Have you ever wondered what is better for your vehicle when it comes to the LED vs HID headlights discussion? Headlights are one of the most important parts of your car, which ensures the safety of your vehicle while driving. With a good headlight set, you can easily see the road ahead, and other drivers can also understand your presence on the road. It allows them to maintain a safe distance.
For the last few years, the headlight technology has evolved around high-end advancements. As blessings, LED and HID came out to lead the headlight options. So, what should you choose? How can you pick your preferred one? Before choosing the right fit for your vehicle, you have to consider a few factors. Let’s dive deeper with the words below to know the popular automobile debate: LED vs HID headlights. Make a clear decision after going through the details below.
Table of Contents
What are LED Headlights?
The LED headlight is a lighting technology that uses light-emitting diodes to produce illumination. A diode is typically an electric component with two electrodes. These are made from semiconductor materials like selenium, silicone, and others. When electricity goes through these materials, the diode radiates brightness and illumination.
- Benefits of LED Headlights
There are several benefits of LED headlights. Let’s have a look at those factors to consider LED headlights.
- Energy efficiency
These headlights consume less power than traditional halogen bulbs or even HID headlights. So, they reduce the load on your car’s electrical system. Also, it can potentially improve the fuel economy.
- Longer lifespan
LED headlights can last around 40,000 to 50,000 hours. This indicates you do not need to change your headlights frequently, and you can save on your long-term costs too.
- Higher brightness
These LED headlights are known for producing powerful light beams. These beams enhance night visibility and improve safety on the road. Especially in low light or foggy conditions, LED headlights work well for your car.
- Lower temperature
Even if you use LED headlights for a prolonged time, the temperature stays around 90° C. You can consider this a safe and stable option for your longer ride.
- Higher efficiency
LEDs convert larger electrical energy into light directly, which minimises energy waste and reduces the heat output.
- Easy to install
LED headlights are usually easy to install on your vehicle. You can simply plug them in, and you are good to go.
- Eco-friendly option
LED options are comparatively safe and green headlight options.
- Drawbacks of LED Headlights
Though there are a lot of plus points, you should also know a few drawbacks of the LED headlights.
- Compatibility issues
Not all models of vehicles are built for LED systems. For example, in older models, installing these may require additional parts.
- Higher initial cost
These lights may come with an expensive upfront cost than other available options. However, this cost will be optimised because of the longer lifespan and efficiency.
What are HID Headlights?
HID headlights work based on an electric arc and a xenon gas-filled tube. These lights are popularly known as xenon highlights because the bulb contains xenon gas. These HID headlights send an electric current to the electrodes inside the bulb. When reached, this current creates an electrical arc and ionises the gas inside the tube. The overall process produces light. Much brighter and whiter light is produced in this way.
Benefits of HID Headlights
Here are the benefits of HID lights. Check them out.
- Longer illumination range
The most important benefit of the ability to light up longer distances. In this way, these headlights can allow you to see far distances on highways or any open road areas. You can easily detect any obstacles or road diversions with these headlights.
- Superior brightness
HID headlights produce a higher light output, comparatively higher than halogen bulbs. This higher brightness improves road visibility, so that you never miss any poorly lit areas or nighttime safe driving.
- Gradual failure
HID headlights do not stop working suddenly. They usually dim or flicker before completely stopping working. So, you can get time to replace the headlight, and you can easily avoid the risk of a sudden loss of light during driving.
- Lower initial cost
These headlights come with a lower upfront cost. You can simply opt out of HID Headlights without a higher price tag.
- Higher lifespan
You can count on 2000 to 5000 hours with HID headlights. Though not as long as LED headlights, you can consider this a pocket-friendly option.
Drawbacks of HID Headlights
A few disadvantages also come with the benefits of the HID headlights. Have a look at these drawbacks you should consider.
- Higher consumption of energy
HID headlights consume more energy, which can be the cause of more load on your car’s electrical system. So, if you are on your way to a long ride, it can not be a good choice.
- Slow for full effectiveness
These lights can not light fully instantly. It may take some time to reach the full brightness level. This can be the cause of your irritation while you need to change the beam length.
- Glare issues
Though HID headlights can produce high brightness light, they can be prone to glare. If the lights are not aligned properly, it can create higher glare for any oncoming drivers. Overall, it can be a cause of potential risk during riding.
- Comparatively short life span
When it comes to LED vs HID headlights, the life span is an important factor. HID headlights can run somewhere between 2000 to 5000 hours. It is quite lower than the LED headlights. So, HIDs are less durable for longer runs.
LED vs HID Headlights: Key Comparisons
Let’s check the complete difference between light-emitting diode headlights and high-intensity discharge headlights. Here are some of the highly considered factors you should check while choosing between these two.
| Factors | LED (light-emitting diodes headlights) | HID (high-intensity discharge headlights) |
| Technology (source of light used) | Semiconductor is used. | Xenon gas is used. |
| Glare | The glare is minimal. | A higher rate of glare can occur. |
| Efficiency | Higher efficiency. | Lower than LED headlights. |
| Brightness level | It can go up to 10,000 Lumens. | It can go up to 8000 Lumens. |
| Level of whiteness | Up to 6500K | Up to 6500K |
| Lifespan | It can go from 40,000 to 50,000 hours. | It can run from 2000 to 5000 hours. |
| Cost | Comparatively more expensive than HID headlights. | Comparatively cheaper than LED headlights. |
| Warm-up time | Instantly get full brightness. | It takes a few seconds for the warm-up to reach full brightness. |
| Distance of the light ray | It can go up to 300 to 500 meters. | It can go up to 300 meters. |
| Fading or dimness | It does not fade slowly, but rather stops instantly when the life span ends. | It fades away slowly over time, which gives you time to replace your vehicle headlights. |
| Replacement | Replacement is easy. | It can be a bit complex sometimes to replace the headlight. |
LED vs HID Headlights: Different Colour Options
Apart from previously discussed factors, there are some other factors too while talking about LED vs HID headlights. The colour option is one of them. LED lights are available in different colours, ranging from 2200 K to 6000 K.. Compared to HID headlights, you can get different colour temperature options if you choose LED.
LED vs HID Headlights: Direction of Light Rays
Usually, LED headlights release 180-degree light, whereas HID headlights release 360-degree light, which is omnidirectional.
LED vs HID Headlights: Overall Cost
LED headlights come with a higher initial cost. Though over time, it can be adjusted because you do not need to replace it frequently. When it comes to HID headlights, these are comparatively cheaper for first-time installation. But over time, the lifetime cost can be higher as you need to replace them frequently.
LED vs HID Headlights: Which is Better?
When you are going to choose the right fit for your vehicle, you need to make a proper decision. You also need to consider a few other factors, including your driving habits, types of vehicles, and budget for the headlights. Here is an overview of these factors.
- First, check which type of headlight is suitable for your vehicle model. Not all models support both types of headlights. It is important to know about the suitable option first.
- In case you need to travel on poorly lit roads, you should pick the HID headlights. With HID, you can get long-distance visibility.
- LED headlights can be the right fit if you need to travel frequently in urban areas where instant illumination is required for better visibility.
- If you are worried about an environment-friendly option, then LEDs should be your pick. LED headlights are energy-efficient and require lower maintenance.
Summary
Now that you have completed understanding LED vs HID headlights, you must choose wisely. While choosing, you must consider factors like lifespan, durability, cost, mode of installation, visibility, and others. Also, check which option is the best suited for your car so that you always get a smooth visibility while driving. Choose the right one and go for a smooth drive.
FAQs About LED vs HID Headlights
Can I replace my car headlights with HID and LED?
It is a tricky method. Only if your car model suits both of the headlight options, then can you replace them.
Which is the cheapest option when it is LED vs HID headlights?
Usually, for the initial cost, LED is pricey, whereas HID comes with a cheaper price. But over time, LED headlights do not need frequent replacements, whereas HID headlights need frequent replacements, which leads to higher expenses.
Which is the brightest light option between LED and HID?
LED is the brightest option among these two. You can use it for a night journey, too, when you need instant light.
What is the difference between LED and HID headlights based on technology?
LED lights are based on semiconductor diodes. HID headlights work based on xenon gas technology.
