Outdoor lighting not only makes the space in front of your house look better during the night but also helps keep bad actors from violating your property. But don’t you know that winter is the biggest enemy of ordinary bulbs? It will stop working or keep flickering then burn out.
If you’re wondering how to choose the best outdoor light bulbs for cold weather, we’re here to help.
Here are the best outdoor light bulbs for cold weather you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: Great Eagle A19 LED Light Bulb
- Best for Halloween Decoration: Holiky LED Flame Light Bulbs
- Vintage Style: Ascher Vintage LED Edison Bulbs
- Best for Christmas Decoration: ILC E12 LED Light Bulbs
- Best for Front Porch: Boxlood Dusk to Dawn A19 LED Light Bulb
- Energy-Efficient: Philips LED Dusk-to-Dawn A19 Frosted Light Bulb
| 6 Best Outdoor Light Bulbs for Cold Weather | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Great Eagle A19 LED Light Bulb | |
Best for Halloween Decoration | Holiky LED Flame Light Bulbs | |
Vintage Style | Ascher Vintage LED Edison Bulbs | |
Best for Christmas Decoration | ILC E12 LED Light Bulbs | |
Best for Front Porch | Boxlood Dusk to Dawn A19 LED Light Bulb | |
Energy-Efficient | Philips LED Dusk-to-Dawn A19 Frosted Light Bulb | |
Best Overall: Great Eagle A19 LED Light Bulb
- Safe and reliable – tested and listed by UL & backed by a 3-year warranty
- Give bright, brilliant realistic color – 800 lumens, 2700K temperature color, and HIGH CRI of 83+
- Energy-efficient – save up to 85% of monthly energy bills
- Durable – 25,000 hours of lifespan & working temperature of down to -4 degrees F
- No dimmable function
The Great Eagle A19 will check your first box of brightness if you don't like you are in constant darkness.
It comes in a set of four packs, each of which runs at 9W, gets UL listed for safety, and generates 800 lumens with 2700K warm white glow. The bulb features HIGH CRI of 83+, meaning for its superb realistic color.
To the incandescent or halogen lights, it is superior in terms of energy efficiency that saves up to 85% on the monthly electricity bills.
Besides, the lifespan is incredibly long – up to 25,000 hours – and it is able to work constantly with no issues even in frost-bite temperatures.
| Great Eagle A19 LED Light Bulb Specifications | |
|---|---|
Lumen | 800 Lumens |
Operating Temperature | down to -4 degrees F |
Color Temperature | 2700K |
Equivalency | 60W |
Highlight Features | UL listed; 800 lumens, 2700K temperature color, and HIGH CRI of 83+; save up to 85% of monthly energy bills |
The Great Eagle A19 gives you everything that might be needed for a good outdoor LED bulb, such as energy efficiency, brightness, durability, and realistic color.
Best for Halloween Decoration: Holiky LED Flame Light Bulbs
- Ideal for Halloween decoration – gives a nice orange glow
- Energy-efficient, durable, and safe – feature the 2020 latest aluminum alloy heat dissipation and LED energy-saving technology
- Versatile – standard E26 base
- Add mood and interesting glow – four flashing modes
- Not a steady light source
- Require cycling the bulb in and off to rotate through the modes
If you’re finding some orange LED lights for Halloween decoration, look no further.
The Holiky LED Flame Light Bulb Set includes two packs, priced under $10 which is relatively reasonable for all the benefits it’ll give you. The most notable is it’s applied the 2020 latest aluminum alloy heat dissipation and LED energy-saving technology.
This feature makes the bulb not just more energy efficient compare to other LEDs but also safe and more durable to use.
The best thing is no infrared radiation, UV, no harmful substances. And the glow is eye-soothing – 1500K temperature color, which is much like real flames.
The base of these LEDs is the standard E26 so it’s suitable for any households and rooms. The biggest bonus is the four flashing modes, including general light mode, breathing mode, upside-down mode, and flickering mode for a more interesting glow during the holiday.
| Holiky LED Flame Light Bulbs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Operating Temperature | -20℃-+48℃ |
Color Temperature | 1500K (look like real flames) |
Equivalency | 25W |
Highlight Features | standard E26 base; feature the 2020 latest aluminum alloy heat dissipation and LED energy-saving technology; four flashing modes |
Out of the beautiful orange glow, Holiky LED Flame Light Bulb gives the user a durable and energy-efficient performance, safety of use, and additional flashing modes. That’s why it is the best choice for Halloween decoration.
Vintage Style: Ascher Vintage LED Edison Bulbs
- Give a beautiful vintage look - a traditional Edison-styled design and 2700K warm white glow
- Not cause eye exhaustion - the High CRI 95+
- Safe to use - ETL listed, no IR or UV
- Not compatible with the dimmable switch
Featuring a traditional Edison-styled design and 2700K warm white glow, the Ascher Vintage LED Edison Bulbs give a uniquely beautiful vintage look.
This design is also versatile enough to possibly pair with different lampshades or even used directly as the High CRI is 95+, meaning it doesn’t cause your eyes to feel exhausted. Besides, it is ETL listed for no risks of fire hazard and electrical shock as well as contain no IR or UV.
With the luminous flux of 700 lumens, it is bright enough for most spaces and you can leave it constantly run overnight or for hours with no fear of burning out of piling up your energy bills.
The reason is it offers 20,000 hours’ lifespan and the LED technology application allows it to save up to 90% on your electricity bills.
| Ascher Vintage LED Edison Bulbs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Lumen | 700 lumens |
Color Temperature | 2700K |
Equivalency | 60 Watts |
Highlight Features | a traditional Edison-styled design and 2700K warm white glow; the High CRI 95+; ETL listed, no IR or UV |
If all you need is a vintage-styled outdoor LED with decent brightness, lifespan, and safety that can work in cold temperature environments, this is a great choice.
Best for Christmas Decoration: ILC E12 LED Light Bulbs
- Colorful – 12 color adjustments
- Full of control – remote control compatibility, 2 lighting modes, and 3 dimmable options
- Convenient to use – feature a timer, synchronization, and memory functions
- Not highly customizable – all the bulbs are controlled by one remote controller
- The Bluetooth connection could be more consistent
The reason why we chose this LED bulb for Christmas decoration is its colorful glow with dimmable function. There are 12 different colors in this light for you to choose from.
For souped-up convenience, it is compatible with a remote controller, offers two lighting modes – smooth mode and flash mode, features a timer, synchronization, and memory functions. Note that this set comes in four-packs and just one remote controller is able to adjust all of them.
About the dimmable function, it gives you three options – 1%, 30%, and 100%. This function can be controlled through remote control or manually via a button on the light.
At the max luminous flux, it gives you 450 lumens with 2700K bright warm white and 85+CRI.
| ILC E12 LED Light Bulbs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Lumen | 450 lumen |
Color Temperature | 2700K |
Equivalency | 40w |
Highlight Features | 12 color adjustments; remote control compatibility, 2 lighting modes, and 3 dimmable options; feature a timer, synchronization, and memory functions |
The ILC E12 LED Bulbs come with 12 different color adjustments along with 3 brightness options and 2 lighting modes, making it perfect for Christmas decoration.
Best for Front Porch: Boxlood Dusk to Dawn A19 LED Light Bulb
- Automatically turn on/off the bulb – a built-in sensor
- Super-bright – 6000K color temperature and 1000 lumens in brightness
- A bit pricey
- Wish the actual motion detection was more sensitive
Standing out from the crowd, Boxlood Dusk to Dawn A19 LED Light Bulb highlights a built-in sensor that will automatically turn on in the dusk and off in the dawn.
With this extra function, you don’t have to turn it on/off physically anymore.
This bulb is also the brightness out of a bunch with 1000 lumens’ luminous flux with 85% energy efficiency and 6000K color temp. From that point, we recommend this light for the front porch.
It will keep the front areas of your house from the darkness as well as eliminating potential thieves if you’re not at home. In other words, it increases the house’s security.
| Boxlood Dusk to Dawn A19 LED Light Bulb Specifications | |
|---|---|
Lumen | 1000 lumen |
Operating Temperature | -20℃- +45℃. |
Color Temperature | 6000K Cool White |
Equivalency | 60W |
Highlight Features | a built-in sensor; 6000K color temperature and 1000 lumens in brightness |
The Boxlood Dusk to Dawn A19 LED Light Bulb is our top choice for the front porch due to its superb security, brightness, and functionalities.
Energy-Efficient: Philips LED Dusk-to-Dawn A19 Frosted Light Bulb
- Energy-efficient – Energy Star certified & consume 75% less energy than other light types
- Reliable and durable - 22,000-hour lifespan & backed by a 10-year warranty
- Require no physically turning on/off the light – a built-in sensor
- The sensor isn’t really sensitive
For those who want to buy a true high-quality LED bulb with peace in mind, this is worth a try.
Aside from its durable 22,000-hour lifespan, and 8W energy consumption – meaning for 75% energy-efficient, it is manufacturer backed by a 10-year warranty.
It’s also the only option getting Energy Star certification and strict test criteria like color, glare, strobe, and flicker rendition for the best eye protection during the use. Besides, no mercury!
