Best HID Metal Halide Bulbs of 2025

Mohammed Clark Avatar
Mohammed Clark
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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HID metal halide bulbs are high-intensity discharge lamps that produce bright white light and are commonly used in commercial and industrial settings. These bulbs are known for their efficiency and long lifespan, making them a popular choice for lighting large areas such as warehouses, stadiums, and car parks. They come in a range of wattages and sizes to suit different applications and can be used both indoors and outdoors. With their high-quality light output, HID metal halide bulbs are a reliable and cost-effective lighting solution for a variety of settings.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Bright Source 70w Ceramic Metal Halide Bulb Cover #TOP 1
Bright Source 70w Ceramic Metal Halide Bulb
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Crompton Lamps 70W E27 Metal Halide Bulb Cover #TOP 2
Crompton Lamps 70W E27 Metal Halide Bulb
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Crompton Lamps 150W Metal Halide Bulb Cover #TOP 3
Crompton Lamps 150W Metal Halide Bulb
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 6 HID Metal Halide Bulbs

#TOP 1

Bright Source 70w Ceramic Metal Halide Bulb

194095
4200k Cool White
70w G12 Base
Bright Source 70w Ceramic Metal Halide Bulb Cover
Bright Source Ceramic Metal Halide Bulb, 70w CMH-T HID Lamp, NDL 942 4200K Cool White, G12 Base Cap

The Bright Source CMH-T Lamp offers adaptable illumination for various settings, from retail displays to street lighting. With options in 3000K warm white and 4200K cool white, you can create the perfect ambiance that enhances the visual appeal of your space. The bulb's compatibility with G12 or G8.5 fixtures allows you to customise your lighting setup efficiently. Additionally, its impressive lumen outputs ranging from 3300lm to 18,000lm ensure you achieve the precise brightness needed for your application.

What We Like
Versatile lighting options available
Exceptional colour rendering
Compatible with various fixtures
Wide beam angle for coverage
#TOP 2

Crompton Lamps 70W E27 Metal Halide Bulb

SONHO70I
Multicolor
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Crompton Lamps 70W E27 Metal Halide Bulb Cover
Crompton Lamps HID Internal Ignitor Elliptical 70W ES-E27 Son-E 2000K Orange-Amber Diffused 5900lm ES Screw E27 Metal Halide Light Bulb

The Crompton Lamps Metal Halide provides excellent illumination with its internal ignitor and elliptical shape, making it compatible with E27 fixtures. Its warm orange-amber light, with a colour temperature of 2000K, is ideal for floodlighting in urban and residential areas, enhancing visibility and ambience. With a remarkable 28,000-hour lifetime, this bulb ensures long-term use, saving you time and money on replacements. You can enjoy reliable and effective lighting for over 13 years, even with daily use.

What We Like
Long lifespan of 28,000 hours
Warm, inviting orange-amber light
Compatible with E27 fixtures
Internal ignitor for easy use
Ideal for various applications
#TOP 3

Crompton Lamps 150W Metal Halide Bulb

MHOTS150N
Cool White
Crompton Lamps 150W Metal Halide Bulb Cover
Crompton Lamps HID HQi-TS Linear 150W RX7s Metal Halide 4200K Cool White Clear 14000lm Bright Light Bulb

The Crompton Lamps Metal Halide is perfect for closed fixtures, including downlights and small floodlights. Its compact design makes it suitable for various installations, ensuring versatility in lighting solutions. With a colour rendering index of 70-80, you can enjoy enhanced visibility and true-to-life colours in your space. Additionally, the UV stop filter offers protection, making it safer for environments with sensitive materials. Remember, an external ignitor is required for optimal performance.

