The best...lightbulbs of the future

Sylvania SuperSaver

January’s tougher federal energy standards won’t outlaw this new 72-watt incandescent halogen bulb, which is as bright as a traditional 100-watter and only “slightly whiter.” It’s dimmable, too.

$6 for two, sears.com

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Source: The New York Times

Philips AmbientLED 17W

The first LED bulb on the market that’s bright enough to replace a 75-watt incandescent. It’ll last 25 times longer, and the light quality is such that “if you don’t tell people, they don’t know it’s an LED.”

$40, homedepot.com

Source: TreeHugger.com

GE Energy Smart 13W

The “soft-white light” of this 60-watt equivalent is the “best we’ve experienced” from a compact fluorescent. Like most CFLs, it cuts energy use dramatically but contains traces of mercury.

$8 for eight, amazon.com

Source: Wired

Switch75 Warm White

The light from this amazing LED bulb looks exactly like an incandescent’s. It may be “the world’s greatest lightbulb,” and it will soon be available for preorder.

$30–$40, switchlightbulbs.com

Source: Slate.com

GE Soft White 50-100-150

Haters of government and efficiency won’t have to give up the traditional “three-way.” As a “specialty bulb,” this incandescent is exempt from January’s ban.

$4, staples.com

Source: The New York Times