In the last century, drivers did not have to worry about choosing lamps for cars. There were several standard sizes of lamps (for headlights, turn signals, brake lights, interior lamps) plus a couple more options for power ratings.
Each driver knew by heart which option was suitable for his car. Now the situation has changed a lot: not every driver knows what lamps are in the various lighting devices of his car.
The figure shows an incomplete set of standard sizes of lamps used in passenger cars mobile phones
They have different power and luminous efficiency.
Various types of lamps are used:
- incandescent;
- xenon;
- halogen;
- LED
Automotive lamps H7
They came into use after 1995. H7 were specially developed for modern optics; they have a lower base temperature with a higher (20% than H1) brightness. The luminous efficiency of H7 is 50% higher than H4 (up to 1500 lumens).
This standard size is used in low/high/fog beam headlights. This type belongs to the category of flanged lamps. Their pinout and dimensions are shown in the figure.
The exact design dimensions in the diagram are not shown by chance. Some car enthusiasts mistakenly believe that the main parameters of a headlight lamp are its power and pinout. Sometimes, if the required standard size is not at hand, they try to “shove in” and connect another one. If it works, they continue to drive like this.
Focusing depends on the mounting dimensions of the lamp, the distance from the filament to the landing plane, even on the length of the filament (emitter) luminous flux. Users of portable long-range flashlights know that they can change the focus of the light to the far or near zone by moving the bulb relative to the focus of the reflector.
Video - which H7 halogen lamps shine better (test):
The optical system of car headlights is much more complex than that of a flashlight. It forms a complex structure of the lighting zone in such a way as to provide maximum illumination traffic situation without dazzling oncoming drivers.
Therefore, any experiments with abnormal replacement of lamps or excessive increase in power can lead to an emergency.
On the Internet you can find photos of craftsmen - remodelers who adapt H4 lamps to H7.
Lamps H4 and H7, by the way, have the same distance from the filament to the landing zone, that is, they are optically compatible, but it’s still better not to experiment.
Choosing the optimal lighting equipment for your car is also important before undergoing a technical inspection. If any characteristic is “failed” during the technical inspection, you will have to go for a repeat round. Moreover, diagnosticians now have the latest lighting devices at their disposal.
The direction of the light flux is clearly reflected on the display of the diagnostic device; the slightest deviations are immediately recorded.
Main characteristics
The following characteristics and parameters are indicated on the packaging and design of H7 lamps:
- power.Electrical power is indicated. Very often this characteristic does not correspond to the declared one;
- Rated voltage. For passenger cars, 12 V is indicated;
- type. Typically indicated for halogen, xenon, LED;
- glow temperature. If the lamp has a spectrum shifted to temperatures of 5000 K or more, the scattering of light in blizzards and rain increases, which sharply impairs visibility;
- warranty (or nominal) service life;
- serial (factory number);
- information about the manufacturer, country of manufacture. Manufacturers (brands) of lamps include: ClearLight (China), General Electric (Hungary), KRAFT (South Korea), Osram (Germany), Philips (Germany, Poland), Nord YADA (China), "Dialuch" (China ), "Innovator" (China), StartVOLT (China), Narva (Poland). A Russian trademark is not always evidence of the quality of a Russian manufacturer, as, in principle, are other trademarks printed on packaging;
- UNECE number;
- lamp bulb color. It's more of a marketing ploy. For example, Philips ColorVision is available in four bulb colors, but all have a white luminous flux;
- homologation number(confirmation of compliance). It looks like the letter E with a number in a circle corresponding to the country where this confirmation was made. Russia – 22. Germany – 1. If there is no such confirmation, theoretically, the lamp cannot be used for driving on public roads.
The quality of the product is evidenced by the absence of any characteristics. The first three parameters are mandatory, the rest are applied by the manufacturer at its discretion.
You should take a close look at the country of origin so that there is no large inscription like “using Japanese technology”, just below “made in Hungary”. In other cases, you can find clues that may indicate that the product was most likely produced in one of the provinces of China.
The inside contents of the packaging can provide a lot of information about the quality of the lamp. It would be useful to have a protective cap and accompanying documents. The inscriptions on the base of the lamp are also an indicator of quality.
Which of them CANNOT be installed?
There are H7 low-beam headlight lamps on sale, the packaging of which says “not for public roads” or “not for European countries”. Sometimes this inscription can be very small.
Such copies are not certified and can blind oncoming drivers. Also, you should not purchase lamps with a power of more than 65 W and a temperature of more than 5000K.
Which type is better to choose
Professional light quality studies are usually carried out in a photometric tunnel. Ordinary car enthusiasts determine the quality of illumination of light zones using a subjective method. The results of objective and subjective methods differ.
In the practice of comparison various types lamps, it is better to use a subjective method, since it takes into account specific climatic conditions and different road conditions.
In this case, other consumer characteristics should be taken into account: cost, reliability, degree of heating of the base.
First, let's compare xenon lamps with halogen (we don't take conventional ones into account as they are obsolete).
- High voltage is used to ignite xenon lamps - up to 25,000 Volts. This requires the installation of an ignition unit. After ignition, the arc is held alternating voltage about 50 volts with a frequency of 300 hertz. This is a minus, even three (an additional unit, the difficulty of connecting it, dangerous high voltage, high-voltage interference);
- the glow during arc discharge exceeds the glow of halogen lamps by two or more times (up to 5000 Lm). This is a plus;
- a powerful stream of light contributes to its better penetration through various suspensions such as fog and drizzle;
- The service life of xenon lamps can reach up to 2500 hours or more, that is, significantly longer than halogen lamps. They do not have a filament, therefore, there is no need to be afraid of the harsh tests of Russian roads;
- in halogen, up to 35% of the electricity is converted into heat, the rest (that is, about 70%) into light. If the lamp has a power of 60 watts, then about 20 watts are used to heat the base, reflector and (worst) lens. Over time, lenses can become dull, which significantly reduces the quality of lighting. In a xenon lamp, only about 10% is spent on heat;
- The disadvantages of xenon include difficulties in passing technical inspection, the need to install an automatic headlight control;
- some car enthusiasts note increased fuel consumption after installing xenon (200 grams per 100 km). Price additional equipment and its installation can exceed 10,000 rubles.
Video - how Philips H7 X-treme Ultinon LED 12985BWX2 LED lamps shine (test in the lens):
Next, about the advantages and disadvantages of LED. This is the most advanced type of lamps used in cars. Please understand that as this segment evolves rapidly, some of the information below may become outdated over time.
- LED lamps of the first generation had a low luminous flux (400 – 600 Lm). Now it can exceed 4000 lm. However, for high-power lamps the resource is significantly reduced;
- with the same power consumption, the brightness of the LED lamp is significantly higher (almost three times). You can hope for some fuel savings;
- in some lamps, a special power device (driver) allows them to be installed in the headlight;
- LED lamps cannot yet reach xenon in terms of luminous flux;
- the luminous flux of LED products does not blind oncoming drivers as much as xenon;
- there is another significant plus. The glow temperature of the emitter depends on the type of LED used; accordingly, it can be different. It is known that at high temperatures (more than 5000 K) the luminous flux is scattered in fog, raindrops and snowflakes. By choosing lower temperatures, you can gain in luminous flux quality in poor climate conditions;
- during technical inspection there are usually no complaints about LED lamps;
- The cost difference with xenon is small.
Now about the cons:
- drivers (power supplies on the base) get very hot;
- LED reacts sharply to voltage changes on-board network car, can instantly fail if the generator malfunctions;
- resource. Typically up to 3000 hours (in xenon - approximately 3000). Measurements have shown that even if the LED lamp does not fail during this period, the brightness of its glow decreases. Now there are organic LED emitters, their resource reaches 10,000 hours.
There is no clear answer as to which lamp is generally better. If there is no possibility or desire to install additional equipment, it is better to use halogen lamps. If you need good, reliable, beautiful light, it is better to install xenon. If you like to experiment and often travel in bad weather, you can try low-temperature H7 LED lamps.
