What is the difference between xenon and led headlights

Modern Halogen headlights do a good enough job for normal driving situations, but Bi-Xenon lights are much better, while LED headlights are the best. If you ever wondered what is the difference between the available headlights, here's a very short and convincing test, comparing Halogen, Bi-Xenon and LED lights.

As the tester explains, this is rather due to US regulations. LED lights can go much further than the Lux registered in this test. But this is not all. When you choose a car, try finding out if it has a cornering function that lights up corners, an automatic switch from high to low beam, as well as a system to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. Home Car News Car comparison. Xenon vs. LED vs. LED headlights are better than halogen and xenon HID headlights because they last longer, are more energy efficient and can produce a brighter, better quality beam of light.

Until recently, xenon HID bulbs were a popular option when buying a new car or as an upgrade among car enthusiasts. But with LED upgrade kits dropping in price every year, soon they will be the best option if you want to upgrade your headlights. Xenon headlight bulbs are an example of arc lamps , that are different to halogen bulbs in how they create a beam of light. Instead of using halogen gas with a heated tungsten filament, xenon bulbs use electrodes at either end of a glass tube that is filled with xenon gas.

When a high voltage is applied to the electrodes the xenon gas becomes ionized , spiting into positive ions and negative electrodes. As these particles crash off each other, light is emitted , creating a beam of light.

They consist of a glass tube that contains xenon gas and they have electrodes at either end that produce the electrical current. The electrodes are usually only around 2mm apart, and there must be a ballast fitted to the back of the bulb to create the initial high voltage that is necessary to create the initial arc in the lamp. They create a much brighter whiter light than halogen bulbs and are also available in different color temperatures, from blue to bright white.

Over time, xenon bulbs will start to burn at lower temperatures as the xenon gas produces less electrodes. This is usually the first sign of the bulbs starting to wear out before they eventually fail. Until recently, they have really only been used in low beam car lighting such as number plate lights, brake lights and turn signal lights. They are also now fitted as standard on many cars as daytime running lights.

However, many premium car manufacturers are now starting to be use LED technology in their headlights, joining Audi who have offered them as an option on the A8 since LED, or luminescence diode bulbs, produce light in an entirely different way to xenon and halogen bulbs. Instead LED bulbs use multiple light emitting diodes to create a beam of light.

An LED chip that is used in an LED headlight bulb is made up of multiple layers of silicone based semi-conductive material.

When an electrical current is passed through one layer to the other in a particular direction, a light particle is released. This process is then repeated on a larger scale to produce a headlight beam. When it comes to the use of LEDs in headlights, manufacturers generally use multiple LED bulbs to create the desired lighting effect, rather than using just one bulb.

Multiple LEDs can be used within the headlight enclosure for side lights, high beam, low beam and daytime running lights. Overall, LEDs are the best option when it comes to headlight technology. They are energy efficient, can produce very bright beams and last much longer than any other type of bulb. Aftermarket Xenon HID conversion kits are widely available for many vehicles.