I am a lifelong big-light hater. In every room I enter, I spurn the cool, bright beam of an overhead light in favor of a warmer glow. Warm lighting in the living room creates a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that’s ideal for evening gatherings. Since warm lights soothe our minds and settle our circadian rhythms, they are also well-suited to bedrooms.
When you’re shopping for bulbs, it’s important to understand the lighting temperature basics. When we talk about the temperature of a particular light, we are essentially describing its color. Cool lights cast a clear, white beam that’s useful for illuminating important tasks, such as preparing food, while warm lights create a soft, amber glow to encourage rest and relaxation.
Whether you’re looking to set the mood or wind down well, you need one of the best warm light bulbs. But with so many styles and such a wide range of retailers, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s where I come in. As a shopping writer, I know all the best places to buy lighting. I’ve spent hours searching the sites of specialist stores and top home furniture retailers to bring you the best bulbs for a warm glow. Full disclosure: I haven’t tested them yet. Instead, I’ve scoured the specifications and read thousands of customer reviews.
These vintage-inspired bulbs combine classic style with modern convenience. You won’t want to turn them off.
Best lightbulbs 2024
Light appearance: 2200 Kelvin
Light color: Warm yellow
Lumens: 280 lm
Wattage: 4.5 Watts
Incandescent equivalent: 40 Watts
+Classic style
+Energy-efficient
-May not fit all fixtures
Like the original Edison bulbs, these LED lights make a feature of their filament, which is wound in a zig-zag formation. When illuminated, they cast a warm yellow glow that’s suitable for sensitive eyes. The bulbs themselves stay cool to the touch, since they’re lit by LEDs, which makes them highly energy-efficient. The Warm Candle Light Bulbs can reach full brightness in an instant, and they’re totally dimmable, too. They'd make a great fit for pendant lights or decorative fixtures.
Light appearance: 2000-2800 Kelvin
Light color: Soft white
Lumens: 680 lm
Wattage: 8 Watts
Incandescent equivalent: 53 Watts
+Softer glow
+Easy-to-use inline dimmer
-May not suit all setups
If you’re searching for a warm light, but you just don’t like the look of an exposed filament, then the Tala Knuckle Table Lamp might be the perfect solution. This super-spherical bulb has a matte white finish, which obscures the filament to cast a softer glow. The base of each lamp is made from solid oak with a light, dark, or blackened finish, so you can choose the shade that best complements your color palette. This bulb comes with an inline dimmer, so that you can easily adjust the brightness of your lights and remain flicker-free.
Light appearance: 2200 Kelvin
Light color: Warm white
Lumens: 190 lm
Wattage: 4 Watts
Incandescent equivalent: 40 Watts
+Long-life
+Compatible with any dimmer switch
-May not suit all setups
West Elm’s Nostalgic Light Bulbs are built to last. Each glass bulb has an average lifespan of 15,000 hours. That’s almost two years of non-stop shining. These lights cast a white glow that’s bright enough to read by and warm enough to reduce eye strain. You could use a Nostalgic Light Bulb to illuminate your reading nook or a late-night study session. The bulb base is standard size, so it should sit snugly inside most fixtures. Better yet, these bulbs are compatible with any dimmer switch for full dimmability.
Light appearance: 2200 Kelvin
Light color: Amber
Lumens: 130 lm
Wattage: 3.5 Watts
Incandescent equivalent: 35 Watts
+Energy-efficient
+Striking design
-May not fit in all fixtures
Drawing just 3.5 Watts of electricity to deliver 35 Watts’ worth of light, this LED bulb is highly energy-efficient. With an amber glass case and a one-line filament, this bulb is a spin on the classic Edison design. The only difference is the shape. Where most light bulbs are partially or totally spherical, the T9 Filament Bulb is cylindrical. Just over seven inches long, this bulb might be too tall to sit inside a standard lamp. For a pendant lighting structure, though, it could be just the thing.
