# Any high efficiency light bulbs that give a pleasing color **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 27, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-efficiency-light-bulbs-that-give-a-pleasing-color/614100 "2012-02-27T01:07:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-efficiency-light-bulbs-that-give-a-pleasing-color/614100/1 "2012-02-27T01:07:58Z")
I have used incandescents my whole life, I tried to switch over to CFL lights but they give off a hospital like glow which I don’t like. Are there any brands of high efficiency lights that give off a glow similar to incandescents? For whatever reason in tabletop lamps with a lampshade the CFL lights are ok. But when I use them in overhead lights I don’t like the glow. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-efficiency-light-bulbs-that-give-a-pleasing-color/614100/2 "2012-02-27T02:00:38Z")
I use warm white CFLs. They look just like incandescents to me. ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-efficiency-light-bulbs-that-give-a-pleasing-color/614100/3 "2012-02-27T16:54:22Z")
There are several different CFLs. Most people say the color relates to the number followed by the “K” on the package. I am using “6500K” and have no issue with the color. Also not that CFLs may be one brink of obsolescence. I gather that LEDs, still quite expensive, may replace CFLs as soon as the price comes down. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-efficiency-light-bulbs-that-give-a-pleasing-color/614100/4 "2012-02-27T19:15:55Z")
I like the [GE Reveal CFL’s](http://www.amazon.com/75406-13-Watt-Spiral-60-Watt-Equivalent/dp/B002C097DM). They’re almost as good as the regular Reveals. You can probably find a coupon and see what they’re priced at Target for a 2 pack. ---
**Author:** ![indyvet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b77776/32.png) [@indyvet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/indyvet)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-efficiency-light-bulbs-that-give-a-pleasing-color/614100/5 "2012-02-27T20:07:36Z")
LED lights are my recommendation. They give the “color” of an incandescent light. They are more expensive than CFL’s, _but_ they also last longer than CFL’s. I feel like a total jackass talking about “total cost of ownership” when it comes to something as mundane as lightbulbs, but when you take the total cost of the light into account over the lifetime of the bulb, LEDs are actually cheaper. The other major point in their favor is the absence of mercury. We have been phasing out our CFLs with LEDs as they burn out, and we are very happy with the quality of light we receive from our LED bulbs. (my $.02) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-efficiency-light-bulbs-that-give-a-pleasing-color/614100/6 "2012-02-27T20:53:36Z")
I use CFL bulbs in a number of light fixtures around the house. Haven’t noticed the light being anything like old-timey standard flourescent bulbs. For the most part, the lampshades and whatnot determine what sort of glow the light produces. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-high-efficiency-light-bulbs-that-give-a-pleasing-color/614100/7 "2012-02-27T21:57:26Z")
Ditto indyvet. LED bulbs give a very pleasing color. I also think CFLs sometimes have a visible flicker that is irritating and I don’t notice that with LEDs.