The last thing people want to worry about is their vehicle’s headlights. Automobiles have a lot of maintenance to deal with, and a quality set of headlight bulbs can reduce replacement intervals and improve performance. With the wrong H11 headlight bulbs, you can end up without sufficient visibility or end up blinding other drivers. For this reason, you need to choose your next set of H11 bulbs carefully.
So what is an H11 bulb? It’s a headlight bulb standard (type of bulb shape and housing) that fits on specific car models. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your halogen headlights, or just need to replace a burnt-out standard set, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn about H11 bulbs and what you need to consider when shopping for a set. We did the research and compiled a list of our ten favorite H11 bulbs.
Features to Consider When Shopping for H11 Bulbs
Shopping for H11 bulbs is more complicated than it seems. There are a lot of different H11 bulbs available, which makes choosing the right one difficult. There are a few variations you need to be aware of, so we’re going to take you through a handful of critical aspects of H11 bulbs.
Type of H11 Bulb
H11 bulbs are referred to as H11 because of their standard size and housing. These are bulbs that can be used as high beams, low beams, and fog lights. While H11 bulbs are designed to fit the same applications, there are three different types: halogen, LED, and HID.
Halogen
Halogen H11 bulbs are typically found in mid-range vehicles produced in factories. These bulbs became popular in the 1960s because they last for over 1,000 hours without burning out. Halogen lights are dimmer than LED and HID lights, and they’re more fragile. The glass needs to be handled with care, and halogen bulbs need to be changed roughly every two years.
While halogen H11 bulbs come stock in most vehicles, you can get high-quality aftermarket bulbs too. Because halogen bulbs are less bright and don’t last as long as LED or HID bulbs, you can get a two-pack for a fraction of the price. H11 halogen bulbs are also compatible with most vehicles that use halogen lights already, so you won’t need to make changes to your vehicle’s computer.
HID
HID H11 bulbs are the brightest products you can find. These lights are known for causing glare and being powerfully bright, which can blind other drivers. For this reason, automakers don’t typically install HID lights stock. In fact, it’s challenging to find a high-quality HID H11 bulb. Still, for people that live in rural areas, HID bulbs are worth it. They provide enough light to see for 200+ meters in total darkness.
LED
LED H11 bulbs are the most common aftermarket H11 bulbs you’ll come across. While there is a wide variety in pricing, the bulbs are more expensive than HID and halogen lights because they produce more light. These lights have upwards of 8,000-12,000 and last 30,000 hours, on average.
LED H11 bulbs also give your vehicle a unique look. The color of the lights can be blue or white, depending on how hot they are. On sports cars, this can give your vehicle an aggressive appearance you miss out on if you choose HID or halogen lights.
Lumens
Every H11 bulb has a different degree of brightness. The brightness of a light bulb is measured in lumens, which refers to the total amount of visible light emitted by a source. The average automotive headlight is rated at 700 lumens on low beams and 1,200 lumens for high beams. So, you’ll want to shop for lights brighter than 1,200 lumens, or you’re back where you started with stock lights.
Still, especially in urban environments, you don’t want your headlights to be too bright. While some products offer more than 10,000 lumens, we recommend avoiding them unless you live in a rural area without much light. Lights with a lot of lumens are great for lighting up roads, but they can be dangerous to other drivers.
Temperature
The temperature of H11 bulbs is measured in Kelvin. For example, an H11 bulb producing 3,000K is yellow, while an H11 bulb making 6,500K is closer to blue. Most halogen lights are yellow, while most HID and LED lights produce blue or white colors. Higher temperature bulbs produce ‘clearer’ light but aren’t as effective in dusty or foggy environ
Price
H11 bulbs are similar in price, but there are a few exceptions. H11 bulbs made with premium aviation-grade aluminum are more expensive than H11 bulbs with comparable performance to factory-made headlights. After reviewing each of the products, we’ve grouped them into one of three categories:
$: Around $20
$$: Around $35
$$$: Around $50
Once you know what to look for, finding the right H11 bulbs is straightforward. So, we’re going to take you through the ten best H11 bulbs and offer shopping tips along the way.
