LED light bulbs

[Chewbacca 7767]

I'm so sick of replacing these fucking things. They don't last any longer than incandescent but cost 5x more. Does anyone know any brands that actually last for their rated life? Don't care if they cost more.

[TeeDubya 3362]

I've actually had decent luck with the Feit BR40 and PAR38 I've picked up at Costco.  The standard shape Cree 9W LEDs I bought at Home Depot five years ago are still burning strongly. 

[Homercles 10205]

Think I have those same BR40 and they’ve lasted like 8 years so far, being used regularly.  But otherwise agree on LEDs I’ve bought through Costco, they die in a few years…seems it’s not the element itself but shitty electronics on the driver.  

[Chewbacca 7767]

I've actually had decent luck with the Feit BR40 and PAR38 I've picked up at Costco.  The standard shape Cree 9W LEDs I bought at Home Depot five years ago are still burning strongly. 

Costco LEDs are the worst offenders in my experience.

[fattyflattie 4639]

I’ll see if I can find what we’ve been using. I’ve been waiting forever for them to die to get a different K value. I don’t know why I haven’t just spent the $20 and got what I want. Theyve lasted forever. 

[MonkeyDoughnut 10229]

I've had good luck with the Amazon Basic line. Best cost/longevity rate of all the ones I've tried.

I've had great luck with the Cree from HD as well, just more expensive.

[Johnny Chimpo 478]

If you’re burning through them at a high rate it may be something to do with the quality of power you are supplying? 

i.e. too much current, wrong voltage, wrong frequency. 
 

just speculating.

[Horn_Spanker 524]

Hate the buzzing.  5000k or get the fuck out.

[After irth 1243]

I went the GE route back in 2015 when we moved into a new house.  Never replaced a bulb in the 3 years we lived here.

Did the same thing in our current house in Feb. 2019.  I've replaced one bulb, which was just a few weeks ago.  

Our house has a ton of different fixtures and bulb types, and I was very specific in what rooms or lights have what temp.  GE has the proper bulb with different color-temp options for just about everything, even some of the oddball specialty ones.  

[Upgrayedd 5810]

12 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

13 hours ago, TeeDubya said:

I've actually had decent luck with the Feit BR40 and PAR38 I've picked up at Costco.  The standard shape Cree 9W LEDs I bought at Home Depot five years ago are still burning strongly. 

Costco LEDs are the worst offenders in my experience.

Take them back

[MonkeyDoughnut 10229]

For can lights I retrofit all mine with Luxrite housings which have a setting to change brightness before install (5 levels) and are dimmable. Super easy to do and love them at ~$16/each

[morehornsepower 887]

2 hours ago, MonkeyDoughnut said:

For can lights I retrofit all mine with Luxrite housings which have a setting to change brightness before install (5 levels) and are dimmable. Super easy to do and love them at ~$16/each

Tell me more about this, please?

[MonkeyDoughnut 10229]

41 minutes ago, morehornsepower said:

Tell me more about this, please?

These are the ones I have:

Luxrite 5/6 Inch LED Recessed Retrofit Downlight, Trim (6 Pack) https://a.co/d/7cWRfWt

They sell them at Home Depot as well in 4pks. Install was like minute each tops. HD has install directions. Likely a video online too.

[Godzillatron 292]

These are the ones I have:
Luxrite 5/6 Inch LED Recessed Retrofit Downlight, Trim (6 Pack) https://a.co/d/7cWRfWt
They sell them at Home Depot as well in 4pks. Install was like minute each tops. HD has install directions. Likely a video online too.

I’ll second this. Installed these in enclosed cans in a closet where the LED bulbs kept burning out. Cheap, easy install. I am gruntled. Plan to replace the rest of the cans in the house when I run through my stockpile of bulbs.

[Buzzrock 14902]

So they are the light and the housing in one? I’m sick of burned out and flickering LED’s as well.

[WhatTheBuck 28775]

I buy Philips brand. I’ve only ever had to replace one bulb in all the years I’ve been using them. I’ve been using them long enough that I can’t recall how many years it’s been. 

[After irth 1243]

7 hours ago, WhatTheBuck said:

I’ve been using them long enough that I can’t recall how many years it’s been. 

Consult your spreadsheet and get back with us on that.  

[Pokoloco 1279]

On this note, anyone have a good recommendation for LED Christmas lights? We just bought some C9 LED lights from home depot-advertised as 2X super bright!

They are extremely dim.  I assume they're 2X brighter than absolute darkness, but yeah.  Taking them back today. Yes, after I spent 3 hours putting them up yesterday.  

Also, I'm extremely cheap. So keep that in mind with your recommendations.

[kmac30 416]

I bought C9s from Christmaslights.com a handful of years ago. I was strongly against going LED because they always seem so dim. These turned out great. Bought a 500 ft blank roll and cut my own lengths. Definitely the way to go.

[fluff 87]

Landscape/Irrigation supply places like Ewing are where all the light installation companies get theirs...Not necessarily cheap though.

[Jkwellborn 6690]

Haven’t had any trouble out of the Cree from HD. 5000k. I’ve got some dome fixtures as well that have been going strong for 10 years or so in the kitchen.

I put thought LED trim lights in the recessed cans.