The Best Headlight Brands: Reliable Replacements for Your Car

Lisa Conant, Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Reviewed by

Lisa Conant, Automotive Content Specialist

Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Written by CarParts.com Research Team - Updated on April 4th, 2024

Reading Time: 7 minutes
Summary
  • It’s dangerous to drive with faulty or broken headlights and illegal to operate your vehicle without them, so replace bad parts immediately.
  • The best headlight brands are Replacement, ReplaceXL, Anzo, Automotive Lighting, Valeo, and GenuineXL.
  • Headlights come in halogen, LED, and xenon types.
  • Choose the replacement headlight according to its application, cost, and quality.

It’s safe to drive at night and in low-light areas because of the headlights on your vehicle. They let you navigate in the dark and spot oncoming traffic by illuminating the road ahead. Headlights are one of the most important automotive lights on your ride, so you should always keep them in top condition.

Unfortunately, your car’s headlights will eventually wear out and need replacement after some time. Since it’s dangerous to drive with faulty or broken headlights and illegal to drive without them, you should replace them immediately once they start failing. Choose replacements that are made from high-quality materials to avoid problems like premature wear and poor bulb performance.

Since it’s dangerous to drive with faulty or broken headlights and illegal to drive without them, you should replace them immediately once they start failing.

Aftermarket replacement headlights are as durable as their OE counterparts but they are more affordable, which means you can get the same quality while saving money at the same time. Check out high-quality replacement headlights at CarParts.com today.

6 Best Headlight Brands

With the surplus of aftermarket headlights available today, finding the right replacement can be hard. To make it easier for you to find the perfect headlights for your ride, we’ve listed down the six best brands on the market:

  • Replacement
  • ReplaceXL
  • Anzo
  • Automotive Lighting
  • Valeo
  • GenuineXL

Replacement

Replacement manufactures top-notch OE replacements for worn-out, failed, or damaged car parts. It uses high-grade materials to manufacture headlights that offer the same superior performance as stock components. Replacement headlights are also among the most affordable on the market, making them suitable for vehicle owners who are on a budget but still want high-quality parts.

Replacement manufactures top-notch OE replacements for worn-out, failed, or damaged car parts.

Key Features:

  • Assemblies come with or without bulbs
  • Comes in smoked, amber, and clear lenses
  • Features halogen, HID/xenon, or LED light sources
  • Available in composite or sealed beam types
  • Direct fit for easy installation
  • 1-year Replacement unlimited-mileage warranty

Our Score: 10/10

ReplaceXL

ReplaceXL has an extensive selection of headlights, electrical, brake, suspension, intake and exhaust, and cooling and heating products. Its headlights are made of high-quality materials to deliver outstanding performance at prices that won’t break the bank.

ReplaceXL has an extensive selection of headlights, electrical, brake, suspension, intake and exhaust, and cooling and heating products.

Key Features:

  • Assemblies come with or without bulbs
  • Available with clear, smoked, or tinted chrome bezel lenses
  • Comes in halogen, HID/xenon, or LED light sources
  • Guaranteed fit and easy installation
  • 1-year ReplaceXL unlimited-mileage warranty

Our Score: 8/10

Anzo

Anzo offers high-quality performance lighting products at an affordable cost. With over 30 years of manufacturing experience, it boasts innovative styling and product offerings, setting it apart from its competitors. Anzo also uses only the most advanced technological and economical methods to manufacture its OE-grade headlights.

Anzo offers high-quality performance lighting products at an affordable cost.

Key Features:

  • Street legal or DOT-compliant headlights
  • Assemblies come with or without bulbs
  • Available with halogen, LED, or HID/xenon light sources
  • Offers plug-n-play simplicity
  • 1-year Anzo limited warranty

Our Score: 9/10

Automotive Lighting

Automotive Lighting specializes in creating powerful, safe, innovative, and stylish lighting products for various makes and models. It offers a selection of top-notch factory lighting products, including headlights, tail lights, turn signal lights, fog lights, and miscellaneous electrical parts.

Automotive Lighting specializes in creating powerful, safe, innovative, and stylish lighting products for various makes and models.

