7 of the Best E26 Light Bulbs
Introduction
What are the best E26 bulbs?
E26 bulbs are probably the most used bulbs in our homes today (they certainly are in mine) along with the smaller E12 bulbs. They are the larger screw fitting base that are standard are used for standing lamps and light fittings. E26 stands for Edison Screw 26mm and refers to the metal screw base of the bulbs which is 1 inch (26mm) across.
The bulbs we have chosen in our list are all LEDs which have become the standard replacement for the older incandescent 60 W bulbs. Also, they are all the same classic pear shape.
If you are looking for other shapes such as globe or candle see our other Best Bulbs articles here or for the smaller 1/2 inch screw base bulbs see Best E12 Bulbs.
#1 best E26 bulbs – ALL Rounder
GE Classic Dimmable LED
GE Lighting are the most popular maker of light bulbs in the United States. Their classic range provides almost everything we are looking for in a light bulb: they are good value at around $2.50 each, long lasting, bright, dimmable and come with a 5 year warranty. About the only thing you can’t do with them is use them outdoors.
Fact sheet
- Online Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $2.50 a bulb if bought in a 4-pack or less if you opt for an 8-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 8 watts actual
- Lumens: 800
- Light Range: Daylight (cool, blueish white 5000k) or Soft White (warm white 2700k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: Yes and works with most dimmer switches
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
#2 RUNNER UP All Rounder
SYLVANIA LED
After GE, Sylvania is the next most popular brand of light bulbs in the U.S. and this is their standard bulb. It provides good value at $2.40 for a 11,000 hour lifetime. Unlike the GE bulb it can be used outdoors. We rated it as the runner up as it is not dimmable, something that a lot of on-line reviewers have found frustrating after purchasing.
Fact sheet
- Online Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $2.40 a bulb if bought in a 4-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 8.5 watts actual
- Lumens: 800
- Light Range: Daylight or Soft White
- Lifetime: Rated to last 11,000 hours (9.5 years based on 3 hours per day use)
- Warranty: 3 years
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor and outdoor use
#3 best E26 bulbs – Budget
Walmart Great Value LED General Purpose
Here at Light Bulb AtoZ we like to recommend LED light bulbs for their long life and energy savings characteristics. So we were happy to be able to chose an LED as our budget pick. And at 83c a bulb there is really no need to look any further than these great value Walmart light bulbs. They are supplied by TCP who are one of the top 10 LED light bulb manufacturers in the world and are based out of Aurora, Ohio. There have been some reports about quality issues with these bulbs but 90% of online reviewers gave them a 5-star rating.
Fact sheet
- Online Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $1.25 a bulb when bought in a 4-pack and 83c if bought in a 12 pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 8.5 watts actual
- Lumens: 750
- Light Range: Daylight or Warm White
- Lifetime: Rated to last 10,000 hours,
- Warranty: 1 year
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only
#4 Runner Up Budget
SYLVANIA ECO LED
SYLVANIA is already on our list in the #2 position for all-rounder runner up. The ECO is their budget range of light bulb coming in at around $1.60 a bulb if you buy an 8-pack. SYLVANIA has a good reputation for robust and reliable bulbs and these have a lifespan of between 7 and 13 years and are rugged enough to be used outdoor. As with SYLVANIA’s other range they are not dimmable.
Fact sheet
- Online Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $1.60 a bulb when bought in an 8-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 9 watts actual
- Lumens: 750
- Light Range: Daylight or Soft White
- Lifetime: Rated to last 7,500 hours (7 years at 3 hours per day)
- Warranty: 1 year
- Dimmable: No
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor and outdoor use
#5 BEST Smart
Feit Electric Smart WiFi Bulb
Feit have been in the lighting business for more than 40 years (since 1978) and are a family owned and operated business out of Los Angeles. They claim to hold an inventory of 100 million bulbs and fixtures in their automated distribution center allowing them to ship orders within 24 hours. Their smart bulb can be controlled via a downloadable app (Android & iOS) which can: turn on/off and dim, set the light color or the color temperature for white (warm to daylight). This requires a 2.4GHz WiFi network, but you do not need a smart hub. The bulbs also work with Alexa to allow voice control.
Fact sheet
- Online Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $6.65 a bulb when bought in a 3-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 9 watts actual
- Lumens: 800
- Light Range: Color Changing and Tunable White
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hours (22 years at 3 hours per day)
- Warranty: 1 year
- Dimmable: Yes but only by using the app, not compatible with dimmer switches
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor only
#6 Runner Up SMART
Philips Hue Smart LED
Philips have been making light bulbs since 1892 and are the number one manufacturer in Europe. In particular they are known for creating high-quality product that comes at a slightly higher price point. Their Hue range covers light bulbs, the hue bridge and a smartphone app. In addition, the Hue Bluetooth app for smartphones can control up to 10 bulbs. For more than that you will need to purchase a Hue Hub which allows for up to 50 bulbs. Also the bulbs work with voice control through Alexa and Google Assistant. By comparison, the color bulbs in this range cost around $30 each. So, if you want color we recommend the FEIT.
Fact sheet
- Online Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $10 a bulb when bought in a 2-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 10 watts actual
- Lumens: 800
- Light Range: Tunable White (from warm to cool white)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hours (22 years at 3 hours per day). Energy Star Certified
- Warranty: 3 years
- Dimmable: Yes but only by using the app, not compatible with dimmer switches
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor only
#7 – Editor’s Choice
GE Vintage Style Warm Candle Light
Here at Light Bulb AtoZ we are big fans of the vintage Edison style bulbs that are making a revival. So we wanted to put one of them in our best bulb list. This one from GE comes with an amber glass bulb to give a warm yellow light that the manufactures describe as candle light. The bulbs are not very bright at just 560 lumens making them more of a 40W replacement than the described 60W but that is not really the point. These bulbs are for evening ambience, relaxing your eyes and mind before bedtime, sat in your favorite chair drinking cocoa or a night cap. They also use a paltry 6 watts of power so are super efficient to run. As with most GE bulbs they come with a reassuring 5 year warranty.
Buying the 2-pack option brings the price down to $6.50 a bulb.
Fact sheet
- Online Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
- Price: Around $6.50 a bulb when bought in a 2-pack
- Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 6 watts actual
- Lumens: 560
- Light Range: Candle light (warm 2200k)
- Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hours (13 years at 3 hours per day). Energy Star Certified
- Warranty: 5 years
- Dimmable: Yes and compatible with most dimmer switches
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor only