Best Car Exterior Light Bulbs of 2025

Joseph Prokop Avatar
Joseph Prokop
Last Updated: 11 Feb 2025

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Car exterior light bulbs are an essential component of any vehicle, providing illumination for safe driving in low-light conditions. These bulbs come in a variety of sizes and types, including halogen, LED, and HID bulbs. They are designed to fit specific makes and models of cars, ensuring proper illumination and compatibility with the car's electrical system. Replacing a burned-out bulb is a simple and inexpensive maintenance task that can greatly improve visibility and safety on the road. It is advisable to consult the car manual or a professional mechanic to advise on the appropriate bulb type and installation process.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Bosch H7 Pure Light Headlight Bulbs Cover #TOP 1
Bosch H7 Pure Light Headlight Bulbs
ftb score rating icon 9.8
OSRAM W5W Halogen Bulbs for Position Lights Cover #TOP 2
OSRAM W5W Halogen Bulbs for Position Lights
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Netagon 2 X 382 P21W Brake Light Bulbs Cover #TOP 3
Netagon 2 X 382 P21W Brake Light Bulbs
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Car Exterior Light Bulbs

#TOP 1

Bosch H7 Pure Light Headlight Bulbs

1987301411
Pure light
Bosch H7 Pure Light Headlight Bulbs Cover
Bosch H7 (477) Pure Light Headlight Bulbs - 12 V 55 W PX26d - 2 Bulbs

The Bosch H7 Bulbs offer original equipment quality, making them a reliable choice for various vehicles. With a long service life, these bulbs are crafted from high-quality materials, ensuring you benefit from extended use without frequent replacements. Their good price-quality ratio means you can enjoy excellent performance without overspending. Additionally, being ECE approved guarantees that they meet essential standards for safety and reliability, giving you peace of mind on the road.

What We Like
Original equipment quality
Long service life
Good price-quality ratio
ECE approved
Suitable for all vehicles

OSRAM W5W Halogen Bulbs for Position Lights

2825-02B
white/clear
Double Blister
OSRAM W5W Halogen Bulbs for Position Lights Cover
OSRAM ORIGINAL W5W halogen, position and number plate light, 2825-02B, 12V, double blister 2 count (Pack of 1) - white/clear

The OSRAM W5W Bulbs are genuine original equipment quality lights, ensuring reliable performance for your vehicle. With a standard 12V power rating, these bulbs are perfect for replacing those used in new vehicles, providing bright illumination for position and number plate lighting. They are fully road legal and comply with ECE Reg 37, giving you peace of mind while driving. Supplied in a convenient twin blister pack, you will always have a spare bulb ready when needed.

What We Like
High-quality original equipment
Complies with road regulations
Bright illumination for safety
Convenient twin blister pack
#TOP 3

Netagon 2 X 382 P21W Brake Light Bulbs

WBC382
Yellow
Netagon 2 X 382 P21W Brake Light Bulbs Cover
2 X 382 P21w Car Light Bulbs, Replace Indicator Bulb, Brake Light Bulbs, Stop And Tail Light Bulbs, Clear Light 12V BA15S 382 P21W Rear Break Light Bulbs, Replace Car Lights

The Netagon 382 P21W Bulbs are high-quality replacements for your car's tail lights, brake lights, and indicators. They ensure reliable performance and easy installation, making it convenient for you to maintain your vehicle's lighting system. These bulbs are road legal, certified for safe use, and provide clear, bright signals for optimal visibility. With this twin pack, you can stock up and ensure continuous safety on the road, giving you peace of mind during your travels.

What We Like
High-quality and long-lasting
Road legal and certified
Easy installation
Clear and bright signals
Twin pack for convenience
#TOP 4

Simply S380BL 380 Auxiliary Bulbs, 12V 21/5W

S380BL
Simply S380BL 380 Auxiliary Bulbs, 12V 21/5W Cover
Simply S380BL 380 (P21/5W) Auxiliary Bulbs Blister, 12V 21/5W, Base BAY15D, High Performance and Maximum Visility, Provide Drivers with more time to React to Changes in Traffic Situations

The Simply S380BL Auxiliary Bulbs are designed to enhance your driving experience with their high performance and maximum visibility. These 12V 21/5W bulbs help you react more quickly to changes in traffic situations, ensuring greater safety on the road. The blister pack makes it easy for you to store or replace your bulbs whenever necessary. With their BAY15D base, these bulbs are compatible with a range of automotive backup lights, providing you with convenience and reliability when you need it most.

What We Like
High performance and visibility
Easy to store in blister pack
Compatible with various vehicles
Enhances safety in traffic
#TOP 5

OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER LASER H7 Headlight Lamps

64210NL-HCB
Duo Box
OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER LASER H7 Headlight Lamps Cover
OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER LASER H7, +150% more brightness, halogen headlight lamp, 64210NL-HCB, 12V, duo box (2 lamps)

The OSRAM NIGHT BREAKER H7 offers up to 150% more brightness, ensuring you can see further while driving at night. With its innovative laser ablation technology, you benefit from a beam that extends up to 150 metres, providing enhanced visibility on the road. The 20% whiter light not only improves clarity but also gives your vehicle a modern appearance. This powerful halogen headlight lamp allows you to react sooner to potential hazards, making your driving experience safer and more comfortable.

What We Like
Exceptional brightness increase
Long beam for better visibility
Modern, whiter light
Improved reaction time
High-quality German manufacturing
#TOP 6

Tek Automotive P21/5W Brake Light Bulbs Twin Pack

Tek Automotive
TK380BL
Clear
Tek Automotive P21/5W Brake Light Bulbs Twin Pack Cover
Tek Automotive P21/5W Bulb, Car Light Bulbs, Brake Light Bulb, 380 P21/5W Car Bulb, Stop and Tail Light Bulbs 12V 21/5W BAY15D Car Bulbs Twin Pack

The Tek Automotive P21/5W Bulbs offer a reliable lighting solution for your vehicle. With high-quality construction, these bulbs ensure your brake lights are dependable and safe for all road users. They are road legal and E approved, giving you peace of mind while driving. The twin pack provides a convenient backup, ensuring you always have a spare bulb ready when you need it. Manufactured to original equipment standards, these bulbs guarantee reliable vehicle illumination, enhancing your safety on the road.

What We Like
Reliable and safe illumination
Road legal and compliant
Convenient twin pack
High-quality construction
#TOP 7

Bosch 566 Original Equipment Car Light Bulbs

1987301607
White
Bosch 566 Original Equipment Car Light Bulbs Cover
Bosch 566 (P21/4W) Original equipment Car Light Bulbs - 12 V 21/4 W BAZ15d - 2 Bulbs

The Bosch 566 Bulbs provide original equipment quality, ensuring they meet the highest standards for your vehicle. They are suitable for all types of vehicles, making them versatile for various needs. With a long service life, these bulbs are made from high-quality materials, giving you peace of mind that they will last. Additionally, they offer a good price-quality ratio, allowing you to enjoy excellent performance without breaking the bank.

What We Like
Original equipment quality
Long service life
Good price-quality ratio
Suitable for all vehicles

KATUR 194 LED Super Bright Replacement Bulbs

W5W T10 194 168 175 2825 192 147 152 158
White
T10/194 White
KATUR 194 LED Super Bright Replacement Bulbs Cover
KATUR 194 LED Light Bulb 6000K White Super Bright 168 2825 W5W T10 Wedge 24-SMD 3014 Chipsets LED Replacement Bulbs CANBUS Error Free for Car Dome Map Door Courtesy License Plate Lights (4pcs,White)

The KATUR 194 LED Bulbs are designed to enhance your vehicle's lighting experience. With a size of 26.1mm by 10mm, these bulbs are compatible with various fittings, ensuring a true plug-and-play installation that can be completed in just five minutes. The super bright 3014 chips provide exceptional illumination without any blind spots, giving your car a refreshed look. Perfect for multiple applications, these bulbs can be used for interior lights, license plates, and more, making them versatile for your needs.

What We Like
Easy plug-and-play installation
Super bright illumination
Compatible with various fittings
Versatile for multiple uses
#TOP 9

AGPTEK H7 Upgraded 12V/55W Headlight Bulbs

Yellow
AGPTEK H7 Upgraded 12V/55W Headlight Bulbs Cover
2 x H7 Upgraded Version 12V/55W Headlight Bulbs, Bright and High Penetration, H7 Halogen Headlamp Night Brighter Halogen Headlight

The AGPTEK H7 Headlight Bulbs are an upgraded option for your vehicle, boasting a powerful 55W output and a luminous flux of up to 3000 lumens. This ensures you enjoy exceptional clarity on the road, particularly in adverse weather conditions like rain and fog. The bulbs are designed for easy installation, allowing you to quickly replace your old bulbs without any modifications. With a long lifespan, these halogen bulbs are made from high-quality materials that resist corrosion and high temperatures, ensuring reliable performance.

What We Like
High brightness and clarity
Excellent performance in bad weather
Easy to install
Durable and long-lasting
#TOP 10

Bosch W21/5W Pure Light Car Bulbs

1987301079
Yellow
Bosch W21/5W Pure Light Car Bulbs Cover
Bosch W21/5W (580) Pure Light Car Light Bulbs - 12 V 21/5 W W3x16q - 2 Bulbs

The Bosch W21/5W Bulbs are designed to meet original equipment quality standards, ensuring they fit a variety of vehicles and their specific lighting needs. This versatility means you can rely on them regardless of your car type. These bulbs boast a long service life, thanks to high-quality materials that enhance durability, providing you with peace of mind during your journeys. Additionally, they offer a good price-quality ratio, making them an economical choice for effective lighting. With ECE approval, you can trust their compliance with safety standards.

What We Like
Original equipment quality
Long service life
Good price-quality ratio
ECE approved
Versatile for all vehicles
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What kind of bulb goes in an outside light?

Types of Light Bulbs for Outdoor Lighting Light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are a popular option, and while they cost more than other bulbs, they last considerably longer. Other common options are compact fluorescent (CFL) or halogen bulbs.

2. How do I know what bulbs my car needs?

You can also contact your vehicle manufacturer for the fitting information, or simply take a look in your vehicle handbook, which should state all the fittings that your vehicle needs for each type of light.

3. Do you need a different bulb for outside lights?

Outdoor light bulbs are more variable. Typically, they are interchangeable for indoor and outdoor use. In contrast, indoor lights are not designed to withstand outdoor temperature changes. Discover which light bulbs are for indoor or outdoor use, or both.

4. What kind of light bulbs are in cars?

Most vehicles use halogen bulbs for all purposes, including headlights and interior lights. That means it's easy to replace burnt-out lights with another halogen bulb. However, halogen bulbs are not as bright or as long-lasting as HID or LED bulbs.

Editor's Notes

During our car exterior light bulb research, we found 306 car exterior light bulb products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 500,367 customer reviews through our big data system to write the car exterior light bulbs list. We found that most customers choose car exterior light bulbs with an average price of £4.77.

The car exterior light bulbs are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of car exterior light bulbs, including Bosch Automotive, OSRAM, Netagon, Simply, Tek Automotive.

Written by
Joseph Prokop Avatar

Joseph is a seasoned writer who's also passionate about automotive. His passion for automotive care and maintenance fuels his drive for more knowledge in the field. He currently resides in Middlesbrough, where he finds time to write informative contents on automotive. His automotive related articles are quite popular in journals around the world. Joseph continues to use his wealth of experience in the industry to create helpful guides on automotive.