Light Bulbs & Globes Buying Guide
The globe decides how bright a light fitting is, what colour its light is and, with exposed fittings, how it looks. This collection holds LED globes from Telbix, Eglo and Brilliant: classic A60 globes, ST64 pilot and G200 filament globes, PS160 and tubular shapes, and GU10 spotlight globes. It suits anyone fitting a new pendant or wall light, or replacing an old globe with an energy-saving LED.
Which globe base do I need?
Check the socket first. Edison screw bases, marked ES or E27, screw in, and E14 is the smaller candle size. Bayonet bases, marked B22, push in and twist. GU10 globes have two pins that push in and twist, and are common in downlights and spotlights. Most globes here are ES (E27), with GU10 options from Brilliant and Eglo. Do not confuse GU10 with MR16, which runs on 12V and needs a transformer.
Warm white or natural white: which should I choose?
Warm white, around 3000K, gives a soft, golden light that suits living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas. Natural white, around 4000K, is crisper and suits kitchens, laundries, bathrooms and workspaces. The Telbix A60 classic globe comes in both, and the Eglo GU10 globes come in warm white and natural white.
How bright should my globe be?
Brightness is measured in lumens, not watts. The Telbix A60 is a 5W globe at 470 lumens, the Telbix clear ST64 pilot an 8W filament globe at 800 lumens, and the amber ST64 a 4W globe at 360 lumens. As a rough guide, 800 lumens replaces an old 60W incandescent globe, while lower outputs suit decorative and mood lighting.
What is a filament or amber globe?
A filament LED globe has thin LED strips that look like the glowing wire of an old incandescent globe. In amber glass, the light turns warm and golden. The Telbix ST64 pilot and Eglo G200, PS160 and tubular amber globes suit exposed pendants and wall lights where the globe is part of the look.
Are these globes dimmable?
Some are. The Eglo 5W GU10 globes in warm white and natural white are dimmable, and the Telbix T30 tubular globe is listed as dimmable. Others, such as the Telbix A60 and ST64 pilot globes, are not. A dimmable globe also needs an LED-compatible dimmer switch, so check both before you buy.
How long do LED globes last?
LED globes last many times longer than incandescent or halogen globes and use far less power for the same light. Heat shortens LED life, so avoid fully enclosed fittings unless the globe is rated for them, and switch off the power before changing a globe.
Completing the room
Choose a fitting to suit your globe from pendant lights, wall lights and ceiling lights. For exposed globes, see amber glass lighting, or browse all lighting at The Blue Space.
