Bulbs for Reflector Headlights
Updated: October 11, 2024
We’ll start our review with the featured LED conversion kits that will work great in the reflector headlights. Why do we start with reflectors? That’s because reflector headlights have been around since the very beginning of automotive headlights. Historically, this is the most popular type of headlight assembly. Even today, the majority of vehicles we have on US roads still have reflector headlights.
How do reflector headlights work? Just a quick technical explanation before we proceed actually to the LED bulbs. A reflector headlight working principle is simple. The light produced by the light bulb fills the cup of a mirrored housing. The result is a stream of light that comes out of the bowl in the direction that light is pointing. The surface of the reflector bowl focuses the light and creates the light beam. In other words, a reflector headlight consists of a bulb encased in a steel bowl. Mirrors within the bowl are placed in order to reflect and focus light out onto the road. Another interesting fact is, that in older reflector headlights, the shape of the light beam was determined by the lens in the front of the headlight.
#1 TOP LED Headlight Bulbs for Reflector Headlights
Based on the reviews of our readers, as well as Amazon and eBay buyers it’s fair to say, that Hikari ACME-X LED bulbs are the leaders among the owners of reflector-style headlights. These light bulbs first appeared in early 2021 and quickly gained one of the leading positions in the LED market.
The design of these light bulbs is quite simple, which makes them reliable enough, compared to certain other LED light bulbs.
Information by official Hikari website.
Hikari ACME-X light bulbs feature the same dimensions as the halogen bulbs, which allows the positioning of the light source exactly at the focus point of the reflector headlights. As a result, you are getting a perfectly focused light beam.
When you have new light bulbs installed, however, you still need to put your vehicle in front of a wall and get your headlights aimed properly.
The Best LED Bulbs for Reflector Headlights Under $50
This headlight conversion kit was selected based on the reviews of people, who had installed these light bulbs in reflector headlights and reported how these lights work for them. Besides, we have checked reviews on these lights on different forums to make sure there are no aspects that we have missed.
So, what makes these light bulbs worth being selected for your vehicle’s reflector headlights? Precise focusing along with brightness. Fahren Forenner is 300% brighter than regular halogen bulbs.
Information from the official Fahren LED website.
Plus, they feature the same size and dimensions as the halogen headlight bulb. So, as a result, you are getting a precisely focused light bulb that is 3 times as bright, as your factory headlight bulb.
Also, it is good to know, that the construction of these light bulbs is simple enough, it means that there are no fragile elements that can be easily damaged during the light bulb operation. Along with easy installation, these factors make Fahren Forenner a great LED conversion kit that costs under $50.
LED Bulbs with Long-Distance Light Beam for Reflector Headlights
We have tested several mid-priced LED conversion kits that are advertised to work great in the reflector headlights. We must admit, that Auxbeam F16 Plus has exceeded our expectations. We know, that the previous model, F-16, was not that good, and there are so many reviews on Amazon and on forums explaining what’s wrong with the light bulbs.
So, Auxbeam has completely revised this LED model, and we were surprised, at how well the new F-16 Plus performs in the reflector headlights! They perfectly focus on the headlight assembly and provide bright clear light. What makes these light bulbs different from other similar options is the distance they work for. Surprisingly, with the price being under $50, they perform just as well as Hikari Ultra, which is priced at $100.
Another great thing about these LED bulbs is their metal base. They are made of aviation-grade aluminum, which is resistant to all kinds of corrosion and rust. The metal is soft enough to minimize vibrations yet ensures easy heat withdrawal due to the 2-channel cooling system.
Another great thing we should note about F-16 LED is the external driver design. Plus, these LEDs employ EMC technology. What does it mean to you? You will not experience any electromagnetic interference of car audio with the LED driver. The external driver is important not only in terms of advanced cooling but also for easy operation without a start-up relay.
Steven is a certified mechanic and technical writer at Halo Headlights. Steven is excited about fast cars, loud music, and car mods. On yearly basis, he visits SEMA, as well as other car shows.
He has installed thousands of HID and LED kits and done hundreds of custom headlight retrofit projects. Besides, he is an editor and author of multiple car-related articles on Wikipedia. Here is one of them: Automotive Lighting. Now, he is ready to share his experience with Halo-Headlights.com readers.
