Best Aftermarket Headlights
Changing your headlights or shopping for headlight bulbs is pretty low on the list of things to do on a nice Sunday afternoon, but it’s a necessary evil if you’ve lost a light. Headlights are among the most vital and most regularly used features on your vehicle, so it’s important to get it right. When a bulb burns out, you could get a ticket or end up in an accident due to reduced visibility at night or in inclement weather.
Replacing headlights isn’t rocket surgery, and it’s not terribly expensive, but you’ll need to do some research to make sure you have the right bulbs and to ensure proper installation. Aftermarket headlights can be brighter and last longer than your factory bulbs, so the results will be worth your effort.
What are Aftermarket Headlights?
Aftermarket headlights are installed after the vehicle’s purchase, and can either be straight replacements for the factory lights or upgrades for better visibility. In most cases, headlight replacements are just a bulb replacement, but sometimes, the headlight assembly, including wiring and housing may need to be replaced. If the headlights are upgraded to a high-intensity discharge (HID) or other type of light, there may need to be modifications made to fit and install the needed components.
It’s worth noting that aftermarket LED bulbs are illegal. Enforcement and verification varies from place to place, but no LED replacement bulbs currently meet National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards.
How do Aftermarket Headlights Work?
Aftermarket headlights work just like normal headlights, in that they are installed in your car and provide lighting ahead of the vehicle. Automakers design and build cars to meet safety standards, which includes the headlights, so it’s best to replace the bulbs with like-for-like components to ensure safety and proper operation.
Aftermarket Headlight Types
We’ll pause here and mention again that modifying your headlights is illegal. This means that if your vehicle did not come with LED headlights, don’t try to install them.
Halogen Halogen is one of the most common headlight types. Halogen bulbs use a filament sealed inside a bulb with halogen gas. The filament heats the gas, which then glows brightly to produce light.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) High intensity discharge lights, also called HID lights, use electrodes sealed in a bulb with xenon gas and other materials. They are much brighter than halogen lights and are much more expensive. As a result, they are not as commonly used.
LED Headlights Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are brighter and more efficient than HID bulbs and are more compact. They also last longer, with up to a 50,000-hour illumination time.
Laser Headlights Laser headlights are wildly expensive, but are considered the best headlights on the market today. They use a laser that is aimed into a unit that houses phosphorus. The laser causes a chemical reaction, which produces light.
How Aftermarket Headlights Compare to OEM Headlights
When chosen and installed properly, aftermarket headlights can be much brighter than OEM headlights and can allow the owner to change the look of their vehicle without major modifications. Many aftermarket headlights offer whiter or bluer color choices. Automakers sometimes use headlights from major brands anyway, so it’s easy to replace bulbs with the right product.
What are the Best Aftermarket Headlights?
The best aftermarket headlights are ones that fit your vehicle and that are properly installed. That said, some brands and lights stand out above the rest:
Aftermarket headlights promise the world in terms of light brightness, color, and overall longevity, but it’s best to read as many reviews as possible before heading to the auto parts store. Get a feel for whether a light lives up to its billing, or if it falls flat after a few months of use. Ease of installation and accuracy of fit are also important, as you’ll want to make sure that the lights fit your car as advertised.
Read more on the topic of Aftermarket Parts here.
FAQ
- Why are aftermarket LED headlights illegal?
You are required to replace your headlights with an equivalent unit that does not modify the headlight type. If your vehicle came with halogens, you have to replace your original lights with halogen. Additionally, replacing halogens or HIDs with LED lights can actually reduce light quality, because LED headlights use a specific housing that is required to properly focus and project the light.
- What are projector headlights?
Traditional headlights are installed in a housing that contains mirrors inside, which help reflect light onto the road. Projector headlights feature a lens that amplifies and projects the light forward.
- How much do headlights cost?
If you’re doing the work yourself, expect to pay around $15 or so per bulb. Though having a shop install the lights won’t break the bank, you’ll still have to pay labor and taxes in addition to buying the bulbs.
- How do I change my headlights?
Every car is different. Some models offer easy access to the bulbs and headlight housing, but some are difficult to reach. In most cases, you should be able to replace the headlights yourself, but if you’re unsure, your local mechanic can knock out the job in short order.
- Can I drive with one headlight?
It’s certainly physically possible to drive with one headlight, but it’s illegal and you’re flirting with getting a ticket. One headlight may illuminate the road ahead so well that you can’t tell the other is missing, but headlights are also meant to make your car more visible to oncoming traffic. Driving with one bulb increases your chances of going unseen after dark.
