Lumens (brightness)
Actual light output.
Why it matters
A bedroom needs ~1,500–2,500 total; a kitchen counter needs far more.
What to check
Compare across brands, since 9W bulbs range from 800 to 1,100 lumens.
Home appliances
LED Bulbs & Lighting
With LEDs, watts only measure electricity used. Brightness is , the mood is kelvin, and whether your food and skin look right is — the number no shop mentions.
Quick answer
Lumens, not watts, decide brightness.
2700K warm for bedrooms, 4000K neutral for work, 6500K only where needed.
80+ minimum; 90+ for food/makeup areas.
Look for BIS certification.
In the shop
Ask the salesperson this exact question
Read these off your phone at the counter. The answer tells you more than the price tag.
1.“What are the lumens and the colour temperature in kelvin?”
A good answer: Lumens, not watts. 2700K warm for bedrooms, 4000K neutral for kitchens.
2.“What is the CRI, and is there surge protection?”
A good answer: CRI 80+ so food and skin don't look grey. Surge protection matters on unstable supply.
Find your fit
A few questions about your situation, not about the product.
0/20
Add one short need not covered above.
Answer all 2 questions to see the spec sheet to shop with.
What it costs to run
The sticker price is one part of owning a led bulbs & lighting. Adjust the numbers to your own usage and tariff to see the electricity cost a star rating actually translates to.
Units per year
20 kWh
Cost per year
₹157.68 (≈$1.89)
Cost over 5 years
₹788.4 (≈$9.46)
Often more than the price difference between two models.
Per bulb. Multiply by the number of points in the room for a real figure. Estimates only — actual consumption varies with ambient temperature, settings and unit condition. USD values are approximate.
Safe wiring
LED drivers and surge protection keep flicker and early failures away.
Surge protector
Voltage spikes are a leading cause of LED driver failure.
These are common add-ons for this category, not recommendations. Prices and availability vary; confirm fit and compatibility on the product page before buying.
Extended warranty & AMC — what to check before you say yes
Every new appliance already carries a brand warranty. An extended plan or AMC only adds value where it covers the parts that actually fail, with on-site service in your city — so read the cover, not the discount.
Ask these five questions
- ✓Which parts are covered, and is the most expensive part (motor, compressor, panel) covered in full?
- ✓Is service on-site at home, or carry-in to a centre?
- ✓Are periodic services and consumables included, or billed separately?
- ✓How many claims are allowed, and is there a per-claim or total payout cap?
- ✓What does a claim need — original invoice, serial number, purchase within X days?
Usually not covered
- ×Physical damage, liquid ingress and pest/rodent damage
- ×Voltage surge damage where no stabiliser was used
- ×Consumables: filters, gaskets, belts, batteries
- ×Cosmetic parts and accessories
Rule of thumb: a plan is rarely worth it if it costs more than ~15% of the product price, if the item is cheap to repair locally, or if the brand's own service network in your city is already strong.
These are comparison links, not recommendations — we don't sell plans and we don't rank providers. Some outbound links on KnowBeforeBuy are affiliate links. Cover, exclusions and pricing change; read the plan document before you pay.
Buy it locally
Shops near you that stock led bulbs & lighting
Sometimes the local dealer beats online on price, installation or the exchange offer. Tell us where you are and we'll list nearby stores. We don't rank or take money from any shop; results come from Google Maps.
The area you enter, or coordinates rounded to about 1 km if you use your location, are sent to Google Maps through Lovable to find places. Lookups are temporarily cached for up to 30 minutes.
The spec sheet, decoded
Colour temperature (Kelvin)
Warm yellow (2700K) to cool daylight (6500K).
Why it matters
6500K keeps you alert — wrong for bedrooms. 2700–3000K is restful; 4000K is neutral for study and kitchens.
What to check
Most Indian homes are over-lit with 6500K everywhere; it looks like an office.
CRI (colour rendering index)
How true colours look under the light, out of 100.
Why it matters
Under 70 light, food, clothes and skin look grey. CRI 90+ is worth it in kitchens, mirrors and living rooms.
What to check
is often hidden; ask or check the box — anything 80+ is acceptable, 90+ is good.
Driver quality & surge protection
The electronics inside the bulb.
Why it matters
Indian voltage swings kill cheap drivers; this is why bulbs fail in months.
What to check
Look for 'wide voltage 100–300V' and a real 2-year replacement warranty.
Flicker & dimming
Invisible rapid flicker and whether it works with dimmers.
Why it matters
Flicker causes eye strain and headaches during long study or work hours.
What to check
Point a phone camera at the bulb — visible banding means flicker.
Beam angle & fixture type
How wide the light spreads: bulb, panel, downlight, strip.
Why it matters
Downlights need planning to avoid dark patches; panels give even room light.
What to check
For task lighting, narrow beams; for rooms, 120°+ spread.
Before you pay
- ✓Plan per room, not watts: bedroom ~1,800, kitchen ~3,000, living ~2,500.
- ✓Use 2700–3000K in bedrooms, 4000K in kitchen/study, avoid 6500K everywhere.
- ✓Ask for 80+ (90+ in kitchen and near mirrors).
- ✓Check for wide voltage range and a real warranty with replacement process.
Common traps
- !Comparing bulbs by watts, which now means nothing about brightness.
- !Cheap bulbs with heavy flicker used in kids' study rooms.
- !Whole home in 6500K cool daylight — it hurts sleep quality.
Basic 9W bulbs to high- panels and smart bulbs.