Difference Between Daylight and Soft White LED Bulbs (With Table)

Lighting these days have a variety of options to choose from. Different bulbs emit not only light of different colors but also different color temperatures. Color temperature is essential.

This is because it defines the appearance of the light. In simple words, the temperature of color might classify a light as soft, warm, cool or daylight.

Daylight vs Soft White LED Bulbs

The main difference between Daylight and Soft White LED Bulbs is that Daylight bulbs tend to emit color of higher color temperature. In contrast, Soft White LED bulbs tend to emit colors of lower color temperatures.

Daylight bulbs emit a sharp white light. These can be very harsh at times and are not suggested for home-usage. These can also be used to change the appearance of a place totally. A dull looking room when fitted with a daylight bulb can make it appear brighter and livelier.

Soft White LED bulbs, on the other hand, emit softer hues of lower color temperatures. These types of lights can be used to make the place appear cozier. These lights are not as harsh as they usually emit yellowish shades.


 

Comparison Table Between Daylight and Soft White LED Bulbs (in Tabular Form)

Parameter of Comparison

Daylight Bulbs

Soft White LED Bulbs

Color

Daylight bulbs have a bluish-white light.

Soft White LED bulbs have more yellow and red colors.

Color Temperature

The color temperature of Daylight Bulbs is usually higher than 3000K. Color temperature in the range of 5000-6000K is considered very white.

The color temperature of Soft White LED Bulbs is around 2700K.

Ideal for

It is ideal for bathrooms, basements, and kitchens.

It is ideal for a living room, dining room, and bedroom.

Nature

It emits ambient color light.

It emits warm and smooth light.

Comparison

The daylight bulb tends to copy the natural sunlight and provides warmth.

Soft While LED bulb tends to copy the old lamps giving a yellowish shade.

 

What is Daylight LED Bulb?

Daylight bulbs are created to replicate the natural sunlight. Thus, they may appear harsh at times. Differentiation between different lights is created based on the color temperature.

Daylight bulbs tend to have a higher color temperature. This temperature is measured in Kelvins. Kelvin, to a layman, would be the blueness of a light. A Daylight Bulb tends to have a color temperature of around 4600K to 6500K.

This is because the color temperature of the sun is 5600K.

Daylight bulbs are beneficial in places like Kitchens as they emit sharp white light, and many important tasks such as chopping, etc., are done in the kitchen. The usage of Daylight bulbs enables us to see more clearly, thereby helping to avoid any injuries.

Daylight bulbs can also be used in bathrooms and basements. Basements tend to require brighter lights to see things. These lights are also ideal for recording videos as they highlight the facial features.

There are both advantages and disadvantages of having a Daylight Bulb. Since the Daylight Bulbs are made to replicate the sunlight, one can see how their outfit and makeup would look like in the natural light. It also makes the room livelier. In addition to that, it also can play a role in helping with seasonal affective disorder. It is a type of depression concerning the change of seasons.

These bulbs are also economical. On the other hand, if not placed properly, they might make it difficult to sleep at night since they are too white and might make your brain think that it is still day time. These also tend to have a shorter life, and you might have to replace them quickly; thus, canceling out the economical aspect.

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What is Soft White LED Bulb?

Soft White LED bulbs were developed to replicate the glow of the old incandescent lamps. These generally have a lower temperature than Daylight bulbs.

Their color temperature is around the range of 2700K to 3000K. This is why they emit softer hues. Their color is warmer and gives a feeling of coziness. Soft White LED bulbs tend to give out a reddish-yellow glow, unlike the harsh white light of Daylight Bulbs.

These bulbs are suited for places like bedrooms where lesser lighting is required. These also tend to have a soothing effect. But these have some disadvantages as well. Soft White LED bulbs tend to be costlier initially and are very sensitive to voltage fluctuations. 

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Main Differences Between Daylight and Soft White LED Bulbs

  1. Daylight Bulbs have a color temperature of 5000K to 6000K. On the other hand, Soft White LED bulbs have a color temperature of around 2700k to 3000k.
  2. Daylight bulbs emit bluish-white light. Soft White LED bulbs emit reddish-yellow light.        
  3. Daylight bulbs are perfect for bathrooms, basements, recording videos, etc., whereas Soft White LED bulbs are more suitable for bedrooms, dining halls, etc.
  4. Daylight bulbs replicate the natural sunlight and, thus, can come across as harsh sometimes whereas Soft White LED bulbs replicate the yellow shades of old lamps.
  5. Daylight bulbs emit bright and ambient colors, but Soft White LED bulbs emit soft and warm hues.


 

Conclusion

Daylight Bulbs tend to emit a bright white light that is sometimes considered harsh for home usage, but it perfect for recording purposes. On the other hand, Soft White LED Bulbs emit softer tones. The former usually have colors of color temperatures around 6500K.

Soft White LED bulbs can be used to mimic the old yellow lamps and give a cozier feeling the room it is being used in. Thus, the option of selecting one out of these two types of bulbs is dependent on the type of room it would be used in and for which purpose.

For recording videos, people usually buy the ring light, which has a color temperature range of around 3200K to 5600K, the same as of Daylight Bulbs. But for putting up light in rooms like a bedroom and living room, daylight tends to be harsher and can come across as annoying. This is where people opt-in for Soft White LED bulbs.


References

  1. https://www.cnet.com/how-to/before-buying-led-bulbs/
  2. https://blog.lightingsupply.com/blog/what-are-warm-white-soft-white-cool-white-and-daylight-light-bulbs

Last update on 2022-04-03 / Amazon Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API