All-weather lamps h4 which to choose

Philips 12342PRC1

Our TOP opens with Philips 12342PRC1 Vision series halogen lamps. According to the manufacturer, they provide visibility 30% better than conventional lamps. And such statements are confirmed by tests of many independent experts. The light is actually brighter and the space in front of the car is illuminated to a greater distance. Such operating efficiency is ensured by patented technology: in the production of these lamps, quartz glass with a built-in ultraviolet filter is used. Quartz glass is highly durable and resistant to temperature changes and vibration, which eliminates the possibility of explosion. Therefore, Philips lamps can withstand sudden temperature fluctuations. And high pressure inside the bulb provides more powerful light. Most buyers are satisfied with the purchase of such lamps, noting their long service life and high brightness among similar-priced lamps.

• Type: halogen.
• Voltage: 12 V.
• Power: 60/55 W.
• Service life: up to 500 hours.
• Color. temperature: up to 3200 K.
• Lumen: 1815 +4% -15% lm.
• Base: P43t-38.
• Dimensions: 76 x 45.5 x 45.5 mm.

Osram 64193NL-HCB

Our rating continues with the Osram 64193NL-HCB halogen lamps from the Night Breaker Laser series. They demonstrate excellent quality for both low and high beams, as innovative laser technology allows the lamps to provide up to 150% more brightness when compared to the minimum specified requirements, and a carefully thought-out filament structure allows for additional light output. The light beam of these lamps is up to 150 meters longer, and the emitted light is up to 20% whiter than the requirements stipulated by the standard. Moreover, the illumination is high both physically in terms of lumens and “by eye”. Such lamps perform equally well both in the city and on the highway. At the same time, the manufacturer also provided sufficient resources. But it is worth considering that for such advantages you will have to pay a fairly large amount, which exceeds several sets of ordinary H4 lamps. However, if you need really bright headlights that are fully compliant with standards and do not dazzle oncoming traffic, and you don’t want to frequently replace burnt-out bulbs, then you should pay attention to this model.

• Type: halogen.
• Voltage: 12 V.
• Power: 60/55 W.
• Color. temperature: up to 3900 K.
• Lumen: 1650 ±12% -15% lm.
• Base: P43t.

Best Standard H4 Halogen Bulbs

1 General Electric H4 Standard

The General Electric Standard headlight lamp takes first place in our rating among “classic” models. Consumer tests have shown that this product provides the most even distribution of light in the work area. As for blinding oncoming drivers, the lamp turned out to be absolutely safe not only for drivers of oncoming cars, but also for passing ones (through the rear-view mirror). The American company has made every effort to increase the operating temperature of the coil. This made it possible to obtain a bright and rich color, while significantly extending the service life.

• The quality far exceeds the price.
• Nice warm color.
• Doesn't blind drivers of passing cars.
• Suitable for any time of year.

2 Osram Original Line H4

The German manufacturer Osram has long been a leader in the production of automotive lamps. They are installed on new cars and produced as spare kits. The Osram Original Line model is one of the best in terms of price/quality ratio today. The unpainted bulb produces a luminous flux of impressive brightness, which is significantly better than models with a xenon effect.

• Long-lasting lamp.
• Since it is often used on new cars, you can change one piece at a time, rather than two at once.
• High build quality.

Philips 11342XUWX2

Next in our rating are the H4 Philips 11342XUWX2 LED lamps. With a bright white, high-intensity beam, these LED bulbs take headlights to the next level, allowing you to see further and improving visibility by up to 250%. Such bright illumination is achieved through the use of unique premium LED chips, which provide daylight-like illumination even at night. In addition, excellent illumination is also achieved thanks to the ideal shape of the light beam. This means that the beam illuminates the necessary sections of the road without blinding other drivers, which increases the safety of travel at night. And increased visibility not only improves the safety of night driving, but also makes it more comfortable. These lamps emit bright white light with a color temperature of 5800 Kelvin, providing a daylight effect. Modern cars are equipped with lamps with this color temperature, since it has been proven that it is most comfortable for the human eye and recognition of warning signs. Improved visibility allows you to notice obstacles in time and choose the optimal trajectory. And since you no longer have to look at what's happening ahead, driving will become even more comfortable. Other advantages of these lamps include protection against dust and splashes corresponding to the IP65 standard and a long service life of up to 5000 hours.

