The difference between Lumens, Kelvin, and Wattage
While lighting used to be primarily about the right wattage and fitting, technical terms now play a more important role. Think of terms like lumens, kelvin, and wattage. The traditional incandescent bulb with its fixed wattages has since disappeared, making way for energy-efficient LED lighting.
LED lamps consume much less power, while often providing the same or even higher light output. As a result, wattage alone no longer tells the whole story. In addition, you can now choose from various light colors, ranging from warm white to bright daylight, expressed in kelvin (K).
But what exactly do lumen, kelvin, and wattage mean? And what should you consider when choosing the right LED lamp? In this blog, we clearly and practically explain these concepts so you can easily choose the right lighting for your situation.
Table of contents
What is lumen?
Lumen (lm) is the unit of measurement that indicates how much visible light a lamp actually produces. It represents the total amount of light a light source emits in all directions.So lumens indicate the light output, not the energy consumption.
This is an important difference from watts, which only indicate how much power a bulb consumes. Since the transition from incandescent bulbs to LED lighting, lumens have become the most important metric for comparing different bulbs.
The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. Therefore, when choosing lighting for areas such as the living room, workspace, kitchen, or outdoor space, the number of lumens is a key factor.
For comparison:
- A 60-watt incandescent bulb produces approximately 700–800 lumens.
- An LED bulb of about 10 watts provides the same light output, but consumes significantly less energy.
By looking at the number of lumens, you can easily choose a bulb with the correct brightness, regardless of the wattage. With a lumen-to-watt conversion table, you can easily compare old incandescent bulbs with modern LED lights.
What does the term Kelvin mean?
Kelvin (K) is the unit used to indicate the color temperature of light. This indicates how warm or cool the light of a bulb appears. In other words: Kelvin determines the light color, not the brightness.
The lower the number of Kelvin, the warmer the light (yellow/orange). The higher the number of Kelvin, the cooler and bluer the light.
For example, a traditional incandescent bulb has a warm light color of about 2700K, while daylight is around 5500K.
The right color temperature is important because it has a major influence on the atmosphere and function of a room:
- Warm white (±2700K – 3000K): atmospheric and relaxing, ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and hospitality settings.
- Neutral white (±4000K): bright and practical, suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and offices.
- Cool white/daylight (>5000K): activating and functional, often used in stores, workshops, and industrial environments.
By consciously choosing the right Kelvin value, you ensure that the lighting perfectly matches the use of the space.In de onderstaande tabel vind je een overzicht van de meest gebruikte lichtkleuren met bijbehorende kelvinwaarden.
What is a wattage?
Wattage (W) is the unit of measurement that indicates how much electrical energy a device consumes. With lighting, the wattage therefore says something about the energy consumption, not about the amount of light a lamp produces.
In the past, wattage was used to determine the brightness of a lamp. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb was known as "bright light." With LED lighting, this works differently: LED lamps consume much less energy while providing the same or even greater light output (lumens).
For comparison:
- A 60-watt incandescent bulb ≈ 700–800 lumens
- An LED lamp of ±10 watts provides the same light output
Therefore, wattage is primarily important for understanding power consumption and energy costs. The lower the wattage for the same light output, the more energy-efficient the lamp.
When choosing lighting, it is wise to use lumens and kelvin as a starting point for light intensity and atmosphere, and wattage to compare energy consumption.
Lamps with various wattages, lumens, and light colors
At LedLoket you will find a wide range of LED lamps for diverse applications. From energy-efficient lamps with a low wattage to powerful LED solutions with high light output.Our range varies from 1W to 150W, with a light output of 50 to 18,000 lumens and various light colors such as warm white, neutral white, and cool white.
In addition, we offer LED lighting in various shapes and designs, including spotlights, panels, downlights, LED strips, and tubes. This ensures there is always a suitable solution for homes, offices, shops, or the hospitality industry. Our lighting specialists are happy to help you choose the right LED lamp or draw up a customized lighting plan.
In short
Choosing the right lighting nowadays goes beyond simply replacing a bulb.By understanding what lumen, kelvin, and wattage mean, you can make informed choices that ensure the right light intensity, ambiance, and energy efficiency. LED lighting offers a lot of flexibility in this regard: from warm, atmospheric light to bright, functional light, with low energy consumption.
At LedLoket you will find an extensive range of LED lamps for every application. Want to know more about lighting, light sources, or fixtures? Read further below in our other blogs and get inspired by practical tips and expert advice for the right lighting in every room.We'd be happy to help you further!
