Light up the Road with the Best Lighting Conversion Kits

Light up the Road with the Best Lighting Conversion Kits

It seems every other day new car trends get released and it’s no different when it comes to lights. If you want to keep on being the envy of your friends with the best looking vehicle in town, don’t fall behind in keeping up with innovations. Brighter lights look great on cars and they offer clearer views of the road ahead. Therefore this is an aesthetic but also a practical upgrade of your car. Luckily this new trend only requires a lighting conversion kit.

Does it mean paying a fortune to get new lights or changing your car completely? Thanks to technology you can simply purchase your kit and they’re pretty easy to install too. Yes, DIY easy. So you don’t have to worry about calling the neighborhood electrician or car experts.

Now let’s help you pick the correct conversion kit.

Features to Consider in Good Lighting Conversion Kits

Why Do You Need a Conversion?

With cars it’s all about performance and why settle for low quality light on the road when you can have better? Conversion kits can help you get the brightness of LED lighting so the road ahead of you is lit up.

Other conversion kits help you get automated features such as the globes going on the moment it gets dark. And let’s not forget the all important feature of aesthetics. Modern globes will have your car look much better than outdated halogen globes that are still fitted in most cars coming from the factory.

Do You Call a Professional?

When you shop wisely and pick the right kit you’re supposed to be able to install these conversion kits yourself. Seldom will you need to engage the services of a qualified technician as long as you’ve got these resources.

Instruction Manual

Most conversion kits come with user instruction manuals to guide you. Before you buy, establish if the instructions are indeed easy to read and understand. After reading the manual can you set it up yourself hassle free?

Online Videos

If you’re still unsure after reading the manual there should be online material to aid you such as YouTube videos for that particular conversion kit. Make sure there’s a video that gives you a clear step by step instruction of installing the kit to make it easy on yourself.

Tip: It’s smart to vet customer service features of various brands. You may need their help so make sure you know how to get access to their experts.

A Few Important Features to Help You Shop

Compatibility

Before purchasing establish if your existing lights can be converted to the light you want. The ideal is having a plug and play unit that fits almost any vehicle.

You also need to consider your car’s electronic setup. Not all kits are compatible with CanBUS systems. Do your research so you don’t purchase an item that won’t respond once installed.

Lastly, you need to ensure you pick the right size according to your vehicle’s make and model.

User Friendliness

The lighting conversion kit must be user-friendly and make sure you’ve got the required tools on hand. Ideally, you won’t have to change anything to your headlight setup but it’s not uncommon that you have to cut away plastic or other material at the back of the headlight. Many conversion kits are simply longer than the stock headlights you’ll remove. In these case, if you’re unsure what to do and you fear damaging your car, it’s wise to ask a professional for help.

Top 10 Best Lighting Conversion Kits 2024

1. OPT7 FluxBeam LED Headlight Kit

OPT7 FluxBeam LED Headlight Kit

Why we like it: The company invested time and effort into creating a superior beam. There are no spots or scattered light and the beam is long. No short beams that limit your sight.

Editor’s Rating:

The brand took five years to develop this kit. You can use them in both reflector and projector housings. Take note that these are extremely bright LED lights. They are bright the moment they switch on instead of you waiting for them to warm up first.

These are a bit on the expensive side but many consumers find they’re worth the money. One reason is that the LED is designed to keep the same brightness level instead of starting to dim within the first weeks of use.

Specs

There is a wide range available and you simply have to find the right size for your vehicle. They’re 60W bulbs that produce 7 000 lumens (3500 lm per bulb) in a cool white light.

Lifespan + Warranty

These are designed to last for 50 000 hours and there is a 2 year warranty on them. The brand also provides a lifetime support service.

Special features and Useful Information

These are made to be weather resistant. Overheating is a major concern with LED lights but this design has fins that can cool even when they’re under water.

Installation

Installation is mostly user friendly and can be done by the vehicle owner instead of a professional. Some users report that the unit scrapes against metal parts at the back of the enclosure, but these problems are minimal.

If you have a model made in 2007 or later you should consider the relay bundle. This enhances bulb life so you can go even longer without replacements.

Pros

  • Bright light
  • No dark patches
  • Instant on
  • Long lifespan

Cons

  • Expensive option
  • Some problems with fitting

2. AutoFeel LED Headlight Bulbs

AutoFeel LED Headlight Bulbs

Why we like it: You can depend on this light in almost all conditions since it can handle temperatures ranging from -40°C to 80°C. When rain, snow or mist sets in you’ll still have excellent light while driving.

Editor’s Rating:

Here’s another quick start bulb which will give you instant bright light. It also works over the 360’ of the bulb instead of only giving light in limited beams.

Note that this is an extremely bright light. The design incorporates heat dissipation to prevent problems like overheating as the LED heats up.

This is a more affordable option than the first product on our list so it makes it possible for more vehicle owners to upgrade their lights and become more energy efficient.

Specs

This is a 60W set and it produces 7 000 lumens per set. The color temperature is 6500K.

Lifespan + Warranty

You only get a one year warranty which isn’t the longest you’ll find on the market. However the 50 000 hours lifespan from a trusted brand is quite impressive and you get lifetime support from Autofeel.

Special features and Useful Information

You don’t simply need a quality bulb but quality fittings as well. This brand uses aviation aluminum to ensure you won’t have to concern yourself over corrosion. High temperatures won’t affect how the unit functions.

Installation

This is an ideal plug and play item so installation is quick and easy. Some users find problems with the prongs being too large but once again this happens in minimal cases.

The brand produces a variety of sizes so most car owners find their size easily.

Pros

  • Reasonable price
  • Bright light
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Some complaints about faulty components

3. JDM ASTAR G1 8 000 Lumens

JDM ASTAR G1 8 000 Lumens

Why we like it: It’s an affordable option but you still get super bright lights in a stunning hue. So it’s practical and it looks great.

Editor’s Rating:

Here you have a light that gives an exceptional 8 000 lumens. This kit provides you with everything you need to upgrade your headlights. The kit is reasonably priced without compromising on quality in general.

The bulbs have fans to keep them cool. These do make a sound when the lights are on but in most cars the din can’t be heard when the engine is running.

Specs

Each bulb produces 4 000 lumens. This comes from the 1st generation COB LED chips. It has a color rating of 6500K and they’re 36W lights.

Lifespan + Warranty

You don’t get exceptional warranties on this model. There is a six month warranty available but some consumers report problems even before this time runs out.

Special features and Useful Information

The waterproof rating is IP65.

Installation

It’s important to know the products aren’t fully compatible with some European vehicles. If CANBUS systems are installed the bulb may flicker or not switch on at all. Luckily you can counter the problem in some cases with anti flicker relay harnesses and load resistors.

The brand has a range of sizes available. Installation can take as little as 10 minutes. The company also provides excellent customer service if you need assistance or advice.

Pros

  • Good price
  • Easy installation
  • Very bright

Cons

  • Doesn’t cut through pitch black darkness

4. AuxBeam LED Headlights F-S2 Series

AuxBeam LED Headlights F-S2 Series

Why we like it: Keeping the appropriate temperature is vital when you work with LED lights that can heat up. This unit has a high quality turbo cooling fan that regulates the temperature.

Editor’s Rating:

Here’s another conversion kit that won’t keep you waiting. The lights turn on bright instantly so there’s no lag that can cause you to miss important details on the road.

The quality light comes at an affordable price.

Specs

The 36W bulbs produce 8 000 lumens together. The color temperature is 6 000K. With a waterproof rate of IP65 you can use this in heavy rainstorms without it malfunctioning.

Lifespan + Warranty

This isn’t the longest lifespan on the market as it’s predicted to give you 30 000 to 50 000 hours of light. You do get a one year warranty which is standard with most models on the market at the moment.

Special features and Useful Information

Here you get a Xenon white light which is known to help you drive safer because it’s an ideal option to light up signs beside the road or items on the road itself.

The bulbs are designed to provide 360’ clear beams. With no blind zone you become a safer driver at night.

Installation

Many sizes are available. The brand advises that if you need warning cancellers it’s best to purchase compatible units from AuxBeam itself.

This is a plug and play unit that doesn’t require any drivers. It’s simple enough to install yourself without professional assistance.

Be careful not to place the low beam lights in the position of the high beams. This can blind oncoming traffic’s drivers.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • User friendly plug and play
  • No dark patches

Cons

  • Not practical as DRL (Daylight running lights)

5. Kensun New Technology All-in-One LED Headlight Conversion Kits

Kensun New Technology All-in-One LED Headlight Conversion Kits

Why we like it: It’s not every day that you get a two year full warranty which makes this a worthy contestant on our list.

Editor’s Rating:

The benefit of using Kensun is that the brand is experienced in providing the market with universal accessories. Kensun knows what vehicle owners look for so their components are user friendly and cover a wide range to help a big percentage of the market.

