MAR 07

Several years ago, the $10 level was a turning point for the widespread adoption of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). Once the bulbs were priced that low, people were willing to take a chance to try one or two and see how they liked them and how they performed. Now, the same point has been reached in the development of LED lights.

A couple of years ago, 60-watt equivalent LED bulbs were priced around $30 to $40, and a couple years before that, they were closer to $100. Now, Cree is offering three LED bulbs with a price close to $10 (though only one of the three is actually under $10 retail price).

Cree is offering three different LED bulbs: a warm white 60-watt replacement, a daylight 60-watt replacement, and a warm white 40-watt replacement. These bulbs have the performance we've come to expect from LEDs, with a 25,000 hour lifespan rating and use only about 15% of the energy used by and equivalent incandescent bulb.

The Cree bulbs also have a "normal" looking package as compared to the now-familiar curly CFL. These LED bulbs also have a coated glass bulb, rather than a plastic covering like many other LEDs have had. Although the LED bulbs are not drastically more efficient than CFLs, the LED bulbs are also instant-on and are dimmable, which are features many CFLs do not have.

Cree is rolling out a selection of slogans to try to promote these bulbs, including "The Biggest Thing Since the Light Bulb," and "Its non-weird shape emits non-weird light." The company also is touting the below $10 price, although both of the 60-watt equivalents are priced somewhat higher. Nevertheless, this is still a big move in the lighting market.

Hat tip: Studio Z

Comments (11)

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No more CFLs!!!
written by Luke P, March 07, 2013

This is awesome! Until now, I thought that the CFL's were a necessary evil, and the best thing we had to replace incandescent lighting. I always thought I would just have to put up with their washed-out color (although some have gotten better), and their imposed health risks. It's such a relief that LED's, which are far more efficient, safe, and versatile, are finally cheap enough to become a contender!

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@Luke
written by Susan, March 08, 2013

These LED bulbs are not more efficient than CFLs. The are pretty much the same in efficiency. The problem with these LEDs is 1) The price and 2) The deliberately misleading power ratings.

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$10 price point is not news
written by lance, March 08, 2013

always good to see prices getting lower, but the $10 price level for a 40w equiv LED bulb has already been reached by home depot ecosmart LED and its been like that for many months as far as i can remember. I think the same goes for the one sold at lowes too...

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Cool related info-graphic
written by Kev, March 08, 2013

Hi there,

I'd just like to link people to a cool infographic I saw a while back that compares incandescent, CFL and LED lighting.

http://www.lamps.com/resources/infographics/cost-of-lighting.html

Particular points of interest are that CFL's contain toxic mercury levels, have a higher carbon dioxide emission rate and cost more to run than do LED's.

Cheers,
Kev

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love the CREE
written by Leo, March 09, 2013

what took the so long?? I've been using CFL, ecosmart and G7 900lumen LED bulb for months, and i detest the yellowness of edison bulbs. Cree is best in the world, an excellent price and MADE IN AMERICA, HELL YEAH! I WILLBE AT HOME DEPOT, get me some!

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...
written by Kol Drake, March 10, 2013

Every time I see a new article about CFLs, I recall what one researcher stated. If we converted all the lights in all the parking lots across the country to solar powered unit with rechargeable battery capability -- it would save MORE electricity then changing every bloody light bulb in every home in America. Cheaper CFLs are nice but still seem like a wrong way to 'go' for trying to curb electricity hungry areas.

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re:...
written by Bill, March 13, 2013

Agree completely.

I try to limit my light usage to the room I am in anyway. The amount of energy that I am using compared to one streetlight, that is on form dusk until dawn, is minimal.

Imagine how much could be saved in just transforming street lights into LEDs. As well as reducing the light pollution in a city such as Chicago. There are numerous benefits.

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...
written by Carl, March 20, 2013

I understand that LED lights have a long life. They must have a very large supply of photons inside them if they can last so long. This brings me to my question.

If one disposes of these LEDs in say a land-fill before all the photons are used up will this become an environmental hazard? I am thinking that the photons could become free and cause pollution.

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Led light
written by Jennifer, April 10, 2013

LED lighting is gaining wide popularity these days. You'll see LED flood lights in outdoors and LED tube lights in indoors at almost every place you visit. This is basically because of the energy saving feature of these LED lights which is encouraging their use. Also, these lights create a soothing effect in the environment which is why it is being liked by people.
I think the prices will continue to drop down if the popularity grows like this or no alternative comes to the market.

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These Cree bulbs almost as good as the L-Prize Philips
written by Dave R, April 22, 2013

These new Cree bulbs are almost as good as the L-Prize Philips bulbs and look much more "normal" in an open enclosure.

My testing shows that these are about 10-30% more efficient than the CFL equivalent while generating better light than the CFL.

The "60W" soft-white Cree draws 10W while the equivalent CFL draws 11-13W. The "40W" Cree draws 6W while the equivalent CFL draws 8-9W.

Not quite good enough to justify the replacement of functional CFLs, but good enough to replace dead CFLs with Cree bulbs.

The instant on and being dimmable is another plus as well.

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Nice LED
written by Jim Tam, May 03, 2013

LED light as long life span and high lumen efficiency can with 60% energy saving, one day CFL would be replaced all and missed. Love CREE, love LED and love technology.

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