Automobile lamps equipped with an H4 base are used in head lighting systems for vehicles of various types. Their design is characterized by the presence of a two-component spiral, thanks to which the device is able to combine both dipped and main beam headlights. It is from their brightness that the safety of driving on roads at night directly depends.
According to many motorists, devices with a similar base are outdated, as more and more car manufacturers refuse to install these products, dividing the low and high beams of the headlights into different optical segments of the car. Nevertheless, many drivers continue to use these lighting devices, considering them to be quite convenient. For this reason, a very wide range of such lamps is still on the market, which can differ greatly from each other in terms of overall dimensions, cost, type of lighting, and so on. We tried to help you and ranked the best H4 lamps in 2022. It includes only the most popular models among motorists.
How to choose the right H4 bulbs?
It is quite natural that one of the key parameters that you should pay attention to when buying is the power of the lighting fixture. Halogen and xenon products will consume much more on-board electricity, so experienced motorists prefer LED products.
It’s no secret that during operation, even LED lamps will get very hot, it is advisable to initially know the heating parameters so as not to harm the optical system of the headlight. It is possible that you will have to ride in rain, mud or snow. Considering that the light bulb is very hot, even the smallest drop of water, if it gets on it, will damage it. It is desirable that the products be reliably protected from penetration of dust and moisture under the housing.
An important parameter is the color temperature. Motorists prefer to buy lamps with a warm yellowish light. It has a much longer wavelength, so even during heavy rainfall or in complete darkness, the view will be much wider. Be sure to take into account the service life. For example, halogen lamps can work for about 500 hours, xenon — up to 3 thousand, LED can live up to 30 thousand.
When we chose the light bulbs to include in this review, we first of all paid attention to all the factors analyzed above. However, not only they had a direct impact on our preferences. We also took into account the value for money of products, as well as user reviews. The rating includes not too expensive options so that all our readers can choose the most suitable lighting fixtures for their car.
Standard Models
3. Philips Crystal Vision H4
Despite the fact that this product is quite expensive, it is still popular with many motorists. First of all, the kit comes with two lamps for the headlights of the dipped and main beam, but there are also bulbs for the dimensions. All this is packed in a very presentable plastic blister, which cannot be opened without scissors — this means that the user receives truly original products. In addition, these bulbs are also good because they have a well-chosen color temperature. They shine a little worse compared to premium products, but still quite worthy.
When using the dipped beam, the headlights will clearly draw objects that are not only on the road surface, such as pits or potholes, but also objects located on the side of the road. In terms of reliability, they are largely superior to expensive analogues. The high beam illumination indicator is over one hundred lux — this is one of the best indicators in the entire rating.
Advantages:
- Long service life;
- Not only the dipped beam, but also the main beam works well enough;
- Optimally selected color temperature;
- Do not get too hot during operation;
- They have an IP rating for water and dust ingress protection.
Flaws:
- It is quite expensive.
Lamp Philips Crystal Vision H4
2. NARVA H4 STANDARD 48881
We are in a hurry to present the cheapest version of the lamp with the H4 base in our entire rating. Despite the fact that the developer’s products came out really the most budgetary, in terms of the quality of low-profile lighting, they are fully on par with models belonging to the premium class. The lamp itself is able to demonstrate excellent illumination and competent distribution of the light flux. These bulbs are perfect for use in urban environments. The product has a fairly long service life.
When using the high beam, it is best to see the area of u200bu200bthe right shoulder. In general, according to users, this lamp has a decent amount of complaints in relation to the main beam. On the track, it is rather weak, even with carefully adjusted headlights.
Advantages:
- Product characteristics are very stable;
- Decent quality at a very low price;
- The low beam works really well.
Flaws:
- Far lighting works rather weakly, so on the tracks such bulbs are unlikely to help much.
Lamp NARVA H4 STANDARD 48881
1. Osram Original H4
In this product, everything turned out to be as balanced as possible. First of all, the light bulb will not heat up too much, its body is made of original high-strength glass, equipped with reliable protection against dust and moisture. The lamp shows itself perfectly when working with both low beam and high beam. I would like to talk about the latter separately: first of all, this lamp has an extremely soft yellowish light. For this reason, it will not hit in the eyes of oncoming drivers. However, it is worth noting that the lighting range of this model is not as significant as we would like, so at night it is unlikely that it will be possible to accelerate faster than 100 km / h.
The lamp is characterized by a long service life, very stable workmanship. According to users, the device best shows its positive properties when installed in headlights located high above the ground.
Advantages:
- Carefully thought-out system of light distribution when using low beam;
- The probability of blinding an oncoming driver with a high beam is practically zero;
- Long service life.
Flaws:
- High beam range leaves much to be desired.
Lamp Osram Original H4
High output lamps
4. Bosch Xenon Silver H4
Another product that is characterized by a competent selection of color temperature. Such a solution does not irritate the eyes, which is especially important in conditions of poor visibility and in the dark. Such lamps shine with a real cold white light, which will not hit the eyes of drivers of cars passing by. The lamps are distinguished by the correct distribution of light, no problems with underlighting of certain sections of the road surface were found.
This is a fairly reliable product that will last for quite a long time — the manufacturer’s declared working life is 3000 hours or 125 days of work without interruption, but in reality the lamps can work much longer. When working with high beams, they are able to illuminate about 85-90 meters of coverage.
Advantages:
- Sufficiently bright white light of the cold spectrum, which allows you to timely notice an obstacle or a defect in the road and respond to it;
- High-quality distribution of light;
- Very long service life.
Flaws:
- Often fail due to excessive vibration.