They are slightly more expensive than some similar models but you do get accessories such as color filters.

The design is very compact so you have a better chance that these will fit. They don’t have to warm up so the moment you switch on you’ll have bright light.

Specs

These 30W bulbs are IP68 rated which is more than many other models on this list. You can drive in rainy conditions and your bulbs won’t malfunction. The bulbs have 500m ranges.

Lifespan + Warranty

Don’t expect too much from this kit as it only promises 30 000 hours of light. However, the extensive warranty is a great plus.

Special features and Useful Information

This brand provides you with a carry case. This is a novel idea since any bulb can easily get damaged. It also means you have an easy storage option if this is not what you want to use all the time. This makes sense if bulbs don’t serve well as DLRs. This is also to care for the additional accessories which are color filters. Customize your vehicle’s look with either a blue or a yellow tint.

Installation

If you get it right the first time installation can take as little as 20 minutes.

Pros

  • Color filters included
  • Handy carry case
  • Compact design
  • Long warranty

Cons

  • Limited lifespan
  • Expensive
  • Beam pattern not ideal

6. SNGL Super Bright LED Headlight Conversion Kit

SNGL Super Bright LED Headlight Conversion Kit

Why we like it: The brand really went all the way to create a light that won’t overheat. There’s unique technology and many safety features incorporated in the kit.

Editor’s Rating:

This brand claims that the LEDs used in the kit give out brighter light than you would find with any other product. The lights also create bright light without causing glare which is safer for everyone on the road. They’re called LUMILEDs and in general the brightness stays consistent instead of deteriorating over time.

They can be used for both projector and reflector beams & you can adjust the lights after installation. This is a CanBUS Ready product so there won’t be interference with your car’s electrical system after the conversion.

Specs

These are 55W LEDs which will give you 6200 lumens. There is a 6000k color temperature.

Lifespan + Warranty

This product promises 50 000 hours of light for you while on the road. The brand also provides a two year warranty and offers lifetime support.

Special features and Useful Information

SNGL puts its unique cooling technology in these kits. The SNGL Intelligent Constant Cooling System ensures the lights don’t heat up while switched on. This affects their functioning but also ensures the color stays constant. Part of the system also includes a fan failure protection and overheat protection for the LEDs.

The lights also have noise filters so you won’t hear when the bulbs are on and the fans start turning.

Installation

This is not to be used in DRL applications where you’ll usually have low voltage low/high beams. Apart from that you’re bound to find your perfect fit since the brand manufactures many sizes. Just note that not all of them install easily. Some headlights are simply harder to access than others.

Also be prepared to make some changes during installation. Even though it can take as little as 20 minutes to change the lights you may have to cut away plastic or other materials behind the headlight to fit the longer bulb.

Pros

  • Long lifespan
  • Great cooling system
  • Two year warranty

Cons

  • Expensive option
  • Some customization necessary during installation

7. Alla Lighting Extreme Super Bright CSP LED Kit

Alla Lighting Extreme Super Bright CSP LED Kit

Why we like it: This is a very budget safe option to consider if it’s your first time upgrading your lights. Since you can return them within 30 days if they’re not what you’re really looking for, it’s the perfect way to start testing options for transforming your vehicle. Not satisfied? No problem.

Editor’s Rating:

Here is another high quality product that showcases a state of the art fanning system so heat won’t become a problem or hamper functionality. This system incorporates two ball fans that dissipate the heat.

It’s interesting to note you get all in one aluminum bodies. When there are fewer parts joined together a product tends to last longer since there’s a low risk of components breaking loose.

These lights are adequately bright to give you clear views during night driving. However, some oncoming traffic may find them too bright.

These aren’t the most affordable units, but they’re a good balance between price and functionality.

Specs

You’ll enjoy 8 000 lumens which is impressive and you’ll have 6 000K- 6 500K coloring. These are 22W LED bulbs

Lifespan + Warranty

Apart from the 30 day return policy you get a one year warranty on a kit.

Special features and Useful Information

The brand designed these to be waterproof so they won’t falter in rainy weather. This doesn’t only apply to the light but all the connectors.

One thing to look out for is that they can interfere with your car’s radio and cause static. You may need a professional opinion on how to combat that if this happens in your vehicle.

Installation

The brand provides an installation manual and in normal circumstances installation takes less than 30 minutes. You use the car’s original lamp connectors so there’s minimal changes necessary.

The brand attempts to follow the sizing of most cars’ normal halogen lights which minimizes the necessity for customization or asking a professional to help.

Pros

  • Waterproof
  • Easy to install
  • 30 day return policy

Cons

  • Tend to last only 1 year
  • Some reflection off the road

8. Cougar Motor LED Headlight Bulbs

Cougar Motor LED Headlight Bulbs

Why we like it: Your light’s lifespan is partly determined by how cool they’re kept. This design incorporates a 10 000rpm fan which helps manage temperature.

Editor’s Rating:

This kit is perfectly designed to replace your headlights and get at least 200% your previous brightness. This is thanks to CREE LED clips. The technology is aimed at giving you clear vision with no dark spots or areas where there’s only foggy light.

The set is reasonably priced and with the extensive warranty it’s a wise buy. The exterior shell is made of aviation aluminum which ensures durability. They provide 360’ beam angles.

Specs

You get 7200 lumens from these LEDs which isn’t the best on the market but still impressive enough. There will also be less chance of blinding drivers in oncoming traffic. As a pair it’s a 60W set and they’re IP67 rated for wet weather.

They’re super white thanks to a 6000k rating.

Lifespan + Warranty

Here’s another kit that promises 50 000 hours of shine and here you get a three year warranty which is one of the best you’ll find on this list. Lifetime support comes standard.

Special features and Useful Information

Even the fan is designed to work in wet conditions too. They’re DOT approved and therefore street legal.

Installation

If all goes well you only need 20 minutes to install your new globes. It’s a simple plug and play process. They should work instantly even on cars with CanBUS systems so in general they will easily respond to your car’s computer network.

Occasionally LEDs have polarity problems during installation but no such issue with this set so no rewiring is necessary. Some vehicle models need customization because of the exceptionally large heat sink which means the set won’t fit 100%. However this occurrence is minimal. If you do run into problems the brand is quite responsive and can supply additional help such as anti flicker options.

Pros

  • Plug and play
  • Long warranty period
  • CanBUS friendly

Cons

  • Some customization necessary

9. Beamtech LED Headlight Bulb

Beamtech LED Headlight Bulb

Why we like it: The unique design which doesn’t incorporate fans is simple enough for easy installation and gives less interference than some other kits.

Editor’s Rating:

This is quite a unique design that looks different from the rest of our options. It may be worth giving an original approach a chance since this one comes with a great price tag when compared to other models.

Instead of emitting light over a circular surface you’ll enjoy the benefit of a single strip of light. The clean cut off line is something many drivers appreciate.

Note that this design has no fan and it has an exceptionally small driver. This leads to easy installation and less interference.

It’s made of aviation aluminum which is long lasting and strong.

Specs

Each 25W bulb produces 4000 lumens. This produces 6500k cool white light. You benefit from the IP65 rating which makes it safe to use in wet weather too.

Lifespan + Warranty

You can expect 30 000 hours of brightness which is not the best in the business but still worth a try at this price.

Special features and Useful Information

This unit has no fan. While this makes for less interference and easy installation you only have heat sink fins that cool down the units. The benefit of designs without fans is that you don’t have to worry about the fans failing.

Installation

This is a plug and play model though some customization may be necessary for some vehicles. One example is that you have to change retaining rings to ones that are compatible with LED lights. Some drivers experience one bulb as brighter than the other which can be quite frustrating however.

Pros

  • Easy installation
  • Great price
  • Single strip of light—no dark patches

Cons

  • No heat management
  • Limited lifespan

10. Hikari LED Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit

Hikari LED Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit

Why we like it: This model can be used even as a DRL option which many other brands don’t advise.

Editor’s Rating:

This product is designed to solve many problems you face with other bulbs. The thin heat sink helps with focus and by countering astigmatism there’s a lower chance of bothering oncoming drivers with your bright headlights.

This doesn’t mean you’re getting a less bright bulb. This is still able to give 270% brighter light than the halogens your car has now. The design also creates a uniform beam pattern which helps you see the road in front of you more clearly instead of having to cope with dark spots. This is done by actually mimicking how a halogen lamp distributes light, only it’s much brighter.

Specs

This set can produce a staggering 12 000 lumens from the LUMILEDs. However, they don’t always produce this bright light and some kits give uneven light. Hopefully the brand will improve on consistency in future.

Lifespan + Warranty

You get a two year warranty.

Special features and Useful Information

Another challenge this brand aims to help with is noise. Although there is a 10 000rpm fan running to keep the unit cool, you only have 46db sound to deal with which makes this pretty quiet compared to others. It’s also designed not to interfere with your radio. The anti radio interference features means no static anymore!

