of the glow can differ radically. So, let's look at the ranking of the best in this category.

TOP 3 halogen lamps with H4 base

SVS Standard+30%

SVS Standard+30%
Parameters:

• color temperature: 3200 K;
• purpose: high and low beam;
• voltage: 12 V.

Relatively cheap lamp from SVS. Although it is in third place in the ranking, it still has its advantages. The first thing that can be noticed when examining this lamp is that it has a very good “low” beam, comparable to expensive models, but most of all – to the German Osram.

If you will only use low beam most of the time, then this model will more than surprise you with its quality of illumination and light distribution. Even more amazing is the quality lighting at night using high beams.

But when driving outside the city, this model can only disappoint. This model has a greatly reduced high beam at night. Therefore, it is better to install this lamp only for driving around the city.

pros

1. High quality low beam.
2. Low price.
3. Strong “distant” for the city.
4. Good technical characteristics.

Minuses

1. Weak “high beam” for driving out of town.

SVS Standard+30%

Philips Crystal Vision H4

Philips Crystal Vision H4
Parameters :

• color temperature: 4300 K;
• purpose: high and low beam;
• voltage: 12 V.

In second place is the H4 halogen lamp model from the well-known company Philips. Part of the price is taken away by the appearance of the packaging. Yes, most lamps are sold in standard, almost featureless cardboard packaging, but this model is packaged in a very presentable plastic one.

Another part of the price was taken by the dimensional lamps, which are also included in the kit.

Among the advantages of these lamps, one can definitely note the choice of color temperature - an almost cool white color always suits the lighting. This color temperature works great for both low beam and high beam. The latter has quite high lighting quality. But if we look at the work up close, Philips shines just like Osram.

In general, if you don’t mind the money, you can buy these lamps.

pros

1. The color temperature is quite comfortable.
2. High quality high beam.
3. High service resource.

Minuses

1. High price.

Philips Crystal Vision H4

Osram Original H4 64193

Osram Original H4 64193
Parameters:

• color temperature: 3200 K;
• purpose: high and low beam;
• voltage: 12 V.

The leader of halogen lamps is the Original H4 64193 model from Osram. It should be noted right away that this lamp shows excellent results with low beam - everything is clearly visible, the lamp shines brightly.

The high beam of this lamp model is clearly made with a reserve. Yes, this lamp is good because it will not blind an oncoming driver moving in your direction. However, increased safety entailed a decrease in the lighting range in this mode.

In general, all the advantages of the Original H4 64193 are clearly visible - affordable price, good light, long service life. And that’s why it’s worth taking these H4 lamps.

pros

1. Excellent low beam.
2. There is minimal risk of blinding an oncoming driver when the high beams are on.
3. Long service life.

Minuses

1. Short illumination range when high beams are turned on.

Osram Original H4 64193

Video – Halogen lamp Osram H4 ORIGINAL 12V 64193-01B

The best H4 halogen lamps with increased brightness

Unlike European countries, most of the roads in our native and vast country remain without artificial lighting. Because of this, people who often move between cities at night have to use lamps with increased brightness in order to provide a longer and wider beam of light. Demand creates supply. Manufacturers began to produce models with brightness increased by 50% or more.

Interestingly, this is achieved not by increasing the lamp power (it remained at the level of 55-60W), but by using more refractory metals in the filament and pumping a special gas mixture into the flask under high pressure.

It is worth noting that when installing such lamps, you should be careful about adjusting the headlights so as not to blind oncoming cars. Also remember that increasing the brightness will reduce the life of the lamp, albeit only slightly. Our rating will help you choose the best lamps in this category.

Tuning is the enemy of the resource

Let's summarize. Products with increased power characteristics were the first to burn. Ordinary light bulbs lasted much longer, even managing to outperform most of the “long-lasting” ones. The winner was not much ahead of them.

Conclusion? If you don’t want to change light bulbs often, don’t chase “improved” products: the costs are guaranteed, but bonuses are unlikely.

H7 lamps - which ones will last longer? ZR expertise

The best H4 halogen lamps with xenon effect

Models of this type are also called “improved visual comfort” lamps. Thanks to the same high color temperature as metal halide (xenon) lamps, representatives of this category provide the best comfort for the eyes, because the temperature of 4000-4500K is closest to daylight. In addition, such light is better reflected from road signs, which helps the driver notice them a little earlier than with standard headlights.

However, it is worth considering that in pursuit of fashion, you may encounter such an unpleasant and even dangerous effect as a light curtain. This is a situation where white light is reflected from droplets of rain or snow and returns to the driver's eyes, causing him to see only a thick white veil. It is because of this that when driving frequently in bad weather, it is recommended to choose lamps with a yellowish tint.

If the appearance of your car is much more important to you, you are welcome to our rating of the best lamps for improved visual comfort.

Best H4 Metal Halide Bulbs

Metal halide lamps (aka xenon) are considered one of the coolest at the moment. They are installed from the factory only on fairly expensive cars, and therefore tuning enthusiasts either install halogen lamps with an improved visual effect, or spend a little more money on real xenon to make their iron horse look even more beautiful. On the one hand, this is completely justified, because xenon has a fairly high color temperature - about 4300K ​​- the most familiar to the human eye. Thanks to this, the owner’s fatigue is reduced, and oncoming cars are a little less blinded.

But there are two main problems. The first is a complex installation. Yes, the lamps themselves are at the same level as good halogen lamps, but you will have to additionally buy an ignition unit for them, and sometimes even strengthen the standard wiring. The second problem is the lack of preparation (as a rule) of standard headlights for xenon lamps. Because of this, the light beam is directed incorrectly and therefore blinds all oncoming cars. However, if you are willing to pay more and spend time on adjustments, purchasing such lamps will only bring joy. You will find out which model to prefer in our rating.

How old am I?

We assembled a pulse generator that supplies the lamps with a supply voltage with the desired duty cycle from the Ragtime 5-12-(0–600) relay from the Kaluga plant Energomash and two of its ordinary relatives. The Jumpstart booster, connected to the output of the Mastech HY3030E power supply, worked as a buffer - without it, the source would not have been able to handle significant currents.

We assembled a pulse generator that supplies the lamps with a supply voltage with the desired duty cycle from the Ragtime 5-12-(0–600) relay from the Kaluga plant Energomash and two of its ordinary relatives. The Jumpstart booster, connected to the output of the Mastech HY3030E power supply, worked as a buffer - without it, the source would not have been able to handle significant currents.

How long should a halogen light bulb last? It is clear that much depends on the intensity of its operation, the state of the on-board network and other factors. But the approximate resource is known: about 500 hours. And this indicator refers to the most ordinary halogen, and not to the “improved” one.

There is an analogy with internal combustion engines: any attempt to increase the power of a standard engine inevitably results in a decrease in service life. Therefore, if a light bulb promises “+50%” power, range or brightness, be prepared to change it not after 500 hours, but much earlier.