11 Best Light Bulbs For Bathroom Vanity In 2024
Specialty: Home designExperience: 7 yearsIlia Mundut is an expert in home design. He owns a home decor website Heftyberry, looking to disrupt the industry, competing with major brands. Currently based in Redwood City, California, he holds a master's degree in Finance from MSU. The online entrepreneur has several years of experience, having built and managed multiple successful businesses.
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sakshi john wedetso chirhah pratibha bagdy Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University and has qualified UGC-NET. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.
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In This Article
We use our bathroom mirrors first thing in the morning and throughout the day. And when applying makeup or ointments, shaving, removing blackheads, or styling hair, the bathroom mirror is our first go-to place. Thus, it makes sense to install the best light bulbs for bathroom vanity so that you can use the bathroom mirror efficiently.
Moreover, bright and warm lights can lift your mood and help reduce fatigue. You might have various bathroom vanity lighting ideas, but choosing the right vanity bulb to match your idea can be challenging. To ease your job, we have listed some high-quality lighting options that are durable, energy-efficient, and stylish. So, keep scrolling and choose one that meets your needs
Top Picks
11 Best Light Bulbs For Bathroom Vanity
1. Best Easy-To-Install: Shinestar Vanity Light Bulbs For Bathroom
With no mercury or lead, this Shinestar vanity light bulb is safe and is suitable for accent lighting. This quality-tested bulb provides double the brightness with 600 lumens and emits a 5000K soft glow. It requires less maintenance than a tungsten bulb and can emit light for up to 30,000 hours, making it a reliable light source. In addition, the bathroom mirror light comes in a G25 shape, making it suitable for makeup mirrors, vanity mirrors, and pendant lights. The easy-to-install lights are noise- and flicker-free and compatible with the E26 screw base.
"These LED bulbs are simply the best! They brighten up my makeup table without heating up or making me feel uncomfortable. I like that they are long-lasting and help me even out my makeup look. I think they are great for daily use."
2. Best Shock-Resistant:Sunco Lighting LED Light Bulbs
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 6,059 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
This high-performing LED light bulb is shock-resistant and flicker-free. It has a 25,000-hour lifespan and an E26 base. At 450 lumens, the brightness of this tried-and-tested bulb is unsurpassed. However, if bright lights bother you, don’t worry, it also has a dimming option. Measuring at 4.46-inches in height and 3.16-inches in diameter, this bulb is the ideal size for vanities. It helps with energy cost saving and runs at 6 watts of energy.
Did you know?3. Best Energy-Efficient:Aooshine G25 LED Bulb
This bulb from Aooshine hits this list as a result of its incredible features like its 500-lumens and 2700k color temperature. It is energy-saving and efficient and quite a versatile bulb as it is suitable for both domestic and commercial settings. It boasts a 50,000-hour lifespan, is eco-friendly and does not contain mercury or any UV/IR light. This time-tested bulb has a E26/E27 base and a 50W shock-resistant capacity, and an instant starting time of less than 0.5 seconds. However, the light bulb is not dimmable.
Shinestar Vanity Light Bulbs For Bathroom Best Easy-To-Install | Sunco Lighting LED Light Bulbs Best Shock-Resistant | Aooshine G25 LED Bulb Best Energy-Efficient | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 6 watts | 6 Watts | 6 watts |
| Color | 5000k Daylight | 5000k Daylight | Warm White |
| Dimensions | 3.15 x 3.15 x 4.49 inches | 4.46 x 3.15 x 4.46 inches | 1.96 x 1.96 x 3.93 inches |
| Weight | 15.5 ounces | - | 1.13 ounces |
| Material | Aluminum, Polycarbonate (PC) | - | - |
| Shape | Globe(G) | G25 | Arbitrary |
| Number of Items | 8 | 10 | 1 |
| Weight | - | 1.48 Pounds | - |
| Light Color | - | Daylight White | Warm White |
| Incandescent Equivalent Wattage | - | 60 Watts | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 273 | 6,059 | 2,098 |
| Price | $21.88 | $28.99 | $14.99 |
4. Best Natural-Looking Daylight:Cotanic Vanity Light
This bulb from Cotanic provides sufficient daylight with a glare-free color temperature of 5000k, 2700k warm white, and 4000 k natural daylight. If you are looking to replace the 60/40 W traditional incandescent light bulb that heats up quickly, this one is a great alternative. It boasts a lifespan of 30,000 hours, comes with an E26 base, 500 lumens, and runs on 120 Volts. All of these features culminate in making it an energy-efficient LED light bulb for bathroom vanity. This traditional bulb is made with stable current to avoid visible flickering and to ensure protection from a wide beam angle.
"I like the bright, vibrant light these bulbs provide in my bathroom. I've had them for years, and they're still going strong. Although the light they emit can feel harsh in the early mornings, overall, they're great and efficient."
