In the automotive industry, headlights are among the most essential features of a car. After all, you can't drive at night without them, and lampposts or streetlights aren't enough to illuminate the road. In the middle of the night, headlights are an important car accessory especially as a safety.

Headlights are not a recent invention; they were built in the late 1800s. However, they weren’t very reliable until continuous updates and upgrades led to the adoption of electric headlights as the standard for cars in 1914. The best part of these advancements is that today’s LED headlights are far more efficient than their predecessors and provide superior illumination.

Types of Car Headlights 

Now, the most common types of headlights are halogen and LED, but it's important to understand their differences and choose the best option for your car. With this guide, you can make an informed decision on which headlights to choose. So, let’s dive in!

How Halogen Headlight Bulbs Work 

Let’s explore more about the world of halogen headlights. Halogen headlight bulbs are a type of incandescent bulb like what we have in our home. They work by using a tungsten filament enclosed in a quartz bulb filled with halogen gas, typically iodine or bromine. 

This glass is highly resistant to high temperatures, so for it to work, it must heat to around 2000°C. When the headlights are turned on, an electric current passes through the filament, heating it to a high temperature and causing it to glow and emit light. 

To extend the bulb’s lifespan, the halogen gas reacts with the tungsten vapor, redepositing the tungsten back onto the filament and maintaining the clarity of the glass envelope. This process allows the halogen gas to continuously recycle the tungsten atoms, reducing the rate at which the filament thins out and prolonging the bulb's lifespan.

How LED Headlight Bulbs Work

LED headlight bulbs operate using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce light. They are made from semiconductor material that emits light when an electric current passes through it. The most common semiconductor materials used in LEDs are gallium arsenide and gallium phosphide.

When the electric current flows through the semiconductor, it causes electrons to move across a p-n junction (the boundary between two types of semiconductor material). As electrons cross the p-n junction, they recombine with the holes. During this process, energy is released in the form of photons (light particles)---this electrical process is what illuminates the road ahead.

A major advantage of LED headlights is its low heat emission. LEDs generate less heat, but they still produce some heat and this heat needs to be managed accordingly. To ensure its optimal performance and longevity, LED headlight bulbs often include heat sinks or cooling fans to dissipate excess heat.

LED vs. Halogen Headlights – Which Is Better Headlight?

You can see through the dark with the help of headlights as they act as your eyes on the road. Each type of headlight has its own advantages and disadvantages, but both will fade over time, and one day it will need replacements, which is why you just have to choose whichever you prefer based on the comparison list we provided.

Both systems still have their place in the automotive world, but without a doubt, LEDs will lead the way, and the days of the halogen bulb are numbered. You need to consider many factors when deciding which headlights are better, especially if the budget is a concern. If not, you can choose between long-lasting headlights or those with a shorter lifespan that are more affordable and that won’t break your bank. 

Remember, if you’re still wondering between halogen vs. LED headlights in your car, consider which lights provide brighter illumination. Especially if you’re stuck in a snow or in a foggy road, you need to know which headlights serve you better. By comparing the two, you will find that LED headlights provide brighter light and will serve you best. With these headlights, you’ll be confident to drive through any weather or time of day.

Why Buy LED Headlights or Halogen Headlights from Mars Performance?

From LED headlights to halogen headlights, you can light up all roads with Mars Performance headlights. Our headlights align well with the car’s electrical system and regardless of the climate conditions, you can enjoy every bit of your driving experience.

With Mars Performance headlights, you don’t need to worry about driving on any road. You can have the best of different features in one: reliability, visibility, and style merged into one.

Experience true quality lighting with Mars Performance headlights!