With a wide range of lighting manufacturers, retailers and online shops, the LED lighting market offers a variety of options and designs and is becoming increasingly obscure. In addition, the rapid change in technology creates new problems in relation to the product - there are clear differences in quality between the products, for example in terms of service life and light quality. Statistics show that complaints are most often due to design and manufacturing defects. The use of inferior components, incorrect thermal management or ESD damage during production lead to premature failure of the luminaire. The quality and know-how of the manufacturer play an important role when it comes to finding a high-quality lighting solution.
Our practical guide explains important questions and purchasing criteria when choosing your LED light so that you can make a good assessment yourself.
Evaluation criteria for selecting the right LED lamp
- How should the performance of the LED lamp be assessed (lifespan & efficiency)?
- How is the lamp designed and does it offer a high level of operating comfort?
- Are the individual components of the lamp interchangeable?
- Who can I contact if I have any problems, questions or in the event of a defect?
- Are basic standards met?
- What financial resources are available?
- Do the lighting and planning properties of the luminaire (illumination level, color temperature, color rendering, light distribution) suit my application?
Quality criteria of an LED light - focal points for evaluation in detail
Lifespan
How long does my light actually last?
The stated lifespan of LEDs is generally between 25.000 to 100.000 hours. What many manufacturers do not provide, however, is the statistical value of the luminous flux decline (L value), the number of LED modules affected by the luminous flux decline (B value), and the failure rate (F value). However, it is precisely these values that are interesting when it comes to evaluating the quality of the lighting solution. If the manufacturer of L70B20 states the service life of 50.000 hours, one can assume that 50.000% of the luminous flux is still present in a lamp after 70 hours (L value), although this is the case for 20% (B value) of the lamps is not the case.
Efficiency
How efficient is the light?
Good efficiency of the luminaire is characterized by a high luminous flux combined with low output. A rough guideline for good lighting efficiency in living rooms, for example, is > 120 lm/watt. However, the efficiency of a luminaire should never be viewed on its own, but always in conjunction with the illuminance and color rendering of the LED luminaire.
Design & functionality
Does the LED light match the design and is it also functional?
An attractive design and a high level of ease of use are a decisive factor in being able to work with concentration. The lamp not only becomes a stylish eye-catcher in the room, but also contributes significantly to the feel-good atmosphere. Ergonomic design elements such as intuitive controls, adjustable arms or dimmable options allow the user to individually adjust the light. An ideal interplay of design and functionality ensures that the lighting is not only aesthetically appealing but also practical
Processing, materials & technical components
What materials are used and what is the quality of workmanship?
The use of high-quality materials and their workmanship is a good indication of the quality of the lighting. High-quality LED lights are made of robust and durable material, such as aluminum, which can optimally dissipate heat and ensure the LEDs have a long service life. To ensure a long service life, it is also important to ensure that the components are interchangeable. Especially in cheaper lamp models, individual components are permanently installed or glued, which means that the lamp has to be completely disposed of if it is defective.
lighting level
What are the normative requirements for illuminance?
When it comes to the lighting level, care must be taken to ensure that normative specifications for the minimum illuminance in the workplace are achieved (specified in ASR A3.4 Lighting). While a dental technician, for example, needs a lighting level of at least 2800 to 3300 lux and a color rendering of CRI > 90 at the direct workplace when balancing white, an illuminance of only 500 lux is required for an office workplace.
The illuminance should not be confused with the luminous flux. While luminous flux simply indicates how much light emerges in all directions, illuminance describes how much light actually hits a specific surface. To assess the lighting level, you should always use the illuminance information.
Recommendations for illuminance in different areas of application can be found in our article: “What illuminance (lux) do I need?”
Light distribution
How do I create a balanced brightness distribution?
In addition to direct workplace lighting, so-called basic lighting or general lighting is also required. For a harmonious room and lighting concept, it is important to create a balanced ratio - a contrast ratio of 3:1 can be used as a guideline. 75% of the light should therefore hit the work surface, while 25% is covered by the basic lighting. In lighting planning, so-called light distribution curves are used to assess the interaction of different light sources and to ensure uniformity in the brightness distribution.
Light color
Which color temperature do I need?
