Review of LG 485 lm 120 volts LED Light Bulbs (2 pack)

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I started using LED light bulbs nearly two years ago. Since then, LED bulbs went through steady improvements, and prices have fallen by about 2/3, so LED lighting has become a more economical option by now. Unfortunately, as with any new technology, the marketing of LED bulbs is often filled with deceptive advertising and hypes. Lesser-known manufacturers tend of exaggerate the "incandescent equivalent" of their LED bulbs, in order to justify for higher prices. For examples:

The EarthLED ZetaLux 2 Pro 7-Watt Warm White LED Light Bulb generates a luminous output of 450 lumens, yet it is advertised as equivalent to a 60W incandescent bulb (which generates 850 lumens).

The Pharox III DIMMABLE LED 6 Watt LED Light Bulb is even worse. It claims to be a "60 Watt Incandescent Replacement Bulb" with a light output of just 300 lumens.

In the case of this LG LED Lighting Innovator A19 Bulbs, it consumes 7.5W and generates 485 lumens of light output. The manufacturer correctly rated this bulb as equivalent to a 40W incandescent bulb (which generates 480 lumens). I feel that this honesty in advertisement should be commended even though it may put this LG bulb at a disadvantage in the mass market.

There are signs that this LG bulb is better engineered than other LED bulbs:

Its lifespan is rated for 30,000 hours, compared to 20,000 hours for most off-brand LED bulbs.

Its luminosity is 485 lumens when new, and 450 lumens at end-of-life. Lesser-known manufacturers usually don't specify end-of-life luminosity.

It has a color rendering index CRI=82, which is similar to that of CFL bulbs (incandescent bulb is 100). The EarthLED bulb, for example, gives CRI=75. Most lesser-known brands don't even provide this number.

It has a Power Factor of PF=0.97 according to my P4460 Kill-A-Watt Electricity Usage Monitor. My previously purchased LED bulbs has a power factor of just 0.71. (Power factor has no direct relation to LED brightness, but a low PF implies more loss in the transmission of electric power)

I did a side-by-side comparison of this 7.5W LG LED bulb against a 60W incandescent bulb and a 14W CFL bulb. See my uploaded picture to 'Customer Images' section.

When observed from the front of the bulbs, the LG LED appears as bright as the 60W incandescent bulb. This is because the light output from LED bulb is concentrated in the forward hemisphere, while as the light from incandescent is omni-directional.

When observed from the side, the LED bulbs appear much dimmer than incandescent and CFL bulbs

The color temperature of this LG LED bulb is very close to a 'warm white' CFL, and slightly warmer than an incandescent bulb. It is more pleasant to look at compared to a 'cool white' LED bulb.

Overall, this LG LED bulb is a very well-made product, and the present price (about $11 per bulb) makes it very attractive based on energy saving alone (*). The only negative is that this LED bulb does NOT work with dimmer switches it starts buzzing when I tested it briefly. For dimming application, I have to use LED bulbs that specifically says 'dimmable', such as the Dimmable E26 A60 50 Watt Incandescent Light Bulb Replacement with a 6 Watt Led. (By the way, that LED bulb only generates 400 lumens, but it is called a '50W replacement'. See what I mean by deceptive advertisement?)

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(*) Footnote on energy saving calculation:

If you replace a 40W incandescent bulb with this 7.5W LED bulb, how long does it take for the energy saving to offset your initial investment?

Power saving=32.5W

Assume energy cost of 0.15/KWh, so 66.7KWh of energy saving equals $10.

66.7/0.0325=2050 hours of usage.

So if the bulb is used 4 hours every day, it takes about 17 months to get back your money's worth.

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Like many others are doing, I'm also transitioning the light bulbs throughout my house from CFL to LED. The first 2 bulbs I bought were 6W and they are working pretty well. Than I saw this offer. I bought one pack because you never know how you will perceive the light output and colors until you install and turn them on. I have to say that I'm very pleased with these lights. And I mean, VERY pleased!

Since they are 7.5 Watts they are a little brighter than the 6W I bought before, for the same price. Secondly, the light color is indistinguishable from a regular incandescent bulb. They also are suitable for high humidity which makes it perfect for bathrooms.

I usually don't write reviews here on amazon but I was so pleased with these lights that I just had to write something. Kudos to LG for manufacturing such a nice product and kudos to the seller for a great price.

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NOTE: I picked these up for about $10/bulb (+ tax) at a place that starts with "C" and ends with "ostco". I am basing this review on that price... significantly higher pricing would results in a lower rating based on being poorer value.

These LG LED bulbs are the best LED bulbs I have, and I've tried many in this style (and all are priced higher). This is because the light output/color (at 2700 degrees) is very close to an incandescent & seems to be the most pleasant light I've seen from an LED bulb in this price range (or even costing 2x+ more). The only main issue remaining is that the light output is mainly about 180 degrees (in an upward direction away from the bulb base), so that limits the applications that this light can be used in... so keep that in mind. For the price I paid from the store mentioned above, I'd have to give these bulbs 5 stars.

Honest reviews on LG 485 lm 120 volts LED Light Bulbs (2 pack)

Have tried various LED bulbs--Philips, EarthLED, Toshiba, EcoSmart. These are decent compared to the rest, and a good value, but these are the only LEDs we've tried that have a startup delay, much like a CFL, which was very noticeable when used alongside other LED bulbs in our kitchen.

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I can't speak to the longevity of the bulb as I just received them. The brightness is good and the price is pretty good. There is however one annoyance. When I turn the light switch on it takes about a second before the light turns on. Turn the light switch on then nothing. A second later it turns on. That one second delay may not seem like much but I am not use to it. I keep thinking the bulb is burnt out when I first flip on the switch.

Not too big a deal but the bulbs I usually buy, (EarthLED ZetaLux 2 PRO) are instant on more like a filament bulb. I prefer the instant on.

I only tried these because at the time the EarthLED bulbs were more than $14 and I only buy them when the price drops to around $14 per bulb.