Skip to main content

Everyone is slashing the price of their LED bulbs, but Cree says its light quality deserves its $20 price

Recently, GE announced it would stop making compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) in favor of focusing more on light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. It’s not a surprising move, as these bulbs are long lasting and are finally coming down to a price that consumers are willing to pay for something that lasts at least 20 years.

But there’s something interesting going on with LED makers. Osram Sylvania cut the life expectancy of its A19 LED bulb from the standard 20,000 or 25,000 hours to about 11,000 hours. That’s about 10 years of life for $3, a price many consumers are likely happy to pay, especially if it means not having to change difficult-to-reach bulbs for a decade.

But that race to the bottom, price-wise, worries Mike Watson, VP of project strategy for bulb manufacturer Cree. As companies begin offering LEDs that last fewer and fewer hours, “it’s basically dumbing down LED technology to the reliability performance of an incandescent, which takes away one of the major advantages,” he tells Digital Trends.

Cree isn’t trying to make the cheapest bulb but one that offers the best experience, says Watson. The company prides itself on offering customers what it calls “better light.”

“Ultimately what better light means is when you see it and you’re in it, you love it and you’ll never want to go back,” Watson says. “You notice the difference.”

Today, Cree announced two new PAR30 bulbs to its lineup: 75-watt replacement, 25,000-hour flood and spot lights, now on sale at Home Depot for $20 each. These are the types of bulbs you’ll typically find outdoors and in recessed and track lighting.

While Cree is facing competitors that offer significantly cheaper bulbs, Watson says Cree is so confident in its light quality, that it offers a satisfaction guarantee: If you don’t like them, you can return them.

Editors' Recommendations

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Which is the best robot vacuum?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra share a lot of similarities -- the least of which is their brand name. Along with the capacity to vacuum and mop in a single cleaning cycle, the two robots can automatically empty their dustbins and clean their dirty mops once the cycle is complete. That alone makes them two of the best robot vacuums on the market.

But while there are plenty of similarities between the S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra, there are a few key differences that could make one better for your home than the other. From pricing and vacuuming power to navigational skills and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Read more
How to fix a Ring doorbell that won’t chime
Person installing Ring video doorbell

While Ring does make some of the best video doorbells, they aren't immune to issues with their chime. This issue is, after all, at the top of the list when it comes to video doorbell problems. But, if your Ring won't ring what should you do? We break down the procedure to get your Ring video doorbell back in action, with a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting this issue.

Read more
Ring sale: Up to 44% off video doorbells and security cameras
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 installed near a door.

Buying a video doorbell or a security camera are among the easiest ways of improving your home's security, and Ring is one of the most trusted names if you're planning to get either or both of these devices. If you're interested, there's an ongoing Ring sale on Amazon so that you wouldn't have to pay full price. The available Ring deals include standalone security gadgets and bundles, and you can get as much as 44% off their sticker prices, but only if you hurry because there's no telling how much time is remaining on these offers.

What to buy in Amazon's Ring sale
Ring is a mainstay in our lists of the best video doorbells and best home security cameras because of the helpful features that they'll provide, including 24/7 live streaming through the Ring app, two-way audio to talk to visitors outside your front door or family members inside, customizable mobile alerts, and compatibility with smart home devices that are powered by Amazon's Alexa, among many others.

Read more