Rating
Many car service, marketing, and dealer services conduct their own ratings of products, including H7 lamps. One of them is shown in the figure (data for 2017):
As you can see, it was not the cheapest lamps that were taken into account (the rating was compiled in Germany).
Domestic review of H7 lamps
If you need to find the best H7 halogen lamps with increased brightness, you should study the parameters of other light sources: LED, xenon. When comparing, it is easier to determine the option that is most preferable in terms of technical characteristics. H7 – base type. It is more widespread than others and can be used in high and low beam headlights.
This type of base and other characteristics of the lamp satisfy all the requirements for a four-headlight car lighting system.
Best H7 Halogen Bulbs
Such light sources are in many ways similar to outdated analogues. The design is the same: a quartz glass flask, an incandescent filament, but halogen compounds (bromide, iodide) are used as filling. The advantage of this type of light bulb is that it emits a much more powerful luminous flux. This is due to the strong heating of the filament (up to 2900°C). As a result, the glass body heats up, which does not cause a short period of operation of the light source.
Today, high-brightness lamps are often used, which provides a good xenon effect. In this case, the light will be closer to white, the radiation intensity is high. This effect is achieved through the use of light bulbs characterized by a high color temperature (4200K).
Halogen light sources have an average service life of 2000 hours.
The most popular models of such light bulbs:
- Bosch Pure Light H7.
- Philips H7 3250K Vision Plus.
- OSRAM H7 Original.
Bosch Pure Light H7
The first option is characterized by a standard power of 55 W. Supply voltage – 12 V. The lamp is equipped with an H7 socket and is used when installing a car’s headlight system. The average cost of such a product is 250-370 rubles. The color temperature of the light bulb is 3200 K. In terms of this parameter, the light source is inferior to most analogues.
Considering that the power of such a lamp is standard and the color temperature is low, the emitted light is not bright enough to replace its xenon counterpart. However, these parameters are sufficient to use this model as a replacement for brighter light sources.
Bosch Pure Light H7
Philips H7 3250K Vision Plus
The advantage of a Philips car headlight lamp is its high level of illumination.
Thus, such products produce 60% more light compared to analogues. The light beam has a significant length - 25 m longer than other types of lamps. A feature of Philips products is the use of quartz glass with a UV filter in the design.
Thanks to this, the lamps can withstand more intense loads created by the pressure of the gas mixture inside the bulb.
Main characteristics:
Philips H7 3250K
OSRAM H7 Original
Another option in this group is OSRAM H7 Original. Products of this brand are characterized by standard parameters:
- power – 55 W;
- supply voltage – 12 V;
- color temperature – 3200 K.
The advantage of Osram products is reliability. A long period of operation is also noted. The lamp's emission is bright enough to provide the xenon effect. The average cost of a product of this type is 250 rubles.
Best H7 LED Bulbs
Products of this group are the most preferable, as they are characterized by a number of positive qualities:
- the light does not flicker;
- long service period;
- LEDs do not heat the case;
- high brightness;
- a wide range of color temperatures, which allows you to choose both warm, neutral and cold shades of radiation.
The disadvantages include the risk of poor assembly, which negatively affects the service life and quality of lighting.
This is due to the fact that the mounting locations for headlight lamps in headlights are designed for the dimensions and design of halogen products. Another disadvantage is the weak dispersion of the light stream, it is more directed. The brightness of the light beam is very high, because of this the light will blind drivers of oncoming cars, and in the absence of an additional cooling system, the diode will quickly burn out.
OSRAM H7 Original
Best H7 LED Bulbs:
- H7 G9L Philips ZES 5000K.
- CLEARLIGHT H7.
H7 G9L Philips ZES 5000K
The first option is characterized by increased brightness and white color. This is due to the fact that this type of product emits light with a temperature of 5000 K. The design includes a reflector. Thanks to this element, a more diffused light flux is created, the length of which is 40 meters longer than that of incandescent lamps. Main characteristics:
- supply voltage – 12-24 V;
- power – 24 W;
- service life – 10 thousand hours;
- brightness of light radiation – 4000 lm.
The design includes 6 Philips brand diodes. The cost of a set of two lamps is 5,700 rubles.
CLEARLIGHT H7
Another option is CLEARLIGHT H7 based on LEDs. Lamps of this type are also offered in a set of two pieces. Main parameters of one product:
- supply voltage – 12 V;
- power – 24 W;
- luminous flux brightness – 2800 lm;
- operating period – 30 thousand hours;
- color temperature – 4500 K;
- recommended temperature regime – up to +60°С;
- degree of protection – IP68.
The average cost of CLEARLIGHT H7 lamps is 2600-2800 rubles. per set (2 pcs.)
The best H7 halogen lamps: xenon effect
The price of such products is lower compared to xenon analogues. To achieve the desired effect, some lamp manufacturers use the method of painting the glass bulb blue. However, this measure has almost no effect on the quality of lighting. It is recommended to choose halogen lamps, characterized by increased brightness of the luminous flux. As a result, you can obtain a light source with more affordable price, but with characteristics close to the xenon type analogue. The best halogen products in this group:
- OSRAM Cool Blue Intense H7.
- Philips CrystalVision.
- Mtf-Light Palladium.
OSRAM Cool Blue Intense H7
The first option is characterized by standard parameters:
- supply voltage – 12 V;
- power – 55 W.
The brightness of the luminous flux of such a lamp is 20% higher in comparison with analogues. The color temperature is 4300 K. Thanks to this, the lighting acquires a bluish-white tint. This color temperature value brings the halogen lamp closer to its xenon counterpart. It is recommended to install it in headlight designs with transparent glass.
OSRAM Cool Blue Intense H7
Philips CrystalVision
Philips halogen lamps, in particular the CrystalVision version, are offered at a price of RUB 2,000/set of 2 pieces. They are equipped with an H7 base and are characterized by a color temperature of 4300 K, which makes it possible to obtain white-blue radiation. The power is 55 W, the supply voltage is 12 V. The desired shade of luminous flux was achieved using a blue coating. Lighting brightness – 1140 lm. The service life is 200-400 hours, which is determined by operating conditions.
Philips CrystalVision
Mtf-Light Palladium
These are halogen-type lamps, which in terms of the shade of the luminous flux are close to their xenon-based counterparts due to the color temperature of 5500 K. This is achieved by painting the bulb blue.
However, the brightness level of lamps of this type remains insufficiently high: from 700 to 900 lm, depending on the design. Parameters such as power and supply voltage are standard for light bulbs, 55 and 12 V, respectively.
The best xenon lamps n7
Light sources of this type are characterized by a long period of operation, which is due to the filling of the flask with an inert gas. As a result, energy consumption levels are reduced. In order to adjust the luminous flux, projection lenses are installed in addition to the lamps. Thanks to them, the beam of light will be directed onto the road surface.
In addition to xenon, the flask contains metal salts, and 2 electrodes are involved in the operation process. The main advantage of xenon lamps is the closeness of the color temperature to the same parameter of natural light (4300-6000 K). The duration of operation is 3 thousand hours. The main disadvantage is the need to add an ignition unit to the design of the car. The best H7 xenon lamps:
- MTF-LIGHT H7.
- Sho-Me H7.
MTF-LIGHT H7
The first option is characterized by a color temperature within 4300 K. The lamp power is 35 W, the standard supply voltage is 12 V. Such a product can be in operation for no longer than 2 thousand hours. A distinctive feature of the lamp is the high level of brightness of the luminous flux - 3200 lm. Country of origin: South Korea. The average cost of a xenon gas-discharge lamp in this version is 950 rubles.
Analogue Sho-Me H7
Manufactured in China, the brightness level is worse, but it is superior to the considered option in terms of color temperature. The power of such a lamp is 35 W. Supply voltage – 12 V. Product service life does not exceed 2 thousand hours. The brightness of the light flux is 2800 lm. Color temperature – 5000 K.
