LED or Halogen Fog Car Lights?

LED vs. Halogen Fog Lights - Which Is Best?

3rd October 2017

By Emma Samardzija

LED lighting technology can be used to replace traditional halogen bulbs in many applications. LED car lights have become popular today, with many drivers choosing LED brake lights, interior lights, and even fog lights. But, are LED fog lights really better than halogen? In this article, we'll compare the two and let you know which is best.

Halogen fog lights

Halogen bulbs have been used in vehicle lighting for decades. Most vehicles still come standard with halogen fog lights. Although they're an older technology, there are some advantages to using halogen bulbs rather than LED.

The biggest advantage is that halogen fog lights come as standard. If your vehicle already has halogen bulbs, it's easier to continue using them. Whilst it can be fairly simple to convert from halogen to LED fog bulbs, some drivers prefer to stick with halogen to avoid any hassle or complication.

There's also less upfront cost. Halogens are relatively cheap compared to LEDs, as LEDs are a newer technology.

It's also possible to upgrade your fog lights without getting rid of your halogen bulbs. Even though halogens are regarded as a standard, or a basic, choice, there are many halogen upgrade options, and some are truly impressive.

LED fog lights

LED fog lights are growing in popularity. They provide many advantages over halogen fog lights, and for some drivers, switching to LED is a great choice.

Although LED fog lights are considerably more expensive than their halogen counterparts, they can actually save you money in the long run. A set of LED fog lights will cost you at least £100. However, it's worth taking the longevity of LEDs into account - upgrade halogen bulbs will last you around 18-24 months, whereas LEDs can last for years.

LEDs can also be less difficult to install than you might think. Replacing halogen bulbs with LED lights can be difficult in some cases, but many drivers can do it with very minimal hassle. If you're worried about changing over the bulbs yourself, an auto-electrician will be able to make the switch quickly and easily.

Finally, there's the issue of performance. LED lights are brighter than halogen, and most LED fog lights have a cooler colour temperature. This means they produce a whiter light that's easier on the eyes. They also match the look of xenon HID headlights much better than a halogen bulb could.

It is worth noting, however, that fog lights are at their most efficient when the colour temperature is warmer rather than cooler. Yellow light reflects off fog differently to a bluish colour, and is much more efficient at lighting up the road. So, if you're switching to LED, make sure the light is not too blue, as you might not be able to see as far in bad weather.

Which is best?

Whether you decide to use halogen or LED fog lights depends on what you're looking for. If you would like to quickly replace a burnt-out bulb without spending a fortune, halogen bulbs are a good choice. You can even upgrade to a better halogen bulb to get a boost in peformance, without having to fork out for a costly LED. Many halogen fog light bulbs are also road legal.

However, if you don't mind spending more initially, and are willing to install them, then LED fog lights give off a sleek, modern look, producing a brighter light in comparison to halogen. LEDs perform better, last longer, and save you money in the long run. Please remember that LED fog lights are not road legal.