Best High CRI LED Light Bulbs

7 Of The Best High CRI LED Light Bulbs

What is CRI

Hi there and welcome to this article about the best high CRI LED light bulbs.

So let’s begin with what CRI is. Well it stands for Color Rendering Index. In brief it is a measure of how well an artificial light source mimics sun light, when showing colors. In this case the artificial light sources are LED light bulbs. You can find more details in our blog post on CRI here.

How is CRI Measured

To measure CRI the LED light bulbs are shone on eight different pastel color swatches. Then the light that gets reflected is compared with light that gets reflected from natural sunlight. The closer to sunlight the higher the CRI score. In fact 100 CRI would be exactly the same as sunlight and 0 would be completely different.

In general LED light bulbs have a CRI of somewhere around 80. Which is quite close to sunlight. Though some have much higher scores, all the way up to 98.

Why Do I Want a High CRI Light Bulb

If you have spent time and money on decorating your home you want people to see it. So if that decoration involves color and your house is not just lit by natural light you want these colors to look their best. And this is where high CRI lighting comes in. High CRI light sources closely mimic the sun’s ray and provide the most natural and vivid colors. So, if you want that new wallpaper to really pop, or to get the best out of that beautiful painting hanging on your wall then you need high CRI bulbs.

Choosing the best high CRI LED light bulbs

In order to find the most dimmable light bulbs I downloaded information on 12,148 different light bulbs from Energy Star. These bulbs have been examined by independent labs to make sure they meet their manufacturers’ claims for energy efficiency.

In addition to the information from Energy Star our selections for the best high CRI LED light bulbs also considers:

• 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

Green Creative PAR38 Flood Light

First in our list of best high CRI LED light bulbs is a flood light from Green Creative. In fact the company has two 98 CRI bulbs on our list.

So lets start with a little bit about the company. They are a solid-state lighting development and manufacturing company based in Sanford, Florida. And they have been in business since 2010.

To point out a couple of its main features. Firstly this is PAR38 type bulb. PAR is Parabolic Aluminized Reflector, which means the inside of the bulb is lined with aluminum to reflect light downward. In this case in a 40 degree beam. And the 38 is 38 times 1/8 inches diameter or 4.75 inches. While the bulb costs $35 it is rated to last 50,000 hours. Which is a lot. Also it generated a lot of light putting out 1370 lumens. Analogous to a 120 watt incandescent bulb.

So if you are looking for a very bright flood life with an exceptional long life this could be for you.

Fact sheet

• CRI: 98
• Rating: Not available
• Price: Around $35 a bulb if bought individually
• Wattage: 120 watt equivalent / 15.5 watts actual
• Lumens: 1370
• Light Range: Warm White (3000k)
• Lifetime: Rated to last 50,000 hour (45 years based on 3 hours per day use)
• Warranty: 3 years
• Dimmable: Yes/No
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

GE Refresh – GU24

The GU24 base socket was brought in as an energy efficient replacement for the Edison screw base. The idea being that newer energy efficient fixtures, such as lamps, would have this twist and lock connector. And people would have to move away from the less energy efficient screw base incandescents. Nowadays they are frequently found on CFL bulbs, but also in track lighting and energy efficient fixtures.

This Refresh range LED light bulb from GE is going to give you very good color contrast. Also the 800 lumens of daylight temperature light will be bright and clear. Good for areas where you want energetic lighting. For example in a play room, laundry room or garage.

While the bulb is damp location rated it is not for use in recessed fixtures.

Fact sheet

• CRI: 98
• Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
• Price: Around $8 a bulb if bought in a 2-pack
• Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 10 watts actual
• Lumens: 800
• Light Range: Daylight (5000k)
• Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimmable: Yes down to 10%
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

Green Creative MR16

So, onto another LED light bulb from Green Creative. This time a MR16 with a GU5.3 base. That is, MR16 is the shape and size and GU5.3 is the two pin connector at the bottom.

These bulbs are used mainly in track lighting. They run off 12 volts, and so need a transformer to change the voltage down from the standard 120 volts. Furthermore this bulb has a quite narrow 35 degree beam.

This particular bulb produces 510 lumens of warm daylight. Also it should last for 25,000 hours and comes with a five year warranty. Finally it is suitable for damp locations and enclosed fixtures, and dimmable down to 10%.

Fact sheet

• CRI: 98
• Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
• Price: Around $6.50 a bulb if bought individually
• Wattage: 50 watt equivalent / 7 watts actual
• Lumens: 510
• Light Range: Warm Daylight (4000k)
• Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimmable: Yes down to 10%
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

Philips Tunable White Edison Bulb

Philips are the number one supplier of light bulbs in Europe and are known for their reliable if somewhat expensive bulbs. Though at $14 for a smart light bulb this seems quite reasonable.

I have noticed in my local store that Philips are now producing a lot of these WiZ smart light bulbs. They can be controlled via the WiZ app (Android or iPhone) without need for a hub. To point out, this smart bulb only produces white light, not color. However, you can tune the temperature of this white light from relaxing warm white to energizing cool-daylight. Also they work with Amazon Alexa, Google assistant and Siri shortcuts.

Finally I like the styling. In general smart bulbs have a frosted shell to high their components. But this one comes with a nice clear outer and a vintage style filament

Fact sheet

• CRI: 97
• Rating: 4 stars out of 5
• Price: Around $14 a bulb if bought individually
• Wattage: 60 watt equivalent / 7 watts actual
• Lumens: 800
• Light Range: Tunable from relaxing warm white to energizing cool-daylight
• Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimmable: Yes down to 5% via the app
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only, damp location rated

Feit Enhance 30/70/100W 3-Way

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.

Firstly, this bulb is from Feit’s Enhance range. A selection of light bulbs that provide bright crisp colors. Also it is a 3-way providing the equivalent of 30, 70 or 100 watts. Additionally it is rated to last 25,000 hours and has a five year warranty.

Feit suggest that the bulb is good for use in offices, workshops, bathrooms or other areas where high detail visibility is important. And we would also include reading in that list.

Fact sheet

• CRI: 97
• Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
• Price: Around $10.50 a bulb if bought individually
• Wattage: 30/70/100 watt equivalent – 5/10/16 watts actual
• Lumens: 500/1050/1600
• Light Range: Soft White (2700k), Warm White (3000k) Daylight (5000k) and Bright Daylight (6000k)
• Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimmable: No
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

GE Classic 100W E26

Not only have GE been in business since 1892 they are also the most popular brand here in the U.S.

GE make a lot of different bulbs and these ones are from their classic range. While this means that they do not have the lifetime or warranty of GE’s premium ranges they are still quality light bulbs. As can be seen in the high CRI of this bulb.

So a few facts about the bulb. It produces 1600 lumens of daylight, which is a lot. Also it has a lifetime of 15,000 hours and a five year warranty. All for $6.

Fact sheet

• CRI: 97
• Rating: 5 stars out of 5 (1 review)
• Price: Around $6 a bulb if bought in a 2-pack
• Wattage: 100 watt equivalent / 15 watts actual
• Lumens: 1600
• Light Range: Daylight (5000k)
• Lifetime: Rated to last 15,000 hour (13 years based on 3 hours per day use)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimmable: No
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only

Philips PAR30L Reflector

Philips are the number one supplier of light bulbs in Europe and are known for their reliable if somewhat expensive bulbs. Though $8.75 for a bulb rated to last 25,000 hours seems quite reasonable.

Also this is a flood light reflector, hence the PAR part of the name. And the 38 means it has a diameter of 38 x 1/8th inches or 4.75 inches. Good for recessed cans and track light fixtures.

Finally it is fully dimmable, enclosed fixture and wet rated.

Fact sheet

• CRI: 97
• Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
• Price: Around $8.75 a bulb if bought individually
• Wattage: 75 watt equivalent / 8.5 watts actual
• Lumens: 850
• Light Range: Daylight (5000k)
• Lifetime: Rated to last 25,000 hour (22 years based on 3 hours per day use)
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimmable: Yes
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor use only