Bulb Bosch Xenon Silver H4
3. Koito White Beam III H4
It is characterized by a rather bright spiral, due to which the output is not pure white light, but a white-blue tint with high brightness. It has significant power, so with the light of such headlights you can drive at a fairly high speed at night. The dipped beam is warmer, so visibility during rainfall will be much better. Lamps fully comply with the requirements of domestic and international standards. According to the power of the light beam, the lamps correspond to halogen products of the order of 135 watts.
The light distribution is arranged in such a way that both in the near and in the far zone the roadside will be illuminated as well as possible. Lamps are produced in such a way that they will not hit oncoming drivers in the eyes, even despite their range.
Advantages:
- Well thought out light distribution;
- Very bright light;
- A powerful light beam is created, ensuring safe movement in the dark at high speed;
- Long lasting resource.
Flaws:
- The products are quite expensive;
- It is almost impossible to find clear information on the packaging — almost everything is in Japanese.
Lamp Koito WhiteBeam III H4
2. Philips Vision Plus H4
According to users, these headlights are an ideal product in terms of value for money. If we compare this kit with products from other manufacturers, then models that are equivalent in their characteristics will cost about 2-3 times more. The company producing the lamps keeps the high quality of the brand — they shine really very well.
The developers did not particularly focus on high color temperature figures, trying to make the lamps as comfortable as possible for human vision. At the same time, the service life remained approximately the same as that of most other lamps, where the temperature of the filament is somewhat lower. For the city, this option is more than suitable. The quality of light is high in both near and far operation, in addition, these lamps do not have to be changed too often.
Advantages:
- Relatively low cost of production;
- The light temperature is selected as comfortable as possible for vision — the eyes do not get tired for many hours;
- They shine for a considerable distance.
Flaws:
- Far from the most powerful luminous flux compared to similar devices from competitors.
Lamp Philips Vision Plus H4
1. Osram Night Breaker Laser H4
Products of a well-known German company that has been manufacturing various parts for cars, including lighting devices, for many years. Although this model first appeared on the shelves of Russian car stores more than 3 years ago, it is still very popular with domestic drivers until today.
Products are characterized by high brightness — according to this indicator, the lamps surpass almost all existing competitors. Many users also note a high color temperature — 3800 K, which is very comfortable for the eyes, as well as a long service life. Products fully comply with the requirements of the standards. The luminous flux is very powerful, there are no distortions of illumination. Lamps show their capabilities well not only in urban conditions, but also on the highway.
Advantages:
- Excellent quality of light in both near and far modes;
- Long service life;
- The high color temperature makes these lamps very comfortable for the eyes;
- Do not get too hot during operation.
Flaws:
- They are still very expensive compared to other models.
Lamp Osram Night Breaker Laser H4
Long life lamps
3.Osram Ultra Life H4
These products are produced exclusively on the basis of the highest quality materials, it is for this reason that the developer has managed to achieve the longest possible service life of his lamp. It is a halogen type head light source. The service life is several times longer compared to other similar products. The manufacturer claims that the light bulb is able to enlighten about 4-5 years, depending on the intensity of use. Similar information was obtained as a result of conducting a variety of tests, including operation in aggressive conditions. These lamps are reliably protected from moisture and dust.
The lamp gives out a yellowish dipped beam, which is very helpful during heavy rainfall. The main beam illuminates the road surface well, breaks through the darkness for about 120 meters, and does not blind oncoming drivers.
Advantages:
- Excellent protection against dust and moisture;
- Very soft light;
- Does not blind oncoming cars;
- Really long service life.
Flaws:
- Some drivers think that the light from these lamps is still somewhat weak.
Lamp Osram Ultra Life H4
2. Philips LongLife EcoVision H4
When working with low beams, yellowness is seen too clearly and intrusively, however, this product performs excellently when switching to high beams. Despite the fact that these lamps are characterized by a long service life, they are quite affordable, so car owners often prefer this particular product. This is not to say that the brightness is too strong, but for trips in urban areas or in bad weather it will be more than enough.
The light distribution of these lamps is optimal — it spreads well not only to its lane, but also to the neighboring one, and also captures part of the curb, so, as a rule, it does not cause any complaints.
Advantages:
- The real resource of work is much more than the manufacturer claims;
- Well-thought-out light distribution of lamps;
- Excellent high beam quality;
- Acceptable price.
Flaws:
- The dipped beam is a bit dim and too yellowish, but for urban conditions it is quite enough.
Philips LongLife EcoVision H4 lamp
1. Bosch Longlife Daytime H4
It is unlikely that anyone was surprised to see light bulbs from this manufacturer in the first place in this part of the rating, since all of its products are of high quality and reliability. This is a halogen lamp, whose resource is enough for a very long time. Based on the test results, we were able to determine that on average the safety margin of this lamp is enough for 3000 hours of operation without interruption, however, it is not uncommon for the device to work much longer.
The body of the device is reliably protected from moisture and dust, but the brightness is not too strong. The radiation power is enough to illuminate the road with high quality about 86 m in front of the car, so it will not be possible to drive a car too fast with these headlights. Unfortunately, you have to look for them in ordinary stores or order them via the Internet.
Advantages:
- A truly significant resource of work;
- Excellent quality of light distribution;
- With such bulbs it is convenient to ride in all weather conditions;
- Quite adequate cost;
- The level of illumination is decent.
Flaws:
- They don’t come up very often in auto stores.
Lamp Bosch Longlife Daytime H4
In conclusion, a useful video
Well, that ends our review of the best H4 car lamps in 2022. As you can see, the range of products is really very wide, and there are plenty to choose from. We tried to describe the most popular devices among users in as much detail and intelligibly as possible. If you have your own experience in choosing such lighting fixtures, please share it with other readers in the comments to this article.