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Buying an E27 LED bulb: What to look out for? 

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Bigger is better, and when buying an E27 LED bulb, big is the key word. Next to the smaller E14 LED bulb, the popular standard for LED lighting is probably the most widely used form of LED screw lamp. Many types of LED luminaires use the E27 standard. 

In households, shops, offices and industrial environments alike, the E27 LED standard is fanatically used. The versatile and highly economical form of lighting will never leave you in the dark: it is a reliable, efficient stand that helps illuminate any space effortlessly. 

In this overview, we explain the basics of E27 LED lighting. We tell you the meaning behind the term E27, give some examples of different types of E27 bulbs, explain the main differences between E14 and E27 and give some practical buying advice. 

Want to check out the wide range of E27 LED lighting from AdvantageLED right away?

What is an E27 LED bulb (Meaning)

The E27 standard is a popular type of fitting for LED bulbs, which have a diameter of 27 millimetres. E27 LED lights are also known as the 'large fitting'. Opposite this is the E14 LED bulb, with a diameter of 14 millimetres also known as the 'small fitting'.  

The term E27 is easy to understand. The letter E stands for Edison, the specific type of thread used to fix these types of LED bulbs in the luminaire. In this case, the number 27 refers to the diameter of the fitting (in millimetres). 

A frequently asked question is how many watts an E27 LED bulb has. There is no straightforward answer to this, because the term E27 refers only to the type of threaded fitting, not to the wattage of the LED bulb. In general, E27 LED bulbs are available in different variations, from 2 watts to 100 watts.  

What to look out for when buying E27 LED 

First of all, it is important to check whether you really need an E27 fitting for your luminaire. This is often stated on a sticker with the lamp, or it is indicated in small letters on the old light source. With a new light fitting, there will probably be a manual that clearly states which fitting you need. 

Are you sure you need an E27 LED bulb, then we can start shopping. Many different features and products can help determine your choice of the ideal E27 LED lighting. The main factors in your buying decision that you will always encounter are the following: 

  • Power: By this we mean the number of watts, or the expected energy consumption of the new light source. Compared to incandescent, energy-saving bulbs or halogen, the wattage of LED lighting is very low. A wattage of 5 to 15 watts is often more than sufficient for standard use. Higher wattages may be useful for more light output or specific industrial needs. 
  • Light output: The number of lumens or lux (lumens per square metre) that an E27 light source will produce. A higher light output does not necessarily mean better light quality: it only says something about the brightness of the light source. For companies, there are applicable standards around the desirable light output in a room. The NEN-EN 12464-1 standard is used for indoor areas and NEN-EN 12464-2 for outdoor working environments. 
  • Colour temperature: It is expressed in Kelvin (K). In many cases, a standard warm white light (3000K) is suitable for general use. For comfortable or relaxing spaces, a dimmable E27 LED lamp is an option, combined with a warmer type of light with lower Kelvin values (1500K-2700K) suitable. Cool white light (4000K+) is suitable for working environments where focus is important. 

How does an E27 fitting work? 

An E27 incandescent or energy-saving bulb can be directly replaced by an E27 LED bulb, as it simply runs on 230V. An old E27 bulb can be removed from the fitting with a flick of the wrist. Place the E27 LED bulb in the fitting by turning it in the same way. 

Screw fittings as used with E27 bulbs are probably the most user-friendly fitting types available on the market. 

You can touch a new E27 LED bulb with your fingers without any problem, this poses no problem and is no risk to you or the quality of the light source. 

Of course, when replacing the old E27 bulb, be careful not to put too much pressure on the glass of the bulb itself while turning the light source on and off. These are fragile products and an accident is in a small corner. 

Dimmable E27 LED bulbs 

There are several varieties of E27 LED bulbs for sale that are dimmable. An LED dimmer allows the user to adjust the brightness of a light source as desired. This is not only pleasant to use, but can also help make an already highly efficient LED bulb even a touch more economical. 

A simple E27 LED bulb will have 3 modes for dimmability that regulate light intensity. However, there are also more precise switches, where you can influence the brightness of a light source itself with a dimmer (0 - 100% brightness). 

Other dimmable variations use a built-in sensor. This also allows you to influence the brightness of a lamp. Think, for instance, of an E27 LED lamp with a built-in motion sensor, which becomes brighter the moment there is movement in the room. The options also include a twilight sensor (day/night) or a timer. 

Buy energy-efficient E27 LED lighting at AdvantageLED

When picking out the right LED bulb, it can sometimes take a while to get used to all the abbreviations and terminology. That starts, of course, with knowing which socket you need. After all, there are many types of different LED bulbs. 

An E27 LED bulb is a very common standard that refers to a relatively large screw fitting. The standard small variant (and biggest competitor) screw fitting is E14 LED. The numbers are an indication of the diameter in millimetres of the socket. You can easily measure this yourself before buying an LED bulb. 

Has this explanation been helpful for you? You can find a variety of LED products with E27 sockets in AdvantageLED's online shop. View our current range of E27 LED lamps immediately by navigating further below: