If you often drive at night or during bad weather, you understand how important good headlights are to stay safe on the road. They must generate enough illumination to help you drive through low-light conditions without blinding other drivers.
While LED headlights are the most popular choice for both stock and aftermarket lighting, there is another option for improved illumination: xenon headlights.
What Are Xenon Headlights?
Also called high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, xenon headlights enhance established halogen technology. Like halogens, they feature airtight bulbs that contain xenon gas under pressure.
Xenon bulbs lack the physical filaments that their halogen predecessors use to excite their gaseous content. Instead, a xenon headlight bulb contains a pair of electrodes.
How Do Xenon Headlights Work?
When you switch on a xenon headlight, it generates an electric current that passes from one electrode, through the gas inside the bulb, and into the other. The ensuing electric arc excites xenon, which produces bright blue or white light.
Why Should You Get Xenon Headlights?
Xenon headlights improve upon their halogen predecessors in several ways. For starters, they produce more lumens than the older headlight type, making them a straight upgrade in terms of illumination.
Not only do xenon headlights shine brighter, but they also use less electricity. They pull this off by getting rid of the physical filament that takes a lot of energy to heat up. Instead, they directly heat the gas with an electric arc, which is much more efficient.
Many xenon headlights feature stylish looks that complement or accentuate a vehicle’s appearance whether they’re lit or turned off.
One of the most popular designs is the halo headlights—also called angel eye headlights—that have glowing fiber optic rings encircling the main lights. When you turn the headlights off, these rings continue to glow for a while, giving your ride quite an impressive appearance at night.
Xenon Headlights vs. LED Headlights
There are different types of headlight bulbs. Xenon headlights and LED headlights are recommended for drivers who want to upgrade their vehicle’s lighting. Each type comes with advantages and disadvantages.
Brightness
Comparing the brightness of xenon and LED headlights is complicated. Brightness is measured in lumens, the amount of illumination generated by a light source. If a xenon headlight and a LED headlight produce the same lumen output, they will have equally bright.
Instead of comparing their brightness, you can try judging them by other factors. For instance, there’s color temperature, which describes the appearance of the bulb’s light. You should look for a xenon lightbulb with a color temperature –measured in kelvins– that closely matches that of light.
Temperature
Xenon headlights also run hotter than their halogen and LED counterparts. In some cases, xenon headlights can get so hot that they damage other parts. You’ll have to keep track of how long you’ve been using them to minimize the chances of overheating.
Cost
Xenon headlights also tend toward the pricey side. They’re found on higher-end makes and models like BMW cars.
Service Life
While they use less power and last longer than halogen headlights, xenon headlights are still outclassed by LED headlights when it comes to power saving and service life.
For people who don’t like the distinct illumination generated by LED headlights, xenon headlights offer another option if they want to get brighter, more efficient lights.
Go for xenon headlights if you want to really light up the night while saving energy and not worrying about replacing your vehicle’s headlights for a long time.
Best Xenon Headlights
To save you time, we sought out the best headlights for some of the most popular vehicle models out there:
ReplaceXL HID/Xenon Headlights for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Looking to upgrade your Chevy Silverado 1500’s headlights to xenon bulbs while staying within a tight budget? ReplaceXL has you covered with its RC10010099Q and RC10010100Q xenon headlights. Designed to replace the GM2503445 and GM2502445 stock parts, these ReplaceXL headlights meet both strict OE standards and are certified by CAPA.
Want more headlight upgrades for your Chevy? Check out this article for the best aftermarket headlights for the Silverado 1500.
Anzo Driver and Passenger Side HID/Xenon Headlights for the Ford F-150
Give your Ford F-150 the same opulent sense of style seen in European luxury brands with the Anzo 111351 projector halo headlights. They feature xenon light sources that produce superior illumination and projector bulb technology to focus all those lumens into a tiger beam. Anzo xenon headlights are proudly made in the USA using cutting-edge technology, and their plug-and-play design cuts their installation time to less than an hour.
Replacement HID/Xenon Headlights for the Toyota Camry
The Replacement SET-REPT100369 headlight lets you choose the type of light bulb it includes. In addition to xenon bulbs, it also accepts halogen and LED bulbs. If you want to swap out your Camry’s stock headlight light source for xenon headlights (or any other headlight type), this Replacement product is for you.
Replacement HID/Xenon Headlight for the Nissan Altima
Whether you’re replacing your Nissan Altima’s faulty headlights or upgrading its illuminators to brighter units, the Replacement SET-REPN100309 headlight will meet your requirements. Intended as a direct replacement for stock parts, it features plug-and-play wiring to guarantee fit and an easy installation. Its UV coating also slows down the rate at which its lenses turn yellow, which keeps the light beams clear.
Even if you don’t plan or expect to drive a lot at night or in inclement weather, it pays to upgrade your vehicle with xenon headlights. They cost more than halogens, but their superior performance, energy efficiency, and longer service lives make them worth every penny. If you’ve found a headlight product to your liking, check its compatibility with your vehicle’s year, make, and model before sealing the deal.
Getting Replacement Headlights for Your Vehicle
Driving around with a busted headlight is a recipe for disaster. Not only is it illegal, it’s also incredibly dangerous. Headlights increase your visibility, but if they’re damaged, you probably won’t be able to see what’s in front of you until it’s too late. For your own safety, it’s best to replace your busted headlights as soon as possible. Luckily, getting new headlights is fast and easy with CarParts.com.
CarParts.com offers a wide selection of xenon headlights that are sourced from only the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. Make sure to use our vehicle selector and search filters, so you can easily browse through all the available parts that are compatible with your ride. Thanks to our strategically located warehouses, CarParts.com also guarantees fast shipping. Order by 12 p.m. ET, and you can expect your new headlights to arrive in as fast as two business days.
Don’t wait until you get pulled over before replacing your broken headlights. Check out our high-quality headlights at CarParts.com today!
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