What Are HID Headlights - Best HID Headlights Guide

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

What Are HID Headlights - Best HID Headlights Guide

Headlight technology has now advanced greatly Since sealed beam units were a requirement for all cars and trucks. Additionally, there are further options than ever for selecting lighting systems for new cars, and there are even more possibilities if you want to improve or replace the headlights on your own car. The headlights are one of the first things that anybody notices when it comes to upgrades and replacements.

When properly chosen, they can significantly alter a vehicle's outer appearance and the efficiency and security of nighttime driving. The conversion of older automobiles from sealed beam or halogen headlights to HID headlights is one of the most common upgrades and retrofits. They also become a common option on new automobiles and significantly improve nighttime driving.

Read on as we go into all you could possibly want to know about HID headlights if you're considering an upgrade or simply want to know what they're all about.

What are HID Headlights?

Xenon headlights are another name for HID headlights.  Their method of operation involves heating a filament with gas and unusual metals.  This will reveal a strikingly vivid whitish-blue tint. BMW used the first HID headlights back in the 1990s.  Since then, nearly all auto manufacturers have recognized them as the distinguishing premium option for headlights.  This degree of brightness on the highways is actually required by the majority of modern safety requirements nowadays.

In comparison to regular halogen lights, HID lights are substantially brighter. Additionally, they use your vehicle's energy far more effectively. However, they are one of the more expensive options, even though HID headlights have recently become one of the most practical and cost-effective solutions for ordinary automobile owners. 

Benefits Of HID Headlights 

Installing HID headlights in your car has a lot of benefits. These benefits consist of the following:

  • Durability: If you're driving on an unsafe road, your halogen lights may shatter since they contain brittle filaments. HID headlights are more robust and last longer than halogen headlights because they don't require filaments. A typical HID Headlight bulb has a lifespan of 5,000 hours.
  • Appearance: Because the cleaner light that HID headlights generate is more attractive than the glow that halogen lights produce, many drivers favor them.
  • Efficiency: HID headlights use less energy while producing greater light than halogen lights. Your automobile, truck, or SUV may be able to use less fuel thanks to this increased efficiency.
  • Enhanced Visibility: Compared to halogen headlights, HID headlights give you superior visibility since they create more light. HID headlights not only increase your field of vision but also make it simpler for other drivers to see your car.
  • Selection: The majority of halogen lamps emit a yellowish light. HID headlights offer a wider range of colors since they are brighter.
  • Value: Keep in mind that some purchasers prefer HID headlights if you're thinking about selling or trading in your car, truck, or SUV. HID headlights can increase the desirability of your car to potential buyers.
  • Installation: Installing HID lights is normally simple. The kits come with everything you need to install them and come in a range of price points.

How To Choose HID Headlights

There are several factors to consider when picking the best HID headlights for your automobile, whether you're purchasing HID headlights for a new vehicle or replacing or updating your current headlights. This includes the following:

  • Car headlight system: A car with a single-beam lighting system cannot have bi-xenon headlights added. In your car, they won't operate correctly. You cannot equip a vehicle that has a single-beam headlight system. 
  • Price: Setting a budget will help you focus your choices even more.
  • Ease of Installation: You might choose a kit that enables plug-and-play installation if you install your new HID headlights yourself. If you want your headlights installed by a professional, you can select a more complicated package. Just keep in mind to factor labor expenditures into your budget.
  • Lumens: Your HID headlights' real brightness will depend on the light bulb's lumen rating. To find out how many lumens an HID bulb has, check the box. The headlights will be brighter the higher the number. (Read Lumens to watts conversion for better understanding)
  • Wattage: Choose a set of HID headlights with a lower wattage if efficiency is a concern. The wattage of a set of headlights can be found on the packaging.
  • Restrictions by State: The intensity of your headlights may be limited in some states. Apart from being white or yellow, your state may also forbid the use of headlights. Make sure your HID headlights are street-legal by speaking with the Department of motor vehicles in your state.
  • Ballasts: Either a DC ballast or an AC ballast is included in HID kits. DC ballasts generate more energy, which causes the battery in your car to discharge more quickly. They might deteriorate more quickly because they also produce more heat. Contrarily, an AC ballast is less expensive, uses less battery power, and generates less heat.

What Is HID Headlights Price?

In order to replace other lights, how much does an HID headlights price? Frequently, the bulb is more expensive than $100. They are significantly more powerful than a halogen headlight, which accounts for the extra price. Although HID headlights are made to last much longer than halogen ones, they are nonetheless subject to burning out over time. HID headlights are normally less expensive than LED headlights, though prices might vary depending on the kind of brand.

Types Of HID Headlights

The two primary categories of HID headlights are. Depending on what you need and your budget, you should select a particular type.

1 of 2

Standard HID Headlights

Standard HID Headlights

On vehicles that require one light bulb for the low beams & another for the high beams, standard HID headlights are employed. A single-beam headlight setup is a name for this type of illumination configuration. In a single-beam system, a halogen bulb is used for the main beam and an HID bulb for the low beam.

2 of 2

Xenon-Bi Headlights

Xenon-Bi Headlights

Some automobiles have headlights that use bi-xenon technology. These have a lighting system with two beams. This indicates that they use the same type of bulb to create both a high beam and a low beam. This technology frequently has moving elements inside the headlight assembly and uses a shield or reflector to switch from low to high beams. Due to the higher level of complexity, these machines are more expensive, and regular maintenance is required to ensure proper operation. Single-beam headlight systems are incompatible with bi-Xenon headlamp systems.

Conclusion

If you're considering buying a new automobile or want to upgrade your current one, HID headlights are a worthwhile alternative. Compared to a halogen or sealed beam headlamp, the system's improved brightness, range, color, and performance are immediately noticeable. When you consider the unit's efficiency and lifespan, the expense of the modification might be justified for you. It will certainly be justified if it gives your car a distinctive look you've always wanted.