Installation

Installation is supposedly easy on most vehicles but be prepared to deal with a few problems, depending on your vehicle. They are long which could require customization on some cars.

The one benefit of the design is that you’ll find contacts on both sides of the bulb. This means it doesn’t matter how you prefer installing them, they’ll work.

Pros

  • Bright light
  • Low noise
  • No radio interference
  • Long warranty period

Cons

  • Uneven light distribution at times
  • Questionable durability and reliability

Guide to Buying the Best Lighting Conversion Kit

Now that we’ve looked at some of the top contenders in the market, which one will you pick? In case you’re still unsure we’ll discuss a few details.

Why are LEDs so Popular?

The reason everyone is swapping their halogens for modern LEDs is that they simply perform better in many aspects. They’re brighter than halogen lighting and they’re also more energy efficient. This means your lights won’t put your battery under heavy pressure anymore.

Because they provide brighter light they’re more practical options when you drive through fog. You’ll see more and automatically that makes you a safer driver & you’ll be more visible to others. On average you can expect around 1 000 lumens from stock lamps while an LED can provide up to 4 000 lumens.

The LED lights also become bright instantly instead of taking time to warm up. This is different to halogen lights where a filament has to heat up over time for optimum lighting. This means an LED bulb helps you be safer on the road since you have light the moment you need it.

The efficiency also leads to the bulb lasting longer than you’re used to.

  • Lower energy consumption
  • Longer lifetime
  • Improved physical robustness
  • Smaller size
  • Faster switching

The Difference Between HID and LED

You’ll see most of these kits incorporate LED lights. There is another alternative to car manufacturers’ halogen lamps. These are called HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps. Inside you’ll usually find Xenon gas.

Many people love these lights for their brightness. Yes, they can shine even brighter than some of these LED lights. However, they’re much more fragile. Drivers don’t want to be left in the lurch by a broken headlight simply because they’re driving over rough terrain. For that reason they often settle on LEDs after exchanging a few HID lamps.

The one benefit of HID lights is that their temperature doesn’t need much regulating because they don’t heat up like LEDs do. In the end you have to pick your headlights according to your lifestyle, the surfaces you travel on and your personal preferences.

Consider This Before You Shop

Type & Size

The brands mentioned here manufacture many different types and sizes of conversion kits. It’s your responsibility to measure your vehicle or check with experts to see which size you need. You’ll find assistance online too if you’re unsure.

Color

What do all those specs refer to in the reviews above? The one feature is about how many kelvin the light produce, also known as color temperature. This is important because the rating tells you the hue of the light. This can be cool or warm and is also referred to as blue or yellow light. A warm white is closer to 2700K while natural white will be 4000K.

It’s tempting to install the most eye catching and modern devices you can find. If you want our car to look ultra modern you can consider filters.

Temperature

With brighter light comes higher temperatures. It’s imperative your new LED lights have cooling systems such as fans and safety measures such as pulse protection. You don’t want heat to affect the color, make your light flicker or damage the unit. This makes it worth the expense to pay a little more for a high quality bulb with an incorporated fan system.

Don’t simply pick the brightest light because if there’s light it means there’s heat. A conversion kit must include a high quality fan so your bulbs don’t over heat or malfunction after being on for a while. Heat can cause malfunctions in the bulb or wires.

The fan system needs to monitor the environment and temperature, using the fan to manage how hot it gets inside the unit. Remember, each unit has limited temperatures in which it can perform optimally so the fan must help maintain this.

The Law

Don’t get carried away when it comes to the color of your headlights. Some areas have laws against blue lights or other tints that are out of the ordinary. Make sure your light upgrade doesn’t cause you to get a fine.

Always Check the Warranty

With all electrical devices malfunctions are bound to occur. The kits are covered for certain periods but knowing exactly what’s covered will go a long way in avoiding disappointments. Does the warranty cover weather and temperature conditions to make it worth the expense?

Of particular concern should be the number of hours the lights are covered for. If you often drive at night they’ll quickly burn out and prematurely exhaust the hours under warranty. You also need to consider whether they suffice as DLR lights or only for night driving.

Final Words

What do you want your car to look like? Is it about the style or upgrading the lights for ultimate safety? The best lighting conversion kits cater for all these requirements. All you need to do is make sure you measure your car’s headlights correctly before you buy. Remember, you want an easy installation. Now let’s update your vehicle to fit the latest trend.

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