Best Vintage Bulbs

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7 Of The Best Vintage Light Bulbs

Multiple vintage filement bulbs hanging against a black background
Image by Eduardo Ponce de Leon
from Pixabay

Introduction

This article is about the best vintage light bulbs currently available.

Vintage light bulbs are actually LED light bulbs where the diode, the part that emits the light, has been shaped to look like the filament in older “vintage” bulbs. Thus, the have the efficiency and lifetime of LEDs. However instead of coming with the the white frosted glass we are used to in LEDs these new bulbs are clear and have with a more ascetically pleasing design.

Our selections are based on a number of criteria:

  • Online reviews from a number of light bulb retailers
  • Price, we are always looking for the best value
  • Energy Star certified, whether the bulbs has met strict energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA
  • Lifetime and length of warranty, as these provide a measure of quality
  • Dimmable, having a bulb that can be used with a dimmer switch makes it more versatile

Best #1 – Sunlake Vintage Edison Filament

Best Vintage Bulbs - Sunlake Edison Filament

Although we have not heard of this manufacturer, and could find out little from their own website (sunlakelighting.com) they do have excellent reviews online at Amazon. Moreover, the light bulbs are very well priced, have a reasonable lifetime of 15,000 hours, are dimmable and have a wet rating of waterproof so that they can be used outdoors. So, what is there not to like? Lastly, the manufacturer offers a super-long 10 year warranty which is excellent for a light bulb at this price point.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $2.30 a bulb if bought in a 10-pack
  • Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 5 watts actual
  • Lumens: 500
  • Light Range: Soft White (2700k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 10 years
  • Dimmable: Yes
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

Best #2 – GE Vintage ST19 SHAPE

Best Vintage Bulbs - GE ST19 SHAPE

If you want to buy a light bulb with an Edison style filament it makes sense to do it from Edison’s original company, General Electric. We are fans of GE’s light bulbs and are particularly fond of the vintage style ranges. Whilst this light bulb is not cheap, it does have a good lifetime of 15,000 hours, is Energy Star certified, dimmable and comes with GE’s standard 5 year warranty. Also, we like the pear shape (officially known as ST19) of the bulb.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $8.00 a bulb if bought in a 2-pack
  • Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 5.5 watts actual
  • Lumens: 500
  • Light Range: Daylight (5000k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Dimmable: Yes and works with most dimmer switches
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

Best #3 Brightever ST58 Vintage

Best Vintage Bulbs -  Brightever ST58

Another manufacturer that we had not heard of here at Light Bulb AtoZ but one with excellent online reviews (Amazon). They claims a 25,000 hour lifetime but only offers a 1 year warranty. So, if you are looking to buy quite a few bulbs at a reasonable price then these could be the right bulbs for you.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $3.00 a bulb if bought in a 12-pack
  • Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 7 watts actual
  • Lumens: 850
  • Light Range: Soft White (2700k), Warm White (3000k) and Daylight White (5000k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: No
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

Best E12 Chandelier – LUXRITE Candle Shape

Best E12 Chandelier - LUXRITE Candle Shape
E12 or chandelier bulbs are the smaller bulbs with the screw metal base that is 1/2inch across.

The Luxrite brand is part of All Start Lighting who were founded in 2005. The company is family-owned and makes a wide range of energy-efficient LED bulbs and fixtures. These particular bulbs are clear glass with a yellow filament, and they come in at a reasonable $4.35 each. Also they and have a lifetime of 10,000 hours with a warranty of 2 years. Finally, they are dimmable and have an outdoors damp rating. So, if you are looking for a reasonably priced E12 bulb from a known manufacturer these should fit the bill.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $4.35 a bulb if bought in a 12-pack
  • Wattage: 40 watt equivalent / 4 watts actual
  • Lumens: 400
  • Light Range: Soft White (2700k), Warm White (3000k) Bright White (5000k) and Bright White (6000k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 10,000 hour (9 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Dimmable: Yes
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoors and outdoors, damp rated

Best Tube Shape – GE Vintage T9 Warm Candle Light

Best Tube Shape - GE Vintage T9 Warm Candle Light

We absolutely love the look of these light bulbs. Firstly, their distinctive tubular shape and reminds us of test tubes from science classes back in the day. Secondly, we love the whole Vintage Style range from GE with the soft candle light and the amber glass. This bulbs come with a standard base (E26, 1 inch screw) a 10,000 hour lifetime and GE’s standard 5 year warranty. In conclusion, what price beauty? $5 it would appear.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $5 a bulb if bought in a single pack
  • Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 6 watts actual
  • Lumens: 500
  • Light Range: Soft candlelight (2200k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 10,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Dimmable: Dimmable and works with most dimmer switches
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only though can be used in damp locations

BEST Smart Bulb – Lux Amber ST19

BEST Smart Bulb - Lux Amber ST19

Geeni are part of parent company Merkury Innovations, who have been involved in manufacturing electronic accessories and tech for the last 20 years, and Geeni are well known for their range of smart bulbs. The Lux Amber ST19 bulb can be controlled via the Geeni app, which works with iOS and Android, without the need for a hub. This is because the bulbs have WiFi built directly in (it requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks). The light produced is white and can be tuned, again via the app, from warm white to bright daylight. Finally, these bulbs are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana allowing voice control.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $12.50 a bulb if bought in a 2-pack
  • Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 8 watts actual
  • Lumins: 800
  • Light Range: Tunable via the app from soft white (2700k) to bright daylight (6500k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: Yes via the app
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

Best Low Wattage – Brightech Ambience Pro

Best Low Wattage - Brightech Ambience Pro

Brightech is a Los Angeles based lighting company, who focus is innovative yet affordable lighting. The manufacturer sells the Ambience Pro light bulbs as outdoor string lights but they have a standard E26 base (1 inch Edison screw) so are compatible with full size fittings. The bulb produces only 200 lumens which is about a third of a standard bulb. We like the expected lifetime is 20,000 hours which is excellent and is backed up by a 3 year warranty (5 years if bought direct from the manufacturer). Finally, they are dimmable and you can use them outdoors.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $1.85 a bulb if bought in a 15-pack
  • Wattage: 25 watt equivalent / 2 watts actual
  • Lumins: 200
  • Light Range: Soft White (2700k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 20,000 hour (18 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 3 years
  • Dimmable: Yes
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor and outdoor