Top 10 Best H11 Bulbs 2020
1. Best Overall H11 Bulbs: Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Type: LED
- Lumens: 10,000
- Temperature: 6,500K
The Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs are built well and easy to work with. They feature a plug-and-play design that makes installation a breeze. Simply disconnect your vehicle’s stock headlight bulbs and replace them with these bright LED bulbs. Depending on your vehicle, installation can be done in as little as ten minutes in your driveway. These H11 bulbs are also compatible with H9 and H8 housings.
The Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs are also durable. They’re made with an aviation-grade aluminum housing that’s great at heat dissipation, and it features a 12,000 RPM silent turbofan that keeps the bulbs cool. While they’re 300% brighter than typical stock headlights, they also last for up to 50,000 hours.
What Sets it Apart
The Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs are unique because of the 360° adjustable locker ring. LED headlights are bright, which can be dangerous for other drivers. Fahren uses a 360° adjustable locker ring to make sure that the beam is lower to the road and out of other driver’s faces. The lights can accomplish this while providing a viewing range of 200 meters, which is no easy feat.
Things to Consider
The Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs are great, but they’re only one beam. This means that, depending on your vehicle, they’ll function as low or high beams. While the lights are potentially bright enough to eliminate the need for high beams, some drivers prefer having a brighter option.
If you like the quality and brightness of these H11 bulbs, but need high and low beams, the BEAMTECH H11 LED Headlight Bulb is a great alternative. It’s made with similar aviation-grade material but offers more than one beam.
Who It’s For
Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs are for drivers that need bright LED lights and aren’t concerned with high beams. These lights are well-rounded and offer plenty of brightness and high-quality materials. While they’re more expensive than other products, they’re affordable enough to fit most budgets. You’ll always have the light you need without having to flip between low and high beams.
Pros
- 12,000RPM Turbo fan for cooling
- Aviation-grade aluminum
- 360° adjustable locker ring
- 200-meter range
- 50,000-mile lifespan
Cons
- Only one beam
2. Best Premium H11 Bulbs: NINEO H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$$
- Type: LED
- Lumens: 12,000
- Temperature: 6,500K
NINEO H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are impressive. These H11 bulbs are made with premium aviation-grade aluminum and use multi-core electric technology. This technology makes each bulb strong enough to penetrate darkness as far as 200 meters. The beam that these lights create is also thick enough to give you a great vision of your peripherals, even in dense fog.
The NINEO H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are also made with an adjustable 360° mounting bracket, which makes them compatible with 99% of vehicles on the road. These H11 bulbs are also cooled by a 10,000RPM mute fan, which uses a dual-bearing design for increased longevity.
What Sets it Apart
NINEO H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are unique because of the premium technology they use. While other H11 bulbs last between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, these bulbs have a lifespan of 55,000-hours. Every component is made with care, and while they use a lot of different technology, they’re still easy to install. These H11 bulbs are premium by all standards.
Things to Consider
NINEO H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are great, but they’re expensive. They’re worth the money, but you can find H11 bulbs of similar quality for a better price. One example is the Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs. These bulbs use similar technology, and they’re almost as bright with a similar 200-meter range.
Who It’s For
NINEO H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are for shoppers looking for a premium product. If you want the best H11 bulbs you can find, this product is the right choice. They last longer than other H11 bulbs, and they’re easier to install and have impressive technology.
Pros
- Aviation-grade aluminum
- Mute dual-bearing fan
- 55,000-hour lifespan
- Wide beam range, up to 150 meters
Cons
- High price
- Too bright for urban areas
3. Best Fanless H11 Bulbs: BEAMTECH H11 LED Headlight Bulb
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Type: LED
- Lumens: 8,000
- Temperature: 6,500K
The BEAMTECH H11 LED Headlight Bulb is a high-quality product that’s made with premium materials. The housing is made with aviation-grade aluminum that’s designed to dissipate heat. This prevents the housing from melting if the temperature is too hot. While the bulb doesn’t come with a fan, rubber grooves flush heat away from the housing using convection.
The BEAMTECH H11 LED Headlight Bulb also has a long lifespan. Traditional halogen bulbs last around 2,000 hours, but these bulbs are rated for over 30,000 hours. This increases the time between needing a replacement, saving you money in the long-run.
What Sets it Apart
The BEAMTECH H11 LED Headlight Bulb is unique because it doesn’t use a fan to keep the bulbs cool. Fans are a great way to keep light bulbs from overheating, but they can end up failing, which leads to bulbs overheating and breaking. The rubber grooves are an innovative way to dissipate heat without putting a strain on your vehicle or damaging the lights.