It is difficult to select a complete replacement for xenon light sources, due to their design.
Thus, illumination of the road surface with this lamp is carried out using the principle of a light arc, as a result - its luminous flux becomes brighter. In terms of lighting intensity, such products are superior to their halogen counterparts. Popular brands Philips and Osram also offer xenon-based light sources, but use a different type of base.
Video testing
Automotive lamps with H7 socket are used in low beam headlights. Today, along with the still most common halogen ones, there are xenon and LED light sources on the market. Also popular are halogens with a xenon effect, whose bulb colors the light output in a more noble shade.
The review presents the best H7 lamps of various design types that can be purchased on the Russian market. When assigning a rating, the objective characteristics of the product, workmanship and reliability of lighting equipment were taken into account. Also influenced by the available results of independent tests and reviews from owners who have experience in operating these lamps in cars various brands.
Best H7 Halogen Bulbs
Halogen lamps came into the world of cars a little over 20 years ago, but have already gained some popularity both among manufacturers and among ordinary car owners. This became possible due to the fairly low cost of lamps and good quality Sveta. No additional equipment is required to install halogen, making installation as easy as possible.
In their structure, halogen lamps are very similar to the good old incandescent lamps. There is also a bulb made of carbide or quartz glass, inside of which there is an incandescent filament and an inert gas with the addition of halogens (chlorine or bromine). Such lamps provide a stable luminous flux, but become very hot, which slightly reduces their service life.
4 MTF Aurum HAU1207 H7 12V 55W
Optimal illumination of the road and roadside
Country: South Korea
Rating (2019): 4.4
Already based on the name of this halogen lamp, the color of its radiation becomes clear. The golden-yellow rays of the low beam of car headlights perfectly dispel the darkness, regardless of weather conditions. Fog outside, rain or snow - the driver always has the maximum comfortable view road and right shoulder.
The MTF Aurum halogen lamp shines with a standard H7 brightness of 1500 lm. Owners would certainly like to have a more powerful light source, but this may compromise traffic safety. And the available power, judging by the results of independent tests, is quite sufficient for normal operating conditions - you just need to remember to adjust the headlights after changing the source. No matter how hard we looked, we were unable to find any negative assessments in the owner reviews. MTF Aurum H7 halogen lamps fully meet expectations and their cost.
3 NARVA H7 12V 55W (PX26d)
The best ratio of price and quality
A country:
Average price: 420 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.5
Despite the price difference, these halogen lamps perform no worse than well-known brands. The luminous flux as well as the color temperature (3200 K) correspond to the generally accepted standard. This makes NARVA H7 a good and inexpensive alternative to standard light sources that are installed in cars from the factory and have served their useful life.
In independent tests, a low-beam lamp from this company revealed synchronous failure. That is, if one burns out, then the other one will expire. This indicates stable product quality, which in many respects corresponds to more expensive analogues. The only thing that users do not like is the short lifespan of the halogen lamp. Judging by the reviews, NARVA, with frequent use, on average, can last from 6 to 18 months.
2 Philips H7 3250K Vision Plus
The brightest lamp
Country: Netherlands
Average price: 981 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6
Safety, regardless of the time of day, depends on how much the driver can see. In fog, the accident rate is higher than in clear weather; at night – higher than during the day. Lamps like the Philips H7 Vision Plus can improve the situation a little and provide a larger lighting area and brightness.
According to the manufacturer, this model provides 60% higher brightness. Of course, there was a bit of guile here - after all, no one has canceled marketing, but ignoring the fact that this model really illuminates the road and other objects a little better is an undeniable fact.
Which car lamps are better to buy: halogen, xenon or LED? We invite you to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each type of lamp:
|
Lamp type |
pros |
Minuses |
|
Halogen |
Cheap No additional hardware required for installation There are modified types with increased service life, increased brightness or xenon effect. |
They get very hot, which causes them to fail quite quickly. |
|
Xenon |
High color temperature, closest to daylight Not afraid of vibrations |
High price The need to install additional equipment (ignition unit) |
|
LED |
Economical Longest service life Not afraid of shaking and shock |
High price Difficult to adjust the light beam due to the design of the lamp |
1 Osram H7 Original
Longest living
Country: Germany
Average price: 280 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Any person would like his purchase to serve faithfully for as long as possible. Car lamps were no exception. Of course, the price of one such thing is unlikely to seem very high, but regularly replacing a low-quality light bulb can cost a hefty sum. In addition, many modern cars have an overly complex design, which makes a banal replacement of lighting a real epic, because sometimes you need to dismantle almost half the car!
Fortunately, there are lamps such as Osram H7 Original, which have a very long declared service life. Unlike competitors, the stated maximum term whose service life is about 400 hours, this model will last 550 hours! Of these, the guaranteed period is at least 330 hours.
The best H7 halogen lamps with increased brightness
In addition to standard halogen lamps, manufacturers currently offer all kinds of modifications. In some they worked to increase the service life, in others - on a more comfortable light temperature for the eye. Now we will talk about lamps with increased brightness. This effect is achieved through the use of only two technologies:
- A more refractory filament, providing a high glow temperature
- Using a special gas mixture pumped into the flask under high pressure
It is difficult to target such lamps to any one type of driver, because absolutely everyone will benefit from increasing the lighting area by 5-15 meters. This will allow you to notice an obstacle or person earlier and brake in time. Our ranking contains the best representatives of this group.
5 General Electric Megalight Ultra +150% H7
Profitable price
Country: Hungary
Average price: 1200 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.5
This car low beam lamp features improved filament design and gas composition in the lamp. This allows her to emit light in temperature range 3700 K with greater performance. In terms of its characteristics, it is closer to daytime white, which provides a much more effective view of the road at night.
Having passed the necessary tests, General Electric Megalight Ultra received a certificate of conformity and can be safely used on the roads general purpose, including EU countries. In reviews, users who have installed Megalight Ultra halogen lamps in the headlights of their cars positively note their reliability. Operation of this lighting equipment under conditions of constant vibration and shock loads (bad roads) does not reduce the “life” of the lamps at all. Along with the quality, the price of these products is no less attractive, which compares favorably with more expensive competitors.
4 PIAA Celest White 3200K H7
High build quality. The most reliable
A country:
Average price: 2000 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.6
The high glow intensity of PIAA Celest White halogen lamps with H7 base was one of the reasons that allowed us to top this category in our review. According to the manufacturer, these automotive light sources generate radiation with an intensity of 155% of the rated power. The method by which this was achieved is kept secret, but independent tests conducted speak for themselves - Celest White does indeed shine brighter.
By installing these lamps in the low beam headlights, the owner will receive best review roads not only in the dark (including at dusk). The warm glow temperature (3200 K) is pleasant to the eye and perfectly penetrates the space in rain and fog, providing optimal visibility in all weather conditions. Judging by the reviews of owners who use PIAA Celest White H7 in their cars, the lamps are distinguished by their quality and reliability. They demonstrate excellent vibration resistance and last quite a long time, maintaining their performance characteristics unchanged throughout almost the entire service life.
3 Philips Racing Vision H7
150% more brightness
Country: Netherlands
Average price: 1430 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.7
On last place housed a Philips lamp. This model is a strong middle peasant. It has an average price - not cheap, but not expensive either; approximately similar power and color temperature parameters to competitors.
But in terms of brightness, Racing Vision managed to stand out quite strongly, because these lamps provide a 150% brighter light beam.
2 Osram Night Breaker H7
Optimal price and durability
Country: Germany
Average price: 880 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.7
Once again, the products of the German company Osram are head and shoulders above their competitors in the fight for durability. Of course, the race for increased brightness has slightly reduced the resource, but the 300 hours of guaranteed service life is impressive.
In addition, we, of course, would not have included this model in the rating if it had not had 130% increased brightness. Car owners also confirm this. Some even claim that the light cone has lengthened by 40 meters!