The color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and indicates how warm or cool the light from the LED lamp appears. A color temperature of 2.700K - 3.000K emits a warm white light that is ideal for living spaces such as the living room or bedroom. At a color temperature of 4.000K - 5.000K This is referred to as neutral white light, which is often found in work areas such as the home office or in the office. For LED lamps with color temperatures from 5300K we speak of daylight lights. These can demonstrably increase concentration and performance and are used in areas with high visual requirements, such as in dental laboratories or jewelry workshops, but also increasingly in offices.
We have further information on the topic of color temperature in our article “What is meant by the color temperature of an LED light?” summarized.
Color rendering
What color rendering do I need?
Color rendering (CRI) describes how natural colors appear or can be reproduced under an artificial light source. The higher the value, the better the color rendering. The reference value for the color rendering index of LEDs is the sun with a Ra/CRI value of 100. The standard for artificial lighting is a CRI > 80. From one CRI> 90 this is called excellent color rendering. Color rendering is an important purchasing criterion, especially for users with high color rendering requirements. As with the lighting level, there are guidelines and standards for color rendering for many work areas that must be strictly adhered to.
You can find more detailed knowledge about the color rendering of an LED in our article: “What is meant by the color rendering of an LED light?”
glare reduction
How can I ensure that the light does not glare?
The issue of glare is particularly important due to the high brightness of LEDs and is closely related to the brightness distribution in the room. In order to avoid reflections on surfaces or direct glare, it is important to ensure that the LED light has good glare protection. The interaction of different light sources and the spatial conditions also play a key role in avoiding glare - we recommend consulting a specialist here. 😉 The indication of the psychological glare effect (UGR) can provide an initial clue to assess the glare effect of the lamp. Good parameters for the office here are, for example, UGR < 19 and an all-round glare reduction of L < 1500 cd/m2.
You can find more detailed knowledge about glare in our article: “How to avoid glare”
Flicker & dimming quality
How do I avoid flickering in LED lamps?
Avoiding or rather identifying flickering LED lamps before or during purchase is not an easy matter as various factors play a role here. A deeper look into the luminaire is necessary to gain information about the technical implementation and quality of the components. In addition to the poor quality of the LED converter, the cause of flickering is often the dimming method used. When purchasing, make sure that the LED converters installed are, at best, from well-known manufacturers such as Tridonic, Osram or the like.
A good tip for practice: By holding the cell phone camera in slo-mo camera mode, you can see the flickering of lights through the shaking or pulsating light on the camera screen.
You can find out how flickering occurs in lights and what differences the dimming process has for LED lights in our article: What causes flickering in LEDs?
Assembly, service & maintenance
How do I install the light & who can help me with questions & problems?
Complex installations cost time and nerves - the light should therefore be as simple as possible to install in just a few steps. When it comes to maintenance, the LEDs themselves are less important than components such as the converter or driver. Competent service and the interchangeability of components are important in order to repair the lamp even if it is defective or to replace wearing parts during heavy use. Otherwise it may happen that the lamp has to be disposed of after just a few years.
Standards conformity
Does the lamp have a CE marking?
In addition, you should make sure that the LED lamp has appropriate certifications to ensure safety and quality. In any case, the lamp should have a CE marking. Caution is particularly advised when it comes to imported products, as end consumers are deceived with ominous certifications. In addition, other certifications or references from the manufacturer also speak for trust, quality and reliability
Price
What financial resources are available to me?
Quality has its price. The aspects mentioned above show that there are also clear differences in quality when it comes to lights. The price of the LED lamp can be a good guide to assess the quality of the components used and ultimately the quality of the light. In addition to the acquisition costs, operating and maintenance costs should also be taken into account.
Compact tips
Tip # 1
Don't be blinded by empty marketing promises!
It's worth taking a close look at the information about the service life, the lighting level and the components used.
Tip # 2
There is no one universal lamp!
Choosing the “right” lamp always depends on individual factors.
Tip # 3
A good workplace light should be adjustable!
Both in terms of brightness and light angle. The ability to adjust light intensity is particularly important to meet different lighting needs.
Tip # 4
Quality has its price - don't be afraid of the supposedly higher purchase costs!
High-quality lighting pays for itself in a very short time, can be repaired at any time and does not fail after a few years.
We are happy to help!
Since 2003 we have been developing lighting concepts specifically for activities with very high visual requirements. Innovation, passion and enthusiasm have led us to become the market leader in terms of value for money in this specialist area. We owe where we are now solely to our employees and our always loyal customers.