Things to Consider
The BEAMTECH H11 LED Headlight Bulb is a great choice, but it’s not as bright as other products. While 8,000 lumens is a great place to start, other bulbs can reach 10,000-12,000 lumens. For some, these bulbs might not be bright enough compared with stock halogen bulbs.
If you like the design and style of these bulbs, but need brighter lights, the Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs are a great alternative. They’re made with similar aviation-grade material but boast an additional 2,000 lumens.
Who It’s For
The BEAMTECH H11 LED Headlight Bulb is an excellent product for people that don’t want to worry about complications. With the lack of a fan, there is no need to worry about other components failing before the lights do. Once you install these H11 bulbs, you won’t have to worry about them for years.
Pros
- Doesn’t rely on a fan to cool the bulbs
- Aviation-grade aluminum
- Not bright enough to blind other drivers
Cons
- Not as bright as other LED H11 bulbs
4. Best Budget H11 Bulbs: Philips H11 Standard Halogen Headlight Bulb
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: Halogen
- Lumens: 2,000
- Temperature: N/A
The Philips H11 Standard Halogen Headlight Bulb is as close to OEM as it gets. These halogen bulbs are designed to act as replacements for your stock headlights and perform as such. The lumens are also similar to stock headlights in terms of brightness as well, so you don’t need to worry about blinding other drivers.
While the Philips H11 Standard Halogen Headlight Bulb is an essential product, Philips didn’t cut any corners. The bulbs are secured in aviation-grade aluminum housings that keep them from getting damaged, and they’re simple to install. With these bulbs, you don’t need to worry about additional wires or headlight decoders.
What Sets it Apart
The Philips H11 Standard Halogen Headlight Bulb is unique because of the price. Most H11 bulbs are expensive, especially if you’re looking for premium bulbs. Philips offers a budget option for shoppers looking to replace their original bulbs. There are no over-the-top features, and for some, simple is better.
Things to Consider
The Philips H11 Standard Halogen Headlight Bulb is a good budget product, but it pales in comparison to premium H11 bulbs. The brightness is low, closer to OEM, and they only last a few thousand hours. They’re great as replacements but nothing more.
If you’re looking to replace your OEM bulbs with something better, the Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs is a great choice. They’ll cost you more money, but they last longer and produce more light.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking to save money and only need to replace your headlight bulbs, this product is a great choice. These bulbs won’t blow you out of the water, but they’ll perform as well as your stock headlights.
Pros
- Performs like OEM headlight bulbs
- Simple to install
- Inexpensive
Cons
- They don’t last as long as HID or LED bulbs
- They’re not as bright as LED or HID bulbs
5. SEALIGHT Scoparc S1 H11/H8/H9 Headlight Bulbs
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Type: LED
- Lumens: 6,000
- Temperature: 6,000K
SEALIGHT Scoparc S1 H11/H8/H9 Headlight Bulbs are durable and efficient. They’re made with high-quality aluminum that’s great for dissipating heat. While the aluminum is strong enough to handle high temperatures, these bulbs come with smart-cooling that leverages heat sinks to keep excess heat away from the lights. This technology helps the bulbs last for around 30,000 hours without needing a fan.
The SEALIGHT Scoparc S1 H11/H8/H9 Headlight Bulbs are also not too bright. Most LED lights come with 8,000+ lumens, but these lights show you a clear path at night without blinding other drivers. They also have an impressive range of about 200 meters and have a white color thanks to their high color temperature of 6000k.
What Sets it Apart
SEALIGHT Scoparc S1 H11/H8/H9 Headlight Bulbs are unique because they have excellent beam density and a lucid white color. Beam density refers to how well a beam holds up in different weather conditions. The beam density in these bulbs is rated for thick fog, rain, snow, hail, and other inclement weather conditions.
The white color is unique because most ultra-bright LED lights use too much heat, resulting in blue colors. If you have a vehicle with black paint, or if you like the color white, these H11 bulbs can enhance the appearance of your vehicle.
Things to Consider
The SEALIGHT Scoparc S1 H11/H8/H9 Headlight Bulbs are excellent for most applications, but they’re only slightly brighter than OEM halogen lights. While this is great for other drivers on the road, you’ll run into trouble in total darkness on back roads.
