Definition
LED and halogen represent two fundamentally different light generation technologies at opposite ends of the efficiency spectrum. Halogen lamps are incandescent — electric current heats a tungsten filament to ~2,500°C inside a halogen-gas-filled quartz envelope, producing light as a byproduct of heat (the halogen cycle redeposits evaporated tungsten back onto the filament, extending life slightly). LEDs are solid-state semiconductor devices that produce light through electroluminescence with minimal heat. The practical difference for B2B procurement: halogen converts ~10% of electricity to light and 90% to heat; LED converts 40-60% to light. This single difference cascades into every other comparison metric — energy cost, lifespan, cooling load, and maintenance.
Key Data
| Parameter | Value / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Efficacy | LED: 100-200 lm/W | Halogen: 15-25 lm/W — LED is 5-8× more efficient |
| Lifespan | LED: 50,000-100,000h (L70) | Halogen: 2,000-4,000h (catastrophic failure) — LED lasts 25× longer |
| Energy cost (50W equivalent, 4,000h/yr, $0.12/kWh) | LED (6W): $2.88/year | Halogen (50W): $24/year — 88% savings |
| Heat output | LED: minimal — can touch after hours of operation | Halogen: 200-500°C — fire risk near combustibles |
| CRI | LED: 80-98 (depends on phosphor quality) | Halogen: 100 (perfect, but irrelevant given all other disadvantages) |
Application Guide
General commercial
LED — no contest
Halogen is obsolete for general lighting. Banned in EU, UK, California for most applications.
Museum (ultra-CRI-critical)
Halogen may be specified for specific artifacts requiring perfect CRI 100 and zero UV
Niche application. CRI 98 LED + UV filter is acceptable alternative for most museum applications.
Stage/theatre lighting
Transitioning to LED. Halogen still used for specific color rendering needs.
LED theatre fixtures now achieve CRI 95+ with full-color mixing. Halogen replacement is accelerating.
Conclusion & Procurement Recommendation
For B2B procurement in 2026: the LED vs halogen debate is settled. Halogen is obsolete for all general lighting applications and is being phased out globally (EU Ecodesign 2021, US EISA 2023, California Title 20). The only exception: specialized applications where the halogen lamp is the light source for an optical system (projectors, microscopes, some medical devices) and an LED retrofit module is not available. For general lighting: if someone proposes halogen in 2026, they are either uninformed or have a warehouse of obsolete stock to liquidate.