• Type: LED.
• Voltage: 13.2 V.
• Power: 22 W.
• Service life: up to 5000 hours.
• Color. temperature: up to 5800 K.
• Low beam: 700 lm.
• High beam: 1200 lm.
• Base: P43t.

Best Standard H4 Halogen Bulbs

But all the advantages are also evident: H4 Original Line halogen lamps are inexpensive, work well, and, which is also important, are characterized by stable quality. And in one case, the “lowering” of the high beam will even be a plus: by any chance, you don’t have a motorcycle with just such a socket in the headlight? It is precisely in high-mounted headlights that such lamps work perfectly, since in a high-mounted headlight the slightest violation of adjustment causes it to hit oncoming car drivers directly in the eyes.

• Excellent light distribution in low beam
• Minimal risk of glare at long range
• Good resource

• High beam is not as “high beam” as we would like

Outside the city, the prioritization will be different. The creators of the lamp either miscalculated something, or deliberately weakened the high beam even more than that of the Osram Original Line - the Narva, to be honest, is not impressive. Therefore, although we recommend NARVA H4 lamps, they do so with the obligatory note: “only for the city.”

• Excellent low beam performance at a low price
• Stability of characteristics

• Weak "far"

The advantages of the lamps are definitely the correctly chosen color temperature - although the lamps do not shine as impressively as all sorts of “improved” models with notes from “plus 30” to “plus one hundred and twenty” (which is why, in fact, we included them in the “standard” section rating - their luminous flux is even slightly below the norm), the quality of lighting is very high. In terms of high beam performance, they will be even more interesting than the Osram, and even more so the Narva. In the low beam they are more likely to have parity - it seems that Philips draws objects on the side of the road and potholes on the asphalt somewhat more clearly, but the actual “range” of the headlights is absolutely the same. If we take into account that H4 lamps still work most of the time on the “near” lamp, and in terms of price Philips surpassed everyone, the result is obvious: only third place.

• Comfortable color temperature
• Good high beam performance
• High resource

• Not the most impressive low beam - expected more
• High price

Philips 11342ULWX2

Another Philips representative in our rating of the best H4 lamps for car headlights is Philips 11342ULWX2, which the manufacturer developed specifically for fog lights. To drive safely in fog, it is important to have good forward and side visibility. The more visibility, the faster the response, and the safer you feel. Philips LED fog lamps' SafeBeam technology with a color temperature of 6200 Kelvin improves visibility by 160%. Thus, the light from them is close to daylight. In addition, the bright light of these lamps allows you to reduce eye strain and enjoy a comfortable ride at any time of the day. Another important advantage of these lamps is their compact size. This became possible thanks to the electronic unit, which is located in the lamp body itself. Thanks to their compact design, Philips LED bulbs are suitable for a wide range of vehicle models and are extremely easy to install for qualified mechanics. And drivers who know how to handle technical equipment can easily cope with installing these LED lamps in their cars. And of course, one of the main advantages of these Philips lamps is their extended service life. According to the manufacturer, it can last up to 8 years. So, having installed them in your car once, you can forget about replacing light bulbs until you buy your next car. Most buyers are satisfied with the purchase of these lamps, and there are no negative reviews about them on the Internet. But it is worth considering that due to the bright lighting and long operating time, such lamps are much more expensive than their analogues.

• Type: LED.
• Voltage: 13.2 V.
• Power: 15 W.
• Service life: up to 8 years.
• Color. temperature: up to 6200 K.
• Built-in control unit.
• Base: P43t-38.

Osram 64193CBI-HCB

Osram 64193CBI-HCB are halogen lamps from the Cool Blue Intense series that create bright light with a color temperature of 4200 Kelvin. The light of such a lamp is as close as possible to natural daylight, which makes it pleasant to the eye and does not cause fatigue, unlike standard lamps. Compared to standard halogen lamps, OSRAM COOL BLUE INTENSE is 20% brighter. The road and side of the road are illuminated far and brightly, even in cloudy weather. In addition, these lamps have a fairly long service life compared to conventional halogen lamps. In general, an excellent option for your money. But before you buy such lamps, please note that the name of the Cool Blue Intense line is nothing more than a marketing ploy. The manufacturer claims that the lamps in this line create a bright blue-white light, reminiscent of xenon headlights. In fact, as buyers note, the result is a white-yellow light, characteristic of halogen lamps. So, if you are looking for lamps that create the effect of xenon lighting, this option is not for you.

