Xenon and LED Headlights: What Is the Difference?

Quick Facts About Xenon vs. LED Headlights

• Xenon headlights have a blue-white appearance that many drivers find appealing.
• Upfront cost of LED headlights may even out because of their longevity.
• Both types of headlights provide better illumination than those using halogen bulbs.

If you’re considering a new or used car, you may have noticed that some models feature xenon and LED headlights — instead of just plain ol’ headlights.

Halogen headlights used to be the standard for automobiles. Today, xenon and LED varieties are becoming more popular. So what are these types of headlights, and what’s the difference between them? Which kind of headlights should you get?

We’ll summarize the pros and cons of LED and xenon headlights to help you determine which type works best for you.

• What Is a Xenon Headlight?
• What Is an LED Headlight?
• Xenon vs. LED: Which Is Best?
• Should You Get LED or Xenon Headlights?
• Protect Your Headlights

What Is a Xenon Headlight?

A xenon headlight, sometimes known as a high-intensity discharge (HID) light, is a gas-filled bulb that delivers a very bright bluish-white light.

Xenon lights are relatively common in luxury vehicles on the road today. The headlights are also popular with those wanting to customize their ride. One reason for xenon lights’ increasing popularity is their extreme brightness and stylish glow. This type of light is often much brighter than what comes from LED and halogen headlights, and oncoming traffic can admire its impressive appearance.

However, these brighter headlights with a blue tinge come with a trade-off. Their superior brightness means increased energy consumption leading to the bulb dying quicker, which means that it will need to be replaced much sooner than an LED.

Pros of Xenon Headlights

• Xenon bulbs are two to three times brighter than halogen bulbs.
• Greater illumination from xenon headlights also brings stylish looks.
• HID/xenon headlights typically last longer than halogen lights.

Cons of Xenon Headlights

• Upgrading to xenon headlamps means higher repair and replacement costs.
• The lifespan of xenon lights is shorter than LED headlights.
• HID/xenon bulbs use a ballast to regulate power and can be susceptible to overheating.

What Is an LED Headlight?

An LED (light-emitting diode) headlight is a durable, bright, and energy-efficient light for your car. LED headlights have quickly become a favorite among car drivers and manufacturers because of their advantages.

LEDs last longer than halogen and xenon while using less energy. The small size of individual diodes means many of these little lights must go into one headlight unit, and it gives a better overall illumination of the road. They are easier to install than xenon, and the lights come in multiple colors, allowing drivers to customize their headlights.

The LED light is more expensive than the xenon upfront, but the cost may even out over time with the savings from their longevity.

Pros of LED Headlights

• LED headlights illuminate a wider area than other types of headlights.
• The lifespan of LED lights is longer than xenon bulbs.
• Replacing LED headlights is simple.

Cons of LED Headlights

• High upfront costs.
• Glare from LED headlights can be painfully evident to oncoming traffic.

Xenon vs. LED: Which Is Best?

If you’re looking for the best possible illumination, LEDs usually outshine their xenon headlight rivals. Of course, it depends on exactly how many LEDs are present — but most modern cars with LED lighting technology offer better illumination, a warmer light, and an illuminated area that’s a little larger than it is in most vehicles with xenons.

However, xenon lighting technology has come so far over the years, and they aren’t exactly low on light. In most popular cars using xenons today, the overall illumination would probably fall just short of LEDs — if you can tell the difference. And while LEDs will last longer than xenons, both will last for many years — likely longer than most drivers will own their vehicles.

Regarding safety, both headlight variants provide more illumination than halogen units, which makes them safer. They both allow for high-beam assist, automatically turning on the high beams in dark areas. Both types of headlights also offer curving technology, enabling the light to “bend” around corners in conjunction with the wheels. And that tech helps lighten the road.

While the safety of the lights can vary depending on the vehicle, cars with LED headlights tend to have safer headlight ratings by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS.

RELATED: How to Restore Headlights to Improve Clarity and Safety

According to the IIHS, nearly half of traffic deaths occur in the dark. Since the LED light does illuminate better, some drivers might choose them because they can see farther down the road.

Which Headlight Should You Get? LED or Xenon?

Choosing between types of headlights is like many things in life. Decisions depend on what you can afford. If you can buy a car with LED headlights at roughly the same price as a model with xenon lights, we suggest going for the LEDs.

LED headlights provide excellent illumination and last longer than others. But if the cost is dramatically more than a car using xenon, we’d probably skip it for now. That’s because xenon headlights are far superior to halogen lights. However, as LEDs become cheaper to make, expect to see them in a broader range of vehicles.

How to Protect Your Headlights

Keeping your headlights clean and free of debris will help them shine bright. If headlights get foggy or dirty, it makes driving a hazard.

Adding a protective headlight film is the best way to protect your headlights. We recommend installing the film when you purchase the vehicle to protect the headlights from harmful UV rays and other debris.

You could also consider a ceramic coating. Detailing expert Trevor Spedden of Cox Automotive, the parent company of Autotrader, says a ceramic coating will help protect your headlights for years. The product is new to many drivers but is available at local auto parts stores. A do-it-yourself ceramic coating application for vehicle trim will cost around $45. Or, you could apply the coating to your entire car for about $200.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published. Austin Morris contributed to this report.