The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is known for its reliability and is among the best-selling vehicles in the US with over 12 million units sold since its introduction. Because this pickup is known for its beefy specs and is built tough, many owners use it as a work vehicle or as a family car. There are a lot of advantages to owning a Chevy Silverado 1500. That’s why it’s important to take care of it properly so it will keep performing at its best for years to come.
Headlights are a vital component of any truck because they help you see the road ahead at night or in low-visibility conditions. Flickering or dimming headlights can make traveling at night difficult and dangerous, so replacing the bulbs or the entire assembly is important. Many people also choose to upgrade their headlights because they don’t get much visibility with their stock headlights.
While some opt to change the headlights on their Silverado 1500 out of necessity, some do it to customize their rig and achieve a more impressive look. No matter what your reasons are for changing your truck’s headlights, you can’t deny that they’re important for your safety and the safety of other people on the road.
Aftermarket replacement headlights are as durable as their OE counterparts but they’re more affordable, which means you can get the same quality while saving money. Check out high-quality replacement headlights for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at CarParts.com today.
4 Best Headlights for the Chevy Silverado 1500
No matter the reason behind it, replacing headlights is serious business. That’s why we’ve ranked the best aftermarket headlights for the Silverado 1500 to help you get started:
Replacement Headlights
Replacement is known for offering some of the most cost-effective aftermarket options. They’re a professional brand not only for headlights, but they also deal with other automotive parts, such as electrical, brake, suspension, intake and exhaust, cooling, and heating components.
Replacement brand headlights are tested and certified by CAPA or the Certified Automotive Parts Association. All Replacement products are made with high-quality OE-grade materials and are made to exact OE specifications so you can be sure of their quality and value. Replacement headlights are sold individually or in pairs.
Key Features:
- One-year Replacement unlimited mileage warranty
- Direct fit for quick and easy installation
- Manufactured to exact dimensions as factory counterparts
- Department of Transportation (DOT) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)- approved
Our Score: 10/10
Anzo Headlights
Anzo has been in the aftermarket industry for 30 years and has since developed an extensive and diverse line of products. They’re one of the leading producers of quality performance lighting products, which are all SAE and DOT-compliant. Their headlights feature innovative designs that are the result of years of product research, making them one of the leading names in the industry.
Anzo’s Chevrolet Silverado 1500 headlights have gone through rigorous testing to ensure that they comply with local, state, federal, and international standards. These headlights are made to withstand harsh conditions and bad weather and are made to last for years to come.
Key Features:
- Customized fit for easy installation and maintenance
- Bulbs use CCFL technology to produce bright beams
- Products covered by one-year Anzo limited warranty vs. manufacturer defects
Our Score: 8/10
ReplaceXL Headlights
When it comes to OE-grade replacements, ReplaceXL should be one of your top choices. Its a professional brand that manufactures auto body and lighting parts, but they also have product lines for different parts and components, such as brake, suspension, and cooling and heating products. All ReplaceXL products are built to match and exceed your expectations. Plus, they also have a one-year unlimited mileage warranty.
ReplaceXL headlights are custom-fit for select vehicles for easy installation. They’re also durable, long-lasting, and street-legal in all 50 states.
Key Features:
One-year ReplaceXL unlimited mileage warranty
Direct fit for quick and easy installation
Manufactured to exact dimensions as factory counterparts
DOT and SAE-approved
Our Score: 9/10
JC Whitney Headlights
JC Whitney has been a retailer of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories since 1915. That’s why you can count on them for high-quality headlight replacements for your Chevy Silverado 1500. Through CarParts.com, JC Whitney provides a fast and convenient online shopping experience to make sure you get the right parts that you need with just a few clicks.
JC Whitney headlights for the Silverado 1500 are top-notch and come in different colors and finishes. You also have the option to select headlights with or without bulbs.
Key Features:
- Install-ready
- One-year JC Whitney unlimited mileage warranty
- Engineered to OE standards
Our Score: 10/10
Our Recommendation
Before purchasing and installing new headlights, make sure the product you intend to buy matches the specifications indicated in your owner’s manual. This will save you time and trouble later on. If you’re looking to get high-quality replacement headlights for a great price, we highly recommend getting Replacement brand headlights for your Chevy Silverado 1500. Replacement headlights are the same as their OEM counterparts in terms of quality, so you can restore your vehicle’s performance without going over budget. Replacement headlights are sold at lower price points than other brands of the same quality. And with a one-year Replacement unlimited mileage warranty, you can rest easy as you get back on the road.
