All About Different Types of Headlights on a Car
Car headlights had developed in the late 19th century, and since then, it has improved, providing better visibility to the drivers. Headlights are one of the essential components of a car’s safety system. Manufacturers have introduced new car headlights types that provide better vision, especially in bad weather conditions and at night.
Hence, if you need to replace or upgrade your headlights, here’s a guide about different types of car headlights that will help you choose the right one for your vehicle.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 4 TYPES OF HEADLIGHTS
You must have noticed that all the vehicle headlights are not the same. There are different headlights in different manufacturers’ vehicles. Car lights are important in the UAE not only for safe driving but one can face fines up to AED 500 if the headlight is damaged or in not working condition. Let’s give a read to the types of headlights on a car.
HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS
These are one of the most popular and commonly used car headlights. Halogen lights give a yellow-white colour light of temperature 3200K to 5000K. They are simple to manufacture and also easy to replace on many of the car models. Here are its pros and cons;
PROS
- Halogen lights are easily available and cheaper.
- They have a life of 1000 hours.
- They come in different sizes making them compatible with many car models.
CONS
- These lights consume more electrical energy and produce heat energy while producing light. That said, in case of any battery issue, drivers can face issues like dim car headlights.
- One can not touch its quartz glass envelope with bare hands as it has grease all over that can stick to your hands and may result in uneven heating leading to the short lifespan.
PRICE RANGE: AED 46 to AED 230
XENON HEADLIGHTS
They are commonly known as HID headlights. The number of xenon HID is increasing in cars as it has become a standard. These lights give a range of 4,000K to 6,000K on the colour scale. They give a true whitish colour light and a premium look to vehicles. This is one of the car headlights types installed in the recent models of vehicles.
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of Xenon headlights:
PROS
- They last longer and use less energy than halogen lights.
- Xenon headlights have a lifetime of 2500 hours.
- Their distance reach ranges from 200 to 250 meters.
- They have a much brighter light that makes travelling safer at a speed of 100 to 115 kilometres per hour(km/h) on a dark road.
CONS
- Xenon headlights take a few seconds before giving a complete bright light.
- It has a complicated installation method.
- It costs more than the halogen lights.
PRICE RANGE: AED 50 to AED 350
LED HEADLIGHTS
Light Emitting Diodes, commonly known as LED lights, are a result of evolving technology and makes your car look expensive and luxurious. They are very efficient and emit no heat, unlike halogen and xenon lights. LED bulbs have a range of 4,000K to 6,000K on the colour scale. Moreover, LED headlights are not very common in vehicles because of a higher cost because of their design. These lights also have some pros and cons:
PROS
- LED lights have no such elements that wear down quickly, so they have a longer lifespan.
- The LED bulbs use less electric power than halogen and xenon lights. They also have a typical life span of 10,000 hours but they can last for an entire service life of a new car.
- LED lights can reach upto 300 to 350 meters.
- LED bulbs have smaller dimensions, so they give manufacturers the advantage of making a sleek headlight design.
CONS
- LED lights have a higher cost because they have a complex assembly due to their cooling system to prevent the overheating of the base emitter.
- The headlight unit itself needs a different design because of the complex heating system.
PRICE RANGE: AED 150 to AED 400
LASER HEADLIGHTS
Laser headlights are one of the most recent car headlights types. They produce light using a chemical reaction. They are more energy-efficient than the ones designed before. The light produced is a result of laser striking phosphorus gas inside the lens.
In the history of Audi lights, laser lights were used in 2014 to elevate high-beam performance. That said, some of the latest models of Audi as well as BMW use laser technology in headlights. Let’s give a read to the pros and cons of laser headlights:
PROS
- Laser headlights produce 1000 times better light using less energy than the latter.
- They have small dimensions and allow flexibility in producing a sleeker design.
- Their typical lifespan is above 20,000 hours.
- They have a more distant reach of about 600 meters, making it a safer option to travel on dark and dingy roads.
CONS
- Laser headlights are the latest ones but they produce more heat than LED lights.
- They are more expensive as they need a built-in cooling system.
- They are currently available for high-beam lights only so they come paired with halogen, HID, or LED lights.
PRICE RANGE: AED 350 to AED 1800
This was all about the car headlights types. It is important to select the right headlight type according to the car model, driving, and weather conditions. Other factors for selecting the headlight may include your personal preference and the cost, as well. You can buy used headlights in the UAE and also buy automotive parts and accessories in the UAE for your vehicle. If you don’t own your vehicle, you can buy used cars in the UAE and upgrade your vehicle according to your needs.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on the vehicle models and their parts.