If you need brighter LED H11 bulbs, the NINEO H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are a great alternative. With 12,000 lumens of light, you’ll never have to worry about being unable to see the road ahead.
Who It’s For
SEALIGHT Scoparc S1 H11/H8/H9 Headlight Bulbs are great for anyone that wants LED lights in a metropolitan area. The LED lights are bright, but they won’t blind other drivers.
Pros
- 30,000-hour lifespan
- Not too bright
- Fanless cooling
- 200-meter range
- Great beam density and light temperature
Cons
- Not much brighter than OEM lights
6. Cougar Motor LED Headlight Bulbs
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Type: LED
- Lumens: 10,000
- Temperature: 6,000K
Cougar Motor LED Headlight Bulbs are a well-rounded workhorse option that comes with a lot of premium features. First and foremost, they boast an impressive 10,000 lumens while only generating 6,000K of heat. That’s a lot of light to produce without generating significant levels of heat. Plus, they include a 10,000RPM fan to keep the bulbs cool.
While the fan and brightness are great, this product is also made with premium materials. Cougar Motor makes use of aviation-grade aluminum to ensure the bulbs don’t break within their housing. These bulbs are also 100% waterproof and rated for use in extreme climates.
What Sets it Apart
Cougar Motor LED Headlight Bulbs are unique because of the energy they save. Most bulbs that produce over 10,000 lumens use a lot of wattage, typically upwards of 40 watts per bulb. It’s impressive that Cougar Motor was able to reduce the wattage in their LED bulbs without compromising their brightness. This makes the lights less of a burden on your vehicle’s alternator, battery, and fuse box.
Things to Consider
The Cougar Motor LED Headlight Bulbs are great for multiple applications, but the fan can get annoying. While the fan works well and doesn’t break easily, it generates more noise than other H11 bulbs that use fans. Plus, based on reviews, the fan makes more noise over time.
If you like everything about these bulbs, except for the noisy fan, the Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs are a great alternative. They’re almost identical, but the Fahren fan uses silent technology to reduce noise.
Who It’s For
Cougar Motor LED Headlight Bulbs are great for anyone that has a lot of aftermarket work done to their vehicle. Your fuse box can only handle so much before blowing fuses, so these low wattage bulbs are a great way to keep energy consumption to a minimum.
Pros
- High lumens with low wattage output
- Durable, high-performance cooling fan
- Not too bright
Cons
- The cooling fan is noisy
7. HIKARI H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Type: LED
- Lumens: 10,000
- Temperature: 6,000K
HIKARI H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs are durable and made with premium materials. The housing is made with aviation-grade aluminum, and there is a dual-turbo 10,000RPM fan to keep the bulbs cool. While the lights are bright, this product comes with a 360° adjustable beam pattern that makes it compatible with almost 100% of vehicles that use H-style housings.
The HIKARI H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs are also easy to install. The parts are compatible with most vehicles, so it’s a plug-and-play product. You can get the installation done in your driveway in about ten minutes, depending on the vehicle. These bulbs also last 50,000 hours, which is longer than most LED lights around, and their warranty lasts two years.
What Sets it Apart
HIKARI H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs are unique because they’re compatible with almost every vehicle. The adjustable beam ring makes it compatible in Dodge, Ford, Chevy, Honda, and GMC. For older vehicles or of a unique made and model, most of the parts that come in this set are DIY. So, you can make variations to the housing to make the bulbs compatible with other vehicles.
Things to Consider
HIKARI H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs are great for anyone that needs new headlights, but they’re too bright for some situations. For example, if you live in a crowded metropolitan area, 10,000 lumens is too bright. Not only will it make it difficult for you to see, but it puts other drivers in danger.
If you live in a metropolitan area and need dimmer headlights, the SEALIGHT Scoparc S1 H11/H8/H9 Headlight Bulbs are a great choice. They’re made with similar quality but have fewer lumens.
Who It’s For
HIKARI H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs are for shoppers that need a reliable H11 bulb that can fit most vehicles. Working on cars is a hassle, and when things go wrong, it’s frustrating. With the adjustable 360° beam pattern, you’ll be able to make these bulbs fit 99.9% of vehicles on the road. If you don’t want to worry about checking your make, model, and bulb size, this product is an excellent choice.
Pros
- Adjustable 360° beam pattern
- Fits 99.9% of vehicles
- 2-year warranty
- Dual-turbo fan for cooling
Cons
- Too bright for metropolitan areas
- A dual-turbo fan can fail, which leads to the bulbs burning out
8. Best Halogen H11 Bulbs: Sylvania H11 XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: Halogen
- Lumens: 1,700
- Temperature: 3,000K
The Sylvania H11 XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb comes in a pack of two. These H11 bulbs are designed to replace your stock halogen headlights. The H11 bulbs are also halogen bulbs, making them easy to replace and compatible with most vehicles. Also, because they’re halogen lights, you don’t need to worry about blinding other drivers on the road.
The Sylvania H11 XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb is also made with aviation-grade aluminum to keep the bulbs safe in their housing. There are no fancy features, like a cooling fan, because the bulbs don’t reach high enough temperatures to need one. These are simple halogen H11 bulbs.
What Sets it Apart
Sylvania H11 XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb is unique because of its simplicity and affordability. While the bulbs are inexpensive, they’re made with premium features like robust filament and durable glass. For the price, they’re a simple replacement bulb that performs better than OEM halogen headlights.
Things to Consider
Halogen lights all suffer from the same drawbacks. For example, halogen lights don’t last as long as HID or LED bulbs. Halogen lights are also not as bright as HID or LED bulbs. Still, they’re more adorable, and you don’t need to worry about blinding other drivers with halogen bulbs.
If you’re looking for brighter replacement bulbs, the Cougar Motor LED Headlight Bulbs are a great alternative. These bulbs offer double the brightness.
Who It’s For
The Sylvania H11 XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb is for shoppers that need a reliable replacement Headlight bulb. If you’re not looking for anything fancy or expensive, this product is a great choice. It won’t blow you away, but they’re higher in quality than most OEM headlights.
Pros
- Won’t blind other drivers
- Made with aviation-grade aluminum
- No cooling fan or fancy features
- Easy installation
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not as bright as LED and HID bulbs
- Shorter lifespan than LED and HID bulbs
9. Best H11 Bulbs for Fog Lights: Alla Lighting H11 LED Fog Light Bulbs
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: LED
- Lumens: 2,800
- Temperature: 6,000K
Alla Lighting H11 LED Fog Light Bulbs are designed to fit most fog light housings. Fog lights are located underneath your headlights and shine light through fog to alert other drivers. For this reason, upgrading stock halogen fog lights to bright LED fog lights is a great idea.
The Alla Lighting H11 LED Fog Light Bulbs are made well and feature aviation-grade aluminum. While the housings are robust, the bulbs are simple to install. There are no additional wires, so all you need to do is plug-and-play. They also come with an intelligent IC chip and a 1-year warranty.
What Sets it Apart
Alla Lighting H11 LED Fog Light Bulbs are unique because they’re specifically designed for fog lights. Instead of being as bright as headlights, they’re dim enough to not blind other drivers on the road. Overall, they’re an excellent replacement for your standard lights.
Things to Consider
The Alla Lighting H11 LED Fog Light Bulbs to perform as advertised, but they’re for fog light housings. Unfortunately, you can’t use these lights as headlights. Even if you did, they wouldn’t be bright enough.
If you need H11 bulbs for your headlights, any product like the Sylvania H11 XtraVisison Halogen Headlight Bulb is a great alternative.
Who It’s For
Alla Lighting H11 LED Fog Light Bulbs are for shoppers that need to replace their fog lights. They’ll perform better in foggy conditions and enhance the style of your vehicle, especially if your fog lights are yellow.
Pros
- Great for fog lights
- Helps other drivers see you in the fog
- 1-year warranty
- Intelligent IC chip
Cons
- Only suitable for fog lights
10. Best H11 Bulbs for Rural Areas: Auxito H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Type: LED
- Lumens: 12,000
- Temperature: 6,500K
Auxito H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs give off a white light that chops through the night. The white light is also great for fog, snow, rain, and other conditions. Plus, it can enhance the aggressive appearance of a sports car or truck. The white light is brighter than most H11 bulbs you can find, but they line-up with stock halogen headlights. So, the beam is in the same place, which means other drivers won’t get blinded by the light.
