What is the Difference Between HID and LED Headlights?

Aftermarket Car Lights for Your Vehicle in San Diego

Although you may know the Stereo Depot name from the many years we’ve been doing car audio here in San Diego and El Cajon, we’ve got more than a few tricks up our sleeves when it comes to aftermarket car lights.

Chances are, you probably don’t think about your car headlights that often. Not unless one burns out, of course. You simply accept your headlights for what they are, no matter the quality of light they provide. However, there are an abundance of different types of aftermarket car lights available, with the two best and most popular being HID headlights and LED headlights. HID and LED headlights have different pros and cons, and if you are looking to upgrade your Jeep lighting or truck lighting, you should learn what the difference is between these sets of aftermarket car lights.

Stereo Depot, located conveniently in San Diego and El Cajon, specializes in installing new HID and LED headlights. The difference between these two aftermarket car lighting solutions is broken down below.

HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS

The greatest difference between HID and LED headlights is the relative brightness of the lights. HID headlights, which is short for high-intensity discharge lights, are incredibly bright and intense versions of a normal bulb. HID bulbs attempt to mimic the look of sunlight when illuminating the road. On the other hand, LED lights use a totally different method to create light. Although they work very well to produce light, they pale in comparison to HID bulbs because they’re not as bright and don’t offer as much coverage. When it comes to night driving, HID headlights win by leaps and bounds.

HEADLIGHT SIZE

LED headlights are much smaller than HID headlights, which gives LED headlights much more versatility. LED lights can more easily fit into a variety of different makes or models of vehicles with little to no adjustments. If you are switching from a halogen bulb, you will need a conversion kit for whichever set of aftermarket car lights you decide to go with. However, even with a conversion kit, HID headlights don’t fit in as many vehicles.

HEADLIGHT LIFESPAN AND DURABILITY

LED headlights are far more durable and have a longer lifespan since they are shockproof and have no moving parts, which makes them very durable. Conversely, HID lights DO have moving parts, and filaments, and have the potential for the bulb to move, which makes them more susceptible to breaking. If you plan on upgrading your Jeep lighting or truck lighting for off-road excursions, you should keep this in mind. Hitting a bad bump or pothole can rattle your HID lights in a way they might not be able to recover from. Additionally, LED headlights have a lifespan of nearly 25,000 hours while HID headlights only tend to last around 5,000 hours. LED headlights definitely win when it comes to lifespan and durability, especially among those that drive their vehicles off-road.

HEADLIGHT PRICE

In general, LED headlights tend to be more expensive than HID headlights, although that can vary based on the brand. If you are looking to save some money in the short-term, you may want to go with HID headlights over LED headlights. Just keep in mind that HID headlights will need to be replaced much sooner than LEDs.

LIGHT COLORS

LED lights are limited in the different colors they can be. As far as aftermarket car lights go, LED lights can only produce 4 different colors, while HID lights have 7 different color options. If having a variety of different color lights in your car is a priority, you will want to go with HID lights.

LED AND HID HEADLIGHT INSTALLATION AT STEREO DEPOT

Regardless of whether you prefer LED headlights or HID headlights, both of these aftermarket car lighting solutions are better than your existing halogen bulbs. At Stereo Depot, we specialize in affordable and dependable headlight installation, providing you with strong and bright new headlights. We also famously specialize in car audio installation in San Diego and El Cajon, and can provide the latest and greatest in stereos, speakers, subs, and whatever else your sound system needs.

To learn more about the difference between LED and HID headlights or to schedule a headlight installation appointment, contact Stereo Depot today by calling 619-286-1234