In this section
Pick by lumens, not watts
| Old incandescent | Light output | Typical LED |
|---|---|---|
| 40 W | 450 lumens | 5–6 W |
| 60 W | 800 lumens | 8–9 W |
| 75 W | 1,100 lumens | 11–13 W |
| 100 W | 1,600 lumens | 14–17 W |
For warm light like an old bulb, choose 2700K. 3000K is a little whiter; 4000K and 5000K look cool and bright, which suits garages and workspaces more than living rooms.
Check before you buy
- Dimmers: use bulbs marked dimmable. Old dimmer switches can make LEDs flicker or buzz; an LED-compatible dimmer fixes that.
- Enclosed fixtures: some LEDs fail early in sealed glass globes. Look for “suitable for enclosed fixtures”.
- Recessed cans: BR30 and BR40 floods are often the least efficient bulbs left in a house.
The rules
Since 2023, federal efficiency rules for general-service bulbs (at least 45 lumens per watt) have effectively ended sales of ordinary incandescent and halogen household bulbs. A 2024 rule would raise the bar to about 120 lumens per watt for bulbs made from July 25, 2028, which would end most CFL sales; the current administration has moved to roll back some efficiency rules, so check before counting on that date. Several states also ban the sale of many fluorescent lamps, including California, Vermont, Colorado, Rhode Island, Maine, Hawaii and Minnesota, with Illinois from 2027.
Rules apply to what stores can sell, not what you can use: you don’t have to throw out old bulbs.
Picks
Links marked “Paid link” go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. We don’t show prices because they change hourly.
Philips LED A19 bulbs, 60 W equivalent
Everyday lamps and fixtures
- About 8–9 W for 800 lumens
- Soft white 2700K
Uses about a seventh of the power of the 60 W incandescent it replaces.
Watch for: Check “dimmable” on the box if it's on a dimmer.
Feit Electric LED A19, 60 W equivalent
Buying in bulk
- Multi-packs
- Several color temperatures
Low cost per bulb when you're replacing a whole house.
Watch for: Pick 2700K for warm light like incandescent.
LED BR30 recessed bulbs
Recessed can lights
- Replaces 65 W floods with about 9–11 W
Recessed cans often hold the hottest, least efficient bulbs in the house.
Watch for: Use bulbs rated for enclosed fixtures where needed.