Best Heat Light Bulbs

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7 Of The Best Heat Light Bulbs

LEDESIGN 75 Watt Heat Lamp

Introduction

Hi and welcome to this article about the best heat light bulbs.

Heat lamp provide more heat than standard light bulbs. That is they generate less light but more heat. Normally in the form of infra-red radiant heat. Radiant heat, rather than direct heat, allows the bulb to heat more distant objects.

In general heat lamps come in two types. Those with clear or frosted bulb and those with a red bulb. The red bulbs produce less light. So they are suitable for situations that require both heat and low light levels.

If you are looking for Grow light bulbs they work in a different way. As such there is a separate review here.

Using Heat Lamps

Heat lamps are used where heat is the primary requirement of the bulb. For instance in food service or animal enclosures keeping food or animals warm. Also they can warm up bathrooms or to dry paint.

A lot of reptiles require a warmer temperature than our homes. Particularly in winter. Smaller heat lamps can warm up terrariums and keep our pets snug and cozy.

Type Of Bulbs in Our Best Heat Light Bulbs List

In general here at Light Bulb AtoZ we advise you to buy LED light bulbs. They are efficient, long lasting and reasonably prices. However what they don’t do is produce a lot of heat, and particularly radiant heat.

So the light bulbs on this list are almost all incandescent light bulbs. These produce plenty of heat and infra-red making them ideal as heat lamps.

How We Select Best Heat Light Bulbs

Our selections are based on a number of criteria:

  • Online reviews from a number of light bulb retailers
  • Price, we are always looking for the best value
  • Energy Star qualified, whether the bulbs has met strict energy efficiency criteria set by the EPA
  • Lifetime and length of warranty, as these provide a measure of quality
  • Dimmable, having a bulb that can be used with a dimmer switch makes it more versatile

250 Watt – GE Dimmable R40 Heat Lamp Incandescent

GE 250W Heat Lamp Light Bulb

Not only have GE been in business since 1892 they are also the most popular brand here in the U.S. Furthermore, they produce lots of different bulbs including heat lamps.

Firstly, this 250 watt example is rated to last 5,000 hours. Which is good for an incandescent light bulb. Also it produces a very low level of red light. GE say that the bulb can help heat small areas like bathrooms and workbenches or prevent freezing of water pipes, car radiators and pumps. Additionally this red-lens heat lamp can be used in commercial applications such as food warming,

Finally this is a quite large reflector bulb, with a diameter of 5 inches, and a E26 base.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $11 a bulb if bought individually
  • Wattage: 250 watts actual
  • Lumens: Not provided
  • Light Range: Red
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 5,000 hour (4.6 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: Yes
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

250 Watt – Feit BR40 Incandescent Red Heat Lamp

Feit 250W Incandescent Red Heat Lamp

Feit are a family owned and operated company based in Los Angeles, California. According to their website they keep a stock of over 100,000,000 bulbs. So as to reduce order waiting time. Also, like GE they make a wide range of light bulbs.

So this is another reflector bulb, again producing red light and using 250 watts. Additionally Feit suggests that the light bulbs can be used in saunas, as well as the normal heat lamp uses. It is a BR40 shape bulb so it has a 5 inch diameter and comes with an E26 base. Furthermore, it can be used in recessed lighting projects. So think about some downlighting in the sauna.

Finally it is dimmable and has a lifetime of 2,000 hours. So not as long as the GE equivalent light bulb.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $5.90 a bulb if bought individually
  • Wattage: 250 watts actual
  • Lumens: Not provided.
  • Light Range: Soft White (2700k) with red glass.
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 2,000 hour (1.8 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: Yes
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

250 Watt – BULBMASTER R40 Red Heat lamp

Bulbmaster 250W Heat Lamp

According to their Amazon sales page Bulbmaster have been providing light solutions and hard to find light bulbs for over a decade. In addition to Amazon their products are sold at Walmart.

Firstly this is another 250 watt 5-inch diameter reflector bulb. This is the most popular size and shape for heat lamps. Because the heat needs to be directed in a particular direction. Also the bulb is available in red or clear, and is rated to last 6,000 hours, according to the manufacturer.

Finally it is weatherproof and has a nickel coated E26 bases which provides corrosion protection in damp locations.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $9.50 a bulb if bought in a 2-pack
  • Wattage: 250 watts actual
  • Lumens: Not provided
  • Light Range: Clear or Red
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 6,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: Yes
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only, weatherproof

175 Watt – Philips PAR38 Clear Incandescent Heat Lamp

Philips 175W Heat Light Bulb

Philips are the number one supplier of light bulbs in Europe and are known for their reliable if somewhat expensive bulbs. Though at $11 this bulb is competitively priced

This is a 175 watt clear reflector bulb. Slightly smaller than the previous light bulbs. Also it has a rated lifetime of 5,000 hours, which is good for an incandescent.

Reviewers have mentioned that this bulb creates a lot of very bright white light. So it is good for a location that needs a lot of light such as a bathroom. Or where it does not matter, such as in a warming stove hood. Also Philips suggest that it can be used in drying, for example with paint.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $11 a bulb if bought individually
  • Wattage: 175 watts actual
  • Lumens: Not Provided
  • Light Range: Warm White (3000k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 5,000 hour (4.8 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: Yes
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

125 Watt – Satco R40 Clear Incandescent Heat Lamp

Satco 125Watt R40 Heat Light Bulb

Satco is a leading supplier of lighting products. Providing lighting for commercial, residential and industrial customer. They have 1.5 million square feet of inventory throughout North America. With offices and warehousing in Brentwood, New York.

So a few facts about this heat lamp. It is shatterproof and has a rated lifetime of 6,000 hours. Also it generates a warm white light. Additionally I found this bulb on sale at 1000 Bulbs, for a very cheap $4 a bulb.

Finally the light bulb measures just over 6 inches in length with a 5 inch diameter, and has a clear bulb face and a medium (E26) base

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $4 a bulb if bought individually
  • Wattage: 125 watts actual
  • Lumens: Not provided
  • Light Range: Soft White (2700k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 6,000 hour (4.5 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: No
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

75 Watt – LEDESIGN Basking Spot Light Bulb

LEDESIGN 75 Watt Heat Lamp

So, in every best of light bulb list there is normally one or two manufactures I have never heard of. In this case as these are specialist bulbs there are three. I was not able to find out much beyond the company beyond the fact that they sell their products on Amazon, where they are well reviewed. Notwithstanding the LED part of their name the 50% of the companies products are incandescent bulbs.

In this case this is a specialist bulb for keeping reptiles and amphibians warm. LEDESIGN list: hermit crabs, bearded dragons, tortoises, turtles, geckos, snakes (pythons, boas, etc.), iguanas, lizards, chameleons, frogs, toads, monitors and tegus.

Finally the bulb comes in clear and red and has a lifetime of 2,000 hours.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $7 a bulb if bought in a 2-pack. Clear are $6.50
  • Wattage: 75 watts actual
  • Lumens: Not provided
  • Light Range: Red and Daylight (5000k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 2,000 hour (1.8 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: No
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

50 Watt – Zilla Light & Heat Mini Halogen Bulbs

Zilla Light And Heat Mini Halogen

Finally on our list of the best heat lamps is a mini halogen bulb from Zilla. Zilla make a wide range of products for reptiles and amphibians. For instance, bedding, decor, nutrition and heating.

Zilla assemble their starter kits and terrariums in the U.S. And have their headquartered in Franklin, Wisconson. In fact these halogen bulbs go into the companies own warming lamps.

The bulbs come in a three different colors: day white, day blue and night red. Also there is a 25 watt version available.

Finally Zille claim that their halogen bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. And that these 50 watt bulbs are the equivalent of 100 to 150-watt incandescents.

Fact sheet

  • Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
  • Price: Around $8.70 a bulb if bought individually
  • Wattage: 125 watt equivalent / 50 watts actual
  • Lumens: Not provided
  • Light Range: Daylight (5000k)
  • Lifetime: Rated to last 2,000 hour (1.8 years based on 3 hours per day use)
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Dimmable: No
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

Using Heat Lamps Safely