Rating of H4 head light bulbs
To choose the best H4 bulbs, it is easiest to study test results and user reviews. There are many options, so you can find different solutions - from standard to models with improved light output or increased life expectancy. When buying, it is worth considering a few recommendations to find what is suitable for a particular car and provide good lighting at night.
How to choose the best lamps
The peculiarity of the H4 variant is that the bulb contains two spirals - high and low beam. This simplifies the design of the headlight and allows you to solve the problem much faster and easier. But there is a big disadvantage - if one of the spirals burned out, you need to change the bulb, even if the second shines perfectly. Due to the fact that one element completely provides the head light, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice. First, you need to understand the varieties:
- Incandescent bulbs. Almost not used, as they do not give quality light and have a short life. Applicable in older cars, but most often they are replaced by modern ones.
- Halogen - Most common, as they provide high-quality light and cost little. Mounted on most cars, the headlights are designed for them, which provides good illumination. They consist of two filaments, located in an inert gas environment, which increases the brightness and makes the lamps more resistant to vibration. They come in different types, it all depends on the model.
- Xenon can be installed only in the lens headlights, as the luminous flux in the standard reflector is dispersed. You can not replace the halogen with xenon without modificationsIt is better to replace the entire headlight, and it is a big expense. Put the ignition unit to turn on the bulbs.
- LED equipment is considered the most promising. Car lights consume little power and have a life of tens of thousands of hours, which is much more than any analogue. But they can not be put in headlights that are not designed for LEDs (most cars are designed only for halogen lamps). penalty. But if the body, glass or reflector has marking LED (or the letter L), you can put diode equipment. It must match the arrangement of the luminous elements with the standard lamp.
When replacing the halogen with LEDs, you must adjust the headlights, because they shine differently.
Halogen headlights are the most affordable and common. Therefore, it is worth to understand what to pay attention to when choosing:
- Lamp life. If there is no data, the standard operating period is 600 hours. After that you have to change light sources. But if the voltage is higher than 13.2 V by at least 5%, the life will be reduced by a quarter and the brightness will increase by almost 20%. At a lower voltage, the coil will last 60% longer, but the brightness will decrease by about 10%. Extended-life options typically last 15-50% longer, but the price will also be higher.
- By law, all car bulbs must have a mark of conformity. It is labeled on the package or glued to the box. If there is no sign, it is better to choose another set. It is worth paying attention to other indications, there are lamps not intended for use in Europe, they are not suitable. Another variety - light sources not for public roads, they also can not be put.
- The color temperature is usually from 2500 to 7000 K, it indicates the brightness of the light. Daylight is the radiation in the range from 4000 to 6500 K, it is worth focusing on. A light that is too dim will be yellow and will not provide good visibility, but it is more comfortable to drive in bad weather. The bright one is bluish and distorts the color rendering in rainfall, as it is more reflected by the droplets.
- The standard power of the lamps is 60/55 W. This figure and should be guided by, as the on-board network and the generator are designed for this particular load. If you use more powerful options, the wiring and electrical equipment will be overloaded, you need to finalize the system.
- To improve illumination, you can put a model with xenon effect. It differs in that it gives a brighter white light, which is similar to xenon, but inferior to it in brightness and range. But compared to standard bulbs, the effect will be good without replacing the headlights and modifying them.
Keep in mind that versions with increased luminous flux or highlighting certain zones shine better, but have a shorter life compared to the standard. If your car does not have fog lights, universal bulbs are best.
The Best Standard Halogen H4 Bulbs
These H4 bulbs for cars for low and high beam are distinguished by the normal performance and low price. Their advantages - versatility and good light performance. When choosing, it is necessary to consider the specific use of the car.
NARVA H4 STANDARD 48881
Inexpensive bulbs, which at the same time provide good illumination and proper light distribution. All important parts of the road are illuminated, especially the experts note the highlighting of the right curb, which allows you to see pedestrians even in complete darkness.
The main advantage of Narva lamps is a good dipped lightso they are suitable for everyone who mostly drive in the city. Due to its low cost, you can change light sources frequently without breaking your budget. In this case, the performance is stable.
The situation with the high beam is different. It is not of very high quality and inferior to many analogues, so a lot of drive a lot on the highway with these lamps is undesirable.. This is the main drawback, which is noted by all drivers.
The near-field light of this model is not worse than that of analogues, which cost many times more.
Philips Crystal Vision H4
Costs much more expensive than the first type, but wins it due to the high quality of assembly and a long service life. Phillips has a good reputation among drivers and its products are always included in the ratings of car lamps. Solid packaging confirms the good quality.
The driving beam is almost the same as its analogues, but the quality of drawing the bumps and objects on the curb is much better. The color rendering is excellent, which provides good visibility, due to this lamp and stands out from the crowd. But the range is the same as the cheaper models, If you mainly drive in the city, it is not a good option to buy this one..
The high beam is very good here. Of the standard line Crystal Vision H4 bulbs show one of the best results. Therefore, if you need to drive a lot on the highway, you should choose this model.
The kit comes with headlight bulbs, which is convenient.
Osram Original H4
The quality of these lamps is excellent at a low price, so they are popular among drivers. Particularly noted the dipped light - highlights the road and the curb well in any weather. The resource is also good, the lamps are of good quality and serve the due time.
The far beam is not very powerful here, it is is directed downwards, so it highlights a small section of the road. This is done so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic, but it affects the quality of lighting.
In general, the option is suitable for those who travel most of the time in the city and do not drive on the highway very often.
The best H4 bulbs with increased light output
This type will provide high quality light, but it will also cost more. When choosing, it is better to give preference to proven models with a normal resource.
Koito WhiteBeam III H4
Japanese lamps, which are in accordance with GOST for light distribution. They are characterized by stability and long life, which is important for models with improved light output.
The near light is good, it highlights all the important areas and well illuminates the curb, providing good visibility. The light is close to natural, without yellowing and blueIt is comfortable to drive for a long time.
Far distance is also stable, shines well and at the same time does not dazzle oncoming drivers. The set will cost 3-4 times more than standard models and this is the only significant disadvantage.
There is a 125/135W label on the package, but it does not indicate the power. The power consumption of this type is standard, and the figures indicated are the equivalent to which the actual illumination corresponds.
Video: Koito h4 bulbs in the headlights of the car Lada Granta.
Bosch Xenon Silver H4
By the name it is clear that these lamps imitate xenon light and the manufacturer has done it well. The color temperature is 4300 K and is stable. The illumination of the road without obvious highlights and darkened areas.
The near-beam light is of good quality, highlights both the traffic lane and the right-hand side of the road well. Color rendering is good, all the irregularities and potholes on the road are clearly visible. But the lifetime Service life is not very long, averaging 400 hoursThe light is of high quality due to the intelligent light distribution.
High beam quality due to the competent distribution of light, while at the same time it does not dazzle oncoming drivers. The design is reliable and light bulbs work off their entire life.
On the packaging there is information in Russian, which distinguishes this option from the crowd. A low resource is compensated by a small price, the cost will not be higher than when using more durable models.
Philips Vision Plus H4
Good lamps that are distinguished by a comfortable color temperature. At a low price they have an average life, comparable with models that are 2-3 times more expensive. The quality is high, there are almost no complaints of premature failure.
The near-beam light meets the standards, is moderately bright and allows you to control the road situation in any weather. It is a good solution for city driving.
The long-range light is slightly worse than analogues, but will also provide good visibility, which is much higher than that of the standard models. In general, the bulbs are attractive because of the good price and life, the cost of replacing them is also low.
Best H4 bulbs with extended life
If service life is important, it is best to choose from this group. Products work an order of magnitude longer, while maintaining the characteristics throughout the entire time of use.
Philips LongLife EcoVision H4
They are distinguished by the fact that they have yellowish mid-beam and high-quality white high beam. This provides a long service life, as in the city cars often drive a lot more than on the highway and the coil of dipped beam burns out earlier almost always.
Light distribution is high quality, the road in front of the car is illuminated exactly as set by the standard. The far beam is very good, which will provide a comfortable ride on the highway even at high speeds.
It is a reasonable solution for those who use dipped beam as daytime running lights.
The minus is the yellow dipped light, but this is only noticeable when driving in poorly lit areas. In standard urban conditions, this point does not cause inconvenience.
Video comparison: Philips LongLife EcoVision vs OSRAM Ultra Life
Osram Ultra Life H4
Inexpensive bulbs that have a long life, but do not stand out in performance. Parameters comply with GOST, but the lighting is frankly yellowish. In headlights with not very fresh reflector and cloudy diffuser, the light will not be very good.
In addition, the lamps They aren't vibration-resistant and often fail earlier than the advertised time. But in general, they are better than most counterparts and if the headlights are good, the light will be okay.
The price is small, so the costs will not be high. With careful use. Much longer life than standard.
Video comparison: OSRAM Original vs Ultra Life.
Bosch Longlife Daytime H4
The price of this model is low, but in terms of light quality it is superior to both options described earlier. The lamps from Bosch give the light, which is not inferior to standard products, here have not gone the way of reducing the temperature of the coil to increase its life.
At the same time the light is equally good in both near and far. This is the optimal solution for any driving and lasts much longer than conventional bulbs.
Light distribution is also at the top, all according to the standards, there are no underlights and other problems. The only drawback - this model is rarely found in stores, but it can be bought to order or ordered online.
On the choice of bulbs depend on the safety and comfort of driving at night. Therefore, it is better to choose proven models that have been successfully tested and approved by experts.