Headlamp bulbs
We reveal the brightest and the longest life bulbs on the market.
Basic bulb design dates back to the Sixties, but makers continually push the technology, and some claim to deliver 100 per cent more light just where the driver needs it compared to standard versions. We took 25 double filament H4 bulbs into the light tunnel to find our shining star, and you can read our full tests here. Our award winners are below.
Our winner
Osram Night Breaker Plus
Price: £23.99 a pair
Contact: www.osram.co.uk
Revamped Night Breaker, with improved lifetime, narrowly took the win from arch-rival Philips. It claims 90 per cent more light, and was particularly impressive at the critical 75-metre mark. Excellent performance at a competitive price.
Commended
Philips EcoVision
Price: £14.99 a pair
Contact: www.lighting.philips.co.uk
Philips has used the latest technology to deliver twice the lifetime of standard bulbs, and with reduced power consumption to improve fuel economy. The EcoVision also claims to put out 20 per cent more light, easily outperforming long-life and standard rivals.
Osram Silverstar
Price: £14.99 a pair
Contact: www.osram.co.uk
Another success for Osram in the popular up to 60 per cent category. Although the Silverstar bulbs promise only 50 per cent more light, it was enough to trump rivals in the tunnel, thanks to ultra-impressive consistency between our test samples. Top performance on a budget.