5. Best Versatile Fitting:Simba Lighting Small Globe Round Bulb
This vanity light bulb from Sibma Lighting is a decorative bulb that is suitable for ceiling lighting, chandeliers, bathroom sconces, and the like. It provides 2700 k warm light, does not contain mercury, and is dimmable, making it a versatile bulb. Operating at 40 Watts and 120 Volts, this 280-lumen Sibma Lighting vanity light bulb is energy-efficient and is a suitable option for accent lighting. It is a standard-sized bulb that can fit into most bases and has a 1000-hour lifespan.
"These light bulbs shine nice and bright in my hallway's ceiling fixtures, adding a fancy touch. I've used them for a month, and so far, they've been durable. Overall, a good purchase."
Point to consider6. Best Wall-Mounted:Kichler 36-Inch 6 Light Bath Strip
The Kichler 36-inch wall-mounting strip is a delightful combination of modern and traditional styles. It is available in multiple sizes and shades, including chrome, polished brass, brushed nickel, white, antique brass, and Tuscan gold. These wall-mountings are suitable for damp locations and have a dimmable light level. Moreover, it only requires six LED bulbs to illuminate your bathroom vanities and can be installed vertically or horizontally for ambient lighting.
"Although a slight adjustment was needed initially, this light fixture is easy to install and fits perfectly in my bathroom. Although it's smaller than expected, I like the classy design. Overall, quite a decent replacement for my old, rusty fixtures."
7. Best All-Round Illumination:Torchstar G25 Bulb
This high-performing bulb offers better lighting as compared to the average 40-watt incandescent light bulb at a reduced energy cost. Owing to its omni-directional design and beam angle, the 6-watt dimmable light bulb provides all-round illumination for larger bathrooms, that is well-balanced, ghosting-free, and glare-free. It doesn’t contain any mercury or other harmful radiations, and the best thing about this quality-tested vanity lighting bulb is that it has a 22.8-year lifespan. Now, that’s quite a lifespan, isn’t it?
"I ordered these bulbs and found them overall pretty great, with good durability, brightness, and color, just what I need for my vanity space. Only downside is the occasional flicker. Despite this, it's recommendable."
Did you know?8. Best Multifunctional:Maximma G25 LED Light Bulb
This 5-watt bulb looks similar to traditional G25 bulbs, and at 450 lumens, this light source provides 2700 k warm white, ensuring that your eyes are always kept comfortable. It has a color rendering index of 80 and an E26 base. At 120 volts, this bulb is low-powered and energy-efficient. It is multi-functional, compatible with various light fixtures and ideal for all rooms in the house, including your bathroom vanity.
"These bulbs surprised me with their brightness and good quality. However, pay attention to the lumens and color temperature for best fitting. They offer a pleasing effect and are sturdy and stylish, with just a tad more luminosity than expected."
9. Best Eco-Friendly:L LOHAS LED Light Bulb
If you are looking to replace old and power-consuming 45-watt incandescent bulbs, this energy-efficient LED light will do the trick and help you save up to 80% on your electricity bills. With a lifespan of 30000 hours, this E26 light bulb brightens every corner of your house with 500 lumens and 5000 k warm light. This eco-friendly and reliable incandescent light bulb is also waterproof, making it the perfect choice for your makeup station or bathroom vanity. It doesn’t contain mercury, so you can rest assured that it is a safe purchase.
"These LED bulbs give me a clean white light. These lights are truly ideal for my makeup application. They help me do my makeup seamlessly."
10. Best Dimmable:Sunlite LED Light Bulb
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 1,032 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
This energy-saving, multipurpose bulb can serve as a replacement for 40-watt bulbs as it consumes very little electricity. A white light with 300 lumens, it operates at just 5 watts and 120 volts and is compatible with most bathroom lighting fixtures. This bulb type is dimmable and boasts a 25,000-hour lifespan, it is equipped with a candelabra base and offers an 180° beam angle. With an average color temperature of 2700 k, it provides sufficiently bright lights that won’t hurt your eyes.
"I found these LED bulbs quite bright and the white color blends well with my decor, fitting well in my chandelier. They're shorter, not jutting out, which is a plus. Although not as warm as amber light, their dimmable nature impressed me. A worthwhile purchase, indeed."
11. Best Ultra-Thin: Energetic Smarter Lighting Dimmable LED Edison Light Bulb
Add some retro style to your home with ambient lighting with this set of six traditional vanity lights. Made from ultra-thin and crystal-clear glass combined with long filaments and a standard E26 base, these LED bulbs are a statement piece. Of course, the adjustable brightness and energy-efficient operation make them highly functional, too. This tried-and-tested set of six unique bulbs have a low heat output and extremely resilient construction that gives them a long life averaging up to 10,000 hours, which is about three hours per day. These smart bulbs are compatible with most home light fixtures and are ideal for both domestic and commercial use.