• Type: halogen.
• Voltage: 12 V.
• Power: 60/55 W.
• Service life: up to 400 hours.
• Color. temperature: up to 4200 K.
• Lumen: 1650/1000 lm.
• Base: P43t.
• Dimensions: 82 x 17 x 17 mm.

Vizant D5

Our rating continues with Vizant D5 LED lamps. These lamps create pure white light in the 5000 Kelvin spectrum and are suitable for use at any time of the year, because their operating temperature range is from -50 to +70 degrees. As for the illumination on the road, these lamps create a good, uniform flow, illuminating both the road itself tens of meters ahead and to the sides. At the same time, oncoming drivers will not be blinded by the light of such lamps, which is an undeniable advantage. As for the driver himself, in whose car such lamps are installed, with such light his eyes do not get tired even during long trips at night. In addition, car owners like these lamps for their ease of installation and reliable design. As for the operating life, the manufacturer claims 50 thousand working hours. Whether this is really true is difficult to say. It is suspicious that the manufacturer only provides a one-year warranty. And these bulbs do not provide active cooling. But compared to halogen lamps, the service life of these light sources is much longer. Among other shortcomings that car owners noticed, it is worth noting that in rainy weather the quality of lighting decreases.

• Type: LED.
• Voltage: 9-32 V.
• Power: 25 W.
• Service life: up to 50,000 hours.
• Color. temperature: up to 5000 K.
• Lumen: 4000 lm.

The best H4 lamps with extended life

True, it is again worth complaining that for some reason these lamps are not so often found in “offline” stores. Of course, it is clear that in the long run it is more profitable to sell good, but “medium-lived” lamps - but, in the end, these lamps can be bought without problems at all kinds of “existence” and “autodocs”.

• Really high resource, as stated by the manufacturer
• Light distribution quality
• Decent level of illumination

• Not the most common in car dealerships

This option, which is also relatively inexpensive, has its “right to life” - if the car constantly drives around the city with the low beams on, then its reduced brightness will rarely cause discomfort, only at dusk and on unlit roads. But then the speed of movement is usually low, so the drop in the “range” of the low beam cannot be considered critical. But on the highway it will be possible to have high beams of good quality. By the way, the light distribution of the lamps is normal, without any complaints on our part.

As for the resource, Philips can be safely recommended as lamps for a car without daytime running lights: they last a long time, definitely justifying the price.

• Good resource
• Correct light distribution
• Normal high beam quality

• Yellowish low beam

If in the rating of H7 lamps the “long-livers” from Osram performed poorly, but still deserved second place, now they only get the last. Although they shine in accordance with the requirements of the standards, they are clearly yellowish - add to this the no longer new optics of many cars that use lamps with such a base, and as a result the light will become clearly insufficient. They are only suitable for “retirement” driving, but nothing more.

In addition, the promised high resource often remains promised. It cannot be said that the overpayment in comparison with Osram Original Line will justify itself.

• Potentially a good resource, but...

• ... it seems that the lamps do not like either high voltage or shaking
• The light is weak

Vizant D20

Our TOP of the best H4 lamps for car headlights is completed by the Vizant D20. These lamps are a direct continuation of the Vizant D5 with improved characteristics and materials. Their construction uses aircraft-grade aluminum and a core made of copper. And such a lamp can be adjusted 360 degrees. Buyers note the high lighting performance of these lamps and easy installation. In addition, the bright light of these lamps allows you to reduce eye strain and enjoy a comfortable ride at any time of the day. In addition, it is worth noting their resistance to low temperatures and protection from dust and moisture in accordance with the IP68 standard. So such lamps can be used in long winter conditions and high humidity and will not fail for a long time. Moreover, the manufacturer claims a service life of 50 thousand hours. Of course, it is not a fact that they will be able to work that long, but compared to halogen lamps, their service life is much longer.

• Type: LED.
• Voltage: 9-36 V.
• Power: 24 W.
• Service life: up to 50,000 hours.
• Color. temperature: up to 5000 K.
• Lumen: 4400 lm.

Rating of the best H4 lamps - Top 10