Our easy-peasy bulb guide.
Confused by caps? Puzzled by lumens? Not sure if you need warm, cool or something in between? You’re not alone. Lighting can be a bit of a minefield. But fear not, we’ve taken the guesswork out of it all with this easy-to-follow bulb guide. No jargon, no stress, just everything you need to know to find your perfect glow.
Before you buy: Check that cap!
Let’s be honest, no one wants the “oops, wrong bulb” moment. Before you hit ‘add to basket’, take a quick peek at your lamp or fixture to figure out its cap type. The easiest way? Look for the little sticker on your fitting or check the lamp’s instructions, it’s usually right there.
Caps are labelled with a mix of letters and numbers. The letter tells you the style of the fitting (think screw or bayonet), and the number? That’s the diameter in millimetres. Simple, right?
Bulb shapes: watt’s watt?
Bulbs come in all sorts of shapes, not just the classic pear! Some are slim, some are round, some are flat… but all are designed with purpose.
There are 8 common bulb shapes you’ll spot around the home, each with its own vibe and purpose. From candle to globe, reflector to stick, choosing the right shape isn’t just about fit, it’s about getting the glow just right
Need a spotlight? Go for a reflector shape (like GU10s). Want something more decorative for a pendant? Try a globe, teardrop, or candle bulb for extra style points.
Replacing old bulbs? Here’s the glow-down.
GLS bulbs have officially had their moment. They’re no longer being made. But don’t panic if your light fixture still uses one. Thanks to LED technology, you can swap them out for something smarter, brighter, and way more energy efficient. The trick? Just know your bulb cap (that’s the base type), and you’ll be able to find a modern LED equivalent in no time. It’s a simple switch that saves energy and keeps your fixture glowing strong.
Bulb tech: what’s hot (and what’s not)
At ValueLights, we’re all about bright ideas that don’t burn through your budget. That’s why we only recommend one thing: LED bulbs.
They’re energy-saving, long-lasting, and way more efficient than old-school halogens. Which, by the way, have officially been phased out in the UK. So, if you’re upgrading your lighting, make it LED. Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.
LED
LEDs (that’s Light Emitting Diodes, if we’re being fancy) are the go-to upgrade from old halogen or incandescent bulbs. They use up to 90% less energy, shine brighter, and last way longer. So, you get more glow for your dough.
LED Smart Bulbs
Welcome to the future of lighting. LED smart bulbs aren’t just bulbs. They’re bright little tech upgrades. Available in a range of shapes and sizes, some can change colour (hello, RGB), while others sync with your voice assistant or can be controlled straight from your phone or remote. Total glow control, right at your fingertips.
LED Filament Bulbs
Filament might sound old-school, but these bulbs are all about vintage vibes with modern tech. Inside, a decorative wire mimics the classic glow, but it’s all powered by energy-efficient LED. The result? Stylish, statement lighting that looks nostalgic but performs like a pro.
Halogens
Halogen bulbs were the brighter, quicker cousins of traditional incandescent bulbs, thanks to a halogen gas that boosted output and gave instant full brightness. But, while they lit up fast, they burned out quicker and used more energy than today’s LED alternatives. Now discontinued in the UK, they’ve made way for smarter, longer-lasting lighting.
Bulb ambience: let’s talk Lumens
Forget watts, when it comes to brightness, Lumens are the real MVP. Lumens measure how much light a bulb gives off, so the higher the number, the brighter the glow.
Back in the day, we used watts as a shortcut for brightness, but that’s really a measure of power use. With energy-saving LEDs now leading the way, bulbs use far less power but shine even brighter. That’s why Lumens are your new go-to when choosing the perfect ambience for your space.
| Brightness | 220+ | 400+ | 700+ | 900+ | 1300+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incandescent | 25w | 40w | 60w | 75w | 100w |
| LED Bulbs | 4w | 6w | 10w | 13w | 18w |
Get to know your Kelvins (that’s colour temp, BTW)
Not all bulbs give off the same vibe. The colour of the light, known as Kelvin temperature, can totally change the feel of a room.
- Low Kelvins (2,000–3,000K) – Warm, cosy glow. Lovely for bedrooms, lounges, dining rooms
- High Kelvins (5,000K+) – Crisp, energising white light. Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, studies
So, whether you’re winding down or firing up your productivity, there’s a Kelvin to suit your mood.
Beam angle basics
Beam angle = just a fancy way of saying how wide the light spreads.
- Standard bulbs usually have a 360° beam, gently lighting up the whole area
- Spotlights or reflector bulbs shine in a more focused beam, anywhere from 40° to 110°, depending on the vibe you’re going for
If you're lighting up a task area or feature wall, narrower is better. Want a more ambient glow? Go wide.
