LED Lamps With Warm White Illumination:

• Koncept Z-Bar ($165) and i-Tower ($195)
• Pablo Designs LIM L Floor ($350)
• Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern ($25)

The color temperature of light is measured in degrees Kelvin. Lower-temperature white LEDs (around 2,000-4,000 K) are warm (yellowish white) like incandescent bulbs. White LEDs with higher color temperatures (above 5,000 K) are cool (blueish white). Whether warm or cool light is desirable is a matter of preference, but many people find warmer tints of white easier on the eyes and more relaxing.

Engineers are able to finely tune the color temperature of LEDs, so LEDs that closely resemble the warm color of incandescent bulbs are widely available. The character of the light isn’t exactly the same—LEDs appear more direct and pure—but LEDs cost less to operate, last longer, and run cooler than traditional bulbs. Remember also, that you can now also purchase warm LED bulbs that replace standard incandescent bulbs.

If you haven’t tried warm white LED light, check out the products below. We’ve found a handful of warm white LED lamps of different shapes and sizes. All of our picks are a great way to explore this energy-efficient, highly-useful technology:

Koncept Z-Bar

Koncept Z-Bar ($165) and i-Tower ($195)

Koncept manufactures a line of LED floor and desk lamps with highly-rated performance and elegant designs. The Z-Bar is a desk lamp housing six warm white (3,200-3,700 K) LEDs with four-step dimming. It casts an even, oval-shaped light pattern that can be directed with great flexibility thanks to this lamp’s three-joint construction. Each section pivots independently, permitting a maximum reach of over 40 inches. The Z-Bar can be mounted on its included 9”-diameter stand or clamped onto the edge of a desk or table. Its aluminum and plastic body is well-built and contemporary. Amazon reviewers give Z-Bars mostly four- and five-star reviews, praising the space-maximizing design and light quality. There are a few complaints about the price and the level of brightness (too low for some). Other comments we found in forums and on blogs are overwhelming positive, with authors such as Landis Carey of Re-Nest stating, “…after using the light on a daily basis over the past (almost) three years, the lamp has been tested, stressed and has proven to be long-lasting and durable.”

Koncept i-Tower

The i-Tower, one of Koncept’s floor-standing lamps, receives similar praise. Amazon customers rate it 4½ out of 5 stars, as do over 15 reviewers on LightingUniverse.com. And over 75 people weigh in on YLighting, where the i-Tower averages 5 of 5 stars. Much of the approbation given to the Z-Bar is given to the i-Tower: elegant design, wonderful light color, and a super-flexible adjustment system. The i-Tower employs the same six-LED design as the Z-Bar, with four-step dimming, aluminum and plastic construction, and oval light pattern. The i-Tower stands on a 9”-diameter base and its vertical arm extends 43.25”. The head will adjust anywhere from three to five feet above the floor. Both the i-Tower and Z-Bar are rated at 9.5 watts and 40,000 hours of operation before dimming to 70% of original brightness. Each carries a one-year warranty.

On Amazon, you’ll find the Koncept Z-Bar ($165) in black, silver, red, and white, as well as the i-Tower ($195) in black and silver.

Pablo Designs LIM L Floor

Pablo Designs LIM L Floor ($350)

The LIM L Floor by Pablo Designs has a slim profile and a 3,300 K LED light array. Its aluminum body and light arm connect via a magnetic attachment system. This system allows for precise adjustments as well as the option of adding another light arm for increased illumination. Each attached arm moves vertically between 42 and 51 inches above the floor. The LIM L Floor has an on/off switch and two selectable levels of brightness. It won 2009 Best of Neocon Silver and an iF 2010 Product Design Award. Customers on YLighting give the LIM L Floor 4½ out of 5 stars, and two LightingUniverse.com customers give it an average of 5 stars. The strong points of this floor lamp are its sleek design and diffuse, warm light pattern. Its main drawback is its high cost. Pablo Designs also offers the LIM L Table ($300) for tabletop placement, as well as the LIM C Undersurface ($250), which mounts under a table to clear working space.

The LIM L Floor ($350) is available in black, white, and brushed silver through Amazon. The LIM L Table ($300) is for sale in black, white, brushed silver, and polished silver. The LIM C Undersurface ($250) is available in white and brushed silver.

Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern

Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern ($25)

The Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern has over 20 customer reviews on Amazon, averaging 4½ out of 5 stars. There is also a lively discussion on CandlePowerForums (Favourlight Mini Lantern Disambiguation Guide) that points out the many positive attributes of this little lamp, which is sold under several different names by several different merchants. At the core of this lantern is a high-quality Cree XLamp XR-E warm white LED. This is a top-notch diode that exhibits high brightness (up to 110 lumens), high efficiency, and long lifespan. It is packaged within a compact (5″ H x 2″ W x 2.5″ D) and durable aluminum body with rubber end caps. It weighs just over seven ounces with the included three AA batteries. It is rated to run up to 24 hours in High output mode, 48 hours in Low mode, and 55 hours in Flash mode. Remove the top cap for flashlight functionality. This lantern comes with a carabiner.

You’ll find the Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern for sale on Amazon.

Best Solar LED Lawn And Garden Lights

Since LEDs are an efficient light source and draw far less power than traditional bulbs, they are perfect for off-the-grid applications where solar cells charge a battery that powers the lamp. Large-scale applications of this concept include LED road lane markers, but smaller-scale projects like lighting your lawn or garden are perfect uses for them as well.

