Differences in LED Bulb Luminous Efficiency and Lifespan... "Need to Choose Considering Quality and Price"

Korea Consumer Agency, Test and Evaluation Results of 12 Products

List of LED bulb test target products. (Photo by Korea Consumer Agency)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Recently, LED bulbs, which are more efficient and have a longer lifespan than conventional lighting, have established themselves as eco-friendly products. However, there are significant differences in the quality of products available on the market.

On the 4th, the Korea Consumer Agency tested and evaluated 12 LED bulb products that are popular among consumers. The results confirmed differences in key performance factors such as luminous efficacy, flicker, and lifespan durability. The tested products included LED bulbs from Namyoung LED, No Brand, Dooyoung Lighting, Lumi& (Lumiann), Beongae, Focus, Osram, Only Price, Jangsu Lamp, Philips, Homeplus Signature, and GE.

In terms of luminous efficacy, which indicates brightness per unit of power consumption, Homeplus Signature and GE brand products performed relatively well. Using products with high luminous efficacy can save energy and reduce carbon emissions. According to the Consumer Agency’s test results, replacing one LED bulb with low luminous efficacy (80 lm/W) with a high-efficiency product (131 lm/W) could save up to 39% of energy.

Regarding brightness (luminous flux), the Homeplus Signature product was the brightest, and the color rendering index, which shows how closely the color of objects under the bulb resembles natural light, was satisfactory for all products. In the flicker evaluation, which checks the degree of light flickering, Osram and Philips products performed relatively well. Most products showed excellent lifespan performance, but the Lumi& product was found to be non-compliant with standards despite having KS certification.

Five products?Namyoung LED, Only Price, Jangsu Lamp, Lumi&, and Dooyoung Lighting?did not properly comply with labeling standards. These companies stated that they have either completed improvements to labeling following the Consumer Agency’s investigation or plan to do so.

The Consumer Agency stated, “It is necessary to select products by comprehensively considering quality and price,” and added, “We will continue to provide safety and quality comparison information to support consumers’ rational consumption.”