Halogen vs. LED: What are the differences?
If you want to replace or upgrade your lighting, you will quickly face the choice: halogen or LED. Both give light, but the technology, and especially the performance, differ enormously. In this blog, we will explain exactly what the difference is between halogen and LED, and why LED lighting is the better choice in almost all cases.
How does halogen lighting work?
Halogen lamps are actually an improved version of the old-fashioned incandescent lamp.
Inside is a filament that heats up by electricity, creating light. A small amount of halogen gas ensures that the filament lasts longer and burns slightly brighter.
| ✅ Advantages | ❌ Disadvantages |
| Inexpensive to purchase | Consumes a lot of power |
| Gives a warm light color | Gets very hot (not energy efficient) |
| Immediately at full strength | Short lifespan |
| Not resistant to vibrations and shocks |
For trucks, trailers and work environments, this often means: rapid wear, more maintenance and higher costs.
How does LED lighting work?
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode.
An LED lamp uses electronic components to produce light instead of a glowing wire. As a result, the efficiency is much higher and an LED lamp lasts up to 10 times longer than halogen.
| ✅ Advantages | ❌ Disadvantages |
| Up to 80% less power consumption | Slightly more expensive to purchase |
| Lasts much longer (often > 30,000 operating hours) | Cheap versions can cause malfunctions |
| Resistant to vibrations, shocks and moisture | |
| Compact design with a modern look |
Halogen vs. LED in practice
On vehicles, especially trucks, trailers or work vans, LED really makes the difference. LED lamps not only provide better visibility, but also more safety and less maintenance. They draw less power, which makes batteries last longer, and because they hardly get warm, there is no risk of melting cables or fire hazard.
That’s why nowadays you almost only see LED marker lights, LED taillights and LED work lights on modern trucks and trailers.
LED is more sustainable and cheaper in the long term
Although LED lighting is somewhat more expensive to purchase, you will save considerably in the long run:
- Less power consumption = lower load on the electrical system.
- Fewer replacements = lower maintenance costs.
- Better visibility = more safety on the road.
In other words: invest once, benefit for years.
Conclusion: switching to LED always pays off
Halogen has had its day. LED lighting is not only more modern, but also safer, more sustainable and cheaper in the long term. Whether it concerns work lights, marker lights or headlights, LED has become the standard.
Do you want to upgrade your lighting to LED?
View our full range of LED lighting for trucks and discover which lamps best suit your vehicle.
