Whether it is your vehicle’s automatic interior lights or those that shine your license plates, LED is your best option. They are incredibly energy-efficient, highly rated, and most importantly, their light energy output does not weaken compared to regular halogens and CFLs. We’ll rank and review the best-led interior car and license plate lights here.
5 Best LED Interior Car & License Plate Lights:
They are, however, slightly more expensive than their counterparts, which nulls itself out if you consider the long-term relief that they provide. Just buy, plug, and forget about lighting issues for years and years to come.
Here are our picks of the best-LED interior car lights. Grabbing one or two of these for your vehicle, your spouse’s vehicle, and even your kid’s upcoming birthday gift will make your life a lot easier and greener if you know what we mean.
Statistics
If you look at our choice of the best car interior LED lights, the Dutch consumer electronics company Philips is at the top, with the Californian JDM ASTAR mentioned twice. Chinese manufacturer LUYED is known for its best-LED dome lights and is regarded as the pioneer in a cost-effective design. MicTuning is a local Chinese brand founded in 2013 but has found its way up in many of our lists in the past three years.
The above-listed models were selected based on several factors such as color temperature and energy emitting quotient (measured in Kelvin), the intensity of white light (lumens), color variations (whiter the better), cost, ease of use, and installation, rating, material longevity, the guarantee offered by the manufacturer, and other technical specifications. Please note that although we have tested these bulbs in our vehicles, we recommend our readers to consider the make and model of their cars before choosing. Manufacturers often list the compatible models on their websites and on e-tailing sites like Amazon.
#1 – Philips Festoon LED Bright White Interior Vision
Available in different sizes (43 mm, 38mm, T10, etc.) depending upon where you install it in your vehicle, this one is the best white light you can use to give the interior of your car the illumination you are looking for.
With a manufacturer’s guarantee of 12 years, its 6000K color temperature is appropriate for both interiors and exterior lighting. Philips Vision series is most known for its design, filament position, and ability to withstand shock and moisture. Its 360° spread allows it to be used even in your number plate section.
Technical Specifications
- 6000K light temperature
- 5 watts, 12 volts input
- Sizes: 194 LED, T10, 30mm, 38mm, 43mm
- 3 ounces (for 43MM)
Pros
- Pure white light with no trace of blue/amber
- Fast response time/instant-on feature for external use
- Street-legal so that you don’t get pulled over for being stylishly flashy
- Heat and vibration resistant
- Shock- and moisture-proof
Cons
- The color temperature is not 6000K as advertised. We reckon it to be around 5000K, but still, there is no visible blue in the emission
- Unsuitable for dark areas like the trunk
- Many users have reported fitting issues. So, buyers must double-check the sizes and compatibilities
- It has only one LED, which may limit the emission in all areas
- If you are used to super bright stock lights, these may seem dimmer
Cost and Warranty
- The price range changes depending upon the size and usage (internal/external)
- 12 years manufacturer’s guarantee
Philips has been in the lights business for decades, and they know their stuff. So, suppose you are looking for the best-LED map lights (or for exterior purposes like for the license plate or taillights). In that case, the Philips Vision series is the best that money can buy.
#2 – LUYED Super Bright 3014
Of the many options that we have in array lights, the ones produced by LUYED are considered the best-LED dome lights for your car. You will never fumble in the dark with four strips of 48 tiny LEDs that discharge high-quality Xenon white light. Be it your keys or a safety pin that has fallen on your car floor. The LUYED 3014 series will help you find it in seconds flat.
Technical Specifications
- 48-SMD LED festoon bulbs
- 5500/6000L color temperature
- 180° lighting
- 12 to 24 volts input
- 3 ounces in weight
- Approximate size: 42-44mm
Pros
- Pure Xenon white bright light
- Illumination is often compared to sunlight by users
- Array light for extra illumination
- Suitable for trunks and cargo areas as well
- Cooler than most other brands
- Good quality materials
- No blue/purple tints
Cons
- Available in a single size
- It can be loose fitting in some vehicles as it has a flat design. It May require users to tighten the edge tabs
- Not recommended for license plates
Cost and Warranty
- Three months’ “no reason” returns program by LUYED
If you are looking for a super bright array of lights, then LUYED 3014 is a solid choice. It is the best-LED map light out there.
#3 – JDM ASTAR Super Bright AX-2835 Chipsets
JDM ASTAR is one of the best-reviewed LED brands in the States. Both its models featured in this list are known for their Xenon white light with 6000K color temperature. The brand is so popular in the country that it is also one of the most counterfeited products. Hence, we request our readers to use our affiliate links to buy original JDM products.
