Headlamp bulbs

Seeing is believing when it comes to headlamp bulbs which can be the difference between having an accident and avoiding one. Every year makers claim ever more light on the road just where the driver wants it but which are the ones to lighten your darkeness. We powered up 30 in the light tunnel (here) to decide. Here are our winners.
 
Winner
Philips X-treme Power
Contact: 01293 776774 www.philips.com
Price: £27.95 a pair
Rivals may boast of putting more light on the road but in the light tunnel Philips plus 80 per cent bulb still ruled in out test of H7 bulbs. That extra light 75 metres up the road just where drivers need it is down to a super bright filament and clever engineering to ensure it is not achieved at the expense of lifetime. Simply brilliant.
 
Commended
Philips VisionPlus
Contact: 01293 776774 www.philips.com
Price: £24.95
Another win for the Dutch multi-national this time in the plus 50 per cent category proving that when it comes to producing H7 bulbs it shows rivals the way. Its beam rating put bulbs boasting considerably more light on the road in the shade. Top quality.
 
Ring Autobulbs
Contact: 0113 213 2000 www.ringautomotive.co.uk
Price: £13.98
There’s a hefty premium to pay for performance bulbs so if you can stretch to a pair of Philips finest these KX-made bulbs from Ring provide a good alternative among standard bulbs. Their beam rating puts them just shy of those promising plus 30 per cent more light and at a reasonable price.