When Should You Replace Your Chevy Silverado 1500 Headlights?
You should regularly check the headlights and all other lights on your Chevy Silverado 1500 to avoid getting into accidents while driving in low-visibility conditions. There are a few things that can affect the lifespan of headlights and headlight bulbs, including:
- How often the headlights are used
- Quality of installation
- Type of bulb used
- Climate and temperature
- Quality of stock or replacement bulbs
- Engine vibrations (more vibrations means shorter bulb lifespan)
- Road conditions (more vibrations due to speed and road bumps means shorter bulb lifespan)
While many owners install new headlights to upgrade their truck’s look, many do it out of necessity. In Silverados, the stock headlight panel is composed of four pieces that include a low beam, high beam, turn signal, and fog light. Older generation Silverado 1500s (i.e. 2007-2015) use an H11LL bulb for the low beams, a 9005LL bulb for the high beams, and 5202 bulbs for fog lights. The low beam lights on these older models are not very powerful, as some owners have noticed. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but some owners may feel the need for an upgrade, especially if they need more lights to safely drive through a rugged trail or in the dark.
Meanwhile, newer Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models (2016-2018) have LED bulbs that are brighter than the ones in older models. Despite that, some still opt to upgrade their headlights using an HID conversion kit, LED Dayliner strips, or halo ring add-ons.
To sum it up, you can replace your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 headlights when they’re worn out, when they’re not giving you the brightness that you need, or when you’re doing a customization project to improve your truck’s look.
What to Consider When Replacing Chevy Silverado 1500 Headlights
Before you settle for and purchase your replacement headlight of choice, make sure to keep the following things in mind:
Cost
Quality is a huge factor when you’re buying headlights for your truck. Of course, you want your headlights to last you a long time. But cost is just as important. The wide range of aftermarket headlights for the Silverado 1500 means that you have the freedom to choose based on both quality and your preferred price range. Most options are in the $100 to $300 range, but you can get quality headlights for a little bit less than $100. Headlights in the upper range ($500 and up) often come in kits that include other parts and components. In fact, Replacement has headlight kits in this range that include a hood, valance, grille assembly, and bumper.
Quantity
It’s common knowledge that headlights tend to dim over time. If one of your Silverado 1500’s headlights has started to dim or flicker, you can also expect the other one to wear out soon. That’s why you should replace your headlights in pairs, or else you risk having an uneven beam when driving at night. This rule also applies to other lights on your Silverado, such as the tail light, brake lights, and turn signals.
Type
The factory bulbs that came with your Silverado 1500 may not be as bright as you want them to be. That’s why it’s good to familiarize yourself with the available options on the market today. There are three main types of headlights available on the aftermarket: halogen, LED, and HID. Below is a list of all the pros and cons of each headlight bulb type:
Halogen
Halogen bulbs are the most common bulbs used for automobiles. They’re similar to incandescent bulbs in that they both have a tungsten filament, but the way their filaments work is a bit different. While halogen bulbs aren’t known for being energy-efficient, there are also energy-saving halogen bulbs available nowadays.
Pros:
- Most affordable
- Easy to replace
- Most common bulb type
Cons:
- Not energy-efficient
- Generates excess heat
LED
LED stands for light-emitting diodes. LED lights are relatively new to the scene, but there are a lot of great things about them. Make sure to check with your state’s DMV, as there may be a few restrictions on the use of LED bulbs for headlights.
Pros:
- Bright
- Do not generate heat
- Reduce emissions
- Preserve vehicle’s battery
Cons:
- More expensive than halogen lights
HID
High-intensity discharge headlights (HIDs) are also known as xenons. HIDs are well known for their brightness and are great for off-road driving. They’re also energy-efficient and have a long lifespan.
Pros:
- Up to three or five times brighter than halogen lights
- Use less energy
- Long lifespan
Cons:
- Expensive
- Long process to install (HIDs are road legal if they have ECE R99 certification)
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