The best manufacturers of car lamps
As in any other area, among manufacturers car lamps there are good and bad companies. It’s not worth talking about the bad ones, but now let’s look at the best ones:
- Philips. This company, as you probably know, deals not only with car lamps, but also with all kinds of household appliances. The company has been present in the automotive sector almost from the very beginning of its existence - already in 1914, Philips offered its solutions to the very first car enthusiasts. At the moment, according to the company itself, about 35% of cars in the world use their lamps.
- Osram. Unlike the previous company, this German company specializes exclusively in “light bulbs”. Founded back in 1919 by several large industrialists, the company currently occupies one of the leading positions in the world. There was also a place in the Osram assortment for automobile lamps. The company was one of the first to develop and begin selling xenon lamps, and by 1996, halogen lamps.
- Koito. Did you think the previous company was highly specialized? Ah, no. This Japanese company was founded back in 1915 and initially produced lanterns for railway crossings. Since 1957, the production of automobile lamps began, which the company specializes in to this day. Of course, 60 years of experience have had an extremely positive impact on the characteristics and quality of the products.
- MTF. Probably, many will be pleased by the fact that this company is ours, domestic. Yes, it does not have the vast experience and rich history that many foreign companies have, since MTF was founded only in 2005. Nevertheless, all these years the company has been offering fairly high-quality products for Russian motorists.
1 Fukurou F1 H7 12V 55W (115W)
Best luminous flux power
Country: South Korea
Average price: 1390 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 5.0
When passing independent tests, halogen lamps registered a luminous flux of 1580 lm with a color temperature of 3350 K. For low-beam car headlights, these are quite good indicators, allowing us to speak of the Fukurou F1 H7 as the most the best lamps ah among the presented models of various brands.
Owner reviews also positively evaluate the durability of this product. So, in comparison with class A car lamps, the resource of Fukurou F1 is 208 hours longer, and this is already serious competitive advantage. The owners' reviews have absolutely no complaints about either the performance characteristics or the build quality of this brand's products. The only drawback is the ban on the use of these products when driving cars on EU roads, but they are excellent for use within the country.
The best H7 halogen lamps: xenon effect
Often, manufacturers try to give budget products the appearance of their more expensive counterparts. Halogen lamps are no exception, a certain type of which is made in such a way as to resemble xenon, which is expensive and not yet available to the general public. To achieve this effect, some clever manufacturers simply paint the bulb blue, which gives a whiter light. Of course, such a solution has a place, but it’s still worth paying attention to models in which engineers have also worked to increase the brightness and saturation of the light flux. The use of such lamps is a kind of compromise, because installation does not require additional equipment, but the quality of light will be lower than that of xenon.
4 PIAA H7 Hyper Arros 5000K
Excellent vibration resistance
A country: Japan (made in South Korea)
Average price: 2800 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.7
An excellent choice for replacing halogen lamps in low-beam headlights of various car brands will be PIAA H7 Hyper Arros 5000K. These Japanese lighting devices are popular in the domestic market, having earned consumer trust with their impeccable workmanship and excellent performance characteristics. They generate cool white light with a temperature of 5000 K, which has an increased brightness compared to the accepted standard.
In addition, the quartz bulb at the base is equipped with a protective metal retaining ring, which reduces the effect of vibration and shock on the service life. Judging by the reviews, the PIAA H7 Hyper Arros 5000K demonstrates high reliability and stability of radiation parameters, providing impeccable road illumination for quite a long time. Owners rightly consider these lamps to be one of the best on the market, but purchasing them requires a reliable and trusted supplier - there are many fakes on the market.
3 MTF PALADIUM H7
Best xenon effect
Country Russia
Average price: 900 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.2
This lamp is an excellent example... of a bad way to achieve the xenon effect. Yes, the lamp emits light with a temperature of as much as 5000K, which is closest to sunlight, but this was achieved by simply painting the bulb blue. At the same time, the manufacturer did not bother changing the design of the lamp itself, which is why the weak filament simply cannot break through the painted glass and produces only about 700 lm!
By comparison, even regular halogen bulbs, without brightness-enhancing technology, produce at least 1,400 lumens. Thus, we can recommend an outsider in our rating only if you just want to achieve a beautiful view during the day. But we highly recommend not using such lighting equipment at night.
2 PHILIPS H7 Diamond Vision 5000K 12V 55W
High build quality
Country: Netherlands
Average price: 1435 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.8
The undisputed leader in the lighting market, including for cars, has in its assortment of halogen lamps excellent examples that imitate the glow of xenon. The PHILIPS H7 Diamond Vision model has a painted quartz bulb, resulting in a color temperature of the emitted light of 5000 K, which creates a high-quality illusion of xenon sources.
User reviews note high-quality lighting at night. In fog and rain on the highway, they sharply lose efficiency, but they are perfect for use within the city. These lamps are also characterized by many owners as the most reliable and durable. In general, they cope with their tasks - the luminous flux is pleasant to the eye, does not cause fatigue and fights well against darkness on unlit sections of roads. For more severe weather conditions, even if desired, they cannot compete with conventional halogen lamps, whose light temperature is closer to 3200 K.
1 Osram Cool Blue Intense H7
Best Features and Quality
Country: Germany
Average price: 1180 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Once again, our first place is taken by Osram products. This model has excellent balance, which is what the two previous participants lack. Cool Blue Intense combines a fairly high light temperature (4200K) and a very good brightness of 1500 lm.
Thus, this lamp will provide the xenon effect without compromising illumination and, accordingly, safety.
The best H7 xenon lamps
Xenon lamps are a kind of business class in the world of automotive lighting technology. At the moment, relatively few cars are offered with such optics due to their high cost. And it’s a shame, because xenon lamps provide much brighter light and, accordingly, a larger lighting area than halogen lamps. In addition, xenon has the highest possible color temperature, which has a positive effect on comfort for both the owner and oncoming cars.
But xenon also has a downside, not very pleasant side. First, of course, is the need to refine the entire lighting system. Moreover, this includes not only the installation of additional equipment in the form of an ignition unit (which, by the way, costs at least 2 thousand rubles), but also adjustment. You don’t want oncoming cars to swear at you every time. Secondly, the price. Yes, the lamps themselves are at the level of some high-quality halogen lamps, but converting and adjusting the optics for xenon will cost a considerable amount.
3 Optima Premium H7
Optimal performance. High vibration resistance
Country: China
Average price: 350 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.6
Optima Premium H7 is simply ideal for standard xenon low beam car headlights. Judge for yourself - by attaching the quartz flask to the base through a damper ring made of non-ferrous metal, the reliability of the equipment and its durability have seriously increased. From repeated temperature changes (no matter what they say about low energy consumption, a luminous flux of 2600 Lm still heats the bulb) seat Now it is reliably protected and does not become loose.
In addition, resistance to shock loads has increased. Tests in off-road conditions showed the excellent endurance of this equipment. Reviews from owners using Optima Premium H7 xenon headlights fully confirm this. On rough terrain or difficult sections of roads, the lamps behave confidently, operating stably for at least 2000 hours - much longer than conventional halogen ones. Also appreciated is their compatibility with almost all standard (and not only) ignition units, the presence of a wide range of colors in the temperature range from 3000 to 8000 K and a fairly attractive price.
2 Clearlight Xenon Premium+150% H7 5000 K 35 W
Better brightness. Long service life
A country: Germany (made in China)
Average price: 1429 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.8
The brightest xenon lamps for low beam headlights are offered by Clearlight. They are an order of magnitude more affordable than the products of such flagship lighting equipment as Osram and Philips, and at the same time demonstrate better performance characteristics. Through use new technology managed to achieve higher gas pressure in the flask. This significantly increased the brightness of the light flux and improved the viewing range on the night road. In addition, a color temperature of 5000 K provides a white, cool light that is most effective at night.