In choosing the best light bulbs for the bathroom, you have to consider some things like your bathroom size, what you need the light bulb for, and how durable you want the light bulb to be. Getting a standard light bulb might not be easy, however, we’ve chosen to do the heavy lifting for you, and making your choice easier.
"This LED bulb's performance is pretty impressive. The clear, white light transforms my bathroom, making it seem brighter and cooler. I love the soft, flattering glow above my dining table. However, it lacks the amber hue as expected and is paler than traditional incandescent light—still a great buy."
How To Choose The Right Light Bulbs For Your Bathroom Vanity?
Consider these factors when choosing light bulbs for your bathroom vanity.
- The bathroom: In choosing the best bathroom vanity lights, you have to consider the kind of bathroom that you own. Bathrooms vary in sizes, so you must keep the lumens and average color temperature in mind. A 500-lumen output and color temperature range of 3000 k would be an ideal fit for your bathroom vanity. To make things easier for yourself, look for an E26 base.
- Aesthetics: Bathroom vanity bulbs have aesthetic value. In getting one, you have to consider whether or not it complements the bathroom you intend to get it into. If the one you’ve set your eyes upon doesn’t make your room look pleasing, you should go for another one.
- Multipurpose: Some light bulbs can serve multiple purposes. They can be used in the bathrooms, hallways, and other places around the house. Before getting a light bulb, you should consider if you want to use it in different places, or in just the bathroom. Once you have an answer, it will guide you in picking the most suitable light bulb for you.
- Durability: Some light bulbs have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, while some have a lifespan of just 20,000 hours. If you want to get a light bulb, you have to consider the durability of the one you intend to purchase. This should go a long way in helping you to decipher what to get.
- Budget: After you have checked all the boxes above, you will need to consider your budget. This almost always determines the quality of a particular product over another. So, in choosing a light bulb, checking out the price of the bulb will go a long way in helping to determine if it’s well suited for you.
, a home design expert and owner of HeftyBerry, says, “Consider the color temperature of the bulbs, as this will impact the ambiance of your bathroom. For example, bulbs with color temperatures of around 5000K-6500K provide a brighter, more energizing light, while those with warmer temperatures of around 2700K-3000K offer a softer, more relaxing ambiance.”
He adds, “Further, consider the bulb’s brightness and wattage, as you’ll want to ensure it provides adequate illumination for tasks like applying makeup or shaving. You’d also want to ensure the bulb fits the bathroom vanity fixture–factor in the different shapes and base types.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need special light bulbs for the bathroom?
The light bulbs used for the bathroom need not be special unless you choose to place them close to the shower or in places where there is a chance of getting moisture on the bulb. In such cases, you should opt for a light bulb that has a damp rating or a wet rating. These ratings determine how much moisture or direct water a light bulb can handle.
2. Is soft white or daylight better for a bathroom?
If you have a bathroom that receives natural daylight through big windows, a soft white light would be enough to illuminate your bathroom. Bathrooms that receive minimum to no daylight need daylight LED lights as they provide an ample amount of natural light.
3. Are LED lights good for bathroom vanity?
Yes, LED lights are ideal for bathroom vanity as these lights are damp-rated, energy efficient, and long-lasting. They emit bright natural light and distribute the light evenly around you, when fixed to the mirrors.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah, our in-house writer and reviewer of household products, has compiled the list of the best light bulbs for bathroom vanity after comparing several products. He has considered features such as capacity, brightness, and lifespan and considered user reviews and ratings on several forums, to bring you the best options in the market. Moreover, he has also included a buying guide to make your selection easier and better. The detailed descriptions of each product on this list can help you choose the right product.
The Bottom Line
The best right bulbs for bathroom vanity can be a gamechanger for your skincare routine and grooming sessions. When purchasing bulbs for your bathroom, the size of the bathroom will decide the bulb’s lumens and color temperature. So, opt for warm or cold light depending on your preference. Also, since lights add to the aesthetic value of the space, choosing those that are pleasing to look at will help enhance how your bathroom looks and feels. The Kichler 36-Inch 6 Light Bath Strip is a great option in this regard. You can also opt for the Sunco Lighting LED Light Bulbs for its shock-resistant features or the Shinestar Vanity Light Bulbs For Bathroom, which ensures a noise- and flicker-free operation. So, decorate your bathroom with suitable lights and start your day on a bright note.
Infographic: How To Install Light Bulbs In Your Bathroom?
A well-lit bathroom helps accomplish various tasks while ensuring maximum visibility. Learning how to safely and effectively install vanity lights in your bathroom can help you be self-dependent. However, you must know every step involved in this DIY process. Here’s an infographic to help you understand how to install bathroom lights easily.
Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
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