LED vs CFL
LEDs switch on instantly and tolerate frequent switching better.
What a CFL is
A compact fluorescent lamp is a small folded fluorescent tube. Electricity excites mercury vapour inside, which produces ultraviolet light, and a phosphor coating on the glass converts that into visible light.
Comparing the two
- Warm-up: many CFLs take seconds to reach full brightness, especially when cold. LEDs reach full output instantly.
- Lifespan: CFLs typically last about 8,000 to 15,000 hours. LEDs are commonly rated for 25,000 hours or more.
- Switching: repeated on-off cycles shorten a CFL's life. LEDs are largely unaffected.
- Efficiency: CFLs often give around 50 to 70 lumens per watt, below the best LEDs.
- Materials: a CFL contains a small amount of mercury, so a broken or worn-out lamp needs careful handling and proper recycling. LEDs contain none.
- Cold weather and dimming: CFLs can start dim in the cold and many models do not dim. LEDs run well in cold conditions, and many are dimmable.
Light quality
Both are offered in warm and cool white. LEDs also let makers tune colour, and they can be built into very small, directional fittings that a folded tube cannot match.
If a CFL breaks
Open a window, leave the room for a few minutes, and clean up the fragments carefully without using a vacuum. Place everything in a sealed container and take it to a recycling point.
Try it yourself
Sketch the circuit on paper first, calculate the values, then build it on a solderless breadboard using a low-voltage supply. Measure with a multimeter before you make anything permanent.