Light bulbs: an at-a-glance buyer's guide

We bring you eight of the best new light bulbs around, plus below there's a run-down of bulbs of the moment

1. Value buy

With an aluminium-coloured finish, this LED bulb lasts 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Ledare GU10 LED Bulb, £9.19, Ikea

2. Under the spotlight

This LED lamp will last for at least 15,000 hours - or 15 years!
Econic LED GU10 White Reflector Bulb, £24.99, Philips

3. Traditional touch

Perfect for elegant wall lights and chandeliers
Eco Classic Halogen Candle Bulb, £3.25, Philips

4. In a twist

Bulbs don't have to be boring; these curves deserve to be shown off.
Sparsam Dimmable CFL Spiral Bulb, £10.20, Ikea

5. Long lasting

This LED provides soft, warm light and energy savings of 80 per cent.
Myambiance 860LM Warm White LED Bulb, £54.99, Philips

6. Spot of colour

Flick through 16 shades at the touch of a button.
Auraglow Spotlight LED Bulb and Remote Control, £20, John Lewis

7. Gentle glow

Create a relaxed ambience.
Softone Energy Saving CFL, £3.95, Philips

8. Designer style

Winner of the Brit Insurance Design of the Year 2011 Award, the Plumen screws into a standard ceiling fitting. 'This looks great on its own - picking up on the trend for exposing bulbs,' says Diane Simpson, lighting buyer for John Lewis.
Plumen CFL Low Energy Bulb, £19.95, John Lewis

Pick the right bulb

Traditional tungsten bulbs are to be phased out by September 2012. Here are the energy saving alternatives:

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

The most common type of eco bulb, these use 80 per cent less energy than a standard bulb, last around 10 times longer and give out five times more light. So if you want to replace your old 100W bulb you need to buy a 20W CFL. Suitable for standard fittings, but not all are dimmable, so check before you buy.

Energy Saving Halogen Bulbs

Most offer a 30 per cent energy saving on a standard halogen, but new technology means that some offer a 90 per cent saving. Available in the same sizes as standard halogen bulbs, they can be used to replace halogen spotlights. They provide instant bright light and are dimmable.

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

LEDs are the latest technology and use 90 per cent less energy than traditional bulbs. Although they’re more expensive, they last between 15 and 20 years and, unlike CFLs, come to full brightness as soon as you flick the switch.‘The quality of light is also noticeably superior and our Myambiance range offers instant dimmable light,’ says Barbara Neate at Philips.

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