# Compare Headlight Bulb Brightness **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 10, 2024, 12:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562 "2024-10-10T12:56:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 12:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/21 "2024-10-26T00:58:23Z")
I can’t tell by the photo all that matters is what you see and feel is best from the drivers seat. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 1:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/22 "2024-10-26T01:14:50Z")
Right side appears brighter to me. The center zone has more glare than the spot on the left. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 3:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/23 "2024-10-26T03:43:46Z")
I agree, the right side in the picture looks brighter to me… ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 4:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/24 "2024-10-26T04:04:31Z")
What’s the question now? You have headlights. They’re of similar brightness. I don’t think you have a problem. And if you do, blurry pictures posted to internet forums won’t fix it or provide a basis for anyone to make a judgment about whether or not there is a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 4:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/25 "2024-10-26T04:04:56Z")
Looking at both images, to me, the headlights aren’t aimed correctly. Tester ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 1:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/26 "2024-10-26T13:20:58Z")
Not enough difference to notice and they’re out of alignment, as noted above. ---
**Author:** ![Saint-Louis-Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Saint-Louis-Guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Saint-Louis-Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 2:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/27 "2024-10-26T14:00:27Z")
Sounds like the right hand side is the brighter side. I also thought this while taking the pics. But I knew the new bulb was installed on the right so felt my judgement might be biased. Will install the second Philips bulb on the driver’s side. Will get the bulb alignment checked as well. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/28 "2024-10-26T22:33:25Z")
The bulbs dim over time. Replace the left one or switch them and see if the brightest is on the left. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/29 "2024-10-26T22:43:56Z")
I concur with Tester’s comment about a problematic headlight aim. . Right side seems aimed too high. Or left side too low. Presuming car is level and the wall’s lines are level. The best aiming method is make/model/year-dependent, so suggest to use a shop, but to get an approximate idea > **[How to Aim Your Headlights at Home - Haynes Manuals](https://haynes.com/en-us/tips-tutorials/how-adjust-your-headlight-aim-emergency)** > > Keep your vehicle in top shape with tips and tutorials on the Haynes blog. Read our post 'How to Aim Your Headlights at Home' today. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/30 "2024-10-27T01:44:27Z")
Just a comment but right side headlights are aimed higher. Than the other to take in the side of the road. Left are aimed lower for on coming traffic. Like I said though I use the silver star or whatever they are called for the brightest light. If they aren’t around $50 they may not be as good. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 5:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/31 "2024-10-27T05:46:54Z")
Looking at your pictures, I’m still convinced she didn’t turn on the headlights. That left one is plenty bright. ---
**Author:** ![Saint-Louis-Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Saint-Louis-Guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Saint-Louis-Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/32 "2024-10-27T13:18:06Z")
Altogether I gave the new Philips VisionPlus bulb about 3 weeks to “age” before I took the pics. The marketing on them is “up to 60% brighter” but I think it’s more like 5-8% brighter than standard (see link). I did consider the SilverStars and other premium bulbs but the online reviewers were complaining about the short lifespan. So to achieve a “balance” of brightness and life best to go with a middle of the road bulb. Anyone see Blade Runner lol ? The bulb that burns twice as bright… Also, I did mull over the possibility of her turning on the DRLs instead of the low beams but finally dismissed it. We started out driving at dusk but were seriously delayed getting home so it was good and dark out for at least an hour. No way I’d mistake DRLs for the real thing. [https://www.bulbfacts.com/halogen-bulbs/reviews/philips-visionplus-vs-oem.html](https://www.bulbfacts.com/halogen-bulbs/reviews/philips-visionplus-vs-oem.html) ---
**Author:** ![Saint-Louis-Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Saint-Louis-Guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Saint-Louis-Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/33 "2024-10-27T13:27:41Z")
Also, I thought this was a great chart for anyone trying cut through the marketing claims on headlamp bulbs: > **[BulbFacts | Halogen Bulb Chart - Comparing Halogen Bulbs in Reflector Headlights](https://www.bulbfacts.com/halogen-bulbs/chart/)** > > Bulb Facts, Lab testing on automotive headlight & foglight bulbs, comparison chart before you buy. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/34 "2024-10-27T13:33:34Z")
> [@Saint-Louis-Guy](#): > > Also, I did mull over the possibility of her turning on the DRLs You should not have to turn on the DRL , that is automatic in most vehicles . Do your actual headlights come on at dusk or do you need to turn the lights on . I think that what ever her vehicle is just has better lights. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/35 "2024-10-27T16:13:54Z")
I am well over two years with my silver star bulbs. I found that the socket can deteriorate maybe due to a hotter bulb. This can make you think the bulb is bad but is a connection failure with the socket. ---
**Author:** ![Saint-Louis-Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Saint-Louis-Guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Saint-Louis-Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/36 "2024-10-27T18:25:56Z")
Agreed. My car is 20 years old and I’m sure headlights, like everything else, have advanced over that time for the newer cars. My Camry (04) has a DRL On/Off switch that I just leave in the on position. As for headlights, I have to turn those on at night manually. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/37 "2024-10-27T19:10:40Z")
Bulbs dim over years, not weeks. The left one might be dimmer because it is 20 years older than the new one. The new one would have to be the equivalent of the older one to make a valid comparison. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/38 "2024-10-27T19:28:57Z")
> [@Saint-Louis-Guy](#): > > No way I’d mistake DRLs for the real thing. Maybe you wouldn’t with a car you’re familiar with, I drive a semi, 90% of my driving is at night, You would be surprised at the number people I see at night driving their new to them car with just the DRL’s on, I know the car is new to them because of the temp plates. I also know it’s the DRL’s because of no tail lights. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/39 "2024-10-27T20:04:34Z")
Phillips bulbs $25 at Menards. Silver star, $50 at Walmart. Just sayin. ---
**Author:** ![Saint-Louis-Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Saint-Louis-Guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Saint-Louis-Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562/40 "2024-10-27T23:26:10Z")
As for timelines, I’ve had the Camry about 5 years. So dusk I might be fooled by the DRLs, but not in darkness. Also, the left one is about a year old. At the top of the thread I explained that I purchased a new set of Eagle Eye aftermarket headlamps from Rock Auto last year. Then got the comment from my friend that they look dim. Then put in just one Philips bulb, let it age a few weeks, and compared it to the 1 year old aftermarket bulb that came with the new Eagle Eye headlamp assembly. I’m hoping to get a little more night visibility by doing the alignment you guys recommended. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/compare-headlight-bulb-brightness/197562.md?page=3)