High brightness h4 halogen lamps. Which H7 and H4 low beam lamps are the best for cars - an overview of options and tips

Unlike the single-filament H7 models, the H4 type headlights are built on two incandescent spirals, that is, one is responsible for supplying the low beam, and the other for the high beam. Today it is one of the most popular lighting accessories for cars, because a constructive solution of this type allows you to abandon the usual "halogens", replacing them with a mono-xenon or even a bi-xenon version.

Let's figure out which are the best, what you should pay attention to first of all, and what advantages certain types of lighting accessories have. The opinions of experts in this field and reviews of car owners will be taken into account.

In order to define and designate more clearly, we present all respondents in the form of a rating. It included both classic versions and more advanced versions with an increased resource and some kind of effects.

The best H4 bulbs

Classic Models:

1. Philips Vision.
2. MTF-LIGHT LongLife "Standard" plus 30%.
3. OSRAM "Original" Line.

With increased light beam:

1. Philips X-Treme Vision plus 130%.
2. MTF-LIGHT "Argentum" plus 80%.
3. OSRAM Night Breaker Unlimited.

With visual effects:

1. MTF-LIGHT "Titanium".
2. Philips White Vision.
3. KOITO White Beam series III.

Bi-xenon lamps:

1. MTF LIGHT.
2. MAX LUX.
3. SHO-ME.

All of the above models of lamps have been at specific exhibitions more than once and received some awards. In addition, they all have a very good base of positive reviews from motorists and are distinguished by a well-balanced price / quality indicator. Let's consider each participant in more detail.

So, H4 lamps - an overview of the best and most successful models.

Classic halogen options

All conventional H4 class autolamps operate at standard powers of 55-60 watts. The accessory is mounted in standard optics without any serious restrictions and is distinguished by typical luminous intensity. One of the main features of such lamps is stability in operation and a rather long service life.

They also have a very affordable price tag and we can say about these accessories that this is a regular or standard H4 low beam lamp. Which is better is up to you, but any model from the list below will adequately serve for a long time.

PHILIPS Vision H4

The model can be found in almost any, both online and offline auto shop. The best H4 low beam lamps of the Vision series from Philips have more than an adequate cost and are distinguished by their reliability, which is far from the last argument for a purchase for a domestic buyer and with our roads.

Car owners respond very positively to the series. Users are quite satisfied not only with the price tag for the accessory, but also with the brightness of the models (5000 K), along with a long operating time. Some complain about the abundance of fakes that are sold for 50-100 rubles. apiece, but here it is important to understand that the best H4 (classic) cannot be bought cheaper than two hundred rubles.

Estimated cost - about 220 rubles.

MTF-LIGHT LongLife Standart +30% H4

The LongLife Standart series is distinguished by a perfectly balanced cost, where the price / quality ratio is fully respected, and not all H4 lamps can boast of this. Of course, it is up to you to decide which models are best for your car, but a good part of users prefer this particular brand and series.

LONGLIFE has a significantly increased service life compared to the previous responder, and is also protected from minor mechanical damage. In addition, the STANDART +30% models have an attractive color temperature of 2900 K.

Estimated price - about 250 rubles.

OSRAM Original Line H4

When you are asked to offhand list the best H4 lamps, OSRAM brand models certainly come to mind, which is not surprising. The company has been manufacturing and developing such accessories for a very long time and, as they say, ate a dog in this business.

The Original Line series received an excellent color temperature of 3200 K, as well as a reinforced body that is not afraid of domestic roads. There are more than enough positive reviews about the company's products, but it has one drawback - a lot of fakes, and sometimes quite high-quality ones. In this case, it is also worth remembering that the best H4 lamps from OSRAM cannot cost 100 rubles.

Estimated cost - about 350 rubles.

High brightness lamps

Having the same power as the classics - 55/60 W, lamps with increased brightness are able to increase the range of the light beam and have higher color temperatures.

In most cases, the package with the accessory reflects the percentage increase in light output compared to the classic indicators (+40%, +60%, etc.).

Vision +130% H4

The X-Treme Vision series are the best high brightness H4 lamps at a more than affordable price. The models were distinguished by a luminous flux increased by 130 meters and an increased beam intensity, up to 130%. Field tests have shown that the last parameter differs slightly from the declared one, but not by much - by 5-10 percent down.

The Kelvin indicator fluctuates within 3700 units, so the glow temperature will be more than comfortable for the owner even in the dead of night (which cannot be said about drivers in oncoming cars).

MTF-LIGHT Argentum +80% H4

The Argentum series is distinguished by 80% increased brightness, a good increase in luminous flux - just over 15 m, and a pleasant shade of light in a silvery-white range. Oddly enough, the last point has become a decisive factor for many car owners at the time of purchase.

In addition, Argentum lamps received a good service life, a relatively durable housing, as well as a very beautiful and practical stand box in the kit.

The estimated cost is about 1,000 rubles.

OSRAM Night Breaker Unlimited H4

The Night Breaker series from OSRAM are the best H4 lamps for wet road surfaces. Thanks to the almost crystal white light, the wet road at night is perfectly illuminated, both in the near and in the far optics mode.

The Unlimited model has a 110% increased brightness and a 30-35 meter beam range. Naturally, for the owner of the lamps, the road is visible at a glance, but almost every second oncoming car will blink at you about switching to low beam, although you are already driving it.

Estimated price - about 1,100 rubles.

visual effect lamps

It is known that white-bluish light is most familiar to human eyes, because it is much closer to daylight, and therefore the least tiring. Moreover, such a gamma illuminates the road surface and some small details much better.

Many manufacturers of such accessories strive to create lamps with the capabilities of xenon, but at low power, that is, a kind of premium "trick". One of the critical drawbacks of such optics is mediocre vision in bad weather.

MTF-LIGHT Titanium H4

The Titanium series has an eye-pleasing yellow-white glow and a brightness of 450 lumens. The color temperature fluctuates within 4400 K, so the road is perfectly visible.

Inexperienced car owners very often confuse the glow of the Titanium series with real xenon, but unlike the latter, visibility in rain and fog is noticeably worse.

Estimated cost - about 900 rubles.

PHILIPS White Vision H4

The White Vision series is within the standard xenon - 4300 K. The lamps illuminate the road very well and have a 60% increased brightness. In addition, the series is distinguished by the presence of a patented coating technology for optics of the 3rd generation.

Pleasant colors do not strain the eyes, and drivers of oncoming cars are not so outraged by the high temperature of the glow and increased brightness. The series is in enviable demand among domestic consumers and has, for the most part, positive reviews.

Estimated price - about 1,000 rubles.

KOITO H4 White Beam III

KOITO brand is famous Japanese quality for your car. The third series of White Beam works with a classic temperature for xenon - 4200 K. With its seemingly modest power of 55 W, the lamps visually produce a flux almost similar to 100-watt optics.

A pleasant bluish tint illuminates the road well and does not blind drivers of oncoming cars so much, so, judging by the reviews, there should not be any problems at night. Naturally, on wet pavement, visibility deteriorates significantly.

The estimated cost is about 1300 rubles.

bi-xenon lamps

Taking into account the design differences between conventional “halogens” and H4, when replacing, many motorists prefer bi-xenon optics. Its main feature is that the dipped beam is switched on on a permanent basis, and the high beam comes as an additional option.

In addition, the bi-xenon range significantly differs in price from the above types of lamps upwards due to a more complex and technological design.

MTF-LIGHT H4

The model allows the driver to choose the temperature of the glow, depending on the environment. The time for which the arc is formed does not exceed 0.3 seconds, which is very good for optics of this kind.

It takes about 15 seconds to fully stabilize the luminous flux, after which the lamp starts to work normally. Judging by the feedback from users, there were no problems with operation, vision and light saturation. The model fully justifies the funds invested in it according to the principle - set and forget.

Estimated price - about 2,000 rubles.

MAXLUX H4

Another very interesting and more than acceptable option for replacing standard halogen lamps. The model has a very good protection against moisture and dirt for its class, so you don't have to worry about the condition of the base and connectors.

In addition, the line has been distinguished by relatively low power consumption and stable operation in all weather conditions, whether it be heavy rain with fog or extensive snowfall.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the production branches. Judging by the reviews of car owners, the lamps made in the factories of South Korea are much better than their Chinese counterparts, so it would not be out of place to pay special attention to this point before buying.

The estimated cost is about 2,000-3,000 rubles (4300 K-5000 K).

