What are Smoked Headlights?

Got headlights that shine too brightly? Smoked headlights will let you customize the appearance and brightness of your vehicle’s headlights. But are they the best option for you? In this article, we’ll explain what they are, their pros and cons, their legality, and how to make DIY smoked headlights.

What are Smoked Headlights?

Smoked headlights or tinted headlights are aftermarket products that have slightly different features than their conventional counterparts. They get their name from their darker lenses that remind many people of smoke. These tinted plastic lenses absorb some of the illumination produced by the light bulbs, reducing the headlights’ brightness.

What are the Types of Smoked Headlights?

Smoked headlights are divided into two types–reflector-style and projector types.

Reflector headlights are an older design that uses a reflective surface to form the high or low beam. On the other hand, Smoke projector headlights have an optic lens that shapes the light beam. Projector-types deliver better performance at a commensurate price.

Advantages of Smoked Headlights

Like any other car part or accessory, smoked headlights come with pros and cons. It’s a good idea to carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of a smoked headlight before closing the purchase. Here are the advantages offered by smoked headlights:

Aesthetic Appeal

Smoked headlights alter and improve the appearance of your vehicle. Their distinct coloration sets them apart from conventional headlights, which use clear or brighter-colored lenses. They also help your ride stand out among other similar vehicles.

Optional Design Elements

Smoked headlights come in light-smoked and dark-smoked lenses. There are also black ones that have black headlight housing covers. Many smoked headlights have additional design elements to choose from, such as LED accents, halo rings, and LED strips.

Reduced Glare

You might find your vehicle’s stock headlights uncomfortably bright or even blinding while driving at night. Even if the headlight beams look fine to you or your passengers, other drivers on the road might find them difficult to look at. Smoked headlights lower the risk of glare by reducing the illumination produced by the lamps.

Disadvantages of Smoked Headlights

While smoked headlights offer several benefits, they also come with some drawbacks. The disadvantages of smoked headlights include the following:

Insufficient Brightness

Smoked headlights are dimmer than their conventional counterparts. Depending on factors like the tint level, type of light source, and brightness of the light bulb, these headlights might not produce enough illumination to help you see at night or during bad weather.

Street Legality

Depending on the state and city you live in, smoked headlights might not meet street legal standards. You can still install them on your vehicle, but you will have to replace them with normal headlights if you’re going to go on the road.

Are Smoked Headlights Legal?

There is no federal law that forbids the installation and use of smoked headlights. However, states have their own visible light transmission (VLT) laws that apply to headlights as much as they do to tinted windows.

In most states, the VLT law (also called the tint law) sets standards for a running headlight’s light measurement and visibility. The headlight must have enough reflectivity and capability. It must also be bright without the risk of glare. Last but not least, it must be safe and suitable for driving at night.

Usually, these standards are based on the state’s climate. A snowy state like Alaska requires a high VLT rating to make sure. There are tests that determine if a headlight meets the tint law. The specific tests can vary between states.

It never hurts to contact the appropriate authorities to ask if smoked headlights are legal in your state. And if you’re planning to visit or move to another state, always check the laws there to see if they allow smoked headlights.

How to Smoke Headlights

It usually doesn’t take much time and effort to get your hands on smoked headlights. However, it’s sometimes easier or more budget-friendly to tint existing headlights. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to tint headlights if you want to take on the custom job yourself.