Auxito H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are also made well. The housing is made out of durable aluminum and includes a high-speed fan to dissipate excess heat. This gives the bulbs a long lifespan of 30,000 hours before burning out. These bulbs are also easy to install because there are no additional wires; it’s all one unit.
What Sets it Apart
Auxito H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are unique because they come with built-in intelligent IC drives. When installing aftermarket H11 bulbs, your car’s computer can get thrown off. Auxito uses the IC drives to keep electromagnetic interference to a minimum, and it solves most computer problems that plague other H11 aftermarket bulbs. For most vehicles, you won’t need an additional headlight decoder.
Things to Consider
Auxito H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are great, but they’re too bright. Whereas 8,000 to 10,000 lumens is acceptable, 12,000 is pushing it. Even if the beams are in-line with where the stock headlights used to be, if someone catches a glimpse of your lights, it can be dangerous. Twelve thousand lumens will help you see, sure, but it’s dangerous for other drivers on the road.
If you like the style of these H11 bulbs but need a little less brightness, the HIKARI H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs are a great choice. They’re not as bright and won’t blind other drivers.
Who It’s For
If you live in a densely wooded area, or somewhere remote without streetlights, the Auxito H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs are a great choice. They’re brighter than most H11 bulbs you can find, so you’ll be able to see in absolute darkness. Still, if you’ll be around other vehicles often, we recommend getting H11 bulbs that are less bright.
Pros
- Great for remote and dark areas
- Intelligent IC drive increases compatibility with modern computers
- Plug-and-play design, no additional wires
- 30,000-hour lifespan
Cons
- Too bright for urban and suburban driving
Everything you Need to Know About H11 Bulbs
[Image: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/car-headlights-run-through-flood-water-1388476514 alt text: Headlight in the rain]
Shopping for H11 bulbs is a breeze when you have the ten best products in front of you. Still, you should shop based on your needs. Narrow down your options based on the factors below.
Getting Started
Before we get into specific locations and situations, it’s essential to determine the type of H11 bulb you need. There are halogen, HID, and LED lights to choose from.
Halogen
Halogen H11 bulbs are basic but serve a purpose. They come stock on most cars and trucks. They’re not fantastically bright, but get the job done. This makes them useless during the day and average at night. While halogen bulbs are basic, they’re inexpensive and compatible with most vehicles. This means you won’t need a headlight decoder if you replace your stock halogen lights with an aftermarket set.
If you’re looking for an affordable halogen replacement, the Philips H11 Standard Halogen Headlight Bulb is a great choice. It’s budget-friendly and performs as well as stock halogen bulbs.
If you like the style and performance of halogen lights, but are looking for an upgrade, the Sylvania H11 XtraVision Halogen Headlight Bulb is a great choice. It performs better than average halogen bulbs and has a longer lifespan.
LED
For many shoppers, LED lights are the cream of the crop. These lights boast impressive levels of brightness, and they’re versatile enough to be used as fog lights, headlights, and high beams. LED bulbs also last, on average about 30,000 hours. While LED lights are well-rounded, they’re more expensive than halogen lights.
If you’re looking to upgrade to LED lights, Fahren H11/H9/H8 Headlight Bulbs are a great place to start. They have an average price tag but come with premium features like aviation-grade aluminum, a 12,000RPM cooling fan, and heat sinks.
How Location Plays a Role
Knowing what type of H11 bulb you need is a great place to start, but location is everything. Depending on where you live, your headlight needs vary. So, we’re going to take you through the three common living areas and break down the H11 bulbs that work best for each one.
Urban Areas
We’ll start with urban areas. Urban areas are filled with people, cars, lights, and buildings. In densely populated areas, the need for bright headlights diminishes. If you live in a city, you don’t need to worry about having the brightest lights, so under 10,000 lumens is acceptable.
If you live in an urban area, the SEALIGHT Scoparc S1 H11/H8/H9 Headlight Bulbs are a great choice. They’re premium LED lights that aren’t bright enough to blind pedestrians or other drivers.
While LED lights work well in urban areas, so do halogen lights. If you’re looking for a cheap replacement, and you live in the city, the Philips H11 Standard Halogen Headlight Bulb is a great product. The bulbs are cheap, easy to install, and won’t blind your neighbors.
