The Key Differences Between LED and HID

Brightness

HID headlights are the brightest on the market, and the light they emit covers a larger area than halogen and LED bulbs. In fact, the area covered by HID headlights is nearly an entire third larger than the area covered by LED headlights. HIDs are also more effective at lighting up the sides of the road. However, if not properly installed, HID headlights can reflect an intense amount of glare back onto oncoming drivers. This is why it’s so important to have your new headlights installed safely, by experienced professionals!

Size

Whether you choose HIDs or LEDs, you will need a conversion kit to get you started if you’re switching from a halogen. Neither option will fit properly into the headlight housing unit for a traditional bulb. As far as the size of the actual bulb is concerned, LEDs tend to be more compact while HIDs tend to be a little bit bulkier.

Lifespan and Durability

One of the biggest draws for consumers when it comes to LED headlights is the fact that they can run for more than 20,000 hours. This means they will almost never need to be replaced. LEDs also have no small or moving parts that are breakable, making them a little more durable than HIDs. However, HID bulbs can still work for up to 5,000 hours – which is far longer than a traditional halogen bulb.

Colours

LED headlights usually only come in four colours: white, yellow, blue and purple. Many retailers only offer LED headlight (or fog light) conversion kits in white. On the other hand, most retailers on the market offer HIDs in up to seven colours. These range from golden yellow (which mimics the look of halogen lights and works well in fog) to pure white, blue, and even purple. For both HID and LED headlights, white is the brightest. But how cool would it be to roll up to your first party of the summer with purple-tinted headlights?

Cost

When considering the cost of your new headlights, it’s important to consider the long-term investment benefits you’ll receive with your upgrade. LED headlights operate at a low temperature and use very little energy, which means they can run pretty much indefinitely. This means it will cost you less in the long run to fork over a little more cash during the initial switch. While HID lights are slightly less expensive at the onset, they will require more maintenance in the future – more akin to traditional halogen bulbs.