In addition, these car lamps have an extended service life. Independent tests have shown excellent results - the service life is at least 3000 hours. At the same time, their “life” does not depend on the nature of use - the lamps are quite resistant to shock vibrations, which do not have much effect on Clearlight Xenon Premium H7.
1 MTF-Light H7
The most comfortable color temperature
Country: South Korea
Average price: 1150 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.9
The best representative of xenon lamps in our rating is MTF Light H7. This model meets all the requirements for “clear” xenon. This is a high color temperature (6000K), closest to natural sunlight, and a very high brightness (2800 lm), which cannot be achieved using conventional halogen lamps.
Also, we can’t help but rejoice at the guaranteed service life of 2000 hours. This, for a moment, is about 5 times higher than that of halogen lamps. Finally, the cost is quite low - only about 900 rubles. Can I recommend this model? Without a doubt.
Best H7 LED Bulbs
At the moment, LED optics is recognized as the most promising direction in the development of lighting technology. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, it is high durability, ensured not only by the long service life of the “luminous” elements themselves, but also by the immunity of parts to shaking and shock. Secondly, good parameters of the light beam, namely: high color temperature and high brightness.
But, unfortunately, you won’t be able to simply plug such a lamp into a standard headlight and be happy, because LED lamps are not a point source of light, which makes adjusting the headlights and creating a clear beam of light a very, very difficult process. Which lamps to choose so as not to be disappointed - see our rating.
4 ZES-X3 H7
The most powerful luminous flux
A country: USA (manufactured in China)
Average price: 3500 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.6
Thanks to unique high-tech solutions, the ZES-X3 car lamp provides the driver with a better view of the night road with a range of about 500 m. LEDs are resistant to heat and vibration, and produce a dense luminous flux, which, according to tests, is actually about 6000 lm. When installed in low beam headlights, the position of the lamp is adjusted with a special key for the socket (included in the delivery), which allows you to optimally configure the optics for use on public roads.
The correct operation of these powerful light sources for cars is maintained in a wide temperature range – from -40 to 60 °C. They have a high protection class (IP65) and an infinitely long service life - 30 thousand hours (almost 3.5 years of continuous operation!). Effective cooling of the lamp is ensured by a passive radiator with a multi-component architecture - a long service life was largely achieved thanks to its innovative design.
3 NARVA H7 Range Power LED 6000K
Optimal combination of price and quality
A country: Germany (produced in Poland)
Average price: 3540 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The NARVA H7 Range Power LED 6000 K car lamp can safely be considered “ younger brother» rating leader (the company is a subsidiary of PHILIPS). The huge difference in cost and similar operating parameters largely determine the choice of many domestic car owners. The cut-off line is clear; with the correct lamp settings and high-quality optics, the low beam will not dazzle oncoming traffic and will provide an excellent view of the road.
The manufacturer provides a guarantee for these lighting devices for a period of 12 months, but they last much longer. Their reliability is largely determined by the effective heat removal system, which is patented by the company and is the “feature” of this model. In addition, the design provides better protection from moisture and dust. It is at a high level and fully complies with the international standard for this type of equipment.
2 SHO-ME LH H7
User selection
Country: China
Average price: 1200 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.7
Another bright representative company Sho-Me, the advantages of which include reduced power with unchanged parameters of the emitted light. The LEDs in this kit are content with 30 W of energy per pair, but at the same time they produce a luminous flux (3000 Lm) of bright white color (temperature 5000 K). By the way, the glow efficiency of the lamps does not disappear throughout the entire service life, which is a decent 30 thousand hours.
Despite the Chinese origin of Sho-Me LH H7, the main element of the lamps - LEDs - were borrowed (read: purchased) from the American company CREE. The rest of the architecture of the kit is based on elements produced within the Chinese company itself (fans, cases, bases). Perhaps the only serious drawback of these light bulbs is the high cost - the mass consumer is not morally ready to part with such sums to purchase small items.
1 PHILIPS LED H7 X-treme Ultinon 6000K
Better light quality. High reliability
Country: Netherlands
Average price: 8150 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 5.0
Despite the record high cost of the PHILIPS LED H7 X-treme Ultinon LED lamp, it deservedly heads this rating category. Many tests carried out by various publications, as well as the experience of the owners of these automotive light sources, allow us to speak of these products as the most advanced and progressive solution for the night road. When installed in standard headlights low beam with lenses, the PHILIPS LED H7 X-treme Ultinon lamp produces beautiful and powerful radiation with a cool white tint (6000 K at a brightness of 1750 lm) and clear cut-off separation. As a result, the view of the road at night is almost perfect, and there is no “exposure” to oncoming traffic.
The workmanship is the best on the market. For ease of installation in the car, it is possible to remove the radiator active system cooling the lamp (when turned on, a miniature cooler starts). In addition, many owners were pleasantly surprised by the thoughtfulness of the manufacturer - the kit includes 2 mini-boxes for old halogen lamps, which after replacement can be kept as a reserve. But there is no particular need for this - X-treme Ultinon have a service life of 30,000 hours and can easily withstand vibration loads from bad roads.
Automotive lamps with H7 socket are used in low beam headlights. Today, along with the still most common halogen ones, there are xenon and LED light sources on the market. Also popular are halogens with a xenon effect, whose bulb colors the light output in a more noble shade.
The review presents the best H7 lamps of various design types that can be purchased on the Russian market. When assigning a rating, the objective characteristics of the product, workmanship and reliability of lighting equipment were taken into account. Also influenced by the available results of independent tests and reviews from owners who have experience in operating these lamps in cars of various brands.
Best H7 Halogen Bulbs
Halogen lamps came into the world of cars a little over 20 years ago, but have already gained some popularity both among manufacturers and among ordinary car owners. This became possible due to the fairly low cost of the lamps and good quality of light. No additional equipment is required to install halogen, making installation as easy as possible.
In their structure, halogen lamps are very similar to the good old incandescent lamps. There is also a bulb made of carbide or quartz glass, inside of which there is an incandescent filament and an inert gas with the addition of halogens (chlorine or bromine). Such lamps provide a stable luminous flux, but become very hot, which slightly reduces their service life.
4 MTF Aurum HAU1207 H7 12V 55W
Optimal illumination of the road and roadside
Country: South Korea
Rating (2019): 4.4
Already based on the name of this halogen lamp, the color of its radiation becomes clear. The golden-yellow rays of the low beam of car headlights perfectly dispel the darkness, regardless of weather conditions. Fog outside, rain or snow - the driver always has the most comfortable view of the road and the right side of the road.
The MTF Aurum halogen lamp shines with a standard H7 brightness of 1500 lm. Owners would certainly like to have a more powerful light source, but this may compromise traffic safety. And the available power, judging by the results of independent tests, is quite sufficient for normal operating conditions - you just need to remember to adjust the headlights after changing the source. No matter how hard we looked, we were unable to find any negative assessments in the owner reviews. MTF Aurum H7 halogen lamps fully meet expectations and their cost.
3 NARVA H7 12V 55W (PX26d)
The best ratio of price and quality
A country:
Average price: 420 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.5
Despite the price difference, these halogen lamps perform no worse than well-known brands. The luminous flux as well as the color temperature (3200 K) correspond to the generally accepted standard. This makes NARVA H7 a good and inexpensive alternative to standard light sources that are installed in cars from the factory and have served their useful life.
In independent tests, a low-beam lamp from this company revealed synchronous failure. That is, if one burns out, then the other one will expire. This indicates stable product quality, which in many respects corresponds to more expensive analogues. The only thing that users do not like is the short lifespan of the halogen lamp. Judging by the reviews, NARVA, with frequent use, on average, can last from 6 to 18 months.
2 Philips H7 3250K Vision Plus
The brightest lamp
Country: Netherlands
Average price: 981 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6
Safety, regardless of the time of day, depends on how much the driver can see. In fog, the accident rate is higher than in clear weather; at night – higher than during the day. Lamps like the Philips H7 Vision Plus can improve the situation a little and provide a larger lighting area and brightness.
