With so many different types of LED lighting to choose from, it's important to understand what they are and which type will work best for you. Choose between LED light fixtures or light bulbs, and between a variety of design configurations and light outputs. Already have light fixtures you love? Find compatible LED light bulbs to maximize the efficiency of your favorite fixtures. Learn more about the types of LED lights below, or jump ahead to survey your options.

Types of LED Light Bulbs
Types of LED Light Fixtures

Types of LED Light Bulbs

Review the range of LED light bulb styles and light-output options to choose from below.

LED Bulb Bases
LED Bulb Shapes
LED Bulb Brightness
LED Bulb Color Temperature
LED Light Bulb Features

LED Bulb Bases

LED bulb bases are the same as incandescent and other types of light bulbs. Bulb bases make up the bottom portions of LED light bulbs. They help to connect the light bulb to a light fixture and maintain an electric current. Here are some examples of common bulb bases for LED lights and which ones work best for specific light fixtures. The letters refer to the bulb type (E stands for Edison and G stands for globe) while the number refers to the base's diameter using millimeters.

E26/Medium (Standard): E26 bulb bases are the standard US option for LED light fixtures. These bulb bases are usually compatible with floor lamps, table lamps, and a variety of other fixtures. You typically find E26 bases paired with standard, globe, candle, vintage, and tube bulb shapes.

E10/Mini: E10 LED bulb bases pair with miniature lamps, holiday string lights, and ring light fixtures. You usually find E10 bulb bases on standard, candle, circline, and capsule bulb shapes.

E11/Mini Candelabra: This bulb base provides LED lighting to miniature chandeliers, wall sconces, and pendant lights with candelabra features. You can find this bulb base usually attached to candle, tube, and capsule bulb shapes.

E12/Candelabra: E12 bulb bases pair well with full-size chandeliers, pendant lights, bath bars, and wall sconces. E12 bulb bases are typically found attached to a variety of bulb shapes including standard, tube, candle, spotlight/floodlight, globe, capsule, specialty, and spiral.

E17/Intermediate: This type of bulb base is usually used for holiday lights and ceiling fixtures like a light-up ceiling fan. E17 bases go with standard, tube, candle, spotlight/floodlight, globe, capsule, specialty, and spiral bulb shapes.

GU5.3/Bi-Pin: GU5.3 bulb bases typically fit to bath bars, flood lights, recessed or track head lights, and other ceiling light fixtures like ceiling fans. GU5.3 bases are usually attached to standard, tube, candle, spotlight/floodlight, or specialty bulb shapes.

GU10/Bi-Pin: GU10 bases usually fit a variety of ceiling fixtures like flush-mounts, recessed lights, track lights, and some vanity lighting like bath bars. You usually find GU10 bases attached to LED bulb shapes like standard, spotlight/floodlight, capsule, and specialty.

GU24/Twist-and-Lock: GU24 bases typically go with flush mount ceiling lights and wall sconces. GU24 bases are usually attached to standard, tube, spotlight/floodlight, specialty, spiral, and capsule.

Tip!

Trying to determine the right bulb base for a light fixture? You should be able to find compatible bulb base options in the product manual or in the product description on the product page. If you don't have the product manual on-hand, start with a standard (E26) bulb base, as it's the most common bulb base used.

LED Bulb Shapes

When deciding on types of LED lighting, there are a variety of bulb shapes to choose from. These come in different shapes, just like incandescent or halogen bulbs. Review these bulb shapes to determine which LED bulb will work best for your style, light fixture, and lighting needs.

Standard: Standard LED bulbs have an A19 bulb shape that typically fits with an E26 bulb base. This LED bulb shape has the classic light bulb design. They work well with a variety of home light sources like floor and table lamps, pendants, and chandeliers.

Tube: Tube LEDs have a distinctive cylindrical shape that makes them ideal for statement chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, or any light fixture with candelabra features. These bulbs usually have E12 or E26 bases and come in a range of sizes from T6, T8, T9, and T10. This gives you ample options when deciding what size and base your tube LED bulbs have to accommodate your light fixture.