Keep in mind that most solar LED lights simply won’t be as blazingly bright as a wired halogen lamp, but they can be an efficient and convenient way to illuminate your outdoor spaces – especially in areas where you want to avoid the hassle or expense of wiring.

Frontgate Motion-Activated Solar LED Light

Frontgate Motion-Activated Solar LED Light

The Motion-Activated Solar LED Light from Frontgate (a popular retailer of landscape accessories) is one of the brightest ones available. 80 LEDs are mounted in a reflective panel to maximize brightness, and the light swivels for precise positioning. The 180-degree sensor triggers the light from motion up to 35 feet away, and a full battery charge will power up to 250 30-second activations. A 15’ cable allows the solar panel to be placed away from the lamp for optimal charging.

The Frontgate Motion-Activated Solar LED Light is available for $129.

Do It Best LED Solar Accent Lights

Do It Best LED Solar Accent Lights

For illuminating walkways or decks, or for upward accent lighting on trees or signage, small spotlights are perfect. These Do It Best solar lights turn on automatically at dusk, and the batteries provide up to 10 hours of illumination when fully charged. The lamps are adjustable to direct light where it’s needed, and the small solar panel on tip pivots to maximize sun exposure.

The Do It Best LED Solar Accent Lights are available for $12.99 each at Amazon.

Apex Xepa Solar-Powered LED Light with Motion Detection

Apex Xepa Solar-Powered LED Light with Motion Detection

A motion detector light is a great way to light dark corners of your property, but often those out-of-the-way spots don’t have a plug. The Apex Xepa Solar-Powered LED Light uses 45 white LEDs to provide illumination. The polycarbonate housing is weather-resistant, and the light detaches from the mounting plate for handheld use. The solar panel can be mounted up to 15’ away from the light in order to charge the lithium ion battery.

You can find the Apex Xepa Solar-Powered LED Light with Motion Detection at Amazon for $79.99.

Designers Edge Rechargeable Solar LED Shed Light

Designers Edge Rechargeable Solar LED Shed Light

Sometimes homeowners simply need a low-level light to find their way around paces like work sheds or porches. The Designers Edge Solar LED Shed Light uses 3 rechargeable AAA batteries powered by its remote solar panel to power 10 LEDs, and it’s approved for use in damp locations. Reviewers indicate that there are some variations in brightness between different lights, but agree that the amount of light is adequate for smaller indoor spaces. A pull chain switches the light on and off, and users can select “high” (2-hour) or “low” (4-hour) settings.

The Designers Edge Solar LED Shed Light is available at Amazon for $25.23.

D.light Kiran Solar LED Lantern

D.light Kiran Solar LED Lantern

The Kiran lantern from D.light is a wonderfully efficient replacement for kerosene or battery-powered lanterns. It’s great for outdoor uses like patio dinners or campouts, and it does double duty as a backup indoor light source. A full charge provides 8 hours of light on the “low” setting, or 4 hours on “high”. The Kiran is 4 times brighter than typical kerosene lanterns, and gives complete 360-degree lighting without the fire risk or the need for fuel.

D.light is committed to producing smart, efficient, and affordable products that can help improve quality of life in the developing world. Learn more at the D.light International website.

You can find the D.light Kiran Solar LED Lantern at Amazon for $15.

Here are some lanterns that can be charged via the sun or via human power. Freeplay’s Indigo is a well-designed, rugged lantern. It’s one of those products that, when you hold it, feels extremely solid. This lantern shines with a cluster of seven bright LED bulbs. It won’t brighten a room, but at full power, it provides good illumination. It has a built-in Ni-MH rechargeable battery. The battery can be charged via two power sources — AC  power, and by hand cranking it. A 60 second wind will provide up to 2 hours of light in the lowest setting or 5 minutes at maximum brightness.

The lantern has a dimmer, which reduces the output to that of nightlight. It also has a task light, which is a thin beam that’s angled downward, making it more convenient to use for reading. It won’t replace a good flashlight, but can be used in a pinch. Weighing just under one pound, the Indigo is easy to transport and provides up to 70 hours of light on the lowest setting with a fully charged battery. Freeplay’s Indigo is available from Amazon for about $35.

Here are two lanterns by Global Marketing Technologies that can be charged via built-in solar power, AC power or DC power. The yellow lantern is a “motion activated” solar lantern, and the silver one incorporates an AM/FM radio with weather channels. They both use 9W fluorescent bulbs for illumination, and have a built-in rechargeable 6V seal lead acid battery. But note, because the solar panels are so compact, it takes about 8 hours of charging in bright sunlight to get 3 hours of power.

The Solar Rechargeable Lantern With Motion Activation is also available from Amazon for about $80.

Another solar lantern is the Wagan — it’s less powerful but less expensive than the lantern above, and it is available from Amazon for $30.

Check out this smaller Wind-Up Tent Lantern for camping.

This lantern is said to have a very efficient wind-up mechanism. Apparently, you can get thirty minutes of ambient light from a minute’s worth of winding. The light can be placed on a flat surface, or hung up using the recessed loop. You can also charge it via a 12V car socket. Available from I Want One Of Those (£19.95). Found via: TreeHugger

This Britelyt lantern is a versatile lantern, which is able to burn no less than seven types of fuel, including biodiesel. The approved fuel types are: kerosene, biodiesel, diesel, gasoline, mineral spirits, charcoal lighter fluid and lamp oils. It’s made by Petromax who’ve been building these lantern since the 1920s. The lantern can also be fitted with a stove adapter.

This system features a flexible solar panel, a fluorescent lantern, and
a rechargeable battery that lasts for 6 hours.

Best Price: $39.95 (SurplusLED.COM)