With that in mind, we researched dozens of bulbs, weighing their brightness, color rendering index (CRI) rating, longevity, and energy efficiency. Our top pick is the GE LED Reveal Light Bulb since it produces a light that mimics natural daylight and saves energy. Here are the best light bulbs for bathrooms. The GE LED Reveal Light Bulb offers you everything you could want in bathroom lighting. It brings you clear, white light that emulates natural daylight and has a CRI score of 90 or more for great color contrast without any yellow overtones. Everything under the light should look true to its colors as it would under natural light, which makes it ideal for beauty and grooming activities. With 650 lumens, the bulb is plenty bright. Plus, it’s dimmable, so if you have a dimmer switch installed, you can always lower the brightness at night or set the mood for a relaxing bath. However, some users note that the dimmable feature is not always as smooth as they would like it to be. Aside from offering you excellent light, it also delivers an energy-efficient design. The bulb relies on only 9 watts to provide the equivalent of 60 watts of power and has an estimated lifespan of up to 13 years. Price at time of publish: $13 The three-pack of vanity bulbs provides bright, clear light for routine bathroom activities like shaving or applying makeup. Each light bulb emits 550 lumens, using 40 watts of energy. While not as energy-efficient or long-lasting as an LED bulb, these globe bulbs are rated for about two years of use and provide excellent performance and lifespan. Another nice feature of these bulbs is the lack of any product or brand information stamped on the face of the bulb—this preserves the decorative look of these globe bulbs. Price at time of publish: $12 The bright, pure white light produced by this LED bulb is perfect for bathrooms and is just right for applying makeup or checking colors in an outfit. However, these light bulbs offer 500 lumens of brightness, which is less than many other options. Like many other LED bulbs, this Feit option has a CRI rating of 90+, which means color contrasts are easy to see and appear more vivid. It’s also dimmable and compatible for use in enclosed fixtures as well. Price at time of publish: $15 The average lifespan for these EcoSmart bulbs is 11,000 hours—which is slightly less than half of the life expectancy for other LED bulbs. Still, it’s hard to beat the affordability of this multiple-pack of EcoSmart LED bulbs. Overall, this bulb produces a crisp light that is excellent for any task where color and clarity are important. Price at time of publish: $27 It’s not all vanity when it comes to this light bulb splurge. In addition to looking great, the Tala Porcelain II has an average lifespan of up to 30,000 hours of use, making these LED bulbs long-lasting and eye-catching. The company also plants 10 trees for every 200 bulbs sold, making your energy-efficient light bulb choice an eco-friendly option as well. Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $30 In addition, these bulbs are RoHS compliant and 100 percent mercury-free. They also comply with Title 20 of the California Energy Commission. However, there’s writing on these light bulbs, which means they may not be the best option for decorative lighting. On the plus side, you can expect years of reliable use from this dimmable bathroom light bulb—the average lifespan is 25,000 hours of use or about 22 years. Price at time of publish: $13
Bulb Shape
Light bulbs come in many different shapes and sizes, and a few types are most common for bathroom use. Bathroom vanities often use globe-shaped bulbs, which are more attractive than regular bulbs. These bulbs have a “G” in their description. G25 is the most common globe-shaped bulb used in bathroom vanities, but there are larger bulbs, such as the G50, and smaller bulbs, including the G16.5. A19 bulbs are the typical “light-bulb-shaped” bulbs used in standard lighting fixtures on your bathroom ceiling, in recessed lights, and in some vanities. Edison or vintage bulbs have prominent filaments and a vintage vibe. These bulbs are often A19 in shape and size, although there are other options as well.
Bulb Type
While incandescent bulbs were once the standard, today, they are being phased out in favor of LED bulbs, which are far more energy-efficient, last much longer than incandescents, and don’t generate nearly as much heat as incandescent bulbs. These characteristics make LED bulbs the best choice for bathroom lighting.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Erica Puisis is a writer and lifestyle expert, specializing in content related to interior design and home products. She researched various light bulbs for this piece, taking into consideration their brightness, style, and overall functionality. The best option for a bathroom is to include multiple light fixtures that allow you to adjust and layer light. You might combine general lighting in a cool white tone with dimmable bulbs for DIY manicures or beard trimming and wall sconces with warmer bulbs you can brighten for skincare or dim at bathtime to create a relaxing ambiance. As for the color temperature, Campbell notes that 3000 Kelvin is a suitable option for bathroom lighting but adds that “if you work in-office and are trying to see how you will look under similar lighting as the office, 4000K-5000K would be best.” Sarah Toscano, a writer for The Spruce who specializes in smart home and tech content, conducted additional research. She consulted Larry Campbell, a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board and electrical expert, to gain better insight into the best light bulbs for bathrooms.
