LEDs and CFLs that perform brilliantly in our lightbulb tests

LEDs have a lot to offer ... for a price. Unlike compact fluorescents, the light-emitting diodes in Consumer Reports' latest lightbulb tests brightened instantly, even at frigid temperatures, and turning them on and off frequently didn't affect them. (That test killed some CFLs.) And there's no mercury in LEDs, making cleanup easier if a bulb breaks. But you'll pay for those advantages and our tests found that not all LEDs shine.

After 3,000 hours of testing we found some LEDs earned near perfect scores, but we also found dim bulbs, ghastly light color, and LEDs that don't cast light in all directions. So choose from the lightbulbs recommended in our Ratings or buy Energy Star-qualified LEDs, which must meet stringent standards that are independently verified. And if you're concerned about the bigger picture—the environmental impact of energy-saving bulbs—LEDs have a slight edge over CFLs, according to a recent report from the Department of Energy.

The study looked at the energy and environmental effects of manufacturing, assembly, transport, operation, and disposal of LEDs, CFLs, and incandescent bulbs. LEDs had a significantly lower environmental impact than incandescents. The main reason cited was that incandescent bulbs consume so much electricity that to generate all that energy substantially impacts the environment, making them the most harmful to the environment. Look at it this way. Watts indicate energy use and to get about the same amount of light output, you can choose a 60-watt incandescent, a 14-watt CFL, or a 12.5-watt LED. Now consider that there are an estimated six billion lightbulbs installed in American homes.

LED prices are dropping, but most we tested cost between $25 and $60 without rebates. Even so, a $25 LED can save you about $130 over its 23-year life, compared with an incandescent. If the LED advantages don't outweigh the price, our Ratings include plenty of fine, inexpensive CFLs that can save you around $60 over the bulb's lifetime.

—Kimberly Janeway