SHO-ME H4

This is one of the most budget Chinese versions of bi-xenon. It, of course, has its drawbacks, which mainly affect the duration of operation, but SHO-ME lamps perform their function quite tolerably.

Among the main advantages, it can be noted, first of all, an extremely affordable price tag, a magnetic design, as well as the ability to choose color temperatures. The optics resource is designed for approximately 2000 hours, but you should not expect more from a budget model.

The bi-xenon range from SHO-ME is perfect for cars of our auto industry, as well as for foreign-made models of the middle and budget segment. Our compatriots fell in love with the "Chinese" for its very low cost and for a more or less high-quality light beam, which, unlike similar devices from the Middle Kingdom, can be adjusted according to temperature.

Estimated price - about 500 rubles.

The duration of the solar day is decreasing. Increasingly, motorists are starting to turn on the headlights. The driver peers intently into the dim road, looking for a roadside or a lurking hole. A horseman jumps out to meet him, whose headlights shine into the sky. The angle of view narrows sharply. Suspension strike! “I missed one,” clicks in my head. “Oh, how there is not enough light!” - as if echoed by the second half of the brain. And the eyes continue to peer into the tape of the roadway. “It was necessary to change the lamps in the headlights!” - comes from somewhere a thought that has been put aside for a long time on the back shelf ...

Here is an example of a standard traffic situation in which both drivers did not take care of traffic safety at night. The headlights of one do not illuminate the road well, and the headlights of the other blind oncoming drivers and also poorly illuminate the road.

We are sure that our readers are not so careless and do not want to get into a similar situation. To be prepared, you need to slightly modify your car by replacing the headlight bulbs before the winter season. To get more of the much-needed luminous flux will allow lamps of increased light output, the bright boxes of which flaunt on the windows of all car dealerships. But what to choose? Of the numbers on the packages that indicate an increase in light, “+ 30%” is almost the most modest. And so “+60%”, “+90%”, and some promise all “+100%” of light! Fantasy draws a road filled with bright light in the middle of the midnight darkness ...

To find out which lamps are better, the editorial staff of the AvtoDela magazine bought 12 sets of headlight lamps with increased light output in Moscow car dealerships and contacted the laboratory of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Research and Experimental Institute of Automotive Electronics and Electrical Equipment" (NIIAAE) to conduct a test according to the method established by UNECE Regulations No. 37-03 and UNECE No. 112-00.

The headlight with a lamp installed in it was placed in a dark room, where the cut-off line required by GOST was set at a distance of 25 m from the source. The operator measured the illumination at control points and compared it with the requirements of the rules. The points at which measurements are made are designated as follows: 0-0 - a point characterizing the light of the vehicle in front through the rear-view mirror; B50L - a point characterizing the blindness of the driver of an oncoming car; 75R and 50R - points characterizing the illumination of the right shoulder.

Additional materials:

Koito VWhite - H4 headlight lamp, test

The Koito Manufacturing Corporation was founded in 1915, when it released its first invention, used for signal lamps on railways, which improved the visibility of the tracks, which made it possible to improve the safety of both passengers and goods. This was the beginning of the development of the Koito Corporation, which specializes in the production of lighting products for various modes of transport.

Now one of the main activities of Koito is the production of automotive lamps and lighting systems.

Today, Koito supplies all of Japan's major automotive factories and is highly acclaimed for its research and development. Successful testing of the company's products in the Paris-Dakar rally and other off-road competitions gives the company the basis to be called a leading manufacturer of automotive lamps and lighting systems.

DESIGN FEATURES

In addition to the standard ones, Koito's product range includes lamps with increased light output, which include the Koito VWhite H4 model. According to the manufacturer, the high-temperature VWHITE lamps provide twice the brightness of the glow, while consuming the same amount of energy as conventional halogen lamps. This is achieved due to the fact that the glow temperature of the lamp filament is higher than in standard samples. To prevent the tungsten of the filament from burning out, the concentration of an inert gas is increased in the flask. At the same time, it is pumped into the lamp bulb at a pressure twice that of a standard lamp.

The lamp bulb has a blue tint, made of quartz glass - more refractory than usual, and filtering the ultraviolet part of the radiation, due to which the Koito VWhite H4 lamps are absolutely safe for the polycarbonate headlights of modern cars. Also, since the electric power of the lamp is standard (60/55 W), the lamp also does not emit excess heat - no more than a standard one. Due to such technical innovations, the color temperature of the light has been increased to 3700K, which improves the driver's color perception.

The llamas are sold in pairs in clear plastic packaging with a red label inscribed with Japanese characters. We want to warn readers right away that you should not be afraid of the declared power value of 100/90 W: with these figures, the manufacturer is trying to emphasize the increased light output of the lamps. Their electrical power is standard, so you can safely put them in a car.

TEST RESULTS

Measurement of electrical power consumption at a test voltage of 13.2 V showed that the lamp is fully within the parameters declared by European regulations, and the Koito VWhite H4 lamp is completely safe for the car's electrical wiring. At the same time, the luminous flux of the incandescent filament (for both low beam and high beam) fully fits into the range established by GOST, and is 1500 lm for high beam and 930 lm for low beam.

At the cut-off line, the Koito VWhite H4 lamp showed good geometry, forming the correct beam. Light from headlights with Koito VWhite lamps installed will not dazzle oncoming drivers, since the illumination at the control point at a value of 44 lm is within the limits specified for serial products.

Measurements of the illumination value at the 0-0 point showed that the lamp fits into the requirements of GOST and will not blind the driver ahead: with an illumination requirement of less than 0.7 lm, the Koito VWhite illumination does not exceed 0.61 lm.

The Koito VWhite lamp well illuminates the near shoulder zone, the illumination value of which is 15.1 lm, while the requirement for serial production is 9.6 lm, and also well illuminates the far shoulder zone - 11.5 lm.

ADVANTAGES

Increased light output. Clear cut-off line. Protection against blinding of oncoming and passing vehicles.

FLAWS

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

The Koito VWhite headlamps in the H4 base showed a good test result and deserve the attention of motorists.

GE MegaLight Ultra - H4 headlight lamp, test

General Electric, or GE, as a manufacturer of lamps for the home, has long been known to Russian consumers. Before the crisis, the company was also well represented in the automotive segment. Now their market share has greatly decreased, and finding headlights under the GE brand is not so easy.

DESIGN FEATURES

GE MegaLight Ultra headlamps in the H4 base are sold in pairs in a simple paper box painted in gray-lilac colors. The lamp bulb is colorless, with a blue stripe in the upper part of the bulb, and the bulb cap is painted with silver paint.

The manufacturer claims that the luminous flux of the lamp is increased by 90%.

TEST RESULTS

Measuring the consumed electric power of GE MegaLightUltra did not show exceeding the permissible parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam incandescent filament was 995 lm, the high beam filament - 1520 lm. This is slightly lower than the value recommended by GOST, but within the required range.

At the cut-off line, the GE MegaLightUltra halogen lamp performed well, but not perfectly. A certain dark spot is visible at the top of the right illumination zone and a light spot above the control line to the right of the center.

The light from headlights with GE MegaLight Ultra lamps installed is unsafe for the driver and does not meet the safety requirements of GOST, as it will dazzle both oncoming and passing drivers. With the requirement for illumination at the B50L point of no more than 0.4 lm, the illumination with the installed GE MegaLight Ultra lamp was 0.73 lm. For the 0-0 point, the measured value of 1.05 lm is 50% higher than the requirements of the European regulations.

According to the illumination of the curb zone, the lamp fits into the requirements. Illumination values ​​at control points 75R and 50R were 12 and 22.6 lm, respectively.

It should be noted that one lamp from the kit burned out during the tests.

ADVANTAGES

Good coverage of the near shoulder area.

FLAWS

The lamp does not meet the requirements of UNECE Regulation No. 112-00. During the tests, one lamp burned out.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

GE MegaLight Ultra headlight lamps in the H4 base, when installed in a car, will dazzle both oncoming and ahead drivers.

GE SpotLight Silver - H4 headlight lamp, test

DESIGN FEATURES

GE SportLight Silver headlight bulbs in H4 base are sold in pairs in a simple blue-painted paper box. The lamp bulb has a pale blue tint, and the bulb cap is painted with silver paint.

GE claims a 50% increase in lamp lumen output.

According to the manufacturer, the GE SportLight Silver lamp uses Superblue technology to create a "cold light". The manufacturer's website says that the technology is to use quartz glass with a blue tint to make the bulb.

It also announced the use of Megalight Plus technology - an increased luminous flux, which is achieved due to improved internal geometry, due to which the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe illuminated part of the road increases (especially at a distance of 30 to 80 meters from the car on the right side), the contours of the light spot become sharper, better obstacles, road signs are visible, and there is no need for additional headlights.

TEST RESULTS

Measurements of the electrical power consumption of the GE SportLight Silver did not show that the lamp exceeded the allowable parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam incandescent filament was 920 lm, for the high beam filament - 1590 lm. This is slightly lower than the values ​​​​recommended by GOST, but within the required.

At the cut-off line, the GE SportLight Silver halogen lamp performed well, although the right side of the “jackdaw” was clearly visible above the norm.

Light from headlights with GE SportLight Silver lamps installed will not dazzle either oncoming or passing drivers, since at an illumination value of 0.38 lm for the B50L point and 0.7 lm for the 0-0 point, the values ​​\u200b\u200bare within the requirements of European regulations.

In terms of illumination of the roadside area, the lamp meets the requirements of serial production. Illumination values ​​at the 75R and 50R control points were 11.5 lm and 15.4 lm, respectively.

ADVANTAGES

Safety for oncoming and passing drivers.

FLAWS

Lamps are rarely found in auto shops.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

The GE SportLight Silver headlamps in the H4 base did a good job of meeting the required parameters, but no more.

Koito WhiteBeam III - H4 headlight lamp, test

DESIGN FEATURES

Model Koito White Beam III refers to lamps with high light output. According to the manufacturer, the high-temperature lamps of the White Beam series provide twice the brightness of the glow, while consuming the same amount of energy as conventional halogen lamps. The glow temperature of the filament is higher than in standard samples. To prevent the tungsten of the filament of the lamp from burning out, the concentration and pressure (twice as high as in the standard one) of an inert gas are increased in the flask.

The bulb of the blue tint lamp is made of quartz glass - more refractory than usual, and filtering the UV part of the radiation, due to which Koito White Beam III lamps are absolutely safe for the polycarbonate headlights of modern cars. The electrical power of the lamp is standard (60/55 W), and therefore the lamp does not emit excess heat (no more than standard lamps). Due to such technical innovations, the color temperature of the light is increased to 4200K, which improves the color perception of the driver.

The llamas are sold in pairs in clear plastic packaging with a white label inscribed with Japanese characters. The "loud" figures "135/125 W", as conceived by the manufacturer, mean an increased light output of the lamps. Their electrical power is standard, so they can be safely put in a car.

TEST RESULTS

Measurement of the electrical power consumption at a test voltage of 13.2 V showed that the Koito White Beam III lamp fully fits into the parameters declared by European regulations and is completely safe for the car's electrical wiring. The luminous flux of the filament for both low beam and high beam is completely within the range established by GOST: 880 and 1440 lm, respectively.

At the cut-off line, the Koito White Beam III halogen lamp showed good geometry, forming the correct beam. It was clearly seen that the color of the lamp goes into the cold part of the spectrum compared to standard halogens. It was noticeable to the naked eye that in the field of roadside illumination the beam brightness was higher than in other parts of the spatial distribution pattern.

Light from headlights with Koito White Beam III lamps installed will not dazzle oncoming drivers, since the illumination to the reference point at a value of 44 lm is within the limits established for serial production.

Measurements of the illumination value at the 0-0 point showed that the lamp complies with the requirements of GOST and will not blind the driver in front. With an illumination requirement of less than 0.7 lm, the illumination from the Koito White Beam III does not exceed 0.54 lm.

The Koito White Beam III illuminates the near shoulder area well (15.9 lm against the standard requirement of 9.6 lm) and also well illuminates the far shoulder area (11.6 lm).

ADVANTAGES

Increased light output. Increased brightness in the curb area. Protection against blinding of oncoming and passing vehicles.

FLAWS

All labels are in Japanese.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

The Koito White Beam III headlamps in the H4 base showed good test results and deserve the attention of motorists.

MTF Light Titanium - H4 headlight lamp, test

MTF lamps are manufactured by the Korean company Jenn Feng, whose main activity is the production and sale of lighting equipment, including high-intensity gas discharge (xenon) and projector lamps used in automotive and projector systems, electronic equipment and communication systems.

DESIGN FEATURES

Headlight lamps MTF Light Titanium in the H4 base are sold in pairs in a plastic package with a Russian-language label. The bulb of the lamp is blue. According to the data indicated on the site, this is a double interference coating.

The manufacturer claims that the lamp is 450 lumens brighter and that the color temperature of the lamp is 4400K. It is also indicated that the lamps are made of special glass that absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation (UVSTOP marking). Safe for plastic headlights.

TEST RESULTS

Measuring the electrical power consumption of the MTF Light Titanium did not show that the lamp exceeded the permissible parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam and high beam filament of the MTF Light Titanium lamp is 36% lower than the normalized values ​​for the low beam filament, and 40% for the high beam filament. The measured values ​​were 640 lm and 1000 lm, respectively. With such values ​​of the luminous flux, it was difficult to expect anything good from the lamp, but we still installed it in the headlight - and were shocked!

The cut-off line, which was formed by the headlight with the MTF Light Titanium lamp installed in it, was so distorted that it simply did not meet any safety requirements. It feels like a headlight for a right-hand drive car was put on the stand! ..

To understand what so spoiled a normal headlight, the experts decided to measure the location of the filaments inside the bulb, but everything turned out to be normal. Probably, it's all about the proprietary two-layer interference coating.

It immediately became clear that such a headlight would not shine normally, but the illumination values ​​​​at the control points were still measured.

For the glare points of the oncoming driver and the driver moving in the same direction, the requirements of the rules are exceeded by 590% and 840%, respectively (point B50L -2.36 lm, point 0-0 - 5.88 lm).

Surprisingly, the values ​​for the roadside zone turned out to be higher than the requirements of GOST: point 75R - 16.3 lm, point 50R - 16.7 lm.

The conclusions of the laboratory experts are unequivocal: the MTF Light Titanium headlamp does not meet the requirements of UNECE Regulations No. 37-03 and UNECE No. 112-00.

ADVANTAGES

Interference coating of the flask.

FLAWS

The lamp does not comply with UNECE Regulation No. 37-03 and UNECE No. 112-00. Does not form the correct cut-off line.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

We do not recommend using MTF Light Titanium headlight lamps in the H4 base in a car: if you install them, it will be problematic to pass the inspection ...

MTF Light Argentum - H4 headlight lamp, test

DESIGN FEATURES

Headlight lamps MTF Light Argentum in the H4 base are sold in pairs in a plastic package with a Russian-language label. The bulb of the lamp is blue, with a colorless stripe at the level of the low beam filament. According to the manufacturer's website, this is a double interference coating.

The label says the lamp is 80% brighter. The distributor's website states that the MTF Light Argentum lamp has a special innovative coating and a special high efficiency filament, which provides an increase in light by 80% and a beam extension of about 15 meters. It also claims a color temperature of 4000K and that the lamps are made of special glass that absorbs most of the UV radiation (UVSTOP marking). Safe for plastic headlights.

TEST RESULTS

Measuring the electrical power consumption of the MTF Light Argentum did not show that the lamp exceeded the permissible parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam incandescent filament was 960 lm, for the high beam filament - 1490 lm. This is slightly lower than the values ​​​​recommended by GOST, but within the required limits.

At the black and white border, the MTF Light Argentum halogen lamp performed well, but not perfectly: the extreme right area was littered, in the central part of the beam a spot of light above the indicated border was visible.

The light from the headlights with MTF Light Argentum lamps installed will be uncomfortable for drivers moving in the same direction in front, since, according to the illumination value of 80 lm, the lamp, although it met the requirements for serial samples, but only at the upper limit. Drivers of oncoming vehicles will be blinded by the headlight, as the measured values ​​​​are 52% higher than the norm (0.61 lm).

In terms of illumination of the roadside area in the area of ​​the 75R point, the MTF Light Argentum lamp met the criteria established by the rules, but at the lower limit. At the point of the near zone of the curb 50R, the illumination was higher than the requirements of GOST.

ADVANTAGES

Good illumination of the near zone of the curb.

FLAWS

The lamp does not comply with UNECE Regulation No. 112-00. Blinds oncoming drivers.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Headlight lamps MTF Light Argentum in H4 base do not comply with the requirements of European UNECE regulations. We recommend looking for the best option.

Osram Cool Blue Intense - H4 headlight lamp, test

Osram is one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world. The company supplies lighting equipment to 150 countries. Sales outside of Germany account for 88% of the total turnover. The company has more than 100 years of history in the production of lamps, including for cars.

DESIGN FEATURES

Osram Cool Blue Intense headlight bulbs in H4 base are sold one by one in a paper box in company colors. Also in stores you can find plastic packaging with a set of two lamps. The lamp bulb has a pale blue tint, and the bulb cap is painted with silver paint.

The manufacturer claims that the luminous flux of the lamp is increased by 20%, and the color temperature reaches 4200 K. The catalog says: “The Osram Cool Blue lamp illuminates the road with a fashionable and bright light bluish-white light and gives almost the same impression as the light of xenon lamps."

TEST RESULTS

Measuring the electrical power consumption of Osram Cool Blue Intense did not show that the lamp exceeded the permissible parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam incandescent filament was 960 lm, for the high beam filament - 1650 lm. This corresponds to the values ​​recommended by GOST.

At the cut-off line, the Osram Cool Blue Intense halogen lamp performed well, the border of the light beam goes strictly along the established line.

Light from headlights with installed Osram Cool Blue Intense lamps will not dazzle either oncoming or passing drivers, since the illumination values ​​​​of 0.42 lm for the B50L point and 0.66 lm for the 0-0 point fit into the requirements of European regulations for serial samples.

In terms of roadside illumination, the measured values ​​for the Osram Cool Blue Intense lamp exceed the requirements of the regulations: point 75R - 15.4 lm, point 50R - 19.4 lm.

One lamp burned out during the test.

ADVANTAGES

FLAWS

During the test, one of the lamps burned out.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Osram Cool Blue Intense headlight bulbs in the H4 base are a good choice if they do not burn out after the first use.

Osram Night Breaker Plus - H4 headlight lamp, test

DESIGN FEATURES

Osram Night Breaker Plus headlight bulbs in H4 base are sold one by one in a paper box in company colors. Also in stores you can find plastic packaging with a set of two lamps. The bulb of the lamp is blue with a colorless stripe at the level of the dipped beam filament.

The manufacturer claims that the luminous flux of the lamp is increased by 90%, that the lamp creates a light cone 35 m longer and that its light is 10% whiter than the standard one. It also states that the lamp life is 50% longer than previous generation lamps. The patented technology of a special bulb coating is also mentioned, which reduces the level of blinding of the driver.

Additional explanations about the technologies used are not given.

TEST RESULTS

Measurement of the electrical power consumption of the Osram Night Breaker Plus lamp did not exceed the permissible parameters.

The luminous flux of the dipped beam filament was 1050 lm, for the high beam filament - 1770 lm (the highest figure in the test). This corresponds to the values ​​recommended by GOST.

On the cut-off line, the Osram Night Breaker Plus halogen lamp performed well, the border of the light beam goes strictly along the established line.

Unfortunately, with such a promising start, it turned out that the headlights with Osram Night Breaker Plus lamps installed will dazzle oncoming drivers, since the illumination at the B50L point turned out to be 50% higher than the requirements. Drivers moving ahead in the same direction will also be uncomfortable: at an illumination value of 0.82 lm, the lamp met the required parameters for serial samples at the upper limit of tolerance.

In terms of roadside illumination, the measured values ​​for the Osram Night Breaker Plus lamp exceed the requirements of the regulations: point 75R - 14.7 lm, point 50R - 23.6 lm. As promised by the manufacturer, the far zone is better illuminated.

But at the same time, the conclusions of the experts are disappointing: the Osram Night Breaker Plus lamp does not meet the requirements of UNECE Regulation No. 112-00.

ADVANTAGES

Good illumination of the far zone of the curb.

FLAWS

Blinds oncoming drivers. Does not comply with the requirements of UNECE Regulation No. 112-00.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

If it weren’t for an unfortunate blunder with blinding other road users, then the Osram Night Breaker Plus headlight lamps in the H4 base could be recommended for purchase.

Philips Crystal Vision - H4 headlight lamp, test

DESIGN FEATURES

Philips Crystal Vision headlight bulbs in the H4 base are sold in pairs in a branded plastic box. The lamp bulb has a blue tint, and the bulb cap is painted with silver paint. The kit we purchased also included blue lamps for side lights.

The manufacturer claims that the lamp is designed for those who want a powerful white light. The color temperature of the lamp is claimed to be 4300 K. No further explanation is given about the technologies used.

TEST RESULTS

Philips Crystal Vision electrical power consumption measurement did not exceed the allowable parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam incandescent filament was 800 lm, for the high beam filament - 1110 lm. This is lower than the requirements for headlight lamps by UNECE Regulation No. 37-03.

On the cut-off line, the Philips Crystal Vision halogen lamp performed well, the light beam boundary with a slight deviation corresponds to the established line.

Headlights with Philips Crystal Vision lamps installed will not dazzle either oncoming or passing drivers, as illumination values ​​​​of 0.33 lm for the B50L point and 0.68 lm for the 0-0 point fit into the requirements of European regulations.

For curbside illumination, the measured values ​​for Philips Crystal Vision lamps exceed the far-field regulations. The illumination value at the control points 75R and 50R was 12.5 and 22.1 lm, respectively.

ADVANTAGES

Good coverage of the curb area.

FLAWS

Low overall luminous flux.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Philips Crystal Vision H4 headlamps are a good choice, even though the actual lumen output is underestimated.

Philips X-treme Vision - H4 headlight lamp, test

DESIGN FEATURES

Philips X-treme Vision headlight lamps in the H4 base are sold in pairs in a branded plastic box. The lamp bulb is colorless, with a blue stripe at the top of the bulb.

The manufacturer claims that the luminous flux of the lamps is increased by 100% compared to standard lamps. For the production of the flask, quartz glass is used, which not only has a higher mechanical strength, but also reduces the proportion of ultraviolet radiation.

TEST RESULTS

Philips X-treme Vision electrical power consumption measurement did not exceed the allowable parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam incandescent filament was 1080 lm, for the high beam filament - 10690 lm. These are the highest values ​​in our test and fully comply with the requirements of UNECE Regulation No. 37-03.

At the cut-off line, the Philips X-treme Vision halogen lamp performed well, the light beam boundary with a slight deviation corresponds to the established line.

The headlights with Philips X-treme Vision lamps will dazzle oncoming drivers, as the illumination at the B50L point turned out to be 65% higher than the requirements. According to the criterion characterizing the degree of blindness of the driver moving ahead in the passing direction, the lamp met the required parameters for serial samples at a value of 0.74 lm.

In terms of illumination of the curbside area, the measured values ​​for Philips X-treme Vision lamps exceed the requirements of the far-field regulations. Illumination values ​​at the 75R and 50R test points were 15.4 lm and 24 lm (test-best), respectively.

The conclusions of the experts were disappointing: the Philips X-treme Vision lamp does not meet the requirements of UNECE Regulation No. 112-00.

ADVANTAGES

Good coverage of the curb area.

FLAWS

Blinding oncoming drivers. Does not comply with the requirements of UNECE Regulation No. 112-00.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Philips X-treme Vision H4 headlights provide good roadside illumination, but we cannot recommend them due to safety concerns.

Bosch Xenon Silver - H4 headlight lamp, test

DESIGN FEATURES

Bosch Xenon Silver headlight lamps in the H4 base are sold individually in a sealed blister, and plastic packages with two lamps can also be found on sale. In the near future, kits in paper boxes should also appear on sale. The lamp bulb has a blue tint, and the bulb cap is painted with silver paint.

The manufacturer claims that the lamp provides a 50% larger area of ​​illumination of the road, and the spectrum of the lamp is close to daylight.

TEST RESULTS

The measurement of the electrical power consumption of Bosch Xenon Silver did not show that the lamp exceeded the permissible parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam incandescent filament was 930 lm, for the high beam filament - 1550 lm. This is slightly below the GOST recommendations, but within the required range.

At the cut-off line, the Bosch Xenon Silver halogen lamp performed well, there was a noticeable collapse of the right edge, as well as a light spot above the border in the right central region.

Headlights with Bosch Xenon Silver lamps installed will not dazzle oncoming drivers. Illumination at control points B50L and 0-0 complies with the requirements of the rules: 0.44 lm and 0.7 lm, respectively.

In terms of illumination of the roadside area, the measured values ​​for Bosch Xenon Silver lamps exceed the requirements of the regulations. The value of illumination at point 75R is 17.3 lm, at point 50R is 21 lm.

ADVANTAGES

FLAWS

Not detected.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Headlight lamps Bosch Xenon Silver base H4 well illuminate the roadside and comply with all safety standards.

Bosch Plus 90 - H4 headlight lamp, test

DESIGN FEATURES

Bosch Plus 90 headlight bulbs in the H4 base are sold individually in a sealed blister. On sale you can also find plastic packages with two lamps. In the near future, kits in paper boxes should also appear on sale. The lamp bulb is colorless, with a blue stripe at the top of the bulb.

The manufacturer claims that the lamp provides a 90% larger area of ​​illumination of the road, and the spectrum of the lamp is close to daylight.

TEST RESULTS

The measurement of the electrical power consumption of Bosch Plus 90 did not exceed the permissible parameters.

The luminous flux of the low beam incandescent filament was 930 lm, for the high beam filament - 1580 lm. This is slightly lower than the values ​​​​recommended by GOST, but within the required.

At the cut-off line, the Bosch Plus 90 halogen lamp performed well. There was a noticeable light spot above the border in the right central region.

The light from the headlights with Bosch Plus 90 lamps installed will not dazzle oncoming drivers, the illumination values ​​​​at the B50L and 0-0 control points comply with the requirements of the rules and are equal to 0.4 lm and 0.7 lm, respectively.

In terms of roadside illumination, the measured values ​​for Bosch Xenon Silver 90 lamps exceed the requirements of the regulations. The illumination value at the control points 75R and 50R was 16.9 lm and 20.7 lm, respectively.

ADVANTAGES

Good coverage of the curb area. Does not blind other road users.

FLAWS

Not detected.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Headlight lamps Bosch Plus 90 base H4 well illuminate the roadside and comply with all safety standards.

Sooner or later, the standard bulbs installed in the headlights burn out. At such moments, most drivers try to replace them with the cheapest ones that can be bought on the car market. This is certainly better than nothing, but they will also have to be replaced soon, and the ride quality at night will be disgusting. Factors such as brightness, runtime and color have a significant impact on driving comfort and safety.

This article will help you choose the right lamp for you. After reviewing all the information about each lamp, we have compiled a ranking of the 15 best of 2018. Below you can also find a guide that will help you make the right choice.

What is the difference between H4 and H7 bulbs?
H4 bulbs have two filaments (one for low beam and one for high beam) and are used in two-headlight lighting systems. H7 lamps are single-filament, used only in four-headlight systems, where separate lighting lamps are installed for low and high beams.

The best H4 lamps for cars - Rating 2018

Category	Place		Name	Rating	Price
The best H4 halogen bulbs for cars	1				220 ₽
	2				350 ₽
	3				270 ₽
Best Long Life H4 Halogen Bulbs	1				305 ₽
	2				420 ₽
	3				380 ₽
Best High Brightness H4 Halogen Bulbs	1				950 ₽
	2				1 080 ₽
Best H4 Halogen Bulbs with Xenon Effect	1				1 380 ₽
	2				1 135 ₽
	3				800 ₽
Best H4 LED Bulbs for Auto	1				8 500 ₽
	2				3 400 ₽
The best H4 bi-xenon bulbs for cars	1				2 300 ₽
	2				1 500 ₽

Best Standard H4 Halogen Bulbs

1 General Electric H4 Standard

The General Electric Standard headlight bulb ranks first in our ranking of "classic" models. Consumer tests have shown that this product provides the most even distribution of light in the work area. As for the blinding of oncoming drivers, the lamp turned out to be absolutely safe not only for drivers of oncoming cars, but also for passing ones (through the rear-view mirror). The American company has made every effort to increase the operating temperature of the coil. This made it possible to obtain a bright and saturated color, while significantly extending the service life.

• The quality far outweighs the price.
• Nice warm color.
• Does not blind drivers of passing cars.
• Suitable for any time of the year.

• Not detected.

2 Osram Original Line H4

The German manufacturer Osram has long been a leader in the production of automotive lamps. They are installed on new cars, and produced as spare kits. The Osram Original Line model is one of the best in terms of price / quality to date. The unpainted bulb gives a luminous flux of impressive brightness, which is much better than models with the xenon effect.

• Long life lamp.
• Since it is often used on new cars, you can change one at a time, and not two at once.
• High build quality.

• Not detected.

3 NARVA H4 Standard

Another German light bulb manufacturer in our ranking is NARVA. A properly adjusted Standard lamp ensures the safety of not only the driver of the machine on which it is installed, but their other road users. Tests of this headlight showed that the illumination is good at the upper right and left points. Otherwise, it is in no way inferior to competitors.

• Low price.
• Long service life.
• Excellent lighting in the work area.

• Not detected.

Best Long Life H4 Halogen Bulbs

1 Philips H4 LongLife EcoVision

The Dutch company Philips has been one of the best manufacturers of automotive lamps for many years. This time, our rating includes a product of this company called LongLife EcoVision. With high quality quartz glass and filament, this product is much more durable than its competitors. The unique UV-resistant coating allows the lamp to be used in all driving conditions. While analogues will not live even half a year, Philips LongLife EcoVision will serve at least 100,000 km without problems.

• A very great resource.
• Good light output.
• Can withstand sudden changes in temperature.
• Reliable manufacturer, high quality materials.

• Not detected.

2 OSRAM Ultra Life

Service life is one of the most important parameters that you should pay special attention to when choosing a headlight bulb for your car. OSRAM Ultra Life promises the user up to 4 years of flawless operation (or 100,000 km), which, subject to daily use, is a very long time. In addition, due to the "warm" light with a yellow tint, it does not scratch other road users. An advanced design with a silver cap allows you to install OSRAM Ultra Life in clear headlights.

• The manufacturer gives a 4 year warranty.
• Improved design.

• Dim glow.
• The price is higher than that of analogues.

3 General Electric Extra Life

This product of the Hungarian company was created on the basis of many years of experience with lamps for cars. The Extra Life model combines long life, improved light performance and resistance to extreme conditions. A stronger tungsten coil and a reinforced mount provide a service life of 4 years. Incidentally, the use of quartz glass also minimized the risk of lamp discoloration.

• Affordable price.
• It is comfortable to ride at any time of the day, do not tire your eyesight.
• High quality materials.

• Not detected.

Best High Brightness H4 Halogen Bulbs

1 Philips H4 3700K X-treme Vision +130%

Philips 3700K X-treme Vision +130% is the brightest lamp on the market. The increased brightness of the luminous flux by 130% and the range of illumination by 45 meters made it possible to create maximum comfort and safety for the driver. After all, the farther the driver sees the road in front of him at night, the more likely he is to react to a potential danger. Philips H4 3700K X-treme Vision allows you to increase visibility up to 45 meters ahead, thereby adding 2 seconds to your response time. In addition, Philips lamps can also boast an extended service life due to the use of quartz glass with a UV filter.

• They are much brighter than stock bulbs.
• Comfortable to ride at any time of the day.
• Bright white color.

• High price.
• Users complain about the rapid burnout of the lamps.

2 Osram H4 Night Breaker Unlimited +110%

The improved Osram Night Breaker Unlimited lamp provides maximum comfort and safety when driving at night. This model has 110% more light compared to standard "halogens" and 40 meters longer glow range. These indicators allow you to increase the chances of making a successful maneuver in the dark.

• Excellent range and brightness of the light beam with clear boundaries.
• Doesn't blind oncoming cars.

• High price.
• Over time, the low beam turns yellow.

Best H4 Halogen Bulbs with Xenon Effect

1 Koito WhiteBeam III Premium 4500K

The first place in the ranking of "the best car lamps with xenon effect" is occupied by the high-temperature lamp Koito WhiteBeam III Premium 4500K made in Japan. The xenon effect was achieved due to the increased pressure in the bulb and the increased glow temperature of the filament. Thus, it turns out the light is identical to xenon (4000-4500K), that is, 50% brighter than standard lamps. What's more, Koito WhiteBeam has a standard power and does not generate excess heat.

• Very bright light, excellent visibility.
• Rarely burn out.
• Does not blind oncoming drivers.

• Poor illumination of the road in rainy weather.
• High price.

2 Bosch H4 Gigalight Plus 120

Gas-filled lamps Bosch Gigalight Plus 120 give 50% more light than standard halogen. In the Bosch lineup, this is the brightest and most powerful model that provides maximum comfort and safety on the road for the driver and passengers. A special blue coating made it possible to achieve pure white light, which is very close to daylight. Extended service life and light output provided Bosch Gigalight with the second line in our ranking.

• Bright light, much better than standard.
• Durability.
• Easy installation.

• Not detected.

3 Philips White Vision H4

Halogen lamp with xenon effect should be not only bright, but also safe. That's why Philips engineers raised the brightness and color temperature to 3700K, but still ensured the safety of all road users. Philips White Vision is one of the few xenon effect lamps that is ECE certified. In addition, this model has an extended service life (up to 450 hours of continuous operation) and high resistance to external influences due to quartz glass.

• White light is pleasing to the eye.
• Brighter than standard headlights.
• Quality materials.

• Like most bright lamps, they have a reduced lifespan compared to standard ones.

Best H4 LED Bulbs for Auto

1 Philips LED X-treme Ultinon 6200K

Every driver knows that the better the visibility on the road, the safer the ride. In the conditions of night trips, you need to choose a powerful and bright lamp that will not only illuminate the path well, but will also be safe for other road users. The Philips LED X-treme Ultinon 6200 K LED lamp is just endowed with such characteristics. Due to the color temperature of 6200 K, the headlights will illuminate the road with bright white light, which does not tire the eyes. Unique SafeBeam technology creates a uniform and precise beam of light that eliminates glare for oncoming drivers. The innovative AirFlux and AirCool heat dissipation systems ensure a long lamp life compared to other analogues.

• Durability (can last up to 12 years).
• White light, bright and rich.
• There is passive cooling.

• Very high price.
Can be installed in cars and trucks.

MTF-Light engineers have gone to great lengths to make the updated Light 4300K ​​one of the best bi-xenon lamps on the market. Small size and easy installation, allows you to easily install the device on the car, even for beginners. High resistance to mechanical stress ensures a long service life. Ignition time is less than 5 seconds!

• Korean assembly.
• Vibration resistance.
• Not detected.

2 Sho-Me H4 Standard - BiXe-4300K



Inexpensive and practical kit that will provide excellent illumination of near and far headlights.

• Low cost.
• Warm white light color.
• Not detected.

How to choose a lamp with H4 base for a car?

Most motorists do not pay due attention to the head light in their car. But to ensure proper safety on the road, it is necessary to have good lamps that will provide sufficient visibility in the dark. What kind of lighting is best to install on your car, and what to look for when choosing lamps, we will describe below.

Type

• Halogen are the most common today. A modest price and a pleasant color of lighting captivate drivers of completely different cars. A feature of this type is a special flask filler - an inert gas.
• Xenon provide excellent visibility on the road in any weather (be it snow or rain). Natural color tone reduces eye strain during long journeys. They also have a good resource, but at the same time the price bites very much.
• LEDs boast a very long service life. Most often they are used for low beam or backlight.

What is the optimal light temperature?

For the human eye, the most pleasant color temperature is from 4000 to 6500 K. Under normal weather conditions, headlights equipped with such bulbs will perfectly illuminate the road, and your eyes will not get tired during long trips. During rain, snow or fog, headlights with such a glow temperature will be useless, so it is recommended to put up to 3000 K in foglights.

Happy shopping!

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Headlight bulbs are one of the most frequently replaced components that car owners tend to buy and change themselves. Their diversity is so great that the number of proposals literally run up the eyes. At the same time, a separate and most tempting is expensive improved lamps, which manufacturers and sellers are actively promoting, including as a budget analogue of fashionable xenon and LEDs. We decided to check how these lamps meet the declared characteristics and whether they are worth buying.

So, we have selected seven lamps with the popular H4 base type in different price categories: from inexpensive Mayak to Osram and General Electric, which are three times more expensive and offer improved performance - by 90, 100 and even 130%. Moreover, for objectivity, we took several lamps of each brand in order to try to eliminate the possibility of marriage or damage as much as possible.

Beacon Ultra +100%

Production: China

Average price per pair:

430 rubles

Xenite Premium light +100%

Production: China

Average price per pair:

690 rubles

Diabeam PRIME +90%

Production: Korea

Average price per pair:

1020 rubles

Philips X-tremeVision 130%

Production: Poland

Average price per pair:

1040 rubles

Bosch Gigalight +120%

Production: Hungary

Average price per pair:

1100 rubles

Production: Germany

Average price per pair:

1340 rubles

GE Megalight Ultra +130%

Production: Hungary

Average price per pair:

1260 rubles

The packages of such light bulbs look, of course, cool, and the descriptions on them are especially tempting. To make it immediately clear: the product is non-trivial! Just do not forget that beautiful packaging and impressive numbers are just marketing designed to distract the buyer from unnecessary questions, the main of which is: what, in fact, is this interest and what is the increase for?

And here a lot of nuances open up, to which an ordinary motorist often does not pay attention. The fact is that the promised percentages of improved characteristics of lamps do not have any standardization at all - each manufacturer has the right to write anything and count these increased percentages from only known values ​​​​and parameters.

For example, just by holding test samples in your hands, you can easily see that promises of improvement are in terms of range, brightness, coverage, runtime, and even light shade! In addition, each manufacturer combines all this into a certain set of parameters, denoting it with the rather abstract phrase "even more light."

The most interesting thing is that even if the improved characteristic is named exactly, for example, “+ 130% to brightness”, then the question arises: from what value are these percentages calculated? If from the accepted standard, then it has a tolerance of plus or minus 15% of the reference value, which in itself is quite low: that is, the lower limit from the upper one in terms of parameters may differ by 30%, and even that, in fact, is the minimum allowable value to authorize the operation of the vehicle.

That is why, according to manufacturers, the standard for them is not certification rules, but a certain standard of lamps, which each brand has its own. So the same +130%, for example, for Philips and Osram may turn out to be completely different values, and both will be acceptable.

The final discrepancy in the parameters of both ordinary, and even more so improved characteristics of the lamps, is introduced by the place of their installation, that is, the headlights. Their technical condition and designs are so diverse that the same light bulb, alternately placed in 100 different headlights, will have 100 different lighting parameters, both worse and better than the declared characteristics.

Tests

In order to obtain the most objective data, we will still start from generally accepted official standards, or rather, from UNECE Regulation No. 37-03 and the State Standard of the Russian Federation based on them, which regulates lighting characteristics for vehicles.

A completely new headlight from the latest generation Hyundai Solaris sedan was used as a lighting device. Looking ahead, let's say that the experts of the laboratory recognized it as exceptionally high quality. According to them, it was the headlight that “stretched” the parameters of some bulbs to the declared and acceptable values.

The test was carried out at the Autoelectronics scientific and technical center, based on the examinations of which lamp manufacturers receive certificates of conformity, and, consequently, admission to the Russian market.

All light bulbs were checked according to three main parameters: power, luminous flux and measurement of luminous intensity values ​​at five control points: B50 L and ZoneIII - 50 meters to the left, "oncoming" lighting parameter, 75Rand 50R - 75 and 50 meters to the right, roadside lighting parameter, 50V- lighting in a straight line at a distance of 50 meters. The last parameters just additionally check the declared values ​​​​of the increased percentages relative to the minimum limit

Bosch Gigalight +120%

With a maximum allowable power of 68 watts, all four samples showed values ​​​​from 61.6 to 62.9 watts. At the same time, the characteristic of the light flux on all samples passed along the lower boundary.

Light intensity was measured using control points on three samples. And again, all the lamps showed acceptable values ​​​​and the necessary stability. The illumination parameter of the oncoming lane is 1.5 times lower than the critical value, although the illumination of the entire upper zone of the “oncoming lane” “floats” depending on the light bulb.

The strength of light in directions showed that the light bulbs significantly exceeded the established standard. So, the improvement in lighting to the right is from 90 to 150%, and the average value for each lamp ranges from 112-125%. The forward light intensity parameter completely exceeds the minimum allowable standard by four times.

The only complaint about Bosch bulbs is a slight discrepancy in the parameters for the samples. The ideal stability of the lamp parameters was not shown.

Ulbricht ball, or spherical photometer, measures the characteristics of the light output

Diabeam PRIME +90%

Lamps of the domestic brand did not show stable characteristics, although they met the norms. The power indicator for two samples was about 65 W, for the third - 60.5 W, and the fourth "collapsed" to 47.9 W. At the same time, the luminous flux for all samples turned out to be stable - from 851 to 870 lm, which, as in the case of Bosch bulbs, is the minimum allowable value on the verge of normal.

Measuring the light intensity by points showed good and stable values ​​for all samples. Only the first bulb sank at the measurement of the 75R point. The illumination values ​​of the "oncoming" point turned out to be even lower than those of the Bosch bulbs, however, the entire Zone III went beyond the reference values, which means that the bulbs will blind. Curb lighting exceeded the minimum values ​​by an average of 110%, which is higher than the declared performance, and direct lighting by 350%.

Xenite Premium light +100%

Chinese light bulbs showed enviable stability when measuring power and luminous flux. The first indicator for four samples fluctuates within one and is about 63 W. The second for all samples is noticeably higher than the minimum limit - the spread is from 913 to 923 lm.

But measurement by points revealed a complete disparity in the values, which indicates a floating geometry and, as a result, the quality of lamp production. The parameter of illumination of the eyes of the oncoming driver turned out to be at a high value, although it remained noticeably below the limit, despite the fact that the illumination characteristic of the entire upper left zone showed one of the lowest values.

With the declared value of +100% to the brightness, measuring a point at a distance of 75 meters to the right showed an increase of 50 to 70%, but at a distance of 50 meters the values ​​turned out to be higher by 140-175%, which on average is even slightly higher than the declared value of 95-115% .

But the values ​​​​of direct illumination at 50 meters are one of the lowest, although they exceed the required minimum three times.

Philips X-tremeVision 130%

The only bulbs that showed, one might say, reference values ​​for all samples. The power indicator ideally coincided with the maximum possible value, which indicates a clear setting of the parameter. At the same time, the luminous flux came as close as possible to the ideal value of 1000 lm, showing a spread over four samples in the range from 961 to 1035 lm.

Point measurements, again, showed excellent parameter stability for all samples, which indicates the quality of the product. The intensity of light when lighting the roadside, which is 50, which is 75 meters, in two cases equally exceeds the minimum values ​​by almost 130%, and in one it showed a value higher by an average of 145%. Direct lighting exceeds the standard by more than four times.

True, Philips bulbs turned out to be dangerously close to the limit value of Zone III, which indicates the possibility of illuminating the “oncoming lane”, despite the fact that the point of illumination of the eye level of the oncoming driver is at low values.

Osram Night Beaker Laser +130%

Almost reference stability of parameters, regardless of the sample taken. The output power characteristics were separated from completely identical values ​​by only one bulb, which sank by 0.1 W. But that's a perfectionist's quibble. But the values ​​of the luminous flux, surprisingly, turned out to be on the verge of lower acceptable values ​​- from 850 to 856 lm.

Osram bulbs showed average and even values ​​when measuring the illumination of the oncoming lane - from 221 to 235 cd. They illuminate the roadside even better than the declared values ​​- at both points, the readings exceed the standard by more than 140%. The luminous intensity in the forward direction is four times the minimum value. As in the case of Philips lamps, Osram samples moderately shine into the eyes of an oncoming driver, but have increased illumination of the entire upper left zone, which from afar will be perceived as “flare”.

Beacon Ultra +100%

The only light bulbs that failed the first test were the power consumption readings. With a reference value of 68 W, the maximum allowable value for serial production is 81.6 W. Only one light bulb fit into the last value, the other three standards did not pass.

At the same time, Mayak light bulbs showed very good luminous flux values, at the Philips level - from 961 to 1014 lm. Apparently, these values ​​are just achieved due to the amount of energy consumed.

In addition, the light bulbs "Mayak" are the most blinding of all samples: the numbers of light intensity in the direction of the "oncoming" reached critical values. The disparity of parameters was revealed when measuring the illumination to the right by 75 meters, and one lamp did not give the declared value of + 100%. Also light bulbs "Mayak" have the most blurred cut-off line. The intensity of light in the forward direction is one of the lowest, although it exceeds the required minimum by more than three times.

GE Megalight Ultra +130%

There were only two bulbs of this brand on the test, so we can judge the stability of quality with a lesser degree of objectivity. Both lamps showed stable parameters in all measurements.

The power consumption indicators are at the average level - 62.3 W, while the GE lamps produced good luminous flux figures - 932 and 951 lm, respectively.

Oncoming lane lighting indicators are among the best in the entire left zone. But when illuminating the right side of the lamp, the lamps sank - the average for each lamp was just over 70%, while at a distance of 75 meters the lamps showed only a 50% improvement.

The light intensity in the forward direction is 250% better than the minimum value, which is also noticeably lower than most direct competitors.

What is the upshot?

We recognize Philips X-tremeVision 130% bulbs as the test winner. Benchmarks, stable quality and an adequate price - you can't imagine a better combination. The illumination of the upper left zone, although increased, did not exceed the upper limit, not to mention critical.

Feel free to buy Osram Night Beaker Laser bulbs + 130%. With equally good and stable characteristics, the luminous flux is weaker here, and the lamps themselves are more expensive than Philips.

Closes the top three bulbs Bosch Gigalight + 120%. By and large, there is only one claim to them: a certain spread of parameters depending on a particular lamp. And although any of them, taking into account the error, fits both into the standard and into the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, nevertheless, for such an eminent brand, the indicators could be more stable.

GE Megalight Ultra +130% are of good quality, but they have some of the lowest luminous intensity, and for all measured points. The lamps do not correspond to the declared percentage of improvements.

The Xenite Premium light +100% lamps performed well. They are distinguished by a very good luminous flux and low "oncoming" illumination values. However, the instability of the characteristics summed up the light bulbs: despite the fact that in all respects the indicators fit into the standard, each light bulb shines in its own way, and with significant differences.

Lamps "Dialuch PRIME + 90%" have the same problem as Xenite - instability of characteristics depending on a particular bulb. In addition, for all samples, the values ​​of the luminous flux passed along the lower boundary, and the illumination of the oncoming band, on the contrary, along the upper one.

"Lighthouse Ultra + 100%" - a frank failure of the test. The lamps did not pass the norms in terms of power consumption. They did not fit into the oncoming lane illumination standards, they showed unstable and low values ​​​​on spot measurements. Despite the lowest price, we do not recommend buying these lamps.

Many readers are asking for H4 LED headlights. There is no objective information from specialists on the Internet, there are no reviews and tests according to GOST. Testing equipment is expensive, so no one measures the luminous flux, glare, illumination in accordance with GOST. Thanks to Chinese manufacturers, a huge number of H4 low beam LED lamps are now sold, of which 95% are not suitable for use in a car.

• 1. Design
• 2. LEDs
• 3. Markings and brands
• 4. Installation in the headlight
• 5. Which is better to buy
• 6. Sample Tests
• 7. How to choose?
• 8. Deceptions
• 9. What will be the improvement
• 10. Main disadvantages
• 11. Online reviews
• 12. Philips
• 13. Examples of bad

Design

The standard H4 bulb combines low beam and high beam, which only work separately. A reflector is installed at the dipped beam spiral, which limits the entry of light into the lower part.

3-pin connection plug, current strength at 14V is 5 Amperes.

LEDs

H4 low beam and high beam LED lamps are produced with Philips, Cree, CSP LEDs and diode assemblies. The H4 base is used only in reflector headlights, which are designed only for a halogen bulb. Very rare in xenon and bi-xenon lenses. An automotive reflector headlight is an optical system that has its own focus, designed for a halogen filament.

To simulate a halogen filament, only Philips Z ES and CSP type LED diodes are used. Diode assemblies and Cree are too large, due to the characteristics of the reflector, they will blind oncoming cars.

In the manufacturing process, LEDs are divided into BINs, depending on the efficiency, the number of lumens per 1 watt. From the table for Philips Z ES led diodes, the efficiency can be from 97lm to 125lm at 1W. The number of lumens per diode with a nominal consumption of 2W can be from 170lm to 245lm. They will not put expensive diodes with a maximum output of 245lm into a cheap H4 led lamp for a car, but they will use cheap ones with a return of 170-190lm, no one will measure anyway.

The Chinese successfully copy the appearance of the popular Cree and Philips diodes and sell fake bulbs like the originals. The efficiency and service life of fakes are much lower than the original Philips and Cree, so they fail in a short period. The seller in the store will never admit that there are fakes, because he earns decently on this deception.

Markings and brands

As a rule, Chinese manufacturers do not label their car bulbs. For designation, the name of the base, power and generation are used.

For example, the designation "G7-H4 16W":

1. G7 is a pseudo-generation, from the word "generation", sometimes G6, G5;
2. further indicated base H4;
3. power 16W;
4. luminous flux 8000lm, inflated 8 times.

To promote their products, the Chinese came up with pseudo-generations (G5, G6, G7), depending on the design, in order to somehow systematize the H4 diode lamps of the near far without marking. Pseudo-generations are also used to increase sales, for example, indicating in the description “new, 7th generation, even more powerful”

Without testing, it is impossible to find good models with an H4 base; this cannot be determined by appearance. Some people look for H4 LED auto lamps under some brand (eg Starled, Sho-me G7 lh h4), in the hope that they will work much better than the nameless ones.

In fact, brands buy cheap Chinese rubbish without even testing or checking for compliance with technical regulations. Characteristics indicate Chinese, overestimated by 2-3 times, to make measurements, expensive equipment is required.

Half of the lineup of such brands is purely structurally unsuitable for use in a reflector, that is, it is very dangerous to use it for you and other cars on the road. This is a scam, selling a product that is completely unusable.

Headlight installation

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To facilitate installation in tight spaces, the base ring on all bulbs is removable. First, the base ring is installed, clamped with a retainer, then the H4 diode lamp itself is placed. Sometimes there are problems when installing an auto bulb in the headlight, when the cooling system is placed, the headlight cover does not close.

There are 2 types of cooling system:

1. fan, the dimensions are small, the headlight cover usually fits the standard one;
2. passive, flexible or enlarged rigid radiator.

When installing passive, the flexible part must be straightened and placed inside. If the lid still won't close, you can put in enlarged lids, the depth of which is from 3 to 7 cm. The second option is to make a hole in the standard cover for the tapes and stick them out.

Which is better to buy

Very good results were shown by the lamps from this list in the store http://netuning.ru

View and purchase good models:

• H4-55W the most powerful https://www.netuning.ru/shop/komplekt-lamp-h4-55w

Delivery from 4.000 rub. free, enlarged headlight covers as a gift. Return and exchange without problems, if they do not suit you, within 14 days you can return or exchange for others. There is everything you need for a quick installation, enlarged headlight covers, adapters for the base, snags. You can immediately order the entire kit, and not look for it by adapters and snags separately.

Test examples

I am testing h4 led lamps for a car on an industrial scale, in reviews and tests I had 27 sets with an H4 base and 79 sets with an H7 and H11 base. The customer does not want to disclose most of the information, so the test results are transferred to the customer and are not published anywhere.

For example, I took a photo of 7 tested samples, try to choose the right option that can be used on a car. By the principle of work they are the same, in quality they are all different.

All but sample #5 (CL6 by Cool-Led) work very poorly and should not be installed. Therefore, buy only proven models.

I will show the equipment that I use for testing and measuring real characteristics.

I conduct tests and reviews in my own laboratory in the world, the equipment is quite expensive, I have not seen anything like this on the Internet.

Equipment list:

1. certified light meters with Osram sensors;
2. photometric spheres for measuring light flux;
3. Spectrometer UPRtek MK350;
4. thermal imager Thermal Seek Compact Pro;
5. pyrometers.

How to choose?

Most car enthusiasts choose H4 led lamps for a car in terms of luminous flux and power, without being interested in other parameters. This choice is completely wrong.

Others hope to consult the seller from the store. I checked 63 popular stores, the sellers in the diode light do not understand, and do not know the real parameters of their products. This is a business, sellers are only interested in sales, so they will gladly sell you any trash under the guise of the latest technology.

For H4, the most important thing is the location of the LEDs, which should be placed in the form of a halogen spiral. Philips Z ES and CSP miniature LEDs are used for this. But the imitation of a halogen spiral in 90% of diode car lamps does not fall into the focus of the headlight. This is due to poor design and manufacturing errors in Chinese factories. The Chinese do not particularly care about this, they do not know Russian standards, so they pay attention to the glare factor.

By appearance, it is impossible to determine in any way whether the LEDs will be in focus or not. It is better to buy proven and tested models if you do not want to regret your purchase later. Every day 30-40 readers turn to me for advice, for a month it is 800-1000 people. It is better to contact me or other specialists, save time and money.

You have 2 options:

1. you can buy cheap junk, get a lot of problems, suffer with it and then throw it away;
2. you can spend more, get good ones and enjoy the purchase over the next 5-10 years.

If you want to buy a chocolate bar, and you only have enough money for a piece of gammon, then it is better to save up for a chocolate bar.

tricks

On many vehicles, the on-board computer diagnoses lighting equipment by measuring power consumption. If the power consumption of the low beam is below normal, then the on-board computer will show an error on the panel, or it may automatically turn on the high beam.

In order for the power consumption to correspond to the halogen source, a snag is additionally installed. It is connected in parallel and consists of a powerful resistor that consumes 20-30 watts.

Most buyers want spoofs built into the low beam LED driver, but there are no such models. The snag must be bought separately, do not check the on-board computer on all cars.

The decoy heats up decently, it must be placed only outside the headlight so that it cools.

What will be the improvement

When you install the right H4 LED auto lamp, you will get 70-100% illumination compared to the standard halogen. If you put rubbish, then the light will not focus correctly, it will be scattered by a large spot. This reduces the lighting range by several times, but the visibility in front of the car will be higher.

Good ice lamps H4 are more expensive and this does not suit many, everyone is attracted by rubbish for 2000 rubles. Let's estimate what we get for 5000 rubles:

1. improvement in illumination by almost 2 times;
2. quick do-it-yourself installation;
3. the ability to quickly put back regular halogen sources;
4. long service life of 5 years.

Is there an alternative:

1. high-brightness halogens of the +130% type are a hoax, their luminous flux is like that of ordinary ones, only the color temperature differs, due to which you are being deceived.
2. installation of xenon and bi-xenon will cost from 15 thousand rubles, the service life is 2000-3000 hours;
3. installation of Bi-Led LED lenses (bi ice) from 15 thousand rubles, service life of 10 years.

As you can see, with LEDs we get the best option in terms of price and performance, because any improvement in light will require at least 15 thousand rubles with headlights dismantled and the inability to return halogens.

Main disadvantages

Unlike a halogen, an LED lamp is an electronic device that has a power supply, stabilizer, and cooling. The more complex the design, the more flaws the product can have.

The main problems with 90% of H4 LED bulbs:

1. shine down or up;
2. blind;
3. overheat;
4. interference on VHF and FM radio.
5. oblique reflectors.

1. The main problem of Chinese LED auto bulbs is that the simulated halogen coil is incorrectly positioned, higher, lower or deeper. The mismatch in height causes the headlight to shine much lower than with a halogen source. If it shines higher, then you can lower it down with an electric corrector and adjust it according to GOST using a regloscope. If the near one shines lower, then it is impossible to lift it up with an electric tilt angle corrector. Approximately 50% of samples suffer from this disadvantage. If the cut-off line is below the required one, then the lighting range is reduced, instead of 100 meters on halogen, you will get 50m. That is, significantly worsen the head light of a car, such a car cannot be operated.

2. In order for the filament to be in the focus of the headlight, it must match the halogen coil in length, width and thickness. It is also required that the position of the simulated thread be in the same place as that of the halogen. Most often, the thickness does not match, which consists of the thickness of the radiator and aluminum plates on which the LEDs are located. As a result, the thickness of the simulated spiral instead of the allowable 1-2mm. It turns out 5mm, that is, it is significantly exceeded. This discrepancy enhances the illumination and blinding of oncoming cars.

3. Ice diodes of little-known brands are most often subject to overheating, because of this they can lose power a lot. For example, in tests, a cold H7 autolamp (led headlight) had a power of 19W, after warming up for 30 minutes, the energy consumption dropped to 11W. The decrease was 42%, for Philips this figure is 20%.

The best automotive H4 low beam LED bulbs use a copper substrate instead of an aluminum one. Copper has a thermal conductivity 2 times higher than aluminum, which makes it possible to more efficiently remove heat from the LED crystal.

4. Many complain that after installing cheap car bulbs in the car, the radio in the radio stops working. The power supply is usually made on a high frequency PWM controller, which have good efficiency. For cheap PWM models, the controller interferes with the car radio in the VHF and FM range. Expensive models have a filter in the power supply that removes interference and the radio works without problems.

5. Blinding and flare are affected by reflectors in the low beam, which are oblique or incorrectly set on diode ones. By execution, they are stamped, cast or are part of the body. Stamped ones are always very bad, I have not seen the right ones. Cast parts are almost always located correctly, there are no defects.