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Want a lot of light from one socket? This spiral LED bulb claims 250-watt brightness from 30 watts, so I swapped out a CFL to see.
I wanted to replace a compact fluorescent bulb in this room. This spiral LED looks like a CFL, but it’s a 250-watt replacement that uses only 30 watts, puts out 3300 lumens of daylight white light, and lights up instantly. I picked it up on Amazon for about $20; prices move around a lot. Here’s how it compares.
- Lights up instantly; no CFL warm-up
- Very bright, crisp white light
- Throws light wide to the sides
- Smaller than my big Sylvania CFL
- Efficient: 30 watts
- Much bigger than a regular bulb
- Too bright for a naked fixture in a living space
- Less light straight down than my CFL
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
First look
It’s big, much bigger than a regular light bulb and bigger than most CFLs. There’s a thick plastic base and a clear spiral tube, like a Möbius tube, with LED elements on the board. Because the tube is clear, it’s probably best behind frosted glass, or in a workshop or garage where you just want a lot of light.
Replacing the CFL
The CFL I replaced is bright, but it has a warm, slightly yellowish tinge that I don’t love for this room. It’s a Sylvania and it’s much bigger than most bulbs, and the LED is actually smaller than it. The LED screws in easily.
Instant on and the light pattern
CFLs warm up and hit max brightness after a minute or two. This LED gets bright immediately, and it’s definitely a whiter light (it may look a little bluer on camera).
It does a nice job throwing light out to the sides, but not as good a job directly below, since there are no LED elements pointing straight down. You get a large, wide pattern with less direct downlight. That’s the trade-off.
Verdict
For about $20, it’s definitely bright and lights up the room nicely. In a garage, attic or anywhere you only have one bulb to light as much area as possible, it’s a good alternative.
FAQ
How bright is the spiral LED bulb?
It is rated at 3300 lumens, a 250-watt equivalent, while using 30 watts.
Does it turn on instantly?
Yes. Unlike a CFL, it reached full brightness right away.
Is it bigger than a regular bulb?
Yes, much bigger, though it was smaller than my large Sylvania CFL.
Where does it work best?
Garages, attics, workshops or behind frosted glass. It is very bright for a naked fixture.
Does it light straight down?
Less than my CFL. It throws light wide to the sides.
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