Review of 3M LED Advanced Light Bulb, Cool White, 60-Watt Equivalent

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List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $24.88
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Pros:

+ It throws off a very impressive amount of light. I replaced a brand new Sylvania mini/micro CFL rated with approximately the same output (60W equiv) and this is much brighter... I would say it is every bit as bright as a 100W equiv CFL (which would consume about twice as much power as this bulb).

+ The light distribution is very good. It seems to throw light in every direction just like a regular bulb (and unlike many other LED bulbs)

+ Instant on (at least at room temperature)

+ No humming (I was always getting humming from CFLs in this application)

+ It seems to be very well made... it is surprisingly heavy and the design seems rather complex

+ It is the only bulb I can remember ever seeing that is assembled in the USA rather than China

+ It has a nicer appearance than most LED bulbs or pretty much any CFL bulb

Cons:

The price is a little high yet.

They do tell you that you can't use it in an enclosed fixture. Now you might very well get away with that depending on the size and design of the particular fixture, ventilation around it, and the ambient temperature and everything. But I see it as a CYA move... you might have a fixture that would cause the bulb to overheat so they just issue a blanket "no enclosed fixture" statement even if it might be fine in some/many/most fixtures. Note this all applies to CFLs as well... they can overheat in enclosed fixtures as well which will shorten their lifespan.

While this looks better than a twisty CFL bulb, I would rather use an incandescent or halogen in a fixture that has exposed bulbs if appearance is important.

???:

? Longevity is critical but impossible to evaluate at this point. This bulb is new and only time will tell if they last for years and years as they claim. For the price it had better last a few years at least.

? I don't know what the performance on these bulbs is like in cold temperatures. I plan to test this out eventually as cold weather CFL performance is absolutely terrible and other alternatives all use a lot more power.

Also:

Note that there are two versions of this bulb... one is 4000K ("cool light") the other is 3000K ("warm light"). According to the packaging, the 3000K is more efficient. It outputs a more lumens and consumes a bit less power. The 3000K is closer to the color of incandescent light but still a bit whiter than that. There is a noticeable but not a massive difference between 3000K and 4000K. Bulbs in general range from about 2700K to 6500K, so they are not at opposite ends of the spectrum or anything.

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If you are looking for a LED bulb that will reproduce the light coming from an old 60 watt incandescent this is the closest thing I've found.

Warmth, brightness, turn on delay all very similar to old bulbs. I have not tested the dimming feature though. Honestly the only way you can tell its different is by looking straight at it. I have tested it in areas with multiple other bulbs and it never sticks out and no one has ever pointed it out.

Only problem is getting them but it seems Amazon now offers them!!! Also wish 3M would offer a 90 wattt equivalent.

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This bulb has the closest color temperature of a clear bulb that I have found; only without the harsh shadows a clear bulb would usually give. This bulb is great for table lamps and bathroom vanity fixtures. The whole globe lights up so it does not look weird behind a translucent shade or in a bare fixture. It has a no-delay start up (from switching on to when the actual light comes on). A main concern is that it is heavy. It will make a desk lamp top heavy if it does not have much weighted support at the base. I'm not sure how the dimming is, but like many LED's, it will probably stay the same color as the light is dimmed. This bulb is also assembled in the USA, making it one of the least expensive replacements that is assembled here. The ideal fixtures for this bulb is where it has sufficient air flow around it to prevent overheating; recessed and ceiling mount fixtures are a no no. There is no officially published CRI but rumor has it that it is 80+.

Honest reviews on 3M LED Advanced Light Bulb, Cool White, 60-Watt Equivalent

This is about the most perfect, affordable LED bulb on the market right now. 25 Year life with 5 year warranty out of the box. Fits in more spots than CFLs do even with the newer ultra-compact ones to compete against.

Very bright, warm light that doesnt hurt your eyes. Lower power use than CFLs I've repalced this with.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for 3M LED Advanced Light Bulb, Cool White, 60-Watt Equivalent

I've been waiting for a passable LED for years. Others I've tried tend to direct the light in one direction, wear out relatively quickly, consume lots of enery, and/ or not produce enough lumens to be practical as a replacement for 60W.

This light, however, is energy efficient, puts out 800 lumens as advertised, lasts a long time (great build quality), and the light is dispersed just like in a normal lightbulb. The color options: warm/ cold are great. I like the cold for my kitchen and the warm is nice for reading nook, family room, etc.

The light is a bit pricey, but assuming it lasts the 25 years as advertised, it will more than pay for itself.

I found very little to complain about. The one point that could be improved is the weight of the bulb. It is quite heavy relative to an incandescent or even a CFL. Using it in lights with extension arms, therefore, could cause the lamp to fall over. For fixed lights (e.g. overhead kitchen) or floor lamps that stand straight up, I don't have any trouble.