Key Features:

  • Features HID/xenon or halogen light sources
  • Guaranteed fit and easy installation
  • 24-month or 24,000-mile limited warranty

Our Score: 8/10

Valeo

Valeo crafts thermal, powertrain, and other automotive systems with emission reduction in mind. As a leading supplier of cutting-edge automotive technologies, its OE-quality aftermarket headlight replacements are durable, cost-effective, and long-lasting.

Valeo crafts thermal, powertrain, and other automotive systems with emission reduction in mind.

Key Features:

  • Crafted with premium materials for optimal quality
  • Assemblies come with or without bulbs
  • Available with HID/xenon, halogen, or LED light sources
  • Designed to match stock parts for proper fitment and easy installation
  • 1 year or 12,000-mile Valeo limited warranty

Our Score: 8/10

GenuineXL

GenuineXL offers premium replacement parts designed to replace stock equipment. It produces high-quality headlights for various makes and models, including Mercedes Benz, Volvo, Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, and Mini Coopers.

GenuineXL offers premium replacement parts designed to replace stock equipment.

Key Features:

  • Features HID/xenon, Halogen, and LED light sources
  • Direct fit for easy installation
  • 24-month or 24,000-mile limited warranty

Our Score: 8/10

Our Recommendation

We recommend Replacement headlights because they offer outstanding quality and performance without breaking the bank. They guarantee fitment right out of the box for quick and easy installation. Enjoy the peace of mind and confidence that comes with a headlight replacement that offers great value for your money.

Types of Headlights

There are three common types of headlights: halogen, LED, and HID.

When looking for new headlights, determine what light source suits your vehicle best. There are three common types of headlights: halogen, LED, and HID. Here’s how they differ:

Halogen Headlights

Halogen is probably the most popular type of light source because it’s more affordable compared to LED and xenon bulbs. They use halogen gas mixed with tungsten-halogen filaments to generate light. Although halogen headlights are widely used, they enjoy a shorter lifespan than their LED and xenon counterparts.

LED Headlights

Most newer car models have LED headlights. They’re energy-efficient, durable, and can last the life of the vehicle. LED headlights are also easy to replace, usually only taking around 30 minutes to install.

Xenon Headlights

Xenon or high-density discharge (HID) lights don’t use metal filaments to produce light. They are filled with Xenon gas, which ignites to produce white or bluish shades of light. They create a brighter light than halogen bulbs. Xenon bulbs last longer and cost more than their halogen counterparts.

What to Consider When Looking for Replacement Headlights

Always check for compatibility before purchasing a new headlight for your vehicle.

Shopping for a replacement headlight can be difficult due to the variety of options available. Merely knowing which brands to consider may not be enough. To help you choose the right one for your ride, here are some factors you need to keep in mind when in the market for a new headlight:

Application

Always check for compatibility before purchasing a new headlight for your vehicle. Getting a replacement designed for your ride’s specific year, make, and model guarantees a perfect fit and hassle-free installation.

Quality

Your replacement headlights should be guaranteed safe to use and resistant to premature wear. This will ensure that your vehicle will have the light it needs to drive in the dark.

Cost

The cost of a headlight replacement depends on its brand and intended location. Aftermarket headlights may cost anywhere from $20-$500 to $2200. Prices will also vary depending on whether you buy per piece, by pair, or in sets.

Headlights Recommended for:

Shop this Project

ReplaceXL – 20-1584-00 Passenger Side Headlight, with Bulb, Halogen, Clear Lens
$43.00 Price and rating may change from the time content is published.
Anzo® – 121078 Driver and Passenger Side Halogen Headlight, With bulb(s)
$182.49 Price and rating may change from the time content is published.
Valeo® – 44878 Passenger Side Xenon Headlight, With bulb(s)
$904.99 Price and rating may change from the time content is published.
GenuineXL® – Headlight Assembly (Halogen) – Replaces OE Number XBC501292LPO
$728.99 Price and rating may change from the time content is published.
About The Authors
Reviewed By Lisa Conant

Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.

Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

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