Spotlight/Floodlight: Spotlight or floodlight LEDs come in a variety of sizes and usually have a GU10 or GU5.3 base. However, you can also find them with standard E26 bases. This gives you the flexibility to bring LED lighting to recessed, track head, or vanity light fixtures in your home.

Candle: Candle-shaped LED bulbs have a range of size options to meet your needs. These bulbs usually have E12 candelabra bases which makes them perfect for chandeliers, pendant lights, or wall sconce light fixtures.

Globe: Globe LED bulb shapes have a cool distinctive look. They can have a range of bulb sizes that fit to E12, E17, or the standard E26 base. Globe LED bulbs can work on pendants, chandeliers, wall sconces, and vanity light fixtures.

Specialty: Specialty LEDs allow you to make a statement. These come in a variety of geometric shapes, glass stains, and colors. Some even have LED string lights inside the bulb for a whimsical appearance. These LED bulbs usually have the standard E26 bulb base but may vary depending on the size and shape of the bulb.

Capsule: Capsule LED light bulbs usually have a unique bi-pin base to attach to pin base light fixtures as opposed to screw-in base types. Capsule LEDs usually have G4 or G9 bi-pin sized bases. These can include recessed or track lighting, pendant lights, chandeliers, flush mount lights, and a variety of other light fixtures. However, you can find some capsule bulbs with standard E26 screw-in bulb bases.

Circline: As implied by the name, circline LEDs usually have a circular shape – some even have a ring-like appearance. These LED bulbs come with G4 or other sized bi-pin bases or the standard E26 screw-in base. They work well for recessed pathway/hallway lights, track head lights for displays, recessed kitchen counter lights, and flush mount light fixtures.

Spiral: Spiral LED bulbs aim to save space with their compact spiral design. Spiral LEDs usually have standard screw-in E26 bases so you can place them in a variety of household light fixtures that match the fixture's wattage requirements.

Tip!

Filter for other base options for a specific bulb shape by referencing the "bulb base" filter to the left-hand side of the product page.

LED Bulb Brightness

LED bulbs typically use the unit of measurement, lumens (lm) to determine the light's brightness, and indirectly, the bulb's energy consumption, rather than watts (W), which are used to measure the energy output of a traditional light bulb. This is because LED lights allow for higher brightness levels while consuming minimal energy. Review these brightness options to determine which level works best for your space and light needs.

Under 200lm: LED bulbs with under 200lm of brightness produce minimal bright light. These work best as soft accent lights around your home.

200lm–399lm: 200lm–399lm LEDs provide a bit more illumination while remaining relaxed enough to use as accent lighting.

400lm–799lm: LED bulbs configured to produce 400lm–799lms fall in the same range as standard 60 W incandescent bulbs. This makes it the perfect brightness range for bedrooms, living rooms, and other rooms meant for relaxation.

800lm–999lm: 800lm–999lm LED bulbs create a fresh, bright space without being too bright. This brightness range works well in kitchens, home offices, and dining rooms to help illuminate your activities.

1000lm–2000lm: 1000lm–2000lm LED bulbs work best in large living rooms, bedrooms, or open-concept spaces that require more light (like a studio or an open-concept floor plan containing a kitchen and living room area). These are ideal for ceiling light fixtures used to illuminate entire rooms. This is also an ideal brightness for outdoor flood lights/security lighting.

Over 2000lm: LED bulbs with 2000lm or more produce very bright light that is perfect for large basements, garages, or workshops that require ample light. Brighter lumen bulbs break into commercial or industrial territory.

Tip!

You can also browse for LED light bulbs by wattage by filtering with the "Equivalent Wattage" tab to the left-hand side of the product page. This is helpful if the light fixture you have identifies the maximum energy output in watts rather than lumens.

LED Bulb Color Temperature

When reviewing types of LED lighting, you may be surprised to discover that LED light bulbs come in a range of color temperatures! This means you can achieve the look of incandescent lighting while also achieving your energy-efficiency goals. LED bulbs use kelvins (a unit of measurement that determines light color). As a general rule of thumb, the higher the kelvins, the bluer the light; the lower the kelvins, the yellower (warmer) the light. Check out these color temperature options for LED bulbs to help narrow your search:

Candlelight (1000K–2600K): As implied by the name, candlelight LED bulb color temperature produces a soft, orange-amber glow. This is a good LED color temperature for calming accent lights throughout your home.

Warm White (2700K–3000K): Warm white LED bulbs produce a more yellow light that’s similar to incandescent light bulbs. This color temperature works well anywhere you want a calm, inviting ambience.

Neutral White (3100K–4200K): Neutral white LED bulbs give off crisp, fresh light that energizes the space. This makes neutral white the optimal color temperature for overhead lights in your kitchen, garage, workshop, or home office.

Daylight (5000K +): Daylight LED bulbs have a slightly bluish hue that mimics outdoor light conditions. This bulb color temperature works best for areas in your home without windows, such as a bathroom, basement, or garage.

LED Light Bulb Features

When choosing LED light bulbs, there are a variety of potential features you can choose to help amplify your experience. Review these features for more ways to level up your LED light bulbs:

Dimmable: Browse for dimmable LED lights for the most light options all in one! These light bulbs are specifically designed to handle the changes in energy distribution that occur when you manipulate a dimmer switch. Dimmable LED bulbs typically have three or more brightness settings you can adjust to your liking.

Edison Bulb Style: Some LED lights are modeled after the classic Edison bulb design. Edison bulbs have clear glass bulb shapes that showcase the interior filament for a glowing display. Not only does this create a cool vintage vibe, but it also looks stunning on pendant lights, wall sconces, chandeliers, and really any light fixture.

Shatter-Resistant: Shatter-resistant LEDs are made using shatterproof glass. This is a great feature to look out for because it helps preserve your light bulbs and prevent instances of broken glass or exposure to light bulb substances.

Smart: Smart LED light bulbs have internal WIFI mechanisms that make it possible for you to control its light settings from your phone when its light fixture is plugged into a power source. Smart features include dimming, color changes, brightness changes, remote on/off capabilities, and more. Smart LED bulbs can go with almost any light fixture as long as the bulb's base matches with the fixture's requirements.

3-Way: 3-way LED light bulbs pair with 3-way lamps. For reference, a 3-way lamp is programmed to change a bulb's brightness via a switch or knob. These light bulbs are designed to omit different brightness levels (low, medium, high). When attached to 3-way lamps, you can adjust the bulb's brightness with the switch. Because the 3-way bulb is designed for different energy levels, it can accommodate 3-way lamps with ease.

Types of LED Light Fixtures

Now that we've discussed LED light bulbs, let's talk light fixture options! LED light fixtures come with compatible light bulbs or built-in lights to take the guesswork out of the process. In addition to the wide variety of LED bulb types available, there's also an equally wide variety of LED light fixtures to choose from. Check out these light fixture options to achieve your design aesthetic and energy-efficient interiors in one go:

Pendant Lights: Pendant LED fixtures are the best LED lights for kitchen ceilings when centered over the kitchen island. This is due to their suspended design, which creates a cool spotlight effect.

Chandeliers: LED chandeliers come in a range of design styles, so you can achieve the look of a traditional chandelier without the added energy-consumption that incandescent light bulbs bring. LED chandeliers look great centered above the dining room table, in the bedroom, or any room with high ceilings.

Vanity Lights: LED vanity light fixtures include bath bars, vanity lights, and bath sconces. These come in a range of styles and help illuminate your bathroom vanity mirror.

Wall Sconces: LED wall sconces frame doorways, line hallways, and act as space-saving bedside lights while using minimal energy.

Flush Mount Lighting: Flush mount LED lighting helps illuminate hallways and low-ceiling rooms without taking up necessary space.

Now that you're equipped with types of LED lighting, get browsing.