Flashlights are required technology for late night activity or power outages. But just like lights in the home, there are major differences between flashlight bulb technologies. LED and halogen lights are two major types of bulbs currently on the market. If you have to make a decision between them, then it should come down to your personal preferences based on the strengths and weaknesses of the bulbs.

Features

A halogen light is an incandescent light with a tungsten filament, which is surrounded by an inert gas combined with halogen. Halogen is a type of nonmetal element such as iodine or bromine, both of which are commonly used.

LEDs, on the other hand, do not have filaments. They are illuminated by the movement of electrons within a semiconductor material, which releases photons. The semiconductor contains two regions separated by a junction that allow electrons to flow in one direction. LED stands for light emitting diode.

Heat

As an incandescent bulb, halogen lights resemble other filament bulbs very closely. They even tend to give off a lot of heat when an electrical current passes through the filament. However, LED lights do not produce heat. They simply depend upon the position of the electrons within the bulb. If you desire a flashlight that does not give off heat, then you should buy an LED flashlight.

Brightness

According to Sensory Metrics, a technology website led by a team of experienced professionals and former scientists from major companies, a 50 watt halogen bulb will produce about 1,000 lumens in full brightness, which is a measure of the power of light as perceived by the human eye. A 2.5 watt LED will produce about 180 lumens. However, LED may actually appear a little brighter if both lights are dimmed to low levels.

Lifespan

LED bulbs have a much longer lifespan---many of them can last about 50,000 hours or more---while halogen bulbs will only last about 2,000 hours. Of course, this depends upon the wattage. A brighter bulb will burn out faster, so a 35 watt halogen bulb will last about 1,000 hours longer than a 50 watt bulb. LED lights are more expensive, but over time you will have to buy fewer LED lights, which should allow you to save money.

Considerations

You may purchase flashlights that use either LED or halogen technology. Halogen bulbs are often used in large, bulky and powerful flashlights. LEDs are still quite efficacious for lighting, but they are more dependable and built to last. Some flashlights actually combine the two types of bulbs, allowing the operator to switch between them and utilize the advantages of both.