What We Like
Compact size for easy installation
Good colour rendering quality
UV stop filter for added safety
Ideal for enclosed fixtures
#TOP 4

Crompton Lamps 70W Metal Halide Bulb

MHE70WESHPSOP4K
White
Crompton Lamps 70W Metal Halide Bulb Cover
Crompton Lamps HID Elliptical 70W ES-E27 Son 4100K Cool White Diffused 6300lm ES Screw E27 Metal Halide Light Bulb

The Crompton 70W Bulb is designed for large commercial and industrial spaces, providing bright, white light that enhances visibility. Its elliptical shape makes it suitable for open luminaires, ensuring optimal light distribution. With a high colour rendering ability, this lamp helps you see colours more accurately, which is especially beneficial in work environments. Additionally, an external ignitor is required for operation, making it essential for users to consider this when planning their lighting solutions.

What We Like
High colour rendering ability
Suitable for large spaces
Bright, white light
Elliptical design for better distribution
Indoor use only
#TOP 5

Crompton Lamps 400W Metal Halide Bulb

SONTHO400
Multicolor
Crompton Lamps 400W Metal Halide Bulb Cover
Crompton Lamps HID Tubular 400W Son-T 2000K Orange-Amber Clear 57000lm GES-E40 Metal Halide Light Bulb

The Crompton 400W Bulb is designed for various applications, including industrial lighting, warehousing, street lights, and floodlights. With an external ignitor, you can enjoy reliable performance and easy installation. It emits a golden white light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that enhances visibility. Additionally, this bulb boasts a remarkable lifespan of 28,000 hours, ensuring long-term use and reducing the need for frequent replacements, which is particularly beneficial in high-demand environments.

What We Like
Long lifespan of 28,000 hours
Ideal for industrial and street lighting
External ignitor for easy use
Golden white light for better visibility
#TOP 6

GE 20014 Metal Halide Lamp 150W G12

GE
20014
White
GE 20014 Metal Halide Lamp 150W G12 Cover
GE Lighting 20014 GE Ceramic CDM-T 150W G12 942 (4200k) – 20014 Metal Halide Lamp, White

The GE Metal Halide Lamp is a powerful lighting solution, featuring a 150W power capacity that ensures bright illumination in various settings. With a colour temperature of 4200k, this lamp provides a crisp, white light that enhances visibility and colour accuracy. Additionally, its G12 base makes it easy to install in compatible fixtures. The design is tailored for high-intensity discharge (HID) applications, making it ideal for commercial and industrial environments where reliable lighting is essential for productivity.

What We Like
Bright illumination
Easy installation
High colour accuracy
Ideal for commercial use
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are metal halide and HID the same?

Both Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium bulbs are part of the HID family of bulbs. The primary visual difference between them is that metal halide light is white and the light emitted from a High Pressure Sodium bulb is amber orange.

2. Are metal halide bulbs being phased out?

New Energy Law to Phase Out Today's Common Incandescent Lamps, Probe-Start Metal Halide Magnetic Ballasted Fixtures. On December 19, President Bush signed H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, into law (Public Law 110-140).

3. Can I use a metal halide bulb in a HPS ballast?

Yes, you're allowed to change your mind—at least when it comes to MH and HPS lighting. Although the two fixtures use what are normally incompatible ballasts, conversion bulbs will let you switch lighting types. Some conversion bulbs allow MH light to work with HPS ballasts, and others let HPS work with MH ballasts.

4. What's better HPS or metal halide?

HPS is about twice as electrically efficient as metal halide. Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is what really matters to plant growth, and delivery of usable PAR is better with HPS than metal halide. The enhanced blue in metal halide does not lead to increased plant growth compared to HPS in the “veg” stage.

Editor's Notes

During our hid metal halide bulb research, we found 9 hid metal halide bulb products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,255 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hid metal halide bulbs list. We found that most customers choose hid metal halide bulbs with an average price of £16.22.

The hid metal halide bulbs are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hid metal halide bulbs, including Bright Source, Crompton Lamps, GE. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 764 consumers with an average rating of 4.6.

Written by
Mohammed Clark Avatar

Mohammed Clark is an architect and a contractor. His architectural skills are not limited to designing the plan for structures alone, but it extends to aesthetics and home décor. Before establishing his firm, he worked under a construction firm for eight years. Mohammed has gathered enough experience from his time practicing as a professional architect and now has vast knowledge in home designs and aesthetics.