A lamp or light fitting with a bulb in the style of the Edison light bulb looks amazing. Whether it is an industrial-style lighting fixture or a modern fitting. These antique vintage bulbs will create a special ambiance and feel in your home lighting system.
We are going to take look at some of the best vintage bulbs on the market modeled on the original light bulb designed by Thomas Edison. But, whether or not he designed the first light bulb is a debate for another day.
The LED designs in the style of the Edison light bulb are becoming ever more popular, with many suppliers vying for the market. This, therefore, allows us to have a wonderful retro look that is not only cost-effective but environmentally friendly.
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Best Vintage Lights Designed On The Edison Light Bulb
We’ve put together a list of our ten best LED Edison-style bulbs. They come in many different shapes and with different filaments.
Best Vintage Look: Luxon Dimmable Vintage Edison Light Bulb Style
Pack of 6 bulbs with E26 or E27 base type.
This Luxon option is the closest you can get to original vintage light bulbs. The amber glass and gold filament look classic and give the classic a warm yellow glow of a filament bulb.
Aside from the looks of these lights, Luxon has also put careful consideration into the technology. Where most LEDs emit light at 180°, this model provides a full 360° stereo illumination so that all parts of the room are brightened.
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Whatever brightness you choose, these bulbs are flicker-free and will give an accurate color rendering with a CRi over 80. These bulbs look great in any vanity or in a cable lighting fixture.
Most Retro Design: CTK Edison Light Bulb Style LED Retro Look
Pack of 4 bulbs with an E26 base type.
This well-designed bulb by CTK is 25 watts with an interesting spiraled exposed filament. The thin light is a soft yellow giving the room a comfortable amber glow.
If you like the classic look but don’t need the brightness, then this is a perfect choice. With low lumens, these lights are perfect for small cozy rooms and ideal for romantic restaurants.
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Although the wattage is slightly higher than some on our list of reviews, being LED the bulbs will not overheat at any time. Leaving them cool to the touch at all times.
Industrial Atmosphere: Nostalgia Era T-9 Beacon – Edison Light Bulb Style Tube
Pack of 4 bulbs with an E26 base type.
If you’re looking for that raw, industrial atmosphere then the Nostalgia Era T-9 beacon bulbs are an excellent choice.
Available as singles or in packs of 4 to 10 these vintage bulbs have some of the most authentic filaments of any on our list.
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These mimic the gas flame of the old-fashioned railroad lanterns and are 30w filament bulbs. Being quite a bit longer than most, 7 inches, ideal to give a wonderful warm glow in most settings.
For The Romantics: Mobestech Heart Shaped Vintage Edison Bulb
Pack of 1 bulb with an E26 base type.
Many of these classic shapes on our list are maybe geared towards an industrial atmosphere. Well here’s one for you romantics.
Just imagine having this super vintage bulb lit for a romantic dinner for 2. This Modestech heart-shaped Edison-style bulb would also be perfect for the bedroom. In fact anywhere that a wonderfully soft warm glow is required giving an atmosphere and ambiance to the room.
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Since this LED light bulb can be dimmed you can always lower the brightness to something more cozy and romantic if you need to.
Most Popular: CMYK Vintage LED Designed On The Edison Light Bulb
Pack of 6 bulbs with an E26 base.
The CMYK option has a large customer base on Amazon with nearly 1000 reviews. Featuring a classic squirrel cage exposed filament with clear glass.
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You have the option to choose different color temperatures ranging from the warmest 2200 Kelvins to a cool temperature of 4000 kelvins. As is common with this form of lighting, these lights are not the brightest with only 330 lumens making them more appropriate for atmospheric lighting in bars and dining rooms.
This particular light bulb emits light at 360° so they work fantastic grouped together in a chandelier in place of candelabra light bulbs. These are also made of a sturdy design so work just as well as pathway lighting in your garden.
Most Unique Shaped Style Of Edison Light Bulb: Emotionlite LED Vintage Tubular Bulb
Pack of 6 bulbs with an E26 base type.
Show off your flair for interior design with these uniquely shaped short tubular bulbs by Emotionlite. Each bulb measures only 1.5 inches by 3.9 inches making them suitable for small lamp shades but also look subtly beautiful in a minimalist chandelier.
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These can be dimmed when combined with the correct Leviton or Lutron dimmer. No matter what level you have the lights set to, there is no waiting time for the light bulbs to reach ultimate brightness.
Extremely energy-efficient with an estimated annual electricity cost of only 48 cents. On top of that, these lights can last for over two decades with approx of 3 hours of use per day, their claim not ours.
Individual LED Filament: Kiven ST64 Vintage Take On The Edison Light Bulb Look
Pack of 1 bulb with E26 or E27 base type.
The most appealing aspect of these is the exposed filament. That is exactly what makes the Kiven bulb lamp so beautiful with its chandelier-like filament.
This unique bulb gives off a warm light of 2200 Kelvins with an impressive low wattage of only 3 watts. This gives you a gorgeous warm feel without the energy inefficiency of incandescent lighting.
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These are both friendly to the environment and friendly to your eyes. The bulb does not contain any mercury and doesn’t flicker or give off UV rays.
If you are looking for decorative lights that look like old antique bulbs get hot? bulbs then the Kiven model is definitely the one. Use these filament light bulbs for overhead lighting fixtures exposed for maximum impact.
Scientific Design: 4W Dimmable Edison Look Tubular Lights
Pack of 6 bulbs with and E26 base.
For a modern twist on the vintage light bulbs pick up these tubular. They qualify as T10 light bulbs with an E26 screw fitting so you can still fit them into most lighting fixtures and they look excellent in modern chandeliers.
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Unlike the bright white color temperature of most T10 lighting, these tubular lights stick to the characteristics of warm light with a soft white glow. With 2700K color temperature they will create a wonderful atmosphere in any gloomy space.
A Golden Glow: Sphoon E12 LED Decorative Flexible Filament Light Bulb
Pack of 5 bulbs with an E12 base type.
An anomaly on this list is this is an E12 base tubular light bulb with a lovely winding exposed filament. This Sphoon design takes inspiration from the vintage bulb but upgraded with a golden glow.
Replace your glaring T25 and T6 tube lights with this very romantic vintage light by Sphoon. Don’t worry about the low lumens, the LED light emits light 360° which also helps to keep the glass cool.
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These look beautiful in exposed sockets on their own or as part of elaborate lighting fixtures that form the centerpiece of a room. Once they are installed, you won’t have to go through the hassle of replacing them again any time soon with its very low 3 watts and 25,000-hour lifespan.
Best Globe Shaped Edison Light Bulb Style: Kohree Dimmable Edison Globe Lights
Pack of 6 bulbs with an E26 base.
If you like to see exposed filament but prefer globe-shaped bulbs then you can still have the classic feel with these globe lights by Kohree. Give your vanity a retro look or use them for pendant lighting in your kitchen.
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The Kohree globe light bulbs reach full brightness after 2-4 seconds and cover a wide area with a 340° illumination. The lights won’t harm your eyes as there is no glare or flickering.
The design prevents water from entering so these can also be used on your porch. Create a circuit of several to create romantic retro string lights or cozy interior lighting.
Best LED Edison Bulb Buying Guide
The choice for buying vintage Edison bulbs is often up to aesthetic preference but there are still technical details to think about when looking for yours.
Here is a quick overview of what you need to know about vintage LED light bulbs and to get that quaint old-fashioned appearance in your home. Most important is that you know the size of your lamp holder before purchasing.
If you need a quick recap, here are our 3 best vintage LED Edison light bulb picks;
- Dimmable Edison Design
- Closest to Vintage Look
- 360° Stereo Illumination
- Luxon 1 Year Warranty
- Soft Romantic Glow
- Classic Design
- For Cozy Areas
- Multi-functional
- 25,000-hour lifespan
- Dimmable Edison Design
- 360 Degrees Beam
- Very Eco-Friendly
Consider the Color Temperature
The vintage look is often enhanced with a warm yellow LED color temperature between 2200 – 2800 Kelvins and this can be exaggerated by tinted glass. Think about what you really want from this kind of light and whether you prefer tinted glass or not.
The aesthetics of these lights tend to be more appropriate for rooms that are for lounging, rather than for work, like living rooms, dining rooms or even on the porch.
If you have a dimmer switch ensure that you purchase a bulb that is compatible with dimmers or you will damage your new bulb. But lights with a dimmer do give you more control over the atmosphere created in the room. Learn more about how modern-day LED dimmer switches work here.
There are a few of these antique style light bulbs that are available and steer away from the classic yellow warmth with a bright white color temperature of 3000 Kelvins and above. These are a good option if you like the vintage look but prefer a more modern cool light.
Check the Brightness
Similar to the color temperature, many of these bulbs have a lower brightness compared to regular LED bulbs’ performance. If a strong light is important for the room then remember to check the lumens value on the packaging,
It is also good to know that despite many of these lights having a dimming function, many users have found that even at maximum brightness the lighting is not very intense. Don’t let yourself be distracted by the mentioned watts equivalent; lumens are a much better indicator of the brightness.
The Exposed Filaments are LEDs
The LED technology is different so the exposed filament that you see are the actual LEDs. The way the faux incandescent bulb filament is shaped influences the light distribution so take a closer look at the design. The best way to check is to find the mentioned light distribution angle on the product description.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
Are Edison bulbs dimmable?
As with any type of LED, not all Edison bulbs are dimmable. You must ensure before purchasing that it states dimmer compatible on the package.
Unlike the LED of this style, the incandescent bulbs are compatible for use with a dimmer.
What are the brightest Edison bulbs?
When you are purchasing Edison bulbs and looking for the brightest which is the 100-watt incandescent and 10-watt LED, be aware that you must take into account that they will not emit the same amount of brightness that the standard LED or incandescent bulbs do.
As an example, the standard lumens for a 60-watt bulb would be 800, with an Edison bulb that is down to about 400 lumens.
Do Edison bulbs give off good light?
Although Edison bulbs give off good light, you must bear in mind that they will not give the same brightness as a standard incandescent or LED bulb.
If atmosphere lighting or ambiance is what you are looking for, then this form of lighting will not disappoint.
Do LED Edison bulbs get hot?
As with all LED light bulbs, LED Edison bulbs do not get hot. They give the warmth of light and a wonderful atmosphere but they will stay cool to the touch, even with the large Edison bulb.