Light appearance: 2200 Kelvin
Light color: Warm white
Lumens: 250 lm
Wattage: 5 Watts
Incandescent equivalent: 25 Watts
+Expertly crafted
+Striking design
-Will not fit inside standard fixtures
At first glance, the Voronoi Bulb follows the principles of an Edison design. It has a single filament, a tapered tail, and a rounded middle section. There are also deep dents, lopsided edges and pronounced bulges, forged by tiny pressure variations in the glassmaking process to create a bulb that’s one of a kind. Mouth-blown and hand-assembled by the team at Tala Lighting, this is an artisan light bulb. The Voronoi Bulb looks best as part of a hanging light feature, either displayed alone or in clusters of three.
Light appearance: 2000 Kelvin
Light color: Warm white
Lumens: 120 lms
Wattage: 4 Watts
Incandescent equivalent: 40 Watts
+Striking design
+Compatible with standard sockets
-On the dimmer side
This oblong bulb would make a striking addition to any room. While the shape of the glass is distinct, the size of the base is standard, which means that these bulbs can be installed in any E26 socket. Inside each bulb is an acrylic pillar, around which the filament is wound to create a unique design. These LED lights are compatible with most dimmer switches and fixtures. Just bear in mind that these bulbs are already on the dimmer side, with only 120 lumens. While the Next Glow Bulbs would work well as a hanging light feature, I wouldn’t use them in a reading nook or a study space.
Light appearance: 2100 Kelvin
Light color: Amber
Lumens: 140 lm
Wattage: 40 Watts
+Classic design
+Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
-May not suit all setups
These lights are fitted with an intricate spiral filament which evokes the Edison bulbs of old. Their warm amber glow and elongated teardrop shape suits the Vintage Bulbs for display in pendant lighting or open fixtures. These bulbs are designed to be dimmed, so that you customize the lighting levels in each room to create a unique lightscape. Since they’re also suitable for outdoor use, the Vintage Edison Bulbs would be perfect to light up your porch or your patio.
Light appearance: 2700 Kelvin
Light color: Amber
Lumens: 230 lms
Wattage: 60 Watts
+Classic design
+Suitable for some outdoor use
-Not suitable in wet conditions
Each of these bulbs is filled with hand-woven thread filament, strung in a spiral to resemble Edison’s original design. When lit, the filament glows a warm amber, while the glass cage remains dim. The contrast in colors creates a cylinder of light that looks more like a glimmering candle than an ordinary bulb. The Newhouse Bulbs are fully dimmable and suitable for limited outdoor use. They look and work best in dry outdoor areas, such as covered patios and gazebos.
Light appearance: 2200 Kelvin
Light color: Warm white
Lumens: Unlisted
Wattage: 6 Watts
Incandescent equivalent: 60 Watts
+Classic design
+Suitable for outdoor use
-May not suit all setups
This bulb has the look and feel of an original Edison design, with additional contemporary safety features. Each clear glass cage is coated in silicone for electrical and fire safety. While the filaments are extra-long for authenticity, the base is standard-size, which means that the Teardrop Incandescent Bulb should fit into every E26 socket in your home. These bulbs are dimmable with low-voltage dimmers and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They’re even safe to operate in damp conditions, though you should still avoid prolonged exposure to wet weather.
Technical terms explained
Light appearance = color temperature, measured in Kelvin degrees. A high Kelvin rating indicates a white light.
Light color = a shade, such as white, yellow, or amber.
Lumens = brightness, or how much light a bulb emits. More lumens means a brighter bulb.
Wattage = the amount of energy a bulb uses, measured in Watts.
Incandescent equivalent (LED bulbs only) = the amount of energy an LED bulb would use if it were an incandescent bulb, measured in Watts. The greater the difference between the wattage and the incandescent equivalent, the more efficient the LED bulb.
Best warm bulb FAQs
Are warm lights better?
Whether warm lights are better than cool lights depends on the sort of atmosphere you want to create. Warm lights work best in living rooms and bedrooms, as they encourage rest and relaxation. However, if you’re carrying out tasks that require a high level of concentration, you’ll appreciate the brighter beam of a cool light.
Is warm light good for your eyes?
Yes. Warm light is easier for your eyes to absorb than cool light. Using one of the best warm light bulbs can help to reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality.
Final thoughts
Lighting rules are made to be broken. Don’t be afraid to mix and match bulbs of different temperatures to create truly custom lighting.
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