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The Best Dimmable Lightbulbs

Last updated on March 19, 2024
Best Dimmable Lightbulb

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Dimmable lights support a reduction in energy consumption and prime mood lighting in your home. To utilize this type of lighting, you must have a dimmable light switch installed and compatible light bulbs. While installing a non-dimmable bulb in a dimmable circuit may cause damage to the bulb or circuit, a dimmable bulb in a non-dimmable circuit will work just fine — it will just run at an unadjustable 100% output. Light bulbs are clearly marked as dimmable or non-dimmable on their packaging or ordering website.

There are as many dimmer-compatible light bulbs available for sale as standard bulbs, with variations in type, wattage, size, style and color of lighting. Like adjusting the water pressure on a facet, incandescent bulbs or lights with filaments are the easiest to dim (it’s a matter of lowering the power supplied to the filament using the dimmer switch). Florescent lights are commonly not dimmable due to the cost of dimmer-compatible ballasts, while compact fluorescent lights (CFL) that are fitted with their own ballast and standard screw bases are (check the manufacturers’ instructions to make sure).

Light-emitting diodes (LED), which use 75% of the energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, are another popular option. While LEDs are generally priced higher than incandescent ones, they cost less to operate and don’t have to be replaced near as often, saving you cash over the lifetime of the bulb. But your dimming module’s compatibility with LED bulbs determines if and how well the system works, so be aware of your dimmer manufacturer’s requirements.

Our Picks For The Top Dimmable Lightbulbs

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

EcoSmart Long-Lasting Dimmable Lightbulbs, 4-Pack

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EcoSmart

Long-Lasting Dimmable Lightbulbs, 4-Pack

Each of the dimmable lightbulbs in this set are able to illuminate your home for up to 15,000 hours before needing a replacement. They produce a soft white light and are perfect for just about every room, including a kitchen, bedroom or home office.

Overall Take

Economical PickThe budget-friendly price tag on this dimmable lightbulb set puts it at the top of our list.

 Runner Up

Sunco Lighting Energy Star Anti-Shatter Dimmable Light Bulbs, 6-Pack

Sunco

Lighting Energy Star Anti-Shatter Dimmable Light Bulbs, 6-Pack

When illuminating a large area, these dimmable light bulbs are the way to go. The flood lights are high-quality and are both shatter and vibration-resistant. Since they fit 6-inch recessed cans, they work well in an office, living room or bedroom space.

Overall Take

Long LastingNot only are these dimmable light bulbs energy efficient, but they also last a long time, which saves on premature replacements.

 Runner Up

SYLVANIA Eco-Friendly Lead-Free Dimmable Lightbulbs, 24-Pack

SYLVANIA

Eco-Friendly Lead-Free Dimmable Lightbulbs, 24-Pack

These energy efficient dimmable lightbulbs are just 8.5 watts but emit a light output of 800 lumens and are a great substitute for standard 60-watt bulbs. Each bulb has the lifespan of 11,000 hours.

Overall Take

Bulk PackGreat for nightstands, living rooms or dining rooms, the 8.5-watt bulbs emit a soft light output of 800 lumens.

 We Also Like

Linkind LED A19 Instant-On Dimmable Lightbulbs, 6-Pack

Linkind

LED Instant-On Dimmable Lightbulbs, 6-Pack

These budget-friendly dimmable lightbulbs allow you to set the mood in your living space. In fact they are dimmable from 10% to 100%. With each bulb having a 15,000 hour lifespan, you simply can't go wrong with this set!

Overall Take

Multiple OptionsThese dimmable lightbulbs are available in four different light shades, including soft white, cool white, warm white and daylight.

What to Look For

  • Do not install a non-dimmable LED or filament light bulb in a dimmable circuit.
  • LEDs have a lower dimming range than incandescent lightbulbs.
  • The dimming performance of an LED light is regulated by the capability of the built-in driver or circuitry of an LED and the compatibility of the dimming system. A few functionality issues to look out for that may occur when a dimmer is connected to an incompatible LED bulb include no visible light output, light output that doesn’t match the movement of the dimmer switch and flickering.
  • Most LED light bulbs on the marketplace are dimmable if you are using a compact fluorescent light (CFL) or LED dimmer.

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