Rural Areas
Rural areas have a lot of open roads, woods, wilderness, and wildlife. There is little to no light pollution, and street lights are uncommon. This makes rural areas challenging to drive through at night because it’s hard to see the road. Plus, if there is a hazard on the road, you might not see it until it’s too late.
If you live in a rural area, you need LED H11 bulbs. Not just any LED bulb, but the Auxito H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs. This Auxito H11 bulb is bright enough to give you 200 meters of vision. In a rural area, that’s ideal.
Suburban Areas
The suburbs are right in-between rural and urban areas. The suburbs lack tall buildings and crowded street corners, but there are still plenty of lights, people, towns, and well-lit roads. Still, some suburban towns are darker than others, so having a good set of LED H11 bulbs is ideal.
For suburban driving, our favorite H11 bulbs are the HIKARI H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs. These bulbs fit 99.9% of vehicles, and they’re bright enough to light up the neighborhood without blinding the neighbors.
How to Replace Your Vehicle’s Headlights
Finding the best H11 bulb is only half of the battle. Replacing your headlights seems like a challenge, but if you know what you’re doing, for most vehicles, it will only take you about ten minutes. So, we’re going to show you how to replace your stock headlights with aftermarket H11 bulbs in five easy steps.
Step 1
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure there is no power running through your vehicle. To do so, turn the engine off and make sure your keys aren’t in the ignition. If you leave your keys in the ignition (even if your headlights are off), in modern vehicles, at least, some headlight systems will remain on.
Step 2
Once you know your vehicle is off, pop open the hood and familiarize yourself with the engine bay. We recommend taking a look at your vehicle’s owner’s manual to identify the tools you’ll need to complete the job. The owner’s manual can also show you where the hood release pin, lever, or button is.
Tools aside, you’ll also want to locate the housing for your headlights. For most vehicles, this will require you to remove the front bumper. Luckily, most bumpers and grilles can be removed with a 10mm socket and ratchet.
Step 3
Next, you’ll want to disconnect the wires that run from your battery to the headlights. Typically, three wires are connected to a harness. To remove the cables, and harness, simply push the clips in and gently pull the lights out.
Step 4
Once you have the harness disconnected, it’s just you and the bulbs. While every vehicle is different, most headlights can be removed by unscrewing them. If your bulbs are stock, we recommend using pliers or a vice grip. You want to be careful here because if you break anything, you’ll need a new harness. Use a pair of gloves here as the threads can produce sharp metal filings.
Step 5
The final step is screwing your H11 bulbs into place. This is straightforward, but there are a few precautions you need to take before you do so. Be careful not to contaminate the bulbs with dirt and oil, as they can cause lights to overheat and burst.
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FAQ
[Image: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/h11-led-bulbs-1364763701 alt text: Yellow H11 bulb]
What Vehicles use H11 Bulbs?
H11 bulbs are single-beam bulbs that many modern vehicles use. Even if your vehicle didn’t come with H11 bulbs, there is a good chance it came with H8 or H9 harnesses. The good news is that many vehicles with ‘H’ style bulb threading can accommodate H11 bulbs; just be sure to look up your make and model before choosing a bulb size.
Can H11 Bulbs be Used in any Weather?
Yes, H11 bulbs can be used in most weather conditions. Halogen, LED, and HID lights are all safe to use in the rain, snow, fog, and extreme temperatures. Still, some lights are better than others for specific situations. For example, LED lights perform better in the rain, and HID lights are the best at night.
Do H11 Bulbs Turn Yellow?
The color of your H11 bulb depends on the temperature output of the bulb. If a bulb drops below 3,000K, it will begin to take on a yellow color. If you have halogen lights, this is normal but LED and HID lights will not fade in temperature color over time and thus should never be yellow.
What Headlights Blind Other Drivers?
While LED lights are bright, they’re safer than halogen and HID lights. LED bulbs are bright, but you can control the beam density and position of the light to keep other drivers safe. With HID lights, though, more glare is created, and it’s difficult to control how light overflows beyond the beam.
Wrapping Up
Nobody wants to replace their headlights; we get that. Still, at some point, it’s a chore you’ll have to do. Knowing everything you can about H11 bulbs makes it easy to find the set you need when that dreaded time comes. Plus, when you have the ten best H11 bulbs in front of you, shopping becomes nearly hassle-free.
Source: Tools - autoquarterly.com