Similar to the Boxlood model, this features a built-in sensor to automatically turn on once dusk is coming and off during daylight.
| Philips LED Dusk-to-Dawn A19 Frosted Light Bulb Specifications | |
|---|---|
Lumen | 800-Lumen |
Operating Temperature | 2-102 degrees F |
Color Temperature | 2700-Kelvin |
Equivalency | 60-Watt |
Highlight Features | Energy Star certified; 22,000-hour lifespan & backed by a 10-year warranty; a built-in sensor |
Coming with a good warranty, built-in sensor, and Energy Star certification, the Philips LED Dusk-to-Dawn A19 Frosted Light Bulb is a tester favorite and become the top choice for energy efficiency.
How To Choose The Best Outdoor Light Bulb for Cold Weather?
Weather Resistance
First and foremost, think about what type of weather the light bulb will be exposed to. Some bulbs are said to be waterproof and can resist snow and rain, but others need protection.
A crucial factor to consider in this case is the temperature at which the bulb will come on. For example, some CFL bulbs start at 32 degrees F while others can start at as low as 0-degree F. You need to find this indicator for each bulb and see if it fits the weather at your place.
Brightness
You also need to decide how bright you want your outdoor bulbs to be. This indicator is measured in lumens; 750 lumens is translated into 60W bulbs. If you want the outdoors to have soft, mood lighting, you can go with fewer lumens. But if you want the outdoors of your house to be bright and clear, opt for high-powered bulbs.
For the small patio, the recommended lighting is 500 lumens, for the driveway is 1500 lumens, for a small garden if 1600 lumens, and for a medium garden is 2400 lumens.
Type of Light
For outdoor lighting in the cold weather, you can choose between CFL and LED lights.
CFL lighting is energy-efficient and affordable. An 18W CFL bulb can produce the same light as a 75W incandescent, and its life span is longer too. However, different CFL bulbs have different minimum temperatures to come on, so remember to look at this indicator.
LED light bulbs have a very long life span and they can come on in extremely low temperatures. In fact, LED lights have higher efficiency at lower temperatures. A 14W LED is as powerful as a 75W incandescent, which is 4W more efficient than CFL.
Motion and Security
If you want your outdoor lighting specifically for security purposes, motion sensing is a vital factor to include in the decision.
An inbuilt motion sensor will turn the light on when there’s an object passing by, making it easier to see the darker corners in your yeard.
Some lights even turn on automatically when it gets dark or others let you turn on/off using your smartphone. So, think about this when you choose an outdoor light for your house.
Which Brands Make The Best Outdoor Light Bulb for Cold Weather?
Great Eagle
Great Eagle Lighting Corp. is specialized in LED lighting with the aim of offering the highest value using cutting-edge technologies to make products more energy-efficient and reliable.
You can find Great Eagle light bulbs at Amazon and Walmart with a variety of options for general lighting, high-brightness LED bulbs for track lights, super high brightness bulbs.
Philips
Philips is one of the most popular brands in the world regarding household electric appliances. It offers a wide range of lighting products like road and urban lighting, floodlighting, sports and area floodlighting, tunnel and underpass lighting, and landscape lighting.
Boxlood
This brand sells spotlight bulbs and sensor bulbs. It even offers smart bulbs that can be controlled with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. If you are a fan of smart homes, smart devices, and convenience, you may find the right light bulb here.
iLC
“Question everything,” iLC always works to come up with better products that can benefit all kinds of users, male and female, righty and lefty, old and young, etc. The brand offers floodlight and smart bulbs that you can control with a remote control or a smartphone.
FAQs
Do LED light bulbs work in extreme cold?
Yes, they do. Unlike traditional lights, LEDs need much less heat to power, which is why they can come on even at freezing temperatures.
Do you need special light bulbs for outside?
Yes, you do.
While indoor lights care protected from the rain, the wind, and extreme weather, outdoor lights have to resist them all. So you need different light bulbs for the outside that are waterproof, resistant to low temperature.
Can LED bulbs be used outdoors?
Yes, they can.
In fact, LED bulbs make a great choice for outdoor lighting due to their characteristics. They are energy efficient, have a long life span, and can work in extreme weather.
Why do LEDs perform better than other bulbs in the cold?
The answer to this question is the explanation for why they are used for outdoor lighting. Because LEDs require much less heat to light up, able to work under extreme forces.
Does cold weather affect motion lights?
Yes, it does, in a good way.
Motion lights detect motion based on the change in temperatures in the surrounding. Therefore, in the cold weather, the change in surrounding temperature will be more apparent, therefore easier to detect. So, motion lights will likely work better in the cold weather.
Conclusion
It’s not that hard to choose the best outdoor light bulbs for cold weather, but you need to keep in mind three factors: weather resistance, type of light, and brightness, each of which should be based on your specific needs and budget.
That’s all for this article. Thanks for reading!
Eugene WilliamsHi, my name is Eugene, the ultimate home enthusiast! I write buying guides and ideas on how to create a warm and welcoming home. Join me on my journey to make everyday in your house a staycation in the comfort of your own space!
