A website touting the Sylvania SilverStar headlight bulb says it
provides “up to 30 percent” greater visibility down the road. That
sounds impressive until you read the fine print: “compared with worn
standard halogen” bulbs. Still, such claims are making premium-priced
halogen bulbs an alluring choice for drivers.
To see how those
premium bulbs stack up against one another, we put eight of them,
costing $20 to $80, through a range of tests in our labs and at our test
track. We tested the low-beam performance of single-filament (9003) and
dual-filament (H7) bulbs from GE, Hella, Philips, and Sylvania, and
PIAA’s dual-filament bulb. We also compared their performance with that
of two standard bulbs from GE and Helio, costing $20 and $10,
respectively, and to the original-equipment (OE) bulbs that came in our
2012 Hyundai Accent and Volkswagen Passat test cars.
We
found that the premium bulbs, as a group, deliver a whiter light and up
to 19 percent more output than the standard or OE bulbs, and that can
be more pleasing for drivers. But none of the premium bulbs allowed us
to see farther on our headlight test course than the standard or OE
bulbs. That’s because distance is determined more by the size and shape
of the lamp’s reflector or lens than by the bulb. We also found little
difference in light output among the premium bulbs; no more than the
differences normally experienced from power fluctuations while driving.
Bottom line.
Premium bulbs might be a good choice if you prefer a more intense or
whiter light, but don’t expect big changes in the distance you can see
compared with standard or new OE bulbs. For the premium bulbs we tested,
shop by price.
The illumination of any bulb fades with time, so
we suggest replacing your bulbs every few years, not waiting until one
burns out. We don’t advise mixing premium and standard bulbs. Output can
also decrease if lamp lenses become hazy or dirty. Have them cleaned by
a professional or do it yourself with a product such as the Sylvania
Headlight Restoration Kit, which costs about $20.
What we tested
Headlights appear in alphabetical order (performance among bulbs was similar).
|
Product
|
Bulb type | Price |
| GE Nighthawk | 9003/H7 | $25 |
| GE Nighthawk Platinum | 9003/H7 | $40 |
| Hella | 9003/H7 | $35 |
| Philips CrystalVision Ultra | 9003/H7 | $25 |
| Philips VisionPlus | 9003/H7 | $20 |
| PIAA Xtreme White Plus | H7 | $80 |
| Sylvania SilverStar | 9003/H7 | $30 |
| Sylvania SilverStar Ultra |
| 9003/H7 | $40 |
Copyright © 2006-2012 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission.