The best lightbulbs for a teenager's bedroom
Being a teenager isn’t easy and sometimes being a parent of a teen is no walk in the park either. Years are spent arguing over important matters and silly stuff, such as why the lights are always on in your kid's bedroom, day and night, even when he isn't there. And that stay-out-of-my-room vibe teens give off? They mean it.
Happily, you can solve both these dilemmas by replacing your teenager's lightbulbs with long-lasting, energy-saving LEDs. They don't cost as much to run as other lightbulbs and last for years so you won't have to venture past the "Keep Out" sign until long after junior has gone off to college. And you’ll have one less thing to argue about.
Why this is smart
LEDs use a lot less electricity so they’re cheaper to use than halogen bulbs, and they use slightly less energy than CFLs. And LEDs last much longer. Typically, they're supposed to last 23 years or longer when they’re on three hours a day. Even if they’re on 12 hours a day you won’t have to change them until the teen years have passed.
Choosing the right light color
Pick LEDs with a warmer light color and less blue, or cooler light—LEDs around 2700 Kelvin—for bedroom lamps and fixtures. You’ll see light color indicated on the Lighting Facts label on the LED package and in our lightbulb Ratings. LEDs emit more blue light than CFLs and halogen bulbs, and while any light can suppress melatonin, the hormone that facilitates sleep, research has shown that human eyes are especially sensitive to blue.
For light that’s as bright as 60-watt incandescents and warm yellow, consider these CR Best Buys: Feit Electric 9.5W, Philips SlimStyle A19 Soft White, each $7, and Great Value (Walmart) 60W Soft White A19, $9, among others that are recommended and those that came close.
And if you want to read more about blue light, see "Do lightbulbs need a health warning label?" To minimize exposure to blue light, our medical experts suggest shutting off smart phones and other electronic devices a few hours before turning in. Sounds easy, unless you're a teenager.
—Kimberly Janeway
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