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New light emitting diode, or LED, lightbulbs that are popping up on store shelves claim to last five times longer than compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and 25 times longer than incandescent lightbulbs. But are they worth the additional cost?

 

In a first glance at the Cree CR6 LED, which is among the latest in lightbulb technology, Consumer Reports found it had some advantages over CFLs. When the CR6 is first turned on, it brightens right away, whereas some CFLs take a couple of minutes to fully illuminate.

 

"With this LED, colors under the light look similar to how they appear under a regular incandescent," said Dan DiClerico of Consumer Reports. "But the downside with LEDs is their price. A single floodlight can cost $60."

 

An incandescent lightbulb is what could be called the “traditional” style lightbulb. A CFL is a tubular-style bulb that was designed to replace incandescent bulbs.

 

Tests show that there are plenty of good-performing CFLs that cost far less and will burn for thousands of hours longer than incandescent bulbs. Home Depot’s EcoSmart bulbs were rated the highest:

 

• EcoSmart floodlights, model number 780-758, cost $13 for two.
• EcoSmart lamp bulbs, model number 423-599, cost $6 for four.

 

The new LEDs, though, claim to burn for a very long time. Cree claims the CR6 will last 50,000 hours.

 

Consumer Reports has the bulb burning continuously in a lab.

 

"To reach 50,000 hours, let’s say you have the light on for six hours a day, that means this bulb would last for 22 years," DiClerico said.

 

Consumer Reports tester John Banta has tested the Cree CR6.

 

"It’s very similar to an incandescent bulb, but it doesn’t get hot," Banta said. "It doesn’t use as much energy."

 

The Cree CR6 LED and the EcoSmart CFLs are not available in Canada.

 

More Information:

 

Consumer Reports' Full Review Of The Cree CR6
Consumer Reports' Wrap Of The "Lighting For Tomorrow" Contest

 

To subscribe to Consumer Reports: www.consumerreports.org