Survey finds performance differences across products in luminous efficacy, flicker, lifespan and more

High-efficiency products can cut energy use by up to 39% compared with low-efficiency ones

LED bulbs, which are more efficient and longer-lasting than conventional lighting, are establishing themselves as eco-friendly green products thanks to their energy-saving and carbon-emission-reduction benefits. Accordingly, the Korea Consumer Agency (President Jang Deok-jin) tested and evaluated 12 LED bulb products with high consumer preference, and found that the products differ in core performance areas such as ▲luminous efficacy ▲flicker and ▲lifespan durability, indicating that consumers need to choose products by comprehensively considering both quality and price.

The 12 products used in this test were: Namyoung LED (BLAE12365D01X4), No Brand (TP-KR-A60-12-DL), Dooyoung Lighting (LED-ADBULB11W-D), Lumian (LA6512W65K), Bungaepyo (YTA60E1-102657), Focus (LEDELRED10N-DOS), OSRAM (LED CLA 10.5W E26 865), Only Price (HT-KSA6012WG3-658R3B), Jangsu Lamp (HT-KSA6510WG1-658R1B), Philips LED (Bulb 12W E26 6500K HPF A60 KR BC), Homeplus Signature (SKLA12WHPE2650KG2), and GE (LED12/A65/865/220V/E26/RA80).

▲For luminous efficacy (energy efficiency), which represents the brightness of light (luminous flux, lm) per watt of power consumption (W), two products were relatively superior, and it was measured that using a high-efficiency product can save up to 39% in energy. The two products from Homeplus Signature and GE were superior, with relatively high luminous efficacy of 130 lm/W or more.

The eight products from Namyoung LED, No Brand, Dooyoung Lighting, Bungaepyo, Focus, OSRAM, Jangsu Lamp and Philips were good, with luminous efficacy of 105 lm/W or more. The two products from Lumian and Only Price were rated average, with relatively low luminous efficacy of 89 lm/W or less.

▲Luminous flux (brightness) varied by product from 877 to 1,461 lm, with the Homeplus Signature product being the brightest. ▲The color rendering index, which indicates how closely the color of objects under the bulb resembles their appearance in natural light, ranged from 83 to 86, with little difference between products, so all products were good. ▲Checking the beam angle to see how widely the light spreads, there was a difference of up to 1.3 times between products (153 to 201 degrees). The Homeplus Signature product had the widest lighting range at 201 degrees.

▲Evaluating flicker quality, which checks the degree of light flickering (shimmer), there were large differences between products, and the two products from OSRAM and Philips were relatively superior. ▲Evaluating lifespan performance by the ratio (%) of brightness retained after 2,000 hours of operation relative to initial brightness (luminous flux), most products (11) were relatively superior. On the other hand, the Lumian product, which had received KS certification, did not conform to the Korean Industrial Standards (KS).

▲Checking compliance with the labeled energy efficiency grade, all products conformed to their labeled grades, with no issues. ▲Checking for electric shock or leakage risk through dielectric strength and insulation resistance tests, no problems were found in any of the products.