Technical Specifications
- 6000K color temperature
- Surface-mount device (SMD) technology chipsets
- 6-LED flat chipsets
- 5 watts input
- 2835 SMD-type chips that companies like Samsung use
Pros
- Perfect replacement item for yellow halogen bulbs in dome/map lights
- Pure white with no hint of blue/purple
- Easy on the eyes
- Solution for low-light areas
- It consists of a large heat sink on the back
Cons
- It does not fit properly and often needs custom bending of the tabs for proper connection. This can cause flickers
- No consistency in batches (e.g., if you buy two sets of these, both batches will have slightly different sizes). This is a big no-no when it comes to car lights
- The heat sinks in these can cause a short circuit in some car models (Honda, Mazda)
Cost and Warranty
- One year limited warranty
Suppose you are looking for interior lighting that is most suitable for sedans and hatchbacks. In that case, this series from JSD ASTAR is the one you should be buying. Due to their neutral design (of six LED bulbs), they are considered the best-LED door lights on the market.
#4 – MicTuning 3528 LED White Festoon Dome Interior Light
A lesser-known brand, MicTuning, first came to prominence when it started selling directional lights for automobiles. Since then, it has been often cited as one of the foremost LED light bulb manufacturers, which gives equal attention to design and efficacy. The 12-SMD 3582 series are suitable for 180° lighting, i.e., interior dome, map, and trunk; exterior backlights, and front floodlights. They are plug-and-play and have greater shock resistance, making them suitable even for ATVs and other adventure vehicles.
Technical Specifications
- SMD-3528/1210 series with 12-volt DC input
- The bright white light of 6000K emission and 181-degree light output
- Rated for 50,000 hours of operation, with faster ON/OFF response time
- 31mm standard size
Pros
- Pure white light
- Known to give out 6000/6500 color
- Fast ON/OFF response time makes it well-suited for external and internal use.
- Longer lasting than its immediate competition
- Built-in Canbus LED support
- Polarity insensitive
- Low-cost. They are the least priced LED bulb on this list
- Cool emission
Cons
- Fitting issues as only one size is available
- Thin metal wire internal connections can cause the whole assembly connection to go kaput
- Not suitable for signal lamps (indicators)
- A slight bluish hue may put off some users
Cost and Warranty
- No clarity from the manufacturer about any warranty, but Amazon provides 30-day free returns.
Our experts tried it on different parts of our car. They fit perfectly as license plate lamps, interior navigation dome lamps, map lamps, glove boxes, and front DRL shoots. Although we didn’t try it on our doors, their 180-degree output makes them perfect. If you are looking for an economical way to go green and forget about the lighting of your cars for years, then MicTuning has all the answers.
#5 – JDM ASTAR Super Bright High Power 5630
As you already know, JDM ASTAR is one of the best brands. With the High Power 5630, they now claim to produce the best-valued LED bulbs in the market. The significant difference in this set is that the LEDs fit vertically on the stem so they might require a special socket. Other than this minor issue, they provide great value for money, emit bright white light, and are perfect for all applications – from tail lights to high-mount brakes, parking lights to AC system lights, a dashboard to map lights – everything. No wonder JSD ASTAR is considered the best-LED interior car lights manufacturer.
Technical Specifications
- Set of 10 bulbs that are 0.43 inches in diameter and 0.94 inches in length
- Fits 147, 152, 158, 159, 161, 168, 175, 184, 192, 193, 194 2825 2827 and W5W panels
- 6000k HID emission
Pros
- Very bright considering their small size
- 3x brighter than other JSD models
- Brighter than and perfect replacement of stock bulbs
- Suitable for all applications
Cons
- Size may be an issue. A lot of customers have complained about fitting problems.
- Due to the fitting issues, they may give out flickers
- Thinner base, which can quickly wear off in a few months if not handled properly
- Parts of the bulbs are made of low-quality material
Cost and Warranty
- One year limited warranty
As one Amazon customer puts it, “JSD is no joke” the brand is deservedly known for its LED products. If you are looking for a single solution to your car’s lighting problems, then the 5630 series will be the wisest choice. It is cost-effective, efficient, and long-lasting – the three most important parameters that all car owners consider.
Benefits of LED Lights vs. Halogens
One must understand why LED lights are currently the best option for lighting purposes. Incandescent lamps are a thing of the past now, so much that some of their variations are banned in certain parts of the world. In this new age of technology where “going green” is considered a virtue, one should understand the merits of investing in and using different types of bulbs that are long-lasting and efficient. That brings us to the trending topic of LED (short for the light-emitting diode) that you see almost every day – from Christmas lights used by your neighbors to beacons used in airport runways and naval bases.
Technically speaking, LED is a small electronic device made of semiconductor materials (usually juxtaposed with Silicon, Gallium, and Arsenic) that produce light when a direct current (DC) is passed through it. It has been around since the 80s, and the best example of its use that you may have missed is that tiny red-colored light that you see on your TV when you switch it off using the remote controller. That tiny object which changes from green to red and vice versa is a light-emitting diode. Decades later, we understood its real potential and started using it in everything commercial, including cars.
Conclusion
These are the five best-LED interior car lights that should be on your list as you go accessory shopping this year. They are not only a perfect replacement for your old halogen stock lights but will also help you stand out from the crowd. The world is changing faster thanks to global warming, and getting an LED bulb installed in your car is your way of helping the cause.
We hope that this list will aid in your online research and that you have already added your choice to the cart. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us or let us know in the comments.
Photos/Images: Ashery Design, Amazon
