What's the Difference Between Warm White and Cool White LEDs?
Unlike halogen and incandescent lamps, when it comes to LEDs there are actually many different shades of colour to choose from when selecting your LED lights.
When it comes to buying LED lamps, the colour ranges you get start at warm white, which is a more yellow colour, through to cool white, a more ‘pure white’ colour, through to daylight, which is more light a white with a blue hue.
We’ve written the guide below explaining when you would normally use the different type of white LEDS,, but we also have a handy LED colours infographic showing further information. Just click on the link at the bottom of the page for more details.
If you are looking for LED bulbs and lamps don't forget we have a great selection available to buy now.
Warm White
While cool white look great in modern kitchens and where the brighter the better, warm white works much better where you are looking for softer light. It's particularly well suited to lounges, living rooms and traditional kitchen, like country styles, where the white light contrasts too much with the rest of the room. Some would argue that the lighting required would depend on how the room is used. If a room was used for a lot of tasks, such as chopping or following recipes a daylight bulb is likely to be more suitable. If you're looking for a more ambient light with a yellow/orange tone, this would be referred to as a warm white bulb. Usually used room where less tasks are preformed, less illumination is required and concentration is not necessary.
Cool White
Although there is a whole spectrum, whites can generally be divided into warm white and cool white. Cool white LEDs tend to give you a cleaner look, perfect for modern kitchens, the Scandi look and places where the best light really counts, for instance sewing rooms and garages. Because white light is brighter and warm light, they are usually used for busier parts of the home, where you tend to cook or work. They're perfect for downlights in the kitchen and task lighting.
Daylight
At the far end of the spectrum you have daylight lamps. They make ideal Christmas lights and decorations, as they resemble ice and frost. These lights can be bordering a blue light. In homes, many people find these a little too 'clinical', and prefer to use warm LEDs or cool LEDs, as the light emitted by tend to be easier on the eye. This type of LED is referred to as "daylight" because the light replicates natural daylight light, but can come across a little bright, which is why they're perfect for Christmas time. Like the cool white, the daylight can also be perfect to use as task lighting, with it's blueish tone.This light color will maximize contrast for colors and produce a vibrant and intense illumination, that is often ideal for working, reading or applying make-up.
A Bit More About LED
Incandescent, or traditional, bulbs, do not offer a choice as to the shade of light given out. The reason is all in the science, as they work when electricity is passed, via a wire, to a tungsten filament inside the bulb. When it gets hot, it glows brightly, giving out light. This is why, traditional bulbs can take a few minutes to brighten up a room. In most circumstances traditional lamps and bulbs are warm white.
Unlike incandescent and fluorescent lamps, LEDs are not inherently white light sources – but white light is needed for them to become general light sources. There are two ways to create this white light; either by mixing different colour lights to create a white effect, or by using a phosphor coating on a blue LED. This coating emits a yellow light, which combines with the blue light to also give out a white effect.
The LED colour temperature, therefore, or the amount of red, yellow, blue and white light emitted, determines the colour of an LED lamp. The colour temperature is measured in kelvins (k), with a lamp of between 2700-3500k being classed as ‘warm’ and an LED of between 6000-7000k described as ‘cool’. Those in between have the colour temperature of daylight or natural light.
Warm white LEDs tend to be used in rooms such as bedrooms and living rooms, where their softness invites relaxation. Natural and daylight white LEDs are suitable for kitchens and bathrooms, as well as offices, while cool whites are often found in commercial premises and hospitals. It’s also possible to mix and match; for example, warm light can create a cosy atmosphere in a kitchen but cool white lamps might be needed over work surfaces.
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Lighting
We have a full range of lighting available to buy online. We have tried to cover all the bases, from traditional to contemporary lights, and everything in between too. We have broken down the ranges into finishes like copper lights, chrome lights and brass lights but also types of lights, such as ceiling lights, wall lights, table lamps and floor lamps. Please browse the ranges below or check out the full listings of lighting in our lighting section.
White Lighting
Here at Socket Store, we have a vast amount of white lighting available to purchase to match with your sockets and switches. We have a variety of light fixtures available including wall lights, light pendants, semi flush and flush ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps. Please click on the links below to discover more information on our white lighting range:
