The higher the Kelvin Rating color, The lower the Brightness

Many people think that the higher “K” number(e.g. 3,000K; 5,000K; 8,000K; 12,000K, etc…)the brighter their HID headlights are going to be… and they’d be wrong! This is because the K number doesn’t describe brightness, only color.   From left-to-right: 5,000K – 6,000K – 8,000K – 10,000K – 12,000K When it comes to brightness, you get the most usable, real-world brightness(measured in Lux)in colors that more closely resemble the color of light created by the sun! For reference, did you know that if you could see the sun in space it would look white? The actual color of the sun is 5,800K. It is not that yellow color that you were taught to color with crayons as a child. Moreover, the more you deviate away from the 5,000K – 6,000K colors, the harder the time you have “perceiving” the intensity of the light! At the end of the day, it’s all about human evolution and perception – we can’t see ultraviolet light very well. So, 8,000-12,000K colors aren’t very bright to us. Also, we can’t see infrared colors very well, so 3,000K golden yellow is also less bright!

Brightness jumped about 50% when going from 35w ballast to 55w ballast:

In the test in the video above, each color produced different amounts of brightness and usable light. Because of this, you’ll see that the 5,000K color HID was the brightest of all 7 tested. This was true when powered by both a 35w or a 55w ballast: 3,000K with 35w ballast: 350 Maximum Lux 3,000K with 55w ballast: 490 Maximum Lux 4,300K with 35w ballast: 1,070 Maximum Lux 4,300K with 55w ballast: 1,510 Maximum Lux 5,000K with 35w ballast: 1,140 Maximum Lux 5,000K with 55w ballast: 1,430 Maximum Lux 6,000K with 35w ballast: 980 Maximum Lux 6,000K with 55w ballast: 1,350 Maximum Lux 8,000K with 35w ballast: 970 Maximum Lux 8,000K with 55w ballast: 1,340 Maximum Lux 10,000K with 35w ballast: 750 Maximum Lux 10,000K with 55w ballast: 890 Maximum Lux 12,000K with 35w ballast: 420 Maximum Lux 12,000K with 55w ballast: 570 Maximum Lux If you’re looking for information on LED headlight bulb color and brightness, you’ll find that the same information exists but in fewer color options. For both types, color and brightness in headlights has the same relationship regardless of if you’re looking at HID or LED. Disclaimer: Street legal in the USA for Fog Light use.  Not compliant with DOT / FMVSS108 and not street legal in the USA for Headlights.  Certain specialty vehicles strictly limited to off-street use and not having DOT registration or license plates may use these products exclusively off-streets. However, international street legality varies by country. This usage regulation is not unique to a specific bulb. ALL LED and HID bulbs from all other brands, regardless of marketing claims, are prohibited from street use in halogen headlights in the USA.     If you’re into high-performance lighting upgrades, make sure to follow our Facebook page for the latest installs, comparisons, and product releases. For in-depth guides, expert insights, and real-world testing, check out the Better Automotive Lighting Blog— your go-to source for serious illumination upgrades.   Up Next:

Xentec HID Ballast Review – What Does “Waterproof” Really Mean?

Mount the Ballast Correctly

Difference Between Halogen Led And Hid Headlights

Why Proper Adjustment is Necessary for Maximum Lighting Performance

What Does the “K” Mean in HID Kits?