According to the manufacturer, this model provides 60% higher brightness. Of course, there was a bit of guile here - after all, no one has canceled marketing, but ignoring the fact that this model really illuminates the road and other objects a little better is an undeniable fact.
Which car lamps are better to buy: halogen, xenon or LED? We invite you to familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each type of lamp:
|
Lamp type |
pros |
Minuses |
|
Halogen |
Cheap No additional hardware required for installation There are modified types with increased service life, increased brightness or xenon effect. |
They get very hot, which causes them to fail quite quickly. |
|
Xenon |
High color temperature, closest to daylight Not afraid of vibrations |
High price The need to install additional equipment (ignition unit) |
|
LED |
Economical Longest service life Not afraid of shaking and shock |
High price Difficult to adjust the light beam due to the design of the lamp |
1 Osram H7 Original
Longest living
Country: Germany
Average price: 280 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Any person would like his purchase to serve faithfully for as long as possible. Car lamps were no exception. Of course, the price of one such thing is unlikely to seem very high, but regularly replacing a low-quality light bulb can cost a hefty sum. In addition, many modern cars have an overly complex design, which makes a banal replacement of lighting a real epic, because sometimes you need to dismantle almost half the car!
Fortunately, there are lamps such as Osram H7 Original, which have a very long declared service life. Unlike competitors, whose stated maximum service life is about 400 hours, this model will last 550 hours! Of these, the guaranteed period is at least 330 hours.
The best H7 halogen lamps with increased brightness
In addition to standard halogen lamps, manufacturers currently offer all kinds of modifications. In some they worked to increase the service life, in others - on a more comfortable light temperature for the eye. Now we will talk about lamps with increased brightness. This effect is achieved through the use of only two technologies:
- A more refractory filament, providing a high glow temperature
- Using a special gas mixture pumped into the flask under high pressure
It is difficult to target such lamps to any one type of driver, because absolutely everyone will benefit from increasing the lighting area by 5-15 meters. This will allow you to notice an obstacle or person earlier and brake in time. Our ranking contains the best representatives of this group.
5 General Electric Megalight Ultra +150% H7
Profitable price
Country: Hungary
Average price: 1200 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.5
This car low beam lamp features improved filament design and gas composition in the lamp. This allows it to emit light in the temperature range of 3700 K with greater efficiency. In terms of its characteristics, it is closer to daytime white, which provides a much more effective view of the road at night.
Having passed the necessary tests, General Electric Megalight Ultra received a certificate of conformity and can be safely used on public roads, including EU countries. In reviews, users who have installed Megalight Ultra halogen lamps in the headlights of their cars positively note their reliability. Operation of this lighting equipment under conditions of constant vibration and shock loads (bad roads) does not reduce the “life” of the lamps at all. Along with the quality, the price of these products is no less attractive, which compares favorably with more expensive competitors.
4 PIAA Celest White 3200K H7
High build quality. The most reliable
A country:
Average price: 2000 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.6
The high glow intensity of PIAA Celest White halogen lamps with H7 base was one of the reasons that allowed us to top this category in our review. According to the manufacturer, these automotive light sources generate radiation with an intensity of 155% of the rated power. The method by which this was achieved is kept secret, but independent tests conducted speak for themselves - Celest White does indeed shine brighter.
By installing these lamps in the low beam headlights, the owner will receive a better view of the road not only in the dark (including at dusk). The warm glow temperature (3200 K) is pleasant to the eye and perfectly penetrates the space in rain and fog, providing optimal visibility in all weather conditions. Judging by the reviews of owners who use PIAA Celest White H7 in their cars, the lamps are distinguished by their quality and reliability. They demonstrate excellent vibration resistance and last quite a long time, maintaining their performance characteristics unchanged throughout almost the entire service life.
3 Philips Racing Vision H7
150% more brightness
Country: Netherlands
Average price: 1430 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.7
In last place is a Philips lamp. This model is a strong middle peasant. It has an average price - not cheap, but not expensive either; approximately similar power and color temperature parameters to competitors.
But in terms of brightness, Racing Vision managed to stand out quite strongly, because these lamps provide a 150% brighter light beam.
2 Osram Night Breaker H7
Optimal price and durability
Country: Germany
Average price: 880 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.7
Once again, the products of the German company Osram are head and shoulders above their competitors in the fight for durability. Of course, the race for increased brightness has slightly reduced the resource, but the 300 hours of guaranteed service life is impressive.
In addition, we, of course, would not have included this model in the rating if it had not had 130% increased brightness. Car owners also confirm this. Some even claim that the light cone has lengthened by 40 meters!
The best manufacturers of car lamps
As in any other industry, there are good and bad companies among automotive lamp manufacturers. It’s not worth talking about the bad ones, but now let’s look at the best ones:
- Philips. This company, as you probably know, deals not only with car lamps, but also with all kinds of household appliances. The company has been present in the automotive sector almost from the very beginning of its existence - already in 1914, Philips offered its solutions to the very first car enthusiasts. At the moment, according to the company itself, about 35% of cars in the world use their lamps.
- Osram. Unlike the previous company, this German company specializes exclusively in “light bulbs”. Founded back in 1919 by several large industrialists, the company currently occupies one of the leading positions in the world. There was also a place in the Osram assortment for automobile lamps. The company was one of the first to develop and begin selling xenon lamps, and by 1996, halogen lamps.
- Koito. Did you think the previous company was highly specialized? Ah, no. This Japanese company was founded back in 1915 and initially produced lanterns for railway crossings. Since 1957, the production of automobile lamps began, which the company specializes in to this day. Of course, 60 years of experience have had an extremely positive impact on the characteristics and quality of the products.
- MTF. Probably, many will be pleased by the fact that this company is ours, domestic. Yes, it does not have the vast experience and rich history that many foreign companies have, since MTF was founded only in 2005. Nevertheless, all these years the company has been offering fairly high-quality products for Russian motorists.
1 Fukurou F1 H7 12V 55W (115W)
Best luminous flux power
Country: South Korea
Average price: 1390 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 5.0
When passing independent tests, halogen lamps registered a luminous flux of 1580 lm with a color temperature of 3350 K. For low-beam car headlights, these are quite good indicators, allowing us to speak of the Fukurou F1 H7 as the best lamps among the presented models of various brands.
Owner reviews also positively evaluate the durability of this product. So, in comparison with class A automobile lamps, the Fukurou F1 resource is 208 hours longer, and this is already a serious competitive advantage. The owners' reviews have absolutely no complaints about either the performance characteristics or the build quality of this brand's products. The only drawback is the ban on the use of these products when driving cars on EU roads, but they are excellent for use within the country.
The best H7 halogen lamps: xenon effect
Often, manufacturers try to give budget products the appearance of their more expensive counterparts. Halogen lamps are no exception, a certain type of which is made in such a way as to resemble xenon, which is expensive and not yet available to the general public. To achieve this effect, some clever manufacturers simply paint the bulb blue, which gives a whiter light. Of course, such a solution has a place, but it’s still worth paying attention to models in which engineers have also worked to increase the brightness and saturation of the light flux. The use of such lamps is a kind of compromise, because installation does not require additional equipment, but the quality of light will be lower than that of xenon.
4 PIAA H7 Hyper Arros 5000K
Excellent vibration resistance
A country: Japan (made in South Korea)
Average price: 2800 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.7
An excellent choice for replacing halogen lamps in low-beam headlights of various car brands will be PIAA H7 Hyper Arros 5000K. These Japanese lighting devices are popular in the domestic market, having earned consumer trust with their impeccable workmanship and excellent performance characteristics. They generate cool white light with a temperature of 5000 K, which has an increased brightness compared to the accepted standard.
In addition, the quartz bulb at the base is equipped with a protective metal retaining ring, which reduces the effect of vibration and shock on the service life. Judging by the reviews, the PIAA H7 Hyper Arros 5000K demonstrates high reliability and stability of radiation parameters, providing impeccable road illumination for quite a long time. Owners rightly consider these lamps to be one of the best on the market, but purchasing them requires a reliable and trusted supplier - there are many fakes on the market.
3 MTF PALADIUM H7
Best xenon effect
Country Russia
Average price: 900 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.2
This lamp is an excellent example... of a bad way to achieve the xenon effect. Yes, the lamp emits light with a temperature of as much as 5000K, which is closest to sunlight, but this was achieved by simply painting the bulb blue. At the same time, the manufacturer did not bother changing the design of the lamp itself, which is why the weak filament simply cannot break through the painted glass and produces only about 700 lm!
By comparison, even regular halogen bulbs, without brightness-enhancing technology, produce at least 1,400 lumens. Thus, we can recommend an outsider in our rating only if you just want to achieve a beautiful view during the day. But we highly recommend not using such lighting equipment at night.
2 PHILIPS H7 Diamond Vision 5000K 12V 55W
High build quality
Country: Netherlands
Average price: 1435 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.8
The undisputed leader in the lighting market, including for cars, has in its assortment of halogen lamps excellent examples that imitate the glow of xenon. The PHILIPS H7 Diamond Vision model has a painted quartz bulb, resulting in a color temperature of the emitted light of 5000 K, which creates a high-quality illusion of xenon sources.
User reviews note high-quality lighting at night. In fog and rain on the highway, they sharply lose efficiency, but they are perfect for use within the city. These lamps are also characterized by many owners as the most reliable and durable. In general, they cope with their tasks - the luminous flux is pleasant to the eye, does not cause fatigue and fights well against darkness on unlit sections of roads. For more severe weather conditions, even if desired, they cannot compete with conventional halogen lamps, whose light temperature is closer to 3200 K.
1 Osram Cool Blue Intense H7
Best Features and Quality
Country: Germany
Average price: 1180 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
Once again, our first place is taken by Osram products. This model has excellent balance, which is what the two previous participants lack. Cool Blue Intense combines a fairly high light temperature (4200K) and a very good brightness of 1500 lm.
Thus, this lamp will provide the xenon effect without compromising illumination and, accordingly, safety.
The best H7 xenon lamps
Xenon lamps are a kind of business class in the world of automotive lighting technology. At the moment, relatively few cars are offered with such optics due to their high cost. And it’s a shame, because xenon lamps provide much brighter light and, accordingly, a larger lighting area than halogen lamps. In addition, xenon has the highest possible color temperature, which has a positive effect on comfort for both the owner and oncoming cars.
But xenon also has a downside, not very pleasant side. First, of course, is the need to refine the entire lighting system. Moreover, this includes not only the installation of additional equipment in the form of an ignition unit (which, by the way, costs at least 2 thousand rubles), but also adjustment. You don’t want oncoming cars to swear at you every time. Secondly, the price. Yes, the lamps themselves are at the level of some high-quality halogen lamps, but converting and adjusting the optics for xenon will cost a considerable amount.
3 Optima Premium H7
Optimal performance. High vibration resistance
Country: China
Average price: 350 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.6
Optima Premium H7 is simply ideal for standard xenon low beam car headlights. Judge for yourself - by attaching the quartz flask to the base through a damper ring made of non-ferrous metal, the reliability of the equipment and its durability have seriously increased. From repeated temperature changes (no matter what they say about low energy consumption, the luminous flux of 2600 Lm still heats the bulb), the seat is now reliably protected and does not become loose.
In addition, resistance to shock loads has increased. Tests in off-road conditions showed the excellent endurance of this equipment. Reviews from owners using Optima Premium H7 xenon headlights fully confirm this. On rough terrain or difficult sections of roads, the lamps behave confidently, operating stably for at least 2000 hours - much longer than conventional halogen ones. Also appreciated is their compatibility with almost all standard (and not only) ignition units, the presence of a wide range of colors in the temperature range from 3000 to 8000 K and a fairly attractive price.
2 Clearlight Xenon Premium+150% H7 5000 K 35 W
Better brightness. Long service life
A country: Germany (made in China)
Average price: 1429 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.8
The brightest xenon lamps for low beam headlights are offered by Clearlight. They are an order of magnitude more affordable than the products of such flagship lighting equipment as Osram and Philips, and at the same time demonstrate better performance characteristics. Through the use of new technology, it was possible to achieve higher gas pressure in the flask. This significantly increased the brightness of the light flux and improved the viewing range on the night road. In addition, a color temperature of 5000 K provides a white, cool light that is most effective at night.
In addition, these car lamps have an extended service life. Independent tests have shown excellent results - the service life is at least 3000 hours. At the same time, their “life” does not depend on the nature of use - the lamps are quite resistant to shock vibrations, which do not have much effect on Clearlight Xenon Premium H7.
1 MTF-Light H7
The most comfortable color temperature
Country: South Korea
Average price: 1150 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.9
The best representative of xenon lamps in our rating is MTF Light H7. This model meets all the requirements for “clear” xenon. This is a high color temperature (6000K), closest to natural sunlight, and a very high brightness (2800 lm), which cannot be achieved using conventional halogen lamps.
Also, we can’t help but rejoice at the guaranteed service life of 2000 hours. This, for a moment, is about 5 times higher than that of halogen lamps. Finally, the cost is quite low - only about 900 rubles. Can I recommend this model? Without a doubt.
Best H7 LED Bulbs
At the moment, LED optics is recognized as the most promising direction in the development of lighting technology. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, it is high durability, ensured not only by the long service life of the “luminous” elements themselves, but also by the immunity of parts to shaking and shock. Secondly, good parameters of the light beam, namely: high color temperature and high brightness.
But, unfortunately, you won’t be able to simply plug such a lamp into a standard headlight and be happy, because LED lamps are not a point source of light, which makes adjusting the headlights and creating a clear beam of light a very, very difficult process. Which lamps to choose so as not to be disappointed - see our rating.
4 ZES-X3 H7
The most powerful luminous flux
A country: USA (manufactured in China)
Average price: 3500 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 4.6
Thanks to unique high-tech solutions, the ZES-X3 car lamp provides the driver with a better view of the night road with a range of about 500 m. LEDs are resistant to heat and vibration, and produce a dense luminous flux, which, according to tests, is actually about 6000 lm. When installed in low beam headlights, the position of the lamp is adjusted with a special key for the socket (included in the delivery), which allows you to optimally configure the optics for use on public roads.
The correct operation of these powerful light sources for cars is maintained in a wide temperature range – from -40 to 60 °C. They have a high protection class (IP65) and an infinitely long service life - 30 thousand hours (almost 3.5 years of continuous operation!). Effective cooling of the lamp is ensured by a passive radiator with a multi-component architecture - a long service life was largely achieved thanks to its innovative design.
3 NARVA H7 Range Power LED 6000K
Optimal combination of price and quality
A country: Germany (produced in Poland)
Average price: 3540 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The NARVA H7 Range Power LED 6000 K car lamp can easily be considered the “little brother” of the rating leader (the company is a subsidiary of PHILIPS). The huge difference in cost and similar operating parameters largely determine the choice of many domestic car owners. The cut-off line is clear; with the correct lamp settings and high-quality optics, the low beam will not dazzle oncoming traffic and will provide an excellent view of the road.
The manufacturer provides a guarantee for these lighting devices for a period of 12 months, but they last much longer. Their reliability is largely determined by the effective heat removal system, which is patented by the company and is the “feature” of this model. In addition, the design provides better protection from moisture and dust. It is at a high level and fully complies with the international standard for this type of equipment.
2 SHO-ME LH H7
User selection
Country: China
Average price: 1200 rub. (1 PC.)
Rating (2019): 4.7
Another bright representative of the Sho-Me company, whose advantages include reduced power with unchanged parameters of the emitted light. The LEDs in this kit are content with 30 W of energy per pair, but at the same time they produce a luminous flux (3000 Lm) of bright white color (temperature 5000 K). By the way, the glow efficiency of the lamps does not disappear throughout the entire service life, which is a decent 30 thousand hours.
Despite the Chinese origin of Sho-Me LH H7, the main element of the lamps - LEDs - were borrowed (read: purchased) from the American company CREE. The rest of the architecture of the kit is based on elements produced within the Chinese company itself (fans, cases, bases). Perhaps the only serious drawback of these light bulbs is the high cost - the mass consumer is not morally ready to part with such sums to purchase small items.
1 PHILIPS LED H7 X-treme Ultinon 6000K
Better light quality. High reliability
Country: Netherlands
Average price: 8150 rub. (2 pcs.)
Rating (2019): 5.0
Despite the record high cost of the PHILIPS LED H7 X-treme Ultinon LED lamp, it deservedly heads this rating category. Many tests carried out by various publications, as well as the experience of the owners of these automotive light sources, allow us to speak of these products as the most advanced and progressive solution for the night road. When installed in standard low-beam headlights with lenses, the PHILIPS LED H7 X-treme Ultinon lamp produces beautiful and powerful radiation with a cool white tint (6000 K at a brightness of 1750 lm) and clear cut-off separation. As a result, the view of the road at night is almost perfect, and there is no “exposure” to oncoming traffic.
The workmanship is the best on the market. For ease of installation in a car, it is possible to remove the radiator of the active lamp cooling system (when turned on, a miniature cooler starts up). In addition, many owners were pleasantly surprised by the thoughtfulness of the manufacturer - the kit includes 2 mini-boxes for old halogen lamps, which after replacement can be kept as a reserve. But there is no particular need for this - X-treme Ultinon have a service life of 30,000 hours and can easily withstand vibration loads from bad roads.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of high-quality light for vehicles. The task is not only correct selection devices in terms of brightness, more important nuances are considered to be proper distribution of radiation and a visually pleasing color temperature. The h7 low beam lamp appeared on the market quite a long time ago, but still remains the most popular in this area.
Structurally, these are single-filament type devices mounted in four car headlights, where a separate system of reflectors is provided for low and high beam. Basically, devices with an H7 base are used for low beam, less often - for DRLs, and for high range - the cheaper H1.
general information
The modern automotive industry offers customers a wide variety of lighting fixtures with an H7 socket. They may differ in design, parameters, production method, luminous flux, power and temperature.
Lamp with H7 socket - general view
For example, the standard power is considered to be 55 W, while cars are already being produced that are designed for increased potential. Although, use power above 55 W in real road conditions is a violation and is only permitted on designated roads or outside populated areas. Mount such sources in regular car impractical, they are not designed for such indicators, and accordingly, the power supply system will be constantly overloaded.
The following types of lamps with H7 base are distinguished:
- halogen;
- xenon;
- LED
VIDEO: How halogen low and high beam lamps work
Choosing a manufacturing company
The assortment has increased significantly over this time; this can confuse even an experienced car owner. To avoid getting into a similar situation, we suggest considering the TOP 5 - which h7 low beam lamps are the best. However, first you should study proven brands that have been in leading positions for a long time.
Osram
This brand has a century-old history and is considered one of the world's leading manufacturers of light bulbs. Osram products are supplied as original products to many vehicle factories. For example, if you purchase high-brightness h7 halogen car lamps from Renault, you can find indexing on the packaging from trademark Osram.
Lighting equipment is produced in two versions: with a standard power level and with increased transmission of luminous flux. One way or another, when purchasing any type, you can be completely confident in high quality and long service life of the product.
The Dutch monopoly association is known to most users technical equipment. One of the main divisions of the company is the production of the best h7 low beam lamps.
Philips lamps are supplied to factory assembly lines and the secondary automotive market. The company produces three main categories of lighting products: LED, halogen and h7 xenon lamps.
Bosch
A large German company that produces a wide range of various vehicle components - from spark plugs to engine management systems. The company also has a division that produces automotive lighting equipment.
Narva
One of the youngest lighting equipment manufacturers. However, this nuance does not negatively affect the level of product quality. The company began producing lighting products back in 1969. Every year, the company’s rating increased several dozen times, all thanks to the correct ratio of cost and quality of the product.
Koito
A Japanese company whose history dates back to 1915. During its work, it became an international leader in the production of automotive lighting. Today the company occupies more than 20% of the global auto optics market, both for the supply of automotive lamps to factory conveyors and in the auto parts and components markets.
Rating of halogen h7 for 2016-2017
The data is collected taking into account real operating parameters, tests and consumer reviews. Remember, when choosing the most optimal product for a particular car, you should take into account the comfort of other participants traffic. To overcome short distances, you should not use the brightest lights, just think about what it will be like for drivers from the oncoming lane. So, let's take a closer look at the best h7 light bulbs.
The h7 low beam lamp is in full compliance with the standards for correct flux distribution. The optics form an even cut-off line in the curb area, while the radiation directed at the oncoming lane is cut off. In addition, the product has several other advantages:
- The increase in power is more noticeable from the roadside area. The low beam beam N7 has an indicator of 30,000 Cd, the high beam - up to 16,500 Cd. For comparison, according to the requirements of state standards, this item must have a value of 10,100 Cd.
- The power of light radiation exceeds the specified standards - 1,500 Lm with standard parameters - 1,100 Lm.
- During operation, the product consumes up to 50 W. It is important to know here that this indicator was identified taking into account the declared increase of 90%.
Even the best halogen lamps are not without their disadvantages, which include, first of all, high cost and reduced service life.
During operation, headlight lamps confirm the technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer. The product produces a luminous flux with clear boundaries that fully complies with all standards.
- The +60% value is not a marketing gimmick, but the light beam significantly exceeds expectations - 1450 lm.
- Roadside illumination exceeds 13,000 cd when low beam is turned on. The long-range mode is capable of delivering a power of 27,000 Cd.
- The filament has a low temperature regime, this factor is confirmed by electricity consumption - 49 W with the standard indicator of classical lighting technology being 55 W.
The disadvantages include high cost and increased sensitivity to the perception of sudden voltage changes.
Based on user reviews, we can safely say that Bosh +90 lighting equipment has a long service life and good flow power.
- The correct distribution of beams and the clarity of the image are significantly higher than that of the competing company Osram.
- The light flux is 1,500 lm, however, the illumination of the right side of the road is inferior to the Osram Night Breaker Unlimited modification - 14,000 cd versus 16,000 for the distant view. The H7 low beam is completely similar.
- The device produces a bright beam of white light, which has a positive effect on the driver’s vision.
- Electricity consumption parameters do not exceed 49.4 W.
One drawback has been identified - the high cost even compared to models with similar technical characteristics.
An excellent option for equipping city vehicles that require low beams to be turned on regularly. Under the given operating conditions of the car, you don’t have to choose a product from a large assortment, which better options and feel free to stop at Narva Long Life.
- Low cost, availability.
- Long service life.
- Clear roadside lighting on the right side.
- Stable power of 49 W.
Minus - it is mostly used for installation in low beam headlights, since the main beam has a good focus only at a short distance.
Lighting engineering Japanese company received recognition in the Russian automotive market relatively recently. Users highlight modifications with high radiation output. The indicator fully complies with GOST and UNECE standards.
- The light flux is focused only in front, covering a small part of the roadside.
- All indicators related to electricity consumption fully comply with the declared parameters, which can be studied on the product packaging.
Flaws:
- Very bright illumination, which will cause great inconvenience to oncoming drivers.
- The radiation is enough even for passing motorists. Consumers often make a mistake to correct the beam range; they change the angle of the optics, which causes a sharp decrease in the degree of visibility.
- High level of luminous flux 1,150 lm, 20,000 cd on the right side, its distribution is incorrect.
User opinions differ radically; some praise the product for its performance, while others do not understand why the manufacturer did not equip the device with sufficient power to illuminate the roadside.
VIDEO